Harrogate League Thirsk - 29th June 2006

The fourth Harrogate and District Summer Road Race League fixture got underway at Thirsk on the evening of Thursday 29th June. A warm evening saw twelve Richmond and Zetland athletes compete on what was a flat course through Sowerby and the town centre, with the start and finish taking place on the grass fields of the Flatts. Jon Orange took the customary position of first Harrier home in third place and a time of 26.49 and once again took top spot in the men’s V40 category. Shaun Purkiss finished strongly in 11th position overall, with a convincing run and a time of 29.24, putting the men’s vet team on an excellent footing. Taff Rogers was next across the line in 30th place, taking 31 minutes exactly to complete the course, while Tad Zaranko was only a few steps behind in 31.11 and claimed 32nd position. Chris Peacock crossed the line in 38th place, taking 31.31 and sealed victory for the men’s vet team, who now look to be heading to take the overall title in the league.

"Taff" Rogers

Jim Robinson had another excellent outing and finished top men’s V60 in a time of 32.58, taking 53rd place in the process, while team mate Tony Colmer was within sight, with at time of 33.09 and 57th position. First lady home for the Harriers was Sarah Gregory, enjoying a sound run and taking 35.53 to reach the finish and take 89th place overall and 8th lady. Neil Piper concluded a good night’s racing in a time of 37.13 in 108th, while Paula Copeland was next home in 112th position, stopping the clock in 37.32. Ian Hepworth came home in 38.31, which earned him 122nd place and Shirley Mathurin rounded off a successful evening by claiming 154th position in a time of 42.34. Richmond and Zetland also took second place in the elite competition, which stands them in good stead going into the last race at Guiseley.

Burn Valley Half Marathon 1st July 2006

The Burn Valley Half Marathon took place on Saturday 1st July from Masham market place at 2pm in the heat of the day. The course is a truly testing one, which winds out over the steep hills and moors above the town, providing a real challenge for the athletes. On a hot day, plenty of water for hydration was once again a key element and first home for Richmond and Zetland was Tony Hewson in an excellent time of 1.41.46 putting him firmly in 37th position overall. Paul Scott found his way around the course in 1.52.25 and looks set to finish all the races required for the Black Sheep Race Series, giving him a sure footing in the men’s V45 category.

Northern Senior Track and Field League Clairville- 2nd July 2006

Clairville Stadium in Middlesbrough was the venue for the third meeting of the Northern Senior Track and Field League on 2nd July, with another disappointing turn out by Richmond and Zetland athletes, with results currently placing them bottom of division 2 NE. With only one female and five male athletes and many of the front runners missing, the team had a proverbial mountain to climb. Sarah Gregory did not feel well enough to run and elected to compete in just the throwing events, while Ken Harker and Chris Peacock ran solid rounds in the 800m. John Wild proved to be the usual steadfast competitor in all the throwing events, while Ray Robson made a welcome seasonal track debut in the 1500m and 200m and Matt Prosser had promising starts in the Long Jump and Discus.

RZH Results: John Wild 3rd Hammer 34.59m & 4th Javelin 30.99m & 5th Shot Putt 9.63m & 3rd Discus 33.09m, Matt Prosser 6th Long Jump 5.24m & 4th Discus (B) 18.77m, Ken Harker 4th 800m 2.05.8, Chris Peacock 5th 800m (B) 5.14.5, Sarah Gregory 5th Hammer 15.43m & 6th Shot Putt 5.82m & 6th Discus 13.68m, Ray Robson 1500m 5.34.5 & 200m 30.7.

Ken Harker's Programme

Ken Harker was in action on the track once again in preparation for his trip to the World Master’s Championships in Poland later this month. On this occasion he was racing at Birmingham on Sunday 9th July over his preferred distance of 800m. The final was comprised of 11 athletes, from which Ken finished an admirable 6th in a time of 2.05, not his fastest to date, but he has one more race at Stretford with the British Milers Club, before flying to Poland on 24th July; we wish him all the very best for another successful international competition.