Harrogate League Handicap Race - Ripon - 19th July 2006

L-R , Ian Hepworth, Neil Piper accepts Veterans Team Trophy, John Orange receives individual V40 Trophy

Ripon Runners hosted the annual Handicap Race, which signals the end of this season’s Harrogate and District Road Race League, at the Cricket Club on Wednesday 19th July. Once again the weather was excellent, making for a warm evening’s running, as 147 athletes got underway at various staggered start times. The handicap race gives those normally competing at the back of the field, a taste of life as a front runner, with the aim being that everyone finishes at least in close proximity. The 9.2k course takes in part of the Studley Royal Park and is a mixture of on and off-road running.

Nine Richmond and Zetland runners made the short trip to Ripon and enjoyed the competition, as well as the supper and presentation for the league afterwards. First Harrier home was Ian Hepworth in a time of 44.14 and in 19th position, Paula Copeland was close behind in 35th place, having completed the course in 44.36. Jon Orange was fastest on the night, finishing in 32.01, which earned him 58th position, while Taff Rogers had another excellent run, having competed in all the league races, to claim 58th place in 37.39. Jim Robinson was next home in 74th spot, with a solid run of 40.05, over taking team mate Tony Colmer in the final kilometre, who finished in 80th place with a clocking of 41.11. Competitors were now finishing thick and fast with sprint finishes towards the line, including Neil Piper who took 103rd place in 46.46, while Shaun Purkiss was close behind, taking 36.04 and 107th position overall. Shirley Mathurin rounded off the league in fine fashion, with 134th place in a time of 54.14.

Presentations were also made for the overall individual and team winners of the league’s five races, which began in May. Jon Orange was first up to take the shield for the male Vet 40 category, which was well earned with some fine performances, never finishing outside of the top 4 competitors. Neil Piper then collected the shield for the men’s winning veteran team, earned by a number of male Richmond and Zetland athletes throughout the 5 races, a great result and one which also saw them finish as runners up in the elite category.