Paul Goad - Fell Running Exploits 2007

Paul Goad

The fells have proved a popular place to be this Summer, not more so, than for Richmond and Zetland Harrier Paul Goad, who has certainly been busy with his off-road exploits. The series requires 6 results from 11 events to count towards an overall total, therefore a top 20 position in the MV40 category was the target for this season.

The first outing was the Carlton Challenge, where rolling down the final descent, he realised he was 2 minutes slower than the previous year, but nonetheless had points on the board and was satisfied with the evening’s work. Sitting out the next 2 races due to Cricketing commitments, Paul had to await a return to the fells, having pulled a quad muscle chasing a cricket ball, meaning any competitions in June were ruled out. Undaunted by the fact that Roseberry Topping was the next venture on the calendar, he decided to attempt the ¾ mile ascent, tip-toeing back down carefully, as not to incur any further injuries. Only 45 seconds slower than his previous attempt when fully fit, put him in the running once again and scored enough points to move into 13th place in the league. Gribdale Gallop loomed as the next conquest, a longer, endurance race of 7.8 miles, which encompasses Roseberry Topping once again, however, Paul hung in there, despite the descent causing the leg some problems and promptly moved up to 8th place.

Next on the agenda was the aptly named Guisborough Grunt, which took place on a very misty evening. It is rather more forgiving in the way of hills and despite getting lost 3 times, with only 5 other competitors behind him, more points were in the bag and he clung on to his 8th position. Feeling better by now, Paul was more confident going into the penultimate race; the Pinchinthorpe Plod on a bright Sunday morning. Starting slow and working his way through the field, proved to be a sound race plan over 6 miles, beating 3 fellow competitors in the MV40 category including those in 5th and 3rd places respectively. On to the final race at Castleton Show, which is often described as “a fell race for road runners and a road race for fell runners” as well as being a popular and scenic course. Each runner receives a rousing reception as they enter the showground and after crossing the line in 51 minutes, Paul was pleased to finish 6th in the MV40 age group and summed it up in his own words as “job done.” The Winter league starts on 23rd September, when he will be on the start line once again.

Autumn Coast 5K - Redcar 5th September 2007

Richmond and Zetland Harriers have also been in action on the roads in recent weeks, starting with the Autumn Coast 5K on the sea front at Redcar on a warm and humid evening on Wednesday 5th September. Four club members were on the start line, with Jon Orange once again leading the way, finishing in 4th place overall with an excellent time of 16.09. Shaun Purkiss was next across the line in 17th position, taking 17.45 to complete the 2 loops of the course. Tony Ryder had a strong run with 27th overall and a solid time of 18.37, while Sarah Gregory flew the flag for the ladies, taking 21.30 and finishing 79th from 148 competitors.

Ray Harrison Memorial 10K - 9th September 2007

Tamsin Clark ran double the distance at the Ray Harrison Memorial 10K Race on Sunday 9th September, clocking a very competitive time of 40.15 and taking the prize for 2nd lady overall on an undulating route, which winds through the town and surrounding rural areas. Further south, Ian Hepworth was also in 10K mode on the same day, taking part in the Probus 10K, organised by the Truro Running Club. He finished a very commendable 34th out of 85 competitors in 51.01 on a hilly course, which saw only 5 runners finish in under 40 minutes, underlining just how demanding the course is, as it loops round to incorporate the villages of Grampound, Ladock and Probus itself.

Wetherby 10K - 9th September 2007

Another 10K was also held on the same day, closer to home at Wetherby; a fairly new addition to the race calendar in only its second year. Sarah Gregory was on the start line at 2pm, before taking in farm tracks, trails, hills and roads en-route on a windy day. Using her endurance and working harder through the second half of the race, she finished in 72nd place overall from 362 runners in a time of 44.53 and took 3rd prize in the LV35 category.