Boxing Day Handicap Race - Gilling

The traditional Richmond and Zetland Harriers Boxing Day Club Handicap Race took place along the usual route of Sedbury back lane, starting in the local village of Gilling West. The course is an undulating one, stretching just short of 2 miles from start to finish and is a short, sharp test for those wanting to rid themselves of any festive indulgences.

This year saw an all-male turn out for the event, which boasted no less than three father and son teams, comprised of Mike and Dan Brooks, Ian and Adam Scott and Paul and Doug Roberts all on the start line, in addition to the usual suspects in the form of Shaun Purkiss, Taff Rogers and Tony Colmer. Jon Orange, taking a seasonal rest and recovering from a muscle injury, acted as time-keeper and official for the day. Paul Roberts had a magnificent outing and was outright winner, proving that when fit and injury-free, then he can match any vet in the club for speed and endurance. Dan Brooks was next home and pleased with his swift form, while Tony Colmer also enjoyed a speedy outing, as he finished in third place. Adam and Ian Scott battled it out along the course, with Adam finally finishing ahead of his father on the line, with Doug Roberts in hot pursuit, having run from scratch on the handicapping system, to clock a time of 9.45 on the day, leaving Jon Orange’s record in tact, which currently stands at 9.07.

Mike Brooks finished in 7th position and was pleased with his efforts, as well as blowing away any Christmas cobwebs in the process, while Shaun Purkiss and Taff Rogers showed that their Christmas excesses had perhaps slightly dulled this usual competitive edge, completing the line-up in 8th and 9th place respectively. Thanks also go to Tony Colmer for opening up the local pub; the White Swan, allowing the consumption of more beer, for those intent on continuing the Christmas spirit.

Yorkshire Cross Country Relays - Thirsk 27th December 2007

Doug Roberts

There was little respite for some members of the Roberts family, as Fergus and Doug Roberts, accompanied by Marc Scott, headed for the traditional York Cross Country Relays, held on the Knavesmire on Thursday 27th December. The event is organised by Dave Paver from the York club and has proved a popular success for many years. Teams of three athletes are invited to enter, all of which are then given a handicap, while the course is comprised of one short lap and two larger laps, each run by a team member, with a total of nineteen teams taking part this year.

Fergus was first away on the shortest leg and duly finished in 8.37, bringing the team into 4th position, after ten teams had been given a three-minute handicap on them. His lap time broke the record for the Under 14 age group, equalled the Under 16 age group record and beat the Under 18 record, which rounds off an unbelievably successful year for him over a number of distances, both on and off road. Fergus then handed over to Marc Scott, who had another fantastic run, taking on the larger lap and clocking a time of 18.20 in the process, he brought the team up to second place overall and was already gaining on the leader, as he handed over to Doug Roberts, again running the larger lap on the final leg. Doug also put in a magnificent effort, finishing in 17.10, the second quickest time of the day over the longer distance and brought the team over the line in first place, to achieve a magnificent victory for Richmond and Zetland Harriers.