Shildon Open Track & Field Meeting 13th April 2008

Several younger Richmond and Zetland athletes competed in the Shildon Open Track & Field Meeting on Sunday 13th April, producing some excellent results from one of the earliest meetings in the calendar. It is a great opportunity for the sprinters and middle distance runners to sharpen their training for the forthcoming season.

Karl Murray and Thomas Bingley made a return to the outdoor track, both taking part and making the finals of the Under 15 Boy’s sprint events. Karl claimed 2nd in the 100m with an excellent time of 13.3, while Thomas was 4th with 14.1. Karl then matched his result over 400m, claiming 2nd overall in 58.9 and Thomas another excellent 5th place over 200m with 28.6, as well as 6th in the High Jump with a height of 1.10m. In the same age group for the girls, Amy Coulson found her speed over 800m to finish 10th overall, with a swift first outing over the distance, crossing the line in 2.43.6. In the Senior Ladies event, also over 800m, two athletes stepped up to the mark, with Jo Adams take a well-deserved victory in a time of 2.25.5 and Katie Roberts not far behind in 4th position with an excellent clocking of 2.44.3. Staying with the same distance for the Under 13 Girls, Abbie Fletcher and Emma King, both ran strongly to take 12th and 15th places respectively, with quick times of 2.56.8 and 2.58.2 during their first outing. Abbie then went on to claim 9th overall in the 200m with a speedy 33.10, while Emma took 5th in the Long Jump with a fine distance of 3.29m.

Paul Harmsworth also had a busy afternoon for the Under 13 Boys, competing in 3 events, ranging from the 100m, where he finished a fantastic 6th overall in 14.70, to the 800m where he took 5th place with another excellent time of 2.43.1. Not content with that, he also lined up for the Long Jump, where he had his best result, finishing 4th with a distance of 3.56m. James King opted just for the Long Jump on this occasion, competing for the Under 15 Boys and finishing a very worthy 3rd overall with 3.90m.

Sam Wood was another athlete displaying his true potential on the track, competing over the longer distance of 3000m for the first time in the Under 17 Boys age group and promptly taking a fantastic 2nd place in his first outing of the year in 9.27.7.

RZH Results: Under 13 Boys – Paul Harmsworth, 6th 100m 14.70, 4th Long Jump 3.56m, 5th 800m 2.43.1. Under 13 Girls – Abbie Fletcher, 9th 200m 33.10 & 12th 800m 2.56.8, Emma King, 15th 800m 2.58.2 & 5th Long Jump 3.29m. Under 15 Boys – Karl Murray, 2nd 100m 13.3 & 2nd 400m 58.9, Thomas Bingley, 4th 100m 14.1, 5th 200m 28.6 & 6th High Jump 1.10m, James King, 3rd Long Jump 3.90m. Under 15 Girls – Amy Coulson, 10th 800m 2.43.6. Under 17 Boys – Sam Wood, 2nd 3000m 9.27.7. Senior Ladies – Jo Adams, 1st 800m 2.25.5, Katie Roberts, 4th 800m 2.44.3.

North York Moors Fell League

Paul Goad - (Picture NYM AC)

Paul Goad has enjoyed a busy Winter competing in the North Yorks Moors Winter Fell League. The series counts the best 6 results from 11 events, therefore a top ten placing in the MV40 age group was his target over the season. The inaugural race was “Cock Howe And Beyond” back in September, which includes a dramatic climb and descent of Cock Howe Fell, where Paul placed 6th in his category, benefiting from his Summer racing. The next outing was “Guisborough Three Tops” which takes in three of the areas peaks in Highcliff Nab, Roseberry Topping and Hanging Stone, where Paul worked hard over the 8.5 miles for an 11th place age group finish.

“Clay Bank West” was next up and was to be one of those runs where “there was nothing in the engine from the start” and a tired Paul crossed the line, managing to retain his 11th place. Missing the next two races over the festive period, Paul returned to tackle “Clay Bank East” also know as “The Beast” where the course climbs over Round Hill; the highest peak in the North Yorks Moors and a stalwart race plan saw him climb back into the top ten. The long “Castleton To Danby” race followed, which circumnavigates the Eskdale Valley, where he overtook 3 rivals to strengthen his league position, leaving just the “Eston Nab Knee Knocker” as the final outing. Here competitors are able to choose one of four possible routes back from the midway point. Paul plumped for the straight line route, which included climbing a mile of steps, which was to earn him a 3 minute lead over his nearest rivals, for his best finish of the season in 5th place, which took him to 7th overall in the league. Undeterred the Summer Series commenced on April 22nd with the Carlton Challenge, where Paul was once again on the start line.