"Paras 10" - Catterick Garrison 14th September 2008

The famous “Paras 10” race was held for the first time at Catterick Garrison on Sunday 14th September, this being the first time that the public have also been allowed to enter the event. It covers a gruelling 10-mile route over the military ranges along gravel tracks, which is not for the uninitiated. To add an extra challenge, it is also possible to run the route carrying a 35lb bergen rucksack, in order to see if you can break the 1 hour 50 minutes barrier; the qualifying time for the Parachute Regiment.

Kelley Haniver

The event was won by Otley AC runner Julian Mawson in a time of 61.58, pushed all the way by the winning lady, Mary Wilkinson, only 1 second behind. There were also two Richmond and Zetland athletes; Kelley Haniver and Taff Rogers, who were both keen to test their prowess on familiar training ground. Swapping places around the course, they battled it out to finish within a few seconds of each other, with Kelley coming out the faster of the two in a fantastic time of 67.00 exactly, making her 2nd lady across the line in 7th position overall. Taff finished strongly to take 8th place in 67.36 and picked up the prize for 3rd male vet overall. The event will once again be run at Catterick Garrison in September 2009, if anyone fancies stepping up to test themselves.

Tartan Games - Gateshead 23rd August 2008

Junior athlete Paul Harmsworth has also been in action in his Richmond and Zetland colours, as the track and field season draws to a close. He competed in the Tartan Games at Gateshead stadium on Saturday 23rd August in the under 13 boys age group in the 100m, long jump and shot putt, resulting in a season’s best of 14.29 on the track, 4.27m in the long jump pit and a magnificent PB in the shot of 6.76m. Rounding off the summer in style, albeit in rather wet conditions, he travelled to York for the open meeting on Sunday 7th September, where he finished 2nd in the long jump with 4.22m, 2nd over 800m in 2.33.9 and 8th overall in the 200m with 30.8, showing that he is a very able all-round competitor.

Ampleforth Trail Race - 14th September 2008

Also on Sunday 14th September, Tony Ditchburn took part in the Ampleforth Trail Race, which covers 7 miles and is a tough, hilly course, which proved to be rather heavy going underfoot this year, due to the heavy rain. Undeterred Tony kept going to finish in 53.37, taking 37th place overall and looks to keep his momentum going for the Great North Run in just over a week’s time.