Abbey Dash – 21.11.10

Record turnout with forty runners and innumerable supporters with lots of personal bests. First male was Neilson Hall of Bedford & County in a time of 29:17 with first lady being Susan Partridge of Leeds City in 33:26. 6125 completed the course. HPH times as follows:


Name Cat Cat Pos Chip Time Chip Pos
David McGuire M40 36 00:38:59 334
Abinesh Gnanavelu MSEN 270 00:40:01 439
Chris Jones M50 28 00:40:36 504
Mike Jollands MSEN 349 00:41:10 579
Ka Wai MSEN 353 00:41:16 587
Richard Quinn MSEN 440 00:42:25 733
Chris Taylor MSEN 452 00:42:30 750
Alison Boyle FSEN 66 00:43:12 873
David Womersley M55 26 00:43:50 979
Andrew Nicholls M50 53 00:43:57 1004
Paul Sanderson M45 88 00:44:10 1053
Ralph Kidner M55 36 00:45:51 1406
Ken Fox M50 97 00:47:33 1785
Paul Warren MSEN 975 00:47:37 1800
Vikki King F35 70 00:49:39 2311
Janet Glynn F35 71 00:49:42 2328
Sarah Willis FSEN 248 00:50:31 2540
Laura Nalty FSEN 275 00:51:01 2682
Lwin Tin F40 88 00:52:08 2995
Joe Hogg M40 351 00:52:29 3052
Claire Kok FSEN 379 00:53:03 3202
Ben Hartley MSEN 1685 00:55:47 3863
Rona Cubitt FSEN 588 00:56:33 4053
Harp Bhambra FSEN 648 00:57:28 4286
Sarah Farnell F35 288 00:58:19 4485
Claire Deverill F35 293 00:58:23 4504
Liz Jones F50 51 00:58:29 4520
Kay Fawcett F40 215 00:58:33 4539
Nicky Woodward F35 328 00:59:36 4740
Vicki Megson FSEN 783 00:59:55 4801
Hilary Lund F50 69 01:00:29 4912
Sarah Cason FSEN 824 01:00:41 4939
Geoff Render MSEN 1892 01:00:59 4992
Linda Glendinning F50 76 01:01:37 5090
Liz Green F45 180 01:01:55 5130
Suzanne Bickerdike F40 312 01:03:41 5387
Leslie Bradshaw M55 140 01:04:12 5450
Jasbir Bangerh F40 330 01:04:45 5498
Janice Marshall F55 40 01:04:45 5499
Tess Hornsby Smith F35/521/ 01:19:32 - 6082


Well done everyone.

Race for Life - Cancer Research UK - Leeds - Temple Newsam; 5km Charity Race 20.6.10

Dave McGuire reports:

This was Jan's 10th running of this event and a charity very close to her heart. Jan ran the scenic 5km route in 25:12 and finished 9th. It was a beautiful day with approximately 4000 women, walking, jogging or running and helping to smash the fund raising target of £199,700 for Cancer Research UK's life-saving work. There was support from Vikki and Kara plus Khara Mills.

We had the added pleasure of meeting the rugby league superstar from Leeds Rhinos - the big and charismatic forward Jamie Jones Buchanan (see photo) also along to support his family.

PECO Cross Country League (2010-11) Race 1 (Pontefract Park) Hosted by Ackworth Road Runners 7.11.10

Dave McGuire reports:

Great turn out for the first xc for 2010/11. 22 members turned out to run, so well done all you folks! The ladies finished in an excellent 2nd place with 202 points, 1 point ahead of Valley Striders. The men finished 6th in their Premier Division debut. In the Vets league the Men will be placed 8th /17 (we need a 60+ member to avoid penalty points guys!) The Ladies Vets were 12th/17 and we need one 55+ to avoid penalty points there too!

To see the ‘counters’ details and league ‘positions’ look at results pdf here: http://www.pecoxc.co.uk/pages/race1.html

Position / Surname / Forename / Club / Cat / Pos / Race1: Pos Points / Cat Pos.

Men

12 McGuire Dave Hyde Park 40 12 93.4 1
22 Williams Tom Hyde Park S 22 87.3 13
42 Gnanavelu Abi Hyde Park S 42 75.3 21
44 Gardham Russell Hyde Park 40 44 74.1 7
66 Jones Chris Hyde Park 50 66 60.8 9
70 Nellthorp John Hyde Park S 70 58.4 32
75 Jollands Mike Hyde Park S 75 55.4 35
85 Taylor Chris Hyde Park S 85 49.4 40
100 Kasher Matt Hyde Park S 100 40.4 45
111 Sanderson Paul Hyde Park 45 111 33.7 24
143 Pullan Rick Hyde Park 50 143 14.5 24
165 Bradshaw Les Hyde Park 55 165 1.2 12

Women

17 Williams Helen Hyde Park 35 17 85.8 4
22 Boyle Alison Hyde Park S 22 81.4 12
74 Tin Lwin Hyde Park 40 74 35.4 9
89 Cubitt Rona Hyde Park S 89 22.1 29
96 Glynn Janet Hyde Park 35 96 15.9 14
99 Fawcett Kay Hyde Park 40 99 13.3 13
106 Dale Zoe Hyde Park 40 106 7.1 15
108 Jones Liz Hyde Park 50 108 5.3 14
112 Smith Susan Hyde Park 50 112 1.8 15
113 Hornsby-Smith Tess Hyde Park 35 113 0.9 15

Well done!

West Yorkshire XC League Bramley Park 20.11.10

Sam Dooley reports:
For the first time Hyde Park Harriers were represented in the West Yorkshire Cross Country League when Ellie Dooley lined up in the red and white vest against teams from across the county including the likes of Holmfirth, Halifax, and Wakefield as well as a few from out the county - York, Wetherby and Hull came from the North and East Ridings.

Bramley is a tough course that starts with an uphill climb and includes a further hill on the twisting two lapper. A dry stretch through the woods is the only respite on fields that were heavy from recent rain.

The standard across all ages is good and Ellie had to work hard to hold her own around 20th position, with positions changing as the course shifted from uphil to down and back up. As the race came into the finishing straight (Yep...another long climb) Ellie's final kick deserted her and she lost a couple of places..... a sight not often seen, and testament to the hard conditions.

A tough race, a tough field, and a gritty performance from Ellie in an event that boasts superb organisation and very worthy of good support.

The last race of the series is on Sunday 5 December 2010.

RESULT

21 Ellie Dooley 15:42
48 runners finished

YVAA Spenborough – 14.11.10

Chris Jones reports:

This race was the ninth and final race of the Yorkshire Veterans’ Athletics Association (YVAA) 2010 Grand Prix.

1 Colin Walker Pudsey & Bramley 0:31:26
55 Chris Jones 0:38.33

This was a proper cross country run of just over five miles. It started on the athletics track at Cleckheaton and the first mile was urban before heading across fields. It was pretty flat, but muddy and had some narrow tracks and stiles.

There were 218 runners in all and the course was straightforward for those of us in the middle of the field, but the leader did get lost and didn’t finish.

Abbey Dash 21.11.10

Well done to everyone for today.  There were so many red vests I lost count! 

Thanks for sending your times in and Ken and Chris for pulling lots of the times together.


Name Cat Cat Pos Chip Time Chip Pos

1 David McGuire M40 36 00:38:59 334
2 Abinesh Gnanavelu MSEN 270 00:40:01 439
3 Chris Jones M50 28 00:40:36 504
4 Mike Jollands MSEN 349 00:41:10 579
5 Ka Wai MSEN 353 00:41:16 587
6 Richard Quinn MSEN 440 00:42:25 733
7 Chris Taylor MSEN 452 00:42:30 750
8 Alison Boyle FSEN 66 00:43:12 873
9 David Womersley M55 26 00:43:50 979
10 Andrew Nicholls M50 53 00:43:57 1004
11 Paul Sanderson M45 88 00:44:10 1053
12 Ralph Kidner M55 36 00:45:51 1406
13 Ken Fox M50 97 00:47:33 1785
14 Paul Warren MSEN 975 00:47:37 1800
15 Vikki King F35 70 00:49:39 2311
16 Janet Glynn F35 71 00:49:42 2328
17 Sarah Willis FSEN 248 00:50:31 2540
18 Laura Nalty FSEN 275 00:51:01 2682
19 Lwin Tin F40 88 00:52:08 2995
20 Joe Hogg M40 351 00:52:29 3052
21 Claire Kok FSEN 379 00:53:03 3202
22 Ben Hartley MSEN 1685 00:55:47 3863
23 Rona Cubitt FSEN 588 00:56:33 4053
24 Harp Bhambra FSEN 648 00:57:28 4286
25 Sarah Farnell F35 288 00:58:19 4485
26 Claire Deverill F35 293 00:58:23 4504
27 Liz Jones F50 51 00:58:29 4520
28 Kay Fawcett F40 215 00:58:33 4539
29 Nicky Woodward F35 328 00:59:36 4740
30 Vicki Megson 00:59:55
31 Hilary Lund F50 69 01:00:29 4912
32 Sarah Cason FSEN 824 01:00:41 4939
33 Geoff Render MSEN 1892 01:00:59 4992
34 Linda Glendinning F50 76 01:01:37 5090
35 Liz Green F45 180 01:01:55 5130
36 Suzanne Bickerdike F40 312 01:03:41 5387
37 Leslie Bradshaw M55 140 01:04:12 5450
38 Jasbir Bangerh F40 330 01:04:45 5498
39 Janice Marshall F55 40 01:04:45 5499
40 Tess Hornsby Smith F35 521 01:19:32 6082

Thanks to all the supporters en route as well.  It is very much appreciated!

Click here to see the photos from today courtesy of Ian Watson.

The Tour of Pendle – near Clitheroe, Lancashire - 13.11.10

Dave McGuire reports:

The Tour of Pendle (27th running), Lancashire

16.8 miles 4,830 feet climb. Category Distance: AL Hard/Long

1 James Logue 304 V40 Calder VFR 2:27:34
86 Dave McGuire V40(27/73) Hyde Park H. 3:16:13
169 Malcolm Coles V70 Valley Striders 3:38:54

310 finishers.

My first ‘real’ fell race this year in terms of running in difficult weather conditions. We had everything; cold, heavy winds and rain, mist, a hail storm, some moments of sunshine and a rainbow. Really tough event (not helped by only 12 days since Dublin marathon) with some immense ascents and descents across none path type terrains – to be seen to be believed really! Plenty of bogs and marshes and slippery descents too.

The toughness of the challenge, however, IS the appeal! So no complaints!

Great set of people both running and organizing the event (set up c/o Clayton Le Moor Harriers) – this run included the requirement to hand in 12 plastic markers at 12 checkpoints across the race route. Thankfully everyone was accounted for at the finish.

Once again, a big thankyou to Malcolm Coles of Valley Striders (1st in his 70 age group no less!) for helping set this opportunity up. And the write up from CLEM said of Malcolm: “Best performance this year was by Malcolm Coles of Valley Striders first V70 and he knocked a massive 24min 27secs off the V70 record which was 8 years old.” Awesome!

Full results and report: http://www.clayton-le-moors-harriers.co.uk/uploads/Results/2010/TourRes2010.pdf

Well done! I am sure it will be the first of many fell races again for you this year Dave.

Helvellyn Triathlon 2010 5.9.10 (Promoter: Tri Hard Events)

Dave McGuire reports:


Dave McGuire (Vet40) 05:00:56

276th overall/106th age cat. pos’n.

Swim (1 mile): 33:25 min/sec (352th/130th)
Transition 1: 4:58 min/sec
Bike (38 miles): 02:35:53 (473rd/183rd)
Transtition 2: 4:46 min/sec
Run (9 miles): 01:41:54 (65th/22nd)

581 completed the triathlon.
211 completed triathlon in Vet 40 age group.

An amazing experience on my debut triathlon. I chose, what could be deemed almost a half iron-man distance event, as my first tri, because of the wonderful surrounds this race was set in. I thought it would be more stimulating and much more appealing than a more regular tri and I believed I had enough stamina to take on a more advanced challenge distance wise.

The weather was perfect and the day was fantastic in every way. My aims were; to get round and complete the event; to enjoy and find out about myself and all the challenges involved and finally; to pace myself to use up every last bit of energy ie to do my best.

For the record I swam in Ullswater Lake in lovely water, if a tad cold and a bit choppy. The views of the surround mountain terrain, whilst swimming, were special.

The bike involved the grueling 20% climb up ‘The Struggle’ along Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside – which again went well and was a right scrap to get up. The Kirkstone Pass Inn at the end of the climb was like a mountain stage finish on the Tour de France – mini style, but still really fun with crowds cheering competitors to complete the super steep ascent.

The run was a 9 and a bit mile fell race up Helvellyn, including a 45 minute speed hike up the first third to the base of Red Tarn and some major scrambling and climbing via Swirral Edge to the top of Helvellyn. The views from the top, on a clear day, were spectacular, especially with the marching ants that were the competitiors’ below me, where I’d come from and the competitors ahead and across the next mountain, descending over toward the east and back to the finish at Patterdale.

A massive thanks to Jan with her, as usual, superb and unstinting support, helping organize me, and support at the start, transitions and on the finish back down the final hill.

Well done Dave!

Barnsley 10k 14.11.10

Club members Alison Boyle and Paul Sanderson did the Barnsley 10K today, results were:


Alison Boyle: 44:44

Paul Sanderson: 46:00

Race To The Summit – 23.10.10

Chris Jones reports:

This was a category BS fell race between Littleborough and Todmorden. 4 miles with 800 foot climb, so not far but pretty steep. We set off in rain and the course was soggy, partly on firm track and partly on moorland with rocky outcrops. Should have known that the first half was going to be a slog in that the starting point was called the Summit Inn and we were running upwards from there. The halfway point was another pub The White House and you had to touch the wall before turning for the return leg. Bombing down the hill was fun on the track, but not over the moorland. Rained all the way and didn’t manage a “sherbet” in either pub.

On the whole quite a long drive for a short run.

Pos
Shaun Dimelow (Barnsley Harriers) 1 33:41
Chris Jones 48 39:32

76 runners completed the race. They hid the results as well; never did find out who organised the run, but it’s been going for years.

Withins Skyline – 24.10.10

Chris Jones reports:

This was a category BM fell race around Penistone Hill Country Park, near Haworth. 7 miles with 1,000 foot climb. A good bit further than yesterday, but nowhere near as steep. To be categorised as BM a race must be:

• at least 125 ft (38.1 m) of ascent per mile (1.6 km)
• should not have more than 30% of the race distance on road
• for Medium - over 6 miles (9.6 km)

Most of this race is on a narrow track with no opportunities for overtaking. It is imperative to get as far forward at the start and run the first half mile as hard as possible. I did neither and paid the price. Nevertheless, it was a glorious, still day and the race was run in bleak but beautiful upland countryside. A proper off road race with loads of mud.

Pos

Lloyd Taggart (Dark Peak) 1 43:27
Chris Jones 233 64:53

348 runners completed the race.

British Schools Modern Biathlon - Yorkshire Qualifying Heat 7.11.10

Sam Dooley reports:
Ellie Dooley and new recruit Rebekah Hayne were both missing from the Peco Cross Country as they were putting in a 100m swim and a 1km track run in the Yorkshire heats of the British Schools Modern Pentathon.

The morning swim saw Ellie clock 1:31, and Rebekah 1:42 in their heats to leave them in 9th and 10th places overall.

But it was better on the run ....certainly for Ellie. A quick start from the gun had Ellie tracking the race leader for the first 400m, and as she tried to raise the pace, Ellie stayed on her shoulder as the field spread out. At 750m Wetherby runner Poppy Moore (a parkrun regular) moved up from third into the lead, but could not shake off the young Hyde Park Harrier. As the pace picked up over the last 150m, Ellie put in the kick she is becoming increasingly noted for, and raced away from the field to take first place in 3:31.

For Rebekah, who only started running in March this year, it was her first track race, and her 4:56 was the first time (any surface) that she has broken 5 minutes for 1km.

So a hard earned Gold Medal for Ellie and a full set of PBs for both girls. Can't say they both didn't give their best.
 
Absolutely brilliant results girls!  Well done!

Leeds Schools Athletics Association Cross Country- Race 2 - Middleton Woods 6.11.10

Sam Dooley reports:
Same course as the first race last month, but sunnier conditions, and a course slightly softer in places than last time. This time round Kara King found it harder going but her 46th place and just missed out on being the fourth counter for her school.  The school came fourth place out of the 22 teams in the under 11's.

In the under 15 girls Ellie Dooley improved on last month's placing by finishing in 4th place, again using her strong finish to move herself up a place during the last 200m of the 3.6km race.

Next up is the trials for the Leeds Schools team on 11 December 2010.

Well done girls and good luck Ellie for the trials! 

Results:

u/11 Girls:
46 Kara King

(130 Finished)

u/15 Girls:
4 Ellie Dooley

(16 Finished)

Guy Fawkes Ten as run /walked by Richard Quinn 31.10.10

What a fantastic course. If it hadn’t been a foggy day, the views would have been brilliant. Really well marshalled by friendly, clapping people who provided a brief distraction for the UNENDING HILLS!

The hills have suitable names but I can’t remember them. I will instead call them runny, walky and sort-of-runny.

For those that haven’t run it before, you leave Ripley to places which are up a hill from Ripley via runny. Runny then levels off after about two miles and as you think things like, ‘I wonder how far in front Tom is’ Tom runs by and you vaguely recall somebody mentioning the concept of pacing yourself. On the way to the bottom of walky, after about three miles, you get a second reminder from Chris. Because he reminds you with a grin .

Apart from the gradient, walky was great. A real reminder you were in a race as those around had to admit they needed to breath and, well: walk.

The rest was a comparative rest really. Some of the views were amazing. The final mile (like the first) was off road through woods and the fairly steepish decent ensured you kept concentrating.

Highlights at the finish included a spot of elbows that drew a great spontaneous ooohhhhh from the crowd and Ralph, who got round joggling with only five drops! Amazing.

Can a goody bag make up for a hill? Yes it can – fantastic long sleeved T-shirt, loads of chocolate and some pasta. What it can’t do is provide any sort of an excuse for decaffeinated tea!

position Male Post Female Post Age category Name Time


1 1 1 Ian Crampton – Durham City Harriers 00:56:51
23 1 1 Karen Pickles – Pudsey Pacers 01:03:52

Hyde Park Harriers

56 52 13 13 Tom Williams 01:08:28
98 193 24 Abinesh Gnanavelu 01:12:05
147 14 Chris Jones 01:14:47
217 26 6 Alison Boyle 01:18:53
222 29 9 Helen Williams 01:19:08
232 200 43 Richard Quinn 01:19:40
486 130 24 Vikki King 01:31:47
605 411 33 Ralph Kidner 01:37:41
757 288 55 Harpeet Bhambra 01:47:43
764 294 71 Kay Jefferies 01:48:22
809 320 35 Liz Jones 01:55:41
824 331 75 Jasbir Bangerh 02:02:28

Thanks to Dave, Jan, Alan, Debra, Andy and John for their support.  Photos courtesy of John Hawkins can be found by clicking here.  Photos courtesy of Ian Watson can be found by clicking here.

Kirkstall Valley Trail Race (6.8 miles) 19.9.10

Dave McGuire reports:

1 Tim MIDGLEY M Bingley 36:47
11 David MCGUIRE M35 Hyde Park Harriers 42:01
71 Ralph KIDNER M55 Hyde Park Harriers 52:12
90 Richard PULLAN M45 Hyde Park Harriers 54:55

151 runners

The race took place starting by Kirkstall Abbey across a mix of road, canal tow path and woodland (distance shortened from full 7 miles due to construction of the abbey). Damp rainy conditions were ugly but cool to run in. Ralph produced a great none joggling based run time. Also a well organised event by Kirkstall Harriers.

Woodland Challenge 10.10.10 (report 2!)

Dave McGuire reports:

c/o Stadium Runners (Huddersfield)

1 Rob Downs Vet45 Wilmslow RC 37:47
3 David McGuire Vet40 Hyde Park Harriers 39:20
69 Chris Jones Vet50 Hyde Park Harriers 49:42
91 Paul Sanderson Vet45 Hyde Park Harriers 51:29
239 Elizabeth Green Vet45 Hyde Park Harriers 01:10:56
246 Nicola Woodward Vet35 Hyde Park Harriers 01:12:48
249 Kay Fawcett Vet40 Hyde Park Harriers 01:14:14
260 Liz Jones Vet50 Hyde Park Harriers 01:19:22

Superbly well organized 6 mile trail race which took place in clear weather but the surfaces were slippery. This is a highly popular event as voted by the public in one of the national runners magazines in recent years due to the excellent stewarding, commentary, brass band to start the race and a pianist playing in the woods on both laps of the race. Ron Hill was there to present some lovely prizes at the end too.

All the team really enjoyed the occasion (perhaps less so the uphill grueling finish) but we all stuck together to cheer everyone home. A big thanks to Janet who came along to enthusiastically cheer everyone on.

Club Championship - parkrun 16.10.10

Great to see so many people there for our club championship race this morning!  It seemed like everywhere we looked there were red vests - brilliant!  Well done to Janice on her new pb and 100th run - thanks to Tom for pacing her.  Well done to Abinesh for his new pb as well.

26 Abinesh GNANAVELU M 19:38 Hyde park Harriers 65.70% SM25-29 New PB

28 Russell GARDHAM M 19:44 Hyde park Harriers 70.19% VM40-44

34 David M MCGUIRE M 20:19 Hyde park Harriers 68.17% VM40-44

35 Ka Wai CHAN M 20:23 Hyde park Harriers 63.29% SM25-29 1st run

41 Richard QUINN M 20:48 Hyde pa rk Harriers 62.10% SM25-29

42 Christopher JONES M 20:49 Hyde park Harriers 73.18% VM50-54

56 David WOMERSLEY M 21:45 Hyde park Harriers 72.49% VM55-59

64 Richard PULLAN M 22:00 Hyde park Harriers 68.11% VM50-54

68 Paul SANDERSON M 22:16 Hyde park Harriers 65.72% VM45-49

72 Alison BOYLE F 22:22 Hyde park Harriers 66.47% SW30-34

85 Ken FOX M 22:54 Hyde park Harriers 65.43% VM50-54

88 Paul WARREN M 23:05 Hyde park Harriers < td>55.96% SM25-29

95 Ellie DOOLEY F 23:14 Hyde park Harriers 66.71% JW15-19

143 Vikki KING F 25:29 Hyde park Harriers 59.78% VW35-39

187 Ralph KIDNER M 27:57 Hyde park Harriers 55.46% VM55-59

191 Harp BHAMBRA F 28:11 Hyde park Harriers 52.57% SW30-34

201 Janice MARSHALL F 28:54 Hyde park Harriers 63.26% VW55-59 New PB

202 Tom WILLIAMS M 28:55 Hyde park Harriers 45.88% SM35-39

215 Kay FAWCETT F 29:54 Hyde park Harriers 52.90% VW40-44

219 Nicola WOODWARD F 30:12 Hyde park Harriers 50.44% VW35-39

224 Claire DEVERILL F 30:48 Hyde park Harriers 48.54% VW35-39

226 Liz GREEN F 30:51 Hyde park Harriers 52.30% VW45-49

228 Jaz BANGERH F 31:06 Hyde park Harriers 49.30% VW40-44

239 Liz JONES F 32:24 Hyde park Harriers 52.88% VW50-54

266 Tess HORNSBY SMITH F 38:19 Hyde park Harriers 39.19% VW35-39

Dublin Marathon 2010 25.10.10

Dave McGuire reports:
670th Dave McGuire Vet40 (112th age cat) 03:10:33

A cold and frosty start to the morning in Dublin. Very pleased to get around the course in sub 03:15:00. I felt I paced myself well, looking to run 07:30 minute miles, I actually managed to run way under this with a 4 minute buffer most of the route. I did begin to struggle around mile 22 to 25 (even scrabbling for a water bottle off the floor c/o a supporter and another from an Abbey runner competitor a bit earlier!) but picked up with the huge and tightly drawn crowds at the run in.

Dublin is a much more intimate experience than London in many ways and I really enjoyed this. A pleasant 4 mile run through Phoenix Park was a main feature and proved easy to run through, due to the open spaces and beautiful scenery. There were also a couple of challenging hills to tackle, which I again really enjoyed.

I was lucky to have the personal support of “Team Dublin Dave” c/o Jan, Alan and Harp and Colum (a top mate of Alan who kindly hosted myself and Jan). The team caught me at 4 points across the second half of the race due to Alan’s excellent courier skills driving across South Dubs!

We enjoyed a celebratory couple of Guinness post race in the heart of Dublin followed by a great American style burger and chips and quality milkshakes in Dundrum for all of us to deservedly refuel.

A massive personal thankyou to all 4 of you for your superb and wonderful support. You were tops!

Yorkshire Coast 10km 31.10.10

Sam Dooley reports:

Although the mist hung around for most of the morning, and it was a bit cool for spectators, the calm conditions on Scarborough seafront made for a good day's racing. Two Hyde Park Harriers were in action. Dave Womersley and Ellie Dooley.

Ellie made a brisk start, keen to avoid the bottleneck just 300 yards into the race caused by roadworks on an already tight bit of road. Dave wasn't far behind her in the 1000+ field. By the 5km turn on this out and back course, Dave (Check his photo on the official website taken at this point) was ahead of Ellie and the man in the white cap came home strongly in 45:33 in 207th place. Ellie crossed the line 3 minutes later for a new PB of 48:41. For Dave this was an 11th placed age group finish. For Ellie, a second place in the under 18's....tantalisingly just 21 seconds behind the winner.

A well organised run, and an excellent orange and black halloween themed t-shirt in a cotton goody bag that contained a banana, a bottle of water and (uniquely?) a voucher for a bag of McCain chips....

Brighton Midnight Half 30.10.10/31.10.10!

Russell Gardham reports:

This was part of the White Night events held across Brighton over the Hall’o’een period.


300 runners set off in packets of roughly 25-50 from the Old Paddling Pool on the seafront on Brighton Promenade.

We were supplied with head torches, this was probably for our safety for oncoming traffic as you didn’t see very far with them.

Zoe, her sister (Wends) and I set off and within 100 metres I had to physically remove one of the party goers off me who decided to grab hold of me. From the seafront we headed through town, Im sure the route took us past every single night club in town as it was very busy with Frankensteins, Draculas, the Walking Dead (and some people were in fancy dress also, hehe that was a little joke there).

It took quite a while before the group thinned out and it started to get a bit scary as runners strung out throughout the town.

The idea was to beat the clock going back, which we didn’t make, finishing in 2 and a half hours. Having said that we started at midnight and finished at one thirty.

The support staff on the ground more than made up for the fact that it was a midnight run. They were great.

Its not a race I could recommend as I believe that this particular one is a one off.