03 December 2007

 

The Thirsk 10 Road Race was held at the weekend and proved to be a very successful event with a high quality field and over 600 finishers, in its new slot in the calendar.  For the second time in 3 weeks, pouring rain affected an event organised by Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers, but runners preferred this to the high temperatures which have been the order of the day when the event was run in June.  Ian Fisher of Otley AC was the worthy winner in 51.28, rather slower than he had hoped, with our own Gary Dunn providing stiff competition but eventually finishing 2nd in 52.52.  Richard Hall came 15th in 58.21 and Donna James 68th in a superb and 64.15.  Donna was 3rd lady to finish, and was just a few seconds ahead of Dusan Svoboda, 70th in 64.20.   Angela Hall  continued her good form, coming 142nd, and 1st V35 lady, in 68.57,  Darren Gladwin 206th in 71.52,  Hester Cox 222nd in 72.52, just pipping Alan Somers, 224th in 72.55,  Jill Knight 402nd in 83.05,  Angela Eilbeck 438th in 85.07,  Harold Vandenburgh 510th in 90.41,  Cath Lumb 568th in 99.17 and Phillip Craig, in his first 10 mile race, 607th in a very creditable 113.55. 

  The race could not have gone ahead without the efforts of all the people who marked out the course, marshalled and generally helped in all sorts of ways in the pouring rain, and sincere thanks are expressed to them all.
  The Fun Run was held before the main race, also in heavy rain, but this did not seem to dampen the enthusiasm of young and not so young alike who completed the new two-lap off-road course.  Josh Rowe of Beverley AC won the race in 8.43 and Sam Bye put in a spirited performance to finish 4th in 8.55.  Ben Morgan had another excellent race to finish equal 7th in 9.58, with Stanley Whitfield 11th in 10.19, just ahead of Kezih Paxton 12th in 10.20,  Robin Cook 14th in 10.29, Timothy Cook 16th in 10.33,  Thomas Somers 22nd in 11.03  and Maureen Worley 140th in 18.45.   
  The Club's Christmas Handicap takes place on Sunday at the Athletic Club at 10 a.m.  All members are invited to take part, and let's hope for some better weather for this event!