Race Reports 07th April 2008

 

Gary Dunn is slowly regaining his form of last year but could only finish 2nd behind international runner and New Marske Harrier, 20 year old Ricky Stevenson, in Sunday's Hartlepool Marina 5. After dire forecasts, the weather was not too bad for this fast, flat race along the promenade at Hartlepool, with a flurry of snow beforehand and sun with some wind during the race.  The cannon fire to start the race was a change from the usual starting pistol or hooter!  Gary took 26.08 minutes to complete the course, a minute and a half behind the winner, and Richard Hall put in his usual fine performance to finish 16th, and 3rd M40, in 29.24.  Phil Utley, another consistent performer, came 21st in 29.50,  Angela Hall 56th, and 6th lady, in 34.18,  Jonathan Severs - pleased with his time of 38.53 - was 101st,  Victoria Beasley 154th in 43.02 and Marian Codling 210th in 50.23.  There were 230 finishers.
   On the same day, the popular and well organised Baildon Boundary Way Half Marathon was held, a multi-terrain race taking in tarmac roads, canal tow-paths, moorland, bog, Harvey Smith's gallops and a few stiles, and starting and finishing with a hill!  364 runners completed the event, which was won by Richard Pattinson of Pudsey and Bramley AC in 1.21.19, with Alan Harman 219th in 2.05.28, just ahead of Pat Kirby, 225th in 2.06.37.  Pat was the 3rd V55 lady to finish.