On the day when a large number of runners were
in the capital for the London Marathon, an unusually large number of
entrants were taking part in the last of the Winter Fell Race Series, the
Gisborough Moors race. Almost 170 runners, about three times the number who
normally run, completed this testing but popular event over 12 miles with a
climb of 2400 feet. The pleasant day followed a week of heavy rain, sleet
and wind. Carles Stead of NFR was the winner in a time of 86.24 minutes,
and Rob Burn was once again the first Thirsk and Sowerby runner home in
99.27. Stewart Mechie was 35th in 102.07, Mark Ludiman 102nd in 122.58,
Gavin Coventry 114th in 125.51, Alan Wikeley 141st in 134.01 and Hywel
Smith 156th in 140.25.
A fortnight previously, on another fine
morning, 67 runners completed race 11, the Eskdale Eureka! Andy Hilton of
York Acorn won the race in 69.48, Pete Wilkin 6th in 79.17, Stewart Mechie
12th in 81.55, Cameron Choules 20th in 87.29, Mark Ludiman 31st in 94.51,
Gavin Coventry 33rd in 95.06, Alan Wikeley 58th in 113.54 and Hywel Smith
66th in 133.44. The Thirsk and Sowerby team finished 2nd.
Marian Codling was one of the 668 runners to
complete the popular Rothwell 10k with a net descent of 30 feet, finishing
611th in 61.57, outside her target time!