Race Reports 26th May 2008

You know that when Gary Dunn is involved in a race he will always give 100% effort, and the Edinburgh Marathon at the weekend was no exception. Who could have expected that Gary would have come 4th in this prestigious race, only a minute and a half behind the Irish International runner who won the event? Gary's time of 2.26.54 was well inside that required for an automatic place in the London Marathon, and we look forward to seeing him there next year! Conditions were good for the race, though the strong winds which have plagued the north this weekend were in evidence at times. Many congratulations to Gary for his thoroughly deserved result.
While Gary was preparing himself for the marathon, other members of the club took part in Race 2 of the Harrogate Evening League hosted by Nidd Valley Runners, and Richard Hall was again in fine form to finish 12th in 31.25. Sam Bye ran well to come 35th in 33.48, Dusan Zvoboda 44th in 34.12, Cameron Choules 52nd in 34.57, Angela Hall 91st in 37.10, David Barker 148th in 40.33, Ken Evitt, getting into form again after a lay-off, 158th in 41.16, Pat Kirby 214th in 45.18, Richard Easby 251st in 49.14, Sharon Keegan 252nd in 49.18, Debbie Pooley, in her first outing for the Club, 271st in 53.11, Phillip Craig 283rd in 56.47 and Lydia Evitt 287th in 59.13.
More than 300 runners completed the popular Melmerby 10k on Sunday, where wind was a factor at times, though personal bests were still possible over this fast, flat course. This 3rd race in the Black Sheep Series was won by Darran Bilton of Leeds City AC in a time of 30.56. Phil Utley was the first Harrier home, finishing 10th in 36.55, Brett Edgeworth 38th in 40.10, Les Sutton-Haigh 95th in 43.50, Jonathan Severs 150th in a personal best time of 47.30, Ernie Huck 167th in 48.50, Jill Knight 182nd in 50.15, Judith Seaton 213rd in 52.27, Yvonne Wood 222nd in 53.07, Jo Fambely 233rd in 54.12, Nik Sutton-Haigh 238th in 54.39, Eileen Howell 254th in 56.40, new member Wendy Holden 259th in 57.21, Ian Codling, trying to get back into racing again after a long lay-off, 266th in 58.56 and Marian Codling 283rd in 63.16. There were 306 finishers in this well organised and marshaled village event.