Race Reports 28th July 2008

Gary Dunn of Thirsk and Sowerby , who, according to one competitor, went off like a rocket from the start, won the race once again and again set a new record despite the heat, taking 7 seconds off his last years record and finishing in 53.17, this is the third time he has won the competition and he thoroughly enjoys the event. Over a minute behind him came Chris Beecham of London Frontrunners in 54.58 followed by Mark Aspinall of Clayton le Moor Harriers in 57.19, bearing in mind the oppressive conditions, these were excellent times for this route. Also for Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers still in come back mode was Cameron Choules in 10th place in 61.09, Rob Burn 17th in 64.14 , Gavin Coventry 52nd in 72.38, Mark Ludiman 80th in 77.21, 108th but 3rd V60 was Ernie Huck in 79.37, Alan Wikely 122nd in 81.04, Charlotte Ludiman 155th in 84.22, Kaye Mechie 240th in 100.45. Gary, Cameron, Rob, and Gavin also won the Mens Team Shield. The results for the ladies saw Sarah Tunstall of Kendal AC take first place in 60.26 with Becky Penty coming second in 63.14 and 3^rd placed was Erika Johnson of Swaledale Road Runners with a time of 66.09. Charlotte Ludiman was first the 38th Lady in 84.22 and Kaye Mechie 77th  Lady in 100.45

On the same day, more than 450 runners took part in the Harrogate Town Centre 10k. The course has changed over recent years and competitors found the long hills on the 2-lap course testing in the heat. Darran Bilton of Leeds AC won the event in 31.10 with Ken Evitt first home for Thirsk and Sowerby in 127th place in 47.01, David Goddard 252nd in 53.45, Ian Codling 311th in 56.57, the ever-improving Phillip Craig 407th in 64.13 and Marian Codling 429th in 67.35. Club Chairman Norman Smith was also present, in the capacity of race referee.

Roseberry Topping Fell Race, this short but very hard sprint up and down Roseberry Topping was won by Jim Bulman NYM AC in an excellent time, of 11 minutes 47 seconds. For Thirsk and Sowerby Pete Wilkin was 4th in 13 minutes 5 seconds but 1st V50, Noel Clough 7th in 13 minutes 38 seconds 2nd V40 after being in second place to the summit overall, Stuart Mechie 9th in 14 minutes 16 secs 3rd V45, Gavin Coventry 14th in 15 minutes 49 secs 3rd Senior, Mark Ludiman 19th in 16 minutes 43 secs, Keziah Paxton 30th in 17 minutes 14 secs 1st female junior, Neil Mechie 35th in 17 minutes 39 seconds, Alan Wikely 41st but 2nd V60 in  18 minutes 39 secs,