Against all the odds, Thirsk 10 took place at the weekend, and the gratitude of runners was palapable!  There were 962 finishers, seeming to find the new course to their liking and the weather was kind, though wind in places was a factor.  Graham Rush of Leeds City AC won the event in a time of 51.44 – not bad for 10 miles – just 24 seconds ahead of Jonathan Johnson of Rotherham.  We were pleased to welcome back Olympian Aly Dixon of Sunderland Strollers, 20th finisher, who won the ladies event in a time of 57.07  with Rachel Friend of Leeds City 2nd lady in 58.19.  Tyne Bridge Harriers won the Men’s Team prize, with Harrogate Harriers second.    Stainland Lions RC were 1st Ladies Team amd Knaresborough Striders 2nd.  The only wheelchair athlete was Tiaan Bosch of City of York AC who went round the course in 43.31. The Norman Smith Trophy for men not attached to a club and living in the YO7 postcode area was Greg MacDonald, a name familiar to club members, and the ladies winner was Laura Wood.  About 30 or so children and adults entered the Fun Run.

17 members entered the race, though thanks go to a large number of others were involved in organising and marshaling, without whom the race would not be able to be held.  Special thanks to Race Director, Ken Wood, and Chief Marshal Phillip Craig, who has done that job successfully for several years.  First club finisher was Michael Cropper, who is really on a roll just now.  He came 157th in 67.02, a full 3 minutes quicker than his time for the race last year.  Rob Burn, entering the event after a gap of many years, was 273rd, and 3rd M65, in 73.06, Lorraine Hiles 289th, and 5th F55, in 74.01, 18 year old Jack Fisher, in his first time in the race, 291st in 73.21, Gary Wilkinson 304th in 74.40, Adrian Saunders, emerging from an injury, 361st in 77.05, David Tervit 397th in 79.04, Pete Jackson 412th in 79.17, Paul Chapman, pushing his friend, Euan Harrison in a wheelchair, 428th in 80.26, Paul Bradford 447th in 81.06, Clare Tempest 473rd in 82.07, Faith Coy 675th in 91.50, Trish Radford 730th, and 5th F60, in 94.56, Joanne Hunt 739th in 96.26, Adrian Elsworth 787th in 98,44, Paul Adams, more accustomed to Park Runs, 878th in 106.36 and Siobhan Woodland 951st in 123.29.  A celebration and thankyou meal was held in the evening.

10 members were among the 418 finishers at Fountains Abbey Park Run.  They were Mike Cropper, 19.35, Alan Simpson 23.05, Paul Adams 30.15, Jemma Cropper 31.41, Paul Chapman, with Euan again, 33.10, Kim Werner PB 35.06, Ian Codling 40.50, Marian Codling 41.39, and Ian Crane, walking, 45.28   Jill Libby and Phillip Craig were in the 94 at Northallerton, Jill taking 28.01 and Phillip 28.56.  Liz Stephenson at Millfield was 167th out of 203 in 37.29,   and Park Run Tourist, Rosie Gatenby, at Nostell , came 56th out of 201, and 5th lady, in 26.16.

On Friday evening, the club put in two teams in the Churches Together  “A Question of Sport evening”, with each team supplying a list of questions from its sport. After a break for a delicious supper,  I’m delighted to say that Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers won the event, after a tie-break, and were awarded with a silver, inflatable, trophy!  The event had a Bishop and a former Sunderland football player in attendance, and it was a very happy and successful evening.

Club activities are suspended for the time being, and members will be kept informed.