The spring running season is here so I hope you have a spring in your step. We will no doubt be taking slightly longer runs and going off road more often. There are two points we should keep in mind. If you will be late arriving back make sure the people at the club know and don’t mind, if you have mud on your shoes leave them down stairs and if you put mud on the carpet please clean it up.

Most of the club will be armchair London Marathon participants and we wish all those who are running all the best. We will be on the lookout for the Swaledale green vests. Talking of vests I have a good supply of the club vest (£13), an essential part of any club member’s kit.

The mid – week league is upon us at the start of May. We did well last year by combining quality and weight of numbers. This year the quality is greater thanks to Richard Johnson joining our running ranks (the green vest suits him), but we still need the weight of numbers. They are great social events and enjoyable races. Remember they are club events so you can gain points for the club championship.

Talking of points I am adding Raby Castle 10k (May 30^th) to the designated races, for no better reason than it is close and has pretty scenery (hills!).

The June races are the mid-week league events at Otley (9^th), Thirsk (23^rd), Kirkby Malzeard 10k (5^th), Ripon Mid-Summer 10 miles (13^th) and Rainton 10k (27^th).

Please remember the first Monday of every month is club meeting night at The Board Inn, a social event but also you chance for a say in the club.

All trophy winners from last year should be returning the shields/cup to me a.s.a.p. (14^th April latest).

The AGM will be on Sunday 9^th May

Remember to enjoy your running.

This was a multiple ‘first’ for me – first half marathon, first time wearing a Swaledale vest and the first time I’ve thrown up on the verge of the A66, so forgive me for the egocentric slant on what follows! Haweswater was described in its own blurb as ‘not for the fainthearted’ but this was obviously the kind of threat/incentive the club thrives on as there were a number of familiar faces there. As the blizzards swirled around us on the drive over Bowes Moor my spirits lifted – perhaps it would be cancelled? – but no, all was sunny (if spring-time showery) as we parked in the little village of Bampton. The drive over was a revelation for the novice runner (me) - I learnt that runners have not two but an unanticipated three topics of coversation – times and training; injuries; and crucially what to wear!!

The course was a very scenic ‘there and back’ route along the shore of Haweswater. Do not let that fool you into thinking that it was flat. ‘Undulating’ is the technical term, I believe, but I would prefer to add a few personal adjectives, unsuitable for a family publication such as this.

The first few miles were pleasant enough. As the lesser mortals amongst us enjoyed the downhill approach to the halfway turning point, we were treated to the sight of the front runners slogging their way back up it. My memory is hazy but I recall Marion calling out encouragement to Richard Johnson , who went on to finish fifth in a field of nearly 400 runners in 1:18:32; Erika Johnson who was leading the ladies at that time and finished in 1:29:58 (46^th overall); and Liz Sowter (1:33:22, 4^th lady, first lady veteran). Apparently Eric Nutter (1:44:22), Ruth Wilford (1:44:23) and John Hunter (1:44:49) were having an interesting tussle and snapping at each others heels, but by then I had had to recourse to singing the Gloria Gaynor song ‘I Will Survive’ and was somewhere on Planet Disco.

Considering Marion Hunter had the added handicap of listening to me moaning most of the way, she ran a very strong time of 1:55:43 (two minutes faster than her time last year) and I crawled over the finish line in 1:57:34, vowing never to do anything so silly ever again. As I gorged myself on hot chocolate and ginger cake, Norman Bell and Andy Broadley both came in to collect their very tasteful commemorative mugs in 2:01:46 and 2:02:11 respectively. Glenys Nutter followed them in, having suffered the worst of the headwind and showers, to finish in 2:24:19.

All that remained was the slow journey home, where I completed my hat-trick of firsts. The heady mixture of excitement, cake and a warm car lead to me suddenly diving out of John and Marions car and lurching to the grass verge, much to the surprise of the car behind us, who feared for their shiny bonnet at one point I fear. I will not dwell on this part of the story, dear reader.

So, Haweswater. Would I recommend it? Yes, of course – we Swaledalers sneer at ‘undulating’! Would I do it again? Sadly, I think might – such is the masochism/obsession/sense of achievement that I’ve been wallowing in ever since!

As the Sunday morning approached the added prospect of me having to drive myself to Redcar was more daunting than running the half marathon, at least it was not raining as forecast. No problem with getting there. The wind was horrendous but it was not cold. 7 Swaledale Road Runners were spotted before the start. The course is very flat and could be very fast if the wind did not always blow strong all the way, especially the last 4 to 5 miles when the wind got stronger and actually stopped me in my tracks at times.

Jackie Keavney somehow got a PB, she said it was wind assisted (she must have run a different route to me), Pete Wicks complain the wind was so strong it blew the sand in his hair. I was just pleased to get finished. When I got back to my car I had a struggled to even open the door as the wind was now blowing gale force. The rain had just started so I gave the fish & chips a miss and was home by 2pm. Pete Wicks was home first for the club in 1.37.08 closely followed by his training partner Roger Webber in 1.38.42, Jackie with a PB 1.39.37, Angie Went 1.43.26, Clinton Peart 1.49.05. New club member Mel Albright finished in 2.05.57. Graham Turnbull managed to overtake me on the last bend and finished 2.24.47. I finished in 2.25.45 but was chuffed to find out I was 3rd lady in my aged group, the fact there was only 3 of us is neither here nor there!
 

Many thanks to Norman, Angela, Yvonne, Andy, Trevor and Geoff for giving up their Sunday morning to support and feed 16 fellow runners.

An 8am start was too late for Pete Wicks and Roger Webber (or had they turned their clocks the wrong way!) as they were half way back to Richmond before the rest of us got to Keld. (Steve, Vic, Sven, and Linda opting for the muddier Reeth to Richmond off road).

Liz Sowter stormed away to reach the club house in just under 3 hours with Stu Smith also completing the full distance.

Most of those who weren't using the run for marathon preparations were aiming to complete their longest ever runs. Most impressive was new member Alex Brown who clocked up 17 miles after only ever running 7 before. Well done to everyone who achieved their longest ever distance, there are plenty of marathons and half marathons for you to enter now!

A great day for a run in The Lakes! I keep on about this event but 1500 runners can not be wrong. Runners World always has this event in its top ten. Next year Richard Johnson (1:24:03) will be there in his Swaledale vest and instead of coming 21^st (wearing a very old Ripon vest) will make the top 20 and win a prize. Erika Johnson (1:37:03) will be fully fit and in her usual prize position. John Hunter (1:49:34) will improve to beat that youngster Eric Nutter (1:49:21) and that young upstart Dave Slater (1:49:05), who it seems is prone to drink a certain part of a gorilla’s physiology during each race (dope testing could be called for!), will no doubt do the decent thing and run his race out of my sight so I don’t have to make an effort to catch him. Oonagh Bathgate (2:09:41) will continue to fool the entry people who cannot spell her name. Marian Hunter (2:10:41) will be so close to the 2 hour mark we will hear about it for the rest of the year. Glenys Nutter (2:24:50) will improve on her time and win another prize.

Well done all of us we hope to see more of you there next year.

While only a young lad I always remember being bounced up and down on my grandmothers knee, she had a saying “ ‘tween lambing and conkering always wear shorts” now my 80 year old grandmother knew a bit about fell running, so I always took note.

On this particular day Erika and I were on our way to the Ilkley Fell race. The weather, -6C with the wind chill factor, snow showers, but a little sunshine. Why now did I have to spot our first lambs of the year? That decided the thorny issue of what to wear. We paid our entry fee, checked the course map, and learnt we all had to carry protective clothing.

The start was on a narrow path near the Tarn on Ilkley Moor, we ran out on a single, bramble lined path, before climbing up to the Cow and Calf rocks, like all fell races it was a steep ascent followed by steeper descents, this was to be no different. The organisers were using the terrain to best effect, it was soul destroying when you found yet another climb after an already tough scramble, with several false summits on the course. However you were rewarded with spectacular views and bitter cold winds on the top. There were some technical sections in places, with ankle breaking sized rocks, made all the more difficult when your eyes were watering with the freezing winds.

There were plenty of spectators scattered around the course, this is quite a classic fell race and the turn out was well above average, 230 finishers. It was well marked and marshalled, unusual in these type of races, easy to follow and thoroughly enjoyable.

Ilkley Moor without a hat, not next year!

The March predictor was held on Thursday 25^th. On Wednesday 24^th, Ruth Sweetland was seen running around the course carrying a grandfather clock! She is adamant this had nothing to do with her only being 2 seconds over her predicted time and winning the bottle of wine! The ‘time way out’ bar was won by Steve Hirst who was only 107 seconds under his predicted time. There were only 14 runners at the event and as the nights become lighter I think the numbers will fall off, so the next predictor will be on Thursday September 30^th.

                                                                                                                        John Hunter

April 11th Lancaster Three Bridge 10k

April 25th Rothwell 10k

Kirkbymoorside 10k

May 2nd Keswick half marathon

May 9th Fountains 10m

May 16th Leeds half marathon

May 30th Melmerby 10k

Raby Castle 10k

June 6th Thirsk 10m

Newton Aycliffe 10k

If you would like to enter or need more info please see me on club nights. Even more info can be found on www.harrogate-league.co.uk, showing results, course maps, photos and how to get to the races.

Race dates are as follows:-

Tue 4th May Skipton 7.30pm

Thur 20th May Nidd Valley 7.45pm

Wed 9th Jun Otley 7.45pm

Wed 23rd Jun Thirsk 7.45pm

Thur 8th July Swaledale 7.45pm

Wed 21st July Ripon 7.30pm - (handicap and presentation)

The club A.G.M. will be held on Sunday 9th May, 7pm start at the club house. Any matters you want to raise at the AGM must be in writing and sent to the secretary 2 weeks before the meeting to 7 Mastil Close, Little Crakehall, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL8 1HL. All trophies must be handed back by April 14th to either John Hunter or they can be dropped off to Norman at Roots and Shoots.

The club committee consists of the following posts;

Chairman

Assistant to Chairman

Secretary

Membership Secretary

Ladies Captain

Men’s Captain

Treasurer

Other positions are Newsletter Editor, Minute Secretary and Social Committee.

Any club member who wishes to stand for any of these positions should give their name to Jo Richardson with the name of a proposer and seconder by April 25^th.

Subs are due again on 1st May. We will have to delay payment until after the club A.G.M. when we will have a vote on a price increase. This is due to North of England Athletic Association increasing the administration fee it charges per member. It will be proposed at the A.G.M. that we increase our membership to £10, if you have any thoughts on this please attend the A.G.M. or put them in writing to the secretary .

Kingsmill bread are giving tokens with every loaf which can be redeemed for sports equipment for the club. Make your butties out of Kingsmill and give your tokens to Jo, if we collect enough the club will benefit. The tokens will be on bread and bread roll packets until the end of August 2004.