S W A L E D A L E ROAD RUNNERS
August 2004
Chairman’s Report
For many a long year I have tried to give you some idea of the joys of actually entering races other than the mid week league events. On Saturday I was rewarded with the sight of the Keavney family not only supporting Jackie at the Burn Valley Half Marathon but also taking part in the fun run. When I finished the half marathon I was greeted by Alex Brown and Imogen who had also completed the Fun Run. The excellent tea at the end was in the entry fee. The fun of chatting with friends from all over the North East was free and comes with every event. The nominated race for September is Tholthorpe 10k (Sunday 5th, 11am). This is a nice course set in a pretty village south of Thirsk.
The mid week league races have shown what a great club we are. 191 runners at Thirsk, and Swaledale had 40 members running. We had excellent results right through the field. The turn out at our own run was excellent. The 46 club members made up over a quarter the field. I would like to thank the large number of people who turned out to marshal the race. The Ladies team did well to win on the night and thus take 2nd place in the league. Erika Johnson is involved in a tie for first place in the ladies race. Well done to the team and Erika.
Congratulations to Paul Emson was 1st. in the over 40 group and to Tony Ward who was only one place behind the winner of the over 50 vets. The main team have put on a great show to finish fourth over all and closing in on the Ilkley team. When Liz Sowter does not count in the team total, things certainly are on the up. When all the team places are taken into account the club are in joint 2nd place. 11 club members ran in all five races and if they run at Ripon in the handicap they will receive a memento for their efforts. 82 people ran for the club in the race series, a good turn out at the Ripon handicap would be an excellent way to celebrate our efforts. (Could a Swaledale Runner win again?).
The club handicap will take place on Thursday 26th August, meet at the club as usual. I will look carefully at the midweek league times and try and create some interesting handicap times.
The presentation of the winner’s shield and the shields for the top points scorers in the mid-week league, will take place at the club meeting on 6th September 8:00 pm at The Buck Hotel, Newbiggin.
Enjoy your running through the summer. Remember your sun cream!
John Hunter
Newton Aycliff 10k
The morning began with the 3K Fun Run which saw two of Swaledale’s youngest members taking part. Sam Devlin (9) had a splendid run, finishing third in his age group and in fourteenth place overall (14.35). Well done Sam. Pete Devlin used the Fun Run as a warm-up, accompanying Joshua (4), who had an eventful run, tripping over less than 50 yards from the start and encountering several distractions along the way. Joshua ran well and came twenty-ninth in the under 10’s category (24.09). Well done Joshua.
By 10 o’clock it was rather hot with very little breeze. The long incline in particular was very hard going. Once again, despite the heat and the climb, the elderly gentleman pushing the lady in a wheel chair seemed to pass me with unnerving ease. The water station was well positioned and well used, situated at the bottom of the third hill of this ‘flat’ course. Peter Devlin finished first out of the 3 Swaledale runners taking part, in a time of 46.15. I was pleased with my time of 50.41, a personal best, and apparently was second in the F35 category. Pete Richardson competing in his third race in 8 days finished in 52.29. We were well supported by Jo Richardson, accompanied by only one crutch and a picnic chair!
25th Swaledale Marathon
A cool sunny morning greeted us at Grinton at the start of the 25th Swaledale marathon. Fremington Edge always looks very imposing and very steep from the car park, but if you can see the top then the weather is not going to be too bad. Kit was checked, men’s and ladies teams were entered at Fremington village hall and we were all ready for the start.
We set off at the normal to fast a pace, but not as fast as Brain Paddington who was leading after 30 meters, going for the newspaper photo glory. 10 minutes in and Paul Emson, Sven Wardle, Jim Gleave and myself were in team formation, climbing to the top of Fremington Edge. Paul could not understand why we were doing this again and was already having bag problems, as the first lady passed me followed closely by Sven and Jim, I could see his point of view. The weather which plays a big part in this type of event was almost perfect. A little windy on the tops, but cool and not too much sunshine.
The rest of the route for me went with no problems, in fact my pace was improving through out the rest of the course and I started to pass fellow runners. At the end my legs were badly stung and bitten, but I still felt good. Sven, Paul and then Jim followed me in and we had regained the team prize from last year.
The results were as follows;
Stu Smith (03.38), Sven Wardle (03.39), Paul Emson (03.49), Jim Gleave (03.55), Tony Ward (04.02) -15 minutes, Liz Sowter (04.13), Claire Stewart (04.36), Jackie Keavney (04.40), David Slater (04.45), Linda Turnbull (05.02), Jackie Glackin (5.25), Helen Young (05.26), Kenton Smith (05.34), Brian Paddington (5.47), Ray and Lillian Sewards (8.08).
Ray and Lillian Sewards completed the course to raise funds for Research into Ovarian Cancer and Ova the Rainbow (support group for ovarian cancer sufferers at the James Cook hospital) and raised over £1200, a tremendous effort -well done.
Hero of the day had to go to Tony Ward whose time was 04.02. His lift to the start let him down and he started 15 minutes after the rest of us. He had to battle his way past all the walkers and well over 400 people and still finished 31st.
Stu Smith
Race For Life – Darlington
Well done to all our lady members that competed in this female only race, for some it was their first ever race. Unfortunately race results are not published for this event so we don’t have the names or times of all our members that ran, but here are a few that we know of:
Sue Smith (27mins), Helen Smith (24mins), Sarah Jane Graham (28mins), Olga Ashton (34mins), Jean Hopla, Lin Gossage, Alison Atkins, Ruth Sweetland, Donna Todd, Denise and Ruby Heslehurst, Barabra Jones and Sandra Sanderson.
Otley 10
Angie Went and I ran in the Otley 10 on 30 June. We didn't see any other SRR runners. The weather had fortunately improved by the time we ran at 7.30 pm so the conditions were excellent. We think it's a great course though not easy with a couple of fairly tough climbs. Angie (1:23:10) was a minute outside her time last year and I managed a sedentary 1:32:28. At the end we got a lovely Royal Mint Roger Bannister Commemorative 50p Coin in a presentation box which must rank as one of the best mementoes I've ever had.
Andy Broadley
Osmotherley Phoenix
This is an unusual race in that it has 3 different distances to chose from. There is a 30, 26, or 17 mile challenge event open to walkers and runners and is held as part of the Osmotherley Summer Games. On the 30 mile route there is some 4000 feet of climbing, on the 26 mile route 3500 and on the 17 mile route 2000. The event starts in the morning and all finishers within 10 hours receive a certificate and badge. In the afternoon the Osmotherly Summer Games are held so a family day out can be had. Tony Ward was the only club member to take part this year but has recommended it as a race more members would enjoy. Tony ran the 17 mile challenge and finished 1st in his age group and 7th overall. Well done Tony.
Race Diary
July 25th James Herriot Trail (Club picnic)
Aug 1st Harrogate 10k
Aug 6th Lowther Run (Half Marathon)
Aug 8th Darlington 10k
Aug 15th Auckland Castle 10k
Sept 5th Tholthorpe 10k
Sept 12th Temple Newsam 5m/5k
Sept 26th Kirkstall Abbey 10k
Sept 26th Great North Run
Oct 17th Richmond Castle 10k
Great North Run Bus Trip
A bus trip will be running to the Great North Run.
Cost will be as follows : Members and their family £6 p/p, Non-members £7 p/p.
Please note your place is not secure until you have paid for your ticket
Tickets are available from the club house or contact Jo Richardson
Climbing Evening
The latest climbing wall session took place on the 10th June when 10 kids (3 of whom could be called adults) enjoyed an evening at Rock Antics. Thanks go to our instructor Colin.
Geoff Kensett
Social Diary
Oct 8th Visit to Blacksheep Brewery
Dec 11th Christmas Dinner - Holly Hill Inn
New members
A warm welcome to new members Pat Neeson, Amber and Coral Bell, Carlene Canterbury, Amy Cassar, John Anderson and Guy Benson.
Thought for the Month
Conscience is an inner voice that tells you that somebody is watching!
Cyril Fell