We had an excellent turn out for the Mid-Week League Handicap race. 30 members ran and six finished in the top 20 and received goody bags as a reward. Blaise Ter Haar had an excellent run and managed to hold on in a sprint finish to win the race. Well done!

As I reported last time we have done very well this season with the Ladies again runners up to Ilkley. (I have a feeling that next year they may go one better, and an examination of birth dates suggests that they could do well in the vet category as well) Erika was confirmed in joint first place and Paul Emson won his age group. 399 people in total ran in the 5 races, 63 of them were from Swaledale. Richard Johnson (4^th) Paul Emson (5^th) Stuart Smith (7^th) and Tony Ward (9^th) were in the top 10 which highlights the efforts of our elite team who finished second.11 Swaledale runners ran all of the races but special mention should go to the younger members, Blaise Ter Haar, Liam and Neil Gardner who turned up at each race and gradually improved. 8 other runners completed four of the races and along with those who completed all five received a mug as a memento. A big thank you to Yvonne Richardson who turned up at every race to support and take care of the ever increasing number of members car keys, jumpers, drinks etc.

The club handicap will be held on Thursday 26^th August. Meet at the club house as usual. The first runner will set off from the start at the swimming pool end of the Mercury Bridge at 7:00 pm. The handicap times are available in the club house plus a map of the route. If you intend to run and your name is not on the list please see me and I will do my worst!

There will be a club meeting Monday 6^th September at 8:00 pm (Committee at 7:30) in the Buck Hotel on Newbiggin. There are several pieces of information to give and I would like to discuss making an interest free loan to ‘ROSA’ who are trying to buy Westfields and other green spaces in Richmond to save them from the developers.

The named race for October will be The Richmond Castle Run (17^th). Entry forms are available in the club house or from the web site. Entries are going well so make sure you get your entry in as soon as possible, I would advise you not to leave it until the last minute.

Enjoy your running, even in the wind and rain.

The organisers must have been disappointed that only 140 runners took part in the second running of this race considering the course must be one of the best and most scenic around. The unseasonally wet and windy conditions undoubtedly deterred some of the more lightweight and fair weather runners but as Swaledale members are of more hardy stock it was up to us to provide almost 10% of the field.

The run starts just west of Bolton Castle and goes through the village before climbing (and I mean climbing in a fell running context) to a clear track up on top of the moor. The course then follows this clear track and other footpaths before winding its way back to Bolton Castle. On a clear day (such as last years race) the views would be absolutely superb, but never mind, it was still great to be running in such surroundings even though we were quite close to the clouds.

The course is estimated to be about 14km and it took Richard Johnson 57.23 minutes to complete and take the runners up position. Stu Smith was 12th in 66.16 followed by first lady and 19th overall Erika Johnson in 67.39. Keith Richardson came home in 73.16 closely followed by Liz Sowter in 73.38. Dave Slater and Jackie Keavney were next in with times of 76.41 and 76.59. Helen Young made a welcome return to the club and will obviously strengthen an already impressive ladies section, finishing in 80.12, with Alex Brown who improves week by week just behind in 80.54. Myself, recovering from a touch of illness combined with being forced fed too many hotel meals and pints of Guiness over the preceeding weeks would like to thank Andy Broadley for supporting me round and we both crossed the line in 88.22. Mrs Smith and Mrs Smith also ran the course together some of the way but Helen ran on to finish in 101.55 with Sue taking 110.09. Unfortunately the weather put pay to the proposed club picnic afterwards but there’s always next year. Be there.

This is a race with a difference. Three laps of the Croft motor racing circuit. It is a flat course and if you keep your concentration you can produce a fast 10k time, maybe even a pb.

The race started well for the club with Stuart Smith making the most of his grid position to lead into the first corner. Unfortunately, due to problems with his engine over revving he fell back to finish comfortably in the top 15. Liz Sowter was trying out her new tyres on a flat circuit the result giving her the confidence to return to slightly more arduous races. By using the inside of the bends rather than following the line used by racing cars I was able to over take Pat Neeson on the second lap and race away to improve on last year’s time. Pat enjoyed the race and hopes to see more club members there next year. The race winner passed me as I was finishing my second lap he managed to break the 30 minute barrier for the first time.

Marian and Mel gave excellent support from the pit lane but who is going to look after the car keys when Mel is fit to run again?

Darlington Pitstop 10K July 14th
It wasn't the sort of race I usually go for, but I really enjoyed this totally flat, non-scenic race which consisted of three laps of the Croft racing circuit. We saw some of the country's top wheelchair racers complete the 10K course in around 25 minutes, then it was our turn. Stuart Smith must have been inspired by the venue because he set off at top speed and is even rumored to have led the race for a while. He didn't quite manage to stick with the eventual winner who smashed the course record and finished in under 30 minutes, but still finished 17th in a swift 38.55. I finished in 43.01,
32nd overall and 4th lady, with no chance of catching the first three. John Hunter was 45th in 45.14, followed by Patrick Neeson in 48.18. It's an event worth considering - you can enter on the night, there's a fun run for children and it could be a PB course on a nice running surface.

Liz Sowter

This is just a quick note to let everyone know that the club relay will take place this year. For those of you not familiar with the clubs relay, the basic idea is:

A route is set, in the past the Lyke Wake walk, Coast to Coast the length of the River Tees and various other routes around Swaledale that have been run/jogged or walked. The selected route is divided up into sections of varying lengths and those persons taking part in the event choose which section of the route they would like to complete. Once a given section is completed they must meet the persons who are allocated to complete the next section and pass on some item to the awaiting person/ team. In the past various items have been used ranging from cakes, cheeses etc. This carries on until the end is reached.

I would like to stress at this point the event is open to all club members and Swaledale Road Runners, it is intended that sections for all capabilities and fitness will be included, based on covering 10 minute miles.

Having given it some thought I had originally intended doing a five dale’s dash running from Weardale to Coverdale and back to Richmond and the Clubhouse for a replenishment of energy. However having giving it some further thought and knowing that certain members of the SOC like a challenge I have decided to make it a 24 hour relay basically running from Tynedale via Weardale, Teesdale, Swaledale, Wensleydale (not necessary in a straight line) and back to the club house for energy replenishment that evening.

The route has not yet been set but it will be interesting and varied. The aim is to keep it off road as much as possible and incorporate the higher ground, however there will some road sections mainly to help catch any time lost.

If this event is going to run it needs you as members of the Swaledale Outdoor Club and Swaledale Runners to take part. In the past it has always been a thoroughly enjoyable day.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART, HELPING IN THIS EVENT OR HAVE ANY QUER!ES PLEASE GET IN CONTACT WITH RICHARD WORMALD ON: EMAIL rwormald@kayak30.freeserve.co.uk

Aug 22nd Great Langdale Marathon

Sept 11th Snape 10k (near Bedale)

Sept 11th Bowes Show Race 10k (Trail)

Sept 12th Temple Newsham 5m/5k

Sept 19th Harrogate Theatre 10k

Sept 26th Kirkstall Abbey 10k

Sept 26th Great North Run

Oct 3rd Selby half marathon

Oct 10th Harewood 10m (Trail)

Oct 10th Scarborough 10m

Oct 17th Richmond Castle 10k

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.

Tickets are available from the club house or contact Jo Richardson

Oct 8th Visit to Blacksheep Brewery

Dec 11th Christmas Dinner - Holly Hill Inn

A warm welcome to new members Karen Saward, Heather Peverell, Kathleen Allison and Sharon Morrison.

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.

Just a reminder that club kit is available. Club vests can be obtained from John Hunter at £13.00 each. Fleeces, sweatshirts and hats can be bought from Jo and Pete Richardson at £22.00, £12.00 and £4.50 respectively.

Your value is not determined by your valuables