November 2005
 

Chairman’s Report

The Richmond Castle 10K is over for another year and I would like to use this column to record my thanks to everyone who helped make the event such a success. I would like to give a special mention to Andy Broadley and his team of marshals who did such an important job on the day, to Norman Bell and John Hunter for all the assistance that they gave me, and to John Smith, Liz Sowter, John and Marian Hunter for their work at the finish.

I was very pleased that as well as organising the race we could also have over 40 of our club members out running. There were many great performances throughout the field as our members chased their own particular targets. Congratulations go to our winning ladies team of Erika Johnson, Jackie Keavney and Julie Tanner, with Erika finishing 2nd lady and Jackie 1st lady over 40. Tony Ward again proved there are very few to touch him in the over 55 class with yet another win in this category. However some sympathy must go to Richard Johnson whose time would have been good enough for 2nd place last year but only earned 12th position this year, it just goes to show the quality of the field. We could not provide our own winner of the race but I am sure we are all pleased that that honour went to our new friend Darran Bilton who blitzed the course record to finish in 32.38.

Although I had to tell her off for choosing to run

the Great Cumbrian Run rather than the more prestigious Richmond Castle 10k, I’d like to say well done to Charlie Toothill for achieving a half marathon PB of 1.43.20.

Although this club has seen continuous growth over the past  few years we have recently seen a large influx of new members and we now total a membership of 145 first claim and 4 second claim runners. Welcome to all of you who have just joined and I hope you get a lot of friendship and enjoyment out of your association with our club.

Finally we have a few guest contributors to the newsletter this month, enjoy this issue and enjoy your running, but keep safe and make sure you can be seen out on those roads.

Pete Richardson

 

Great South Run 2005

As surely as night follows day the Great South Run followed the Great North Run a month later. This year attracted its largest ever field of 16500 entrants although again disappointingly like last year, only just over 12000 turned up for the race itself.

The weather was absolutely perfect with not a breath of wind and hardly a cloud in the sky. A late summer temperature of around 20 degree’s also brought the crowds out around the flat 10 mile course. As with the GNR the GSR has also dramatically increased its prices so this year was to be my last and I was aiming for a time under 65 mins.

The start was organised into a 3 wave start with 10 minutes between the waves. The idea behind this is that more people could achieve a P.B. with less crowded roads and is more enjoyable for the spectators. I was in the first wave although for the first 2 miles I was constantly weaving in and out of slower runners so perhaps the waves should of have been categorised? I went through 5 miles in a comfortable 33 mins confident that I’d be on target. However it was not to be (again!) and I finished 318th in a time of 67.00, which looking back on all of my previous GSR’s I discovered I had achieved a personal worst!!!

 

The first male was Tanzania’s John Yuda in a P.B. time of 46.45 and just to complete the double the first female was Ethiopia’s Derartu Tulu in a P.B. time of 51.27 which was also a national record. The first 2 Brits home also achieved P.B.s, John Mayock in 48.18 and Hayley Yelling in 53.03. (So it looks like it was just me that had a disaster!)

I guess the only positive I can take away is that I was first home in the famous green vest of Swaledale!

 

Rob Dawkins

 

 

 

The first male was Tanzania’s John Yuda in a P.B. time of 46.45 and just to complete the double the first female was Ethiopia’s Derartu Tulu in a P.B. time of 51.27 which was also a national record. The first 2 Brits home also achieved P.B.s, John Mayock in 48.18 and Hayley Yelling in 53.03. (So it looks like it was just me that had a disaster!)

I guess the only positive I can take away is that I was first home in the famous green vest of Swaledale!

 

Rob Dawkins

 

The Toronto Waterfront Marathon

I seem to find myself at a disadvantage in being asked by Pete Richardson, to write a report on the above race, as the motivation for running a marathon can be anything from tempting a P.B. to getting a ‘T’ shirt no-one else has!

So I’ll give you an insight into this race from a different perspective; that of running it as a G.B. Team member. The marathon is like training for 10 races in a row, only to run one at the end of the training. At any point your massive investment in time and effort might fall to bits due to a cold, family commitments, or tripping over a kerb. It’s the same if you’ve been invited to run for your Country!

If you are as ‘good’ as me, it takes around 25 years of consistent training and performance to get the vest. So the thought of blowing this opportunity is terrifying! Anyway, the race. To stand on the elite grid and rub shoulders with fellow elite from Kenya, Ethiopia etc. is quite surreal. They look like they haven’t drunk a pint of bitter between them. This particular race involves 20Km of flat road, 10Km of rough track and 12Km of undulating road. Good surfaces, no real climbs, though a few very sharp turns.

The G.B. team consisted of me, Michael Green, Lucy Hassell and Amy Stiles. Sadly Michael dropped out at 30 Km due to heat exhaustion, but with humidity levels at 94% most suffered. The G.B. women finished 2nd and 4th respectively in the ladies marathon. As for me, a final position of 12th in a time of 2.25.29 was more than pleasing in such oppressive conditions. Having just turned 40, winning the Masters Trophy was a great bonus.

To experience the sheer excitement and exhilaration of an International Marathon, just apply and run one!

P.S. It’s only fair that I should finish the report with one of another great race: The Richmond Castle 10K. A beautiful race organised by beautiful people. As for the hills? They are very, very ugly. See you next year!

Darran Bilton

 

Richmond Castle 10k - from a

Southerner’s prospective!!

Well what we can say except wow! What a run. The Richmond Castle 10K must easily be one of the toughest 10K road races in the country.

Having had a guided tour of the route the day before, the La Santa four spent the night thinking of various excuses not to compete, we even offered to marshal, but Pete & Jo were having none of it. So nightmares or not we were going to have to run it.

So after a hearty breakfast, we all meet up around 10.00am in Richmond Market Hall, complete with Beer Festival, so plenty of refreshments available for the post race re-hydration!! Pete R is busy carrying out his duties as Race Organiser so we try to keep out of his way as best we can.

With fifteen minutes until the start, the usual business of just one more visit, although there couldn’t possibly be anything left inside. So we take the opportunity to use our warm up routine to find a less busy convenience, and head off to the Tourist Board facilities. After a few extra drills and stretches, more for giving the impression that we mean business than actually for effect, (hopefully putting panic in to the competition!!} its back to the Hall. Pete B was close to the front, the remaining three standing in position about mid field.

Admittedly we in the middle didn’t hear the start, but with a sudden surge forward the crowd were off! It was quite a quick start at the front, but slightly more congested in the middle, in fact the congestion lasted down the cobbles, and in to the entrance by the river, however this gave the opportunity to admire the excellent location.

The first hill lived up to expectations, as we slowly climbed, however the flat bit at the top was a welcome relief. The whole course with its roller coaster of hills was a great challenge, but made so much easier by the very supportive marshals who all did a very good job of officiating.

Passing Norman at the bottom of the hill, we all felt the worst was over, Jo had said the last bit up to the castle was deceptive and that on tired legs we would struggle to the finish, well we knew better , it was only a small hill after all!!

As we passed Lynn and Mick, shouting encouragement on the corner I could swear that someone had filled my legs with lead, Jo you were right, it is the hardest bit.

But on we run and then its over, the castle is right in front of you, but its not the end , its through the gate on to the grass and in to the funnel, ..Then it’s finished, a mixture of relief and fatigue and sheer awe at the wonderful setting for the race.

A big thank you, to Steve Brown from Pete B for your encouragement, from 8K onwards, just as my legs were beginning to give way.

Finally a big thank you to all at Swaledale Road Runners for your warm welcome and for putting on such a great run.

See you next year!!

                                             Pete & Fiona Buckingham (Paddock Wood AC)

Richmond Castle 10K

Full results of club members:

Richard Johnson 36.13, Tony Lambert 36.50, Tony Ward 39.19, Paul Emson 40.21, John Wilson 40.23, Stuart Smith 40.32, Erika Johnson 41.16, Steve Brown 41.33, Pete Wicks 43.13, Mark Bayne 44.22, Andy Gaines 44.43, Jacqueline Keavney 45.06, Bob Jones 46.07, Phil Batts 46.09, Chris Jameson 46.13, Maurice Bates 47.15, Martin Luxton 47.37, Pete Devlin 48.37, Julie Tanner 48.39, Katie Riseley 49.05, Amy Cassar 50.00, John Lynch 50.29, Claire Stewart 51.17, Eric Nutter 51.44, Paul Goad 51.54, Ian Robertson 53.58, Sian Chelton 54.26, Sharon Morrison 54.36, John Anderson 54.43, Melanie Albrighton 55.10, Barbara Jones 55.31, Neil Stevenson 57.04, Julia Spittle 57.27, Gina Oliver 58.39, Sally Rutherford 59.02, Judy Trainer 59.09, Jen Smith 59.19, David Crapper 59.28, Sharin Martin 60.34, Rachel Wilkinson 61.36, James Simpson 62.54, Glenys Nutter 62.59, Dee Bidwell 64.42, Jo Richardson 64.55, Tracey Reynolds 66.01, Janet McKay 66.26, Alex Sutcliffe 69.39, Sandra Sanderson 69.47, Jean Hopla 70.59.

 

Harewood House 10 Mile TrailRace

This wasn't a race I had done before but it given that it wasn't too far from home I thought I would enter and see what happened. Driving to the car park for the race has to be the grandest entrance to any running race as you go through the main entrance to the grounds to Harewood House. There at the start was a small contingent of Swaledale Roadrunners: Richard, Pat and I also found myself in the illustrious company of our lady race winners, Sharon and Erika.

 We stood around making the usual excuses that runners make at the start about not doing very good times: haven't done any training this week, think I've pulled a muscle, got to take it carefully you know, got a bit of a cold/sore leg/sore head, dog has died, I could go on, but then the whistle blew and we were off. I always think the view is better from the back of a race so I made a real effort to not run too quickly and it seemed to be paying off. We skirted round the edge of Harewood House with some lovely views of the house and then turned into woodland and along the edges of some fields (ok, I admit at this point I don't think I was paying too much attention to the scenery). The middle part of the race was around Eccup reservoir and it was gloriously flat for a Richmond girl - I even picked up some pace here and started overtaking some people. There had been a lot of mumbling at the beginning about a horrible hill after 9 miles but, hey, what was that to a Swaledale Roadrunner? Well, the answer is just as horrible as for everyone else, it went on and on and no amount of running up Holly Hill has made it any easier. Luckily, the end  hill was really only 200 metres or so from the end of the race (my powers of observation suddenly returned by then, desperate as I was to see the finishing line).

And now for the results. By the time I got home I couldn't even remember my own result, let alone anyone else's but I have been diligent in looking them up: first in for the club was Richard (13th overall) in 62.04, then Erika as second lady (69.46) and first in F35, then Pat (81.52), myself (86.02) and Sharon (91.31). There was a field of about 550 and a two mile fun run before the 10 mile race which funnily enough didn't go up the horrible hill. I would definitely do this run again, it was a lovely course despite what I have said above, well organised (ie lots of toilets) and, do you know, the dog had got miraculously better when I got home.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Claire Stewart

 

Scarborough 10 miles

5 Swaledale Road Runners and Mel, Stuart’s wife ventured to Wykeham for the Scarborough 10 mile road race. We met at St Helens's Caravan Park. The facilities are good and we had a lovely shower after the race. The little cafe remained firmly closed which was a shame.

The runners assembled at the race headquarters at 10.45am and we walked en masse to the start which was at least 1/4 miles out on a quiet country lane.

The race is run along pretty leafy lanes and starts by going gently up hill for 3.5 miles, to what (if you had time to stop) is marked as a view point. The route flattens out for a couple of miles and then undulates to the 7 miles mark where you go down the hill that you come up from at the start. The day was good weather wise and this is a lovely race to run, and although it is a long way to travel you can make day of it by combining it with another trip. Martin Luxton took his family into Scarborough. Ian Robertson visited Hemlsley, Helen Smith and I stopped at a teashop in Pickering, then visited a chocolate factory and craft fair. Stuart took the opportunity to give his motor bike a good run out.

Helen Smith had a very good race and knocked 4 mins of last years time finishing in  95.33. Other results: Stuart Smith 66.42, Martin Luxton 73.58, Ian Robertson 81.26, and Sue Smith 107.32.

Sue Smith

 


Fountains Abbey Heritage 10k and ’nearly another kilometre’

First of all many thanks to the organisers of this race, the course was excellent, taking in the Studley Royal Deer Park and the grounds of Fountains Abbey. The varied terrain would have suited many of our club runners. The rather large entry fee deterred a lot of runners. There were many unattached runners who increased the numbers and the organisers probably made as much money for the local heritage fund as they would have if the entry fee had been closer to normal.

I would also like to thank the organisers of the Harewood Trail Run and the Scarborough ten mile race as these events took the main M/O50 runners out of the Fountains Abbey race. I finished the race in 55.52 and having seen Marian finish in 63.42 I went back to the car to change, warm up a little and await the chance of coffee and scones in the restaurant. Major surprise when Ann Luxmore (66.25) arrived in the car park to say that I had won the M/O50 prize. Wonders will never cease!!

This is a great run and I am sure many of our club members would enjoy themselves if they joined me as I defend my title next year.

John Hunter

 

Pickering & Moors  10.3K !

Three of our club runners, John and Marian Hunter and Bob (Robert) Jones, travelled the 50 mile journey to Pickering for this multi- terrain race, and it was well worth the trip.

It was a very wet morning and, bearing in mind that there was a rather long muddy field to negotiate half way round, I was undecided up to the last minute whether or not to do it!! Unable to find any kind of legitimate excuse, I set off with the other 120 runners in the pouring rain.

A mixture of road and trail took us through the first 4K, and then we hit the fields- for 2K we all ploughed through the mud. (Vic and Steve, you’d have been proud of me!) We eventually got back on to ‘dry land’ and what a final 4K. The rain had stopped and it was all downhill. I ran (and chatted) stride for stride with a 24 year old young lady and finished in a reasonable time of 58.09. Bob had a great run (he's been practising running downhill quickly!) in a time of 47.20. John was pleased with his time of 51.47, although he lost some valuable seconds negotiating a stile as he came out of the field which allowed two 'young' ladies to get away from him!

The race was won by Paul Dobson of Springfield Striders  (35.39) and first lady home was Catherine Hare of Loftus AC (41.25).

This was a great race for many reasons; it was well organised with plenty of friendly marshals en route, it was a small field with lots of ‘quality’ runners, facilities were great for changing, there was a very friendly atmosphere, it was good to meet runners from clubs we don’t often see at races, and it was for a good cause - to raise funds for the local school.

It would be a shame if this race got too big, but I would recommend that you put it into your race diary for next year.

Marian Hunter

 

Predictor, Thursday 27th October

A warm evening saw 20 runners attempt to predict their time for the two courses. Stuart Smith (24.54) was really glad that Darran Bilton was on hand to pace him around the course. The words of encouragement Darran was able to give as Stuart gasped for breath will no doubt be forever etched into his brain. With a whole group of first timers on the course it was no wonder that a few people took a wrong turning or two. The ‘Time Way Out’ bar was won by Amy Cassar who managed to become lost to the tune of 261 seconds. The winner of the wine was Helen Smith who was only 2 seconds under her predicted time. Helen was running so well she managed to complete the short course before the first finisher on the long course. This may be a first!

The next predictor will be Thursday November 24th.

John Hunter

 

Race Diary

A selection of entry forms are kept in the race folders at Northallerton and Richmond. Entry forms can also be downloaded from John Schofield’s excellent website www.ukresults.net.

 

Nov 19th    Brampton to Carlisle 10m

Nov 20th     Multiple Sclerosis 7m, Maltby

Nov 26th    Ravenstondale 10k

Nov 27th    Leeds Abbey Dash 10k

Dec 4th       Inov-8 Trail Race, Hamsterley Forest

Dec 18th     Great Langdale Christmas Pud 10k

Dec 18th     Loftus Poultry Run

Dec 27th     Jolly Holly Jog 10k (Tues)

Jan 8th        Garstang 10k

Feb 26th     The Snake Lane 10

 

 

 

Social Diary

Saturday 10th December Christmas Dinner - Holly Hill Inn. Cost is £17.95 p/p, £10.00 deposit with  menu choice to Sue Smith or Jo Richardson  a.s.a.p, balance of £7.95 by 1/12.05.

 

S.O.C. Quiz Night

We have two teams entered in the S.O.C.’s quiz night on Friday 16th December. If you would like to take part (Swaledale Road Runners won it last year!) contact Vic Parkinson or put your name on list at club house.

 

London Marathon

Acceptance or rejection letters will soon be landing on our doormats. If your entry has been declined and you wish to enter the ballot for one of our three club places please let Jo or myself have your rejection letter as soon as possible.

We will hold the ballot sometime early December when we expect everybody to have received their

letters back from London. Please note the ballot is only open to club members who have applied to run the marathon in 2006.

Pete Richardson

                                                

New members

A warm welcome to a lot of new members

this month, Amanda Wild, Sharin Martin, Gina Oliver, Tony Lambert, Juliette Lee, Chris Jameson and Michael Brunsden and a warm welcome back to Mandy Black.

 

 

In Brief

Well done to John Wilson on coming second at the Cancer Research 10k race held at  Harewood House.

On Monday 31st October Eric Nutter completed the Dublin Marathon in an excellent time of 4.14.20. I’m sure we can look forward to a race report next month.

On the previous day Pete Richardson was in Scotland to take part in the Jedburgh Half Marathon and finished very wet but content with a time of 1.44.38.

Another half marathoner this month was Amy Cassar who ran the 13.1 miles at Selby and finished in 1.54.37

Five club members took part in the Horsforth 10k on the 2nd October. Richard Johnson was 5th in 35.26, Erika Johnson finished in 40.59 with the ever improving Bob Jones in 44.58. Eric Nutter

completed the course in 49.30 followed by wife Glenys in 62.41.

 

Club Kit

Yet another order is awaited of the technical t-shirts although we have a few large sizes left. We are reasonably well stocked with fleeces, sweatshirts and vests and we also have a small stock of fluorescent bibs. These could make ideal Christmas presents.