Swaledale Road Runners

September Newsletter

Chairman’s Report

We’re now at the time of year when summer quickly turns to autumn and the beautiful countryside that we run in changes in appearance to reflect each new season.

Just suppose we didn’t have changing seasons in this country, it may be nice to have hot sunshine each and every day, but if every day was just like the last wouldn’t it be a bit boring. The same applies to our running, if we were to do the same route or run at the same pace day in day out wouldn’t that also be boring, we’d soon get stale and probably wouldn’t see any improvement in our performances. The change of season presents a great opportunity for us to review our running and perhaps look to add something different to our schedule to keep us fresh and enthused. There are many ways we add variety to our runs. A new route to run is probably the easiest and is one reason many of us like to compete in races is that it usually takes you somewhere different. Running with different people is also great and there is no reason why we should always run with the same group each club night, there’s no better way to get to know your club mates than by running with them. Again, doing races also involves meeting new people and making new friends and acquaintances. Trying out new training sessions such as those we do on speed work nights can add a different dimension to your running and we tend to have quite a lot of fun in between the hard bits. Another way to revitalise your running is to try a new branch of the sport. This a few of us did recently by joining the lunatic fringe of running and competing in a proper fell race. What a fantastic experience, even Pat “ I hate hills” Neeson enjoyed it and we’ll all be back to do it again.

Entries for the Richmond Castle 10k are still rolling in so if you intend running please let me have your form as soon as possible. For those not running but are able to help out on the day please let Andy Broadley or myself know you are available.

A new order of club tee shirts is awaited following the rapid clearance of the first batch; we also now have a selection of Hilly running socks available as well as vests, fleeces, and sweatshirts. As the nights now begin to draw in please remember it is your responsibility to ensure you remain visible to other road users so please wear the appropriate clothing.

Our congratulations and best wishes go to Mel and Stuart Smith after their recent wedding. We hope you have a long and happy life together and when the honeymoons over you get back training properly again Stu.

Well done to everyone whose represented the club at the many races over the past month, our “elites“ have maintained their high standards, Sharon Morrison has joined the winners and Kate Staines is one of our runners who has recorded a PB. It is also good to see Maurice Bates back after such a long injury lay off.

Enjoy your running this month.

Pete Richardson

Elloughton 10k

In June my wife and two daughters took part in the Tesco race for life, to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. The girls really enjoyed the training and the run so they decided to take part in a 10k run with me.
We chose the Elloughton 10k as it is a good, flat course, not too demanding for their first 10k, and it is also close to the Humber bridge, near Jessica’s house.
The race is a two lap course, one short lap followed by a longer one. Looking around at the start there were many green vests, but only one Swaledale, the rest were members of a Hull running club. It was quite a hot day, but there were plenty of refreshments available, so a well organised event, and excellent T-shirts for finishers.

My younger daughter Laura (18) finished in 57 mins, with my elder daughter Jessica (29) and myself finishing in 62 mins, which were good results for their first 10k.

James Simpson

We chose the Elloughton 10k as it is a good, flat course, not too demanding for their first 10k, and it is also close to the Humber bridge, near Jessica’s house.
The race is a two lap course, one short lap followed by a longer one. Looking around at the start there were many green vests, but only one Swaledale, the rest were members of a Hull running club. It was quite a hot day, but there were plenty of refreshments available, so a well organised event, and excellent T-shirts for finishers.

My younger daughter Laura (18) finished in 57 mins, with my elder daughter Jessica (29) and myself finishing in 62 mins, which were good results for their first 10k.

James Simpson

Arncliffe 4 Mile Road Race

Arncliffe, a village in Wharfedale, the setting for the original Emmerdale series, held the village fete this year on Saturday the 13^th August. There were plenty of things to entertain, strong man competition, dog walk and most importantly for runners a four mile road race supported by seventy runners. The race leaves Arncliffe on a fast country road, at about one and a half miles turns left and drops to the village of Hawkswick, after half a mile of undulation, then a steady rise back to the village. The scenery is beautiful and you get a good cheer when finishing.

Andy Gaines was first in for the club in 27:36, followed by Eric in 31:47 and Glenys in 38:33.

A fell race follows in one hour so you can do a double if you have the energy or relax in the village hall with afternoon tea.

Glenys Nutter

Darlington 10k

Having completed the Richmond 10K last year, I was advised the Darlington 10k was practically flat. As I am not keen on hills (a bit of a problem when living in Richmond!) thought this would be a good race for me.

Got up early, for a Sunday, the weather was fine, had a bowl of porridge, a good source of carbohydrate, and put my new Swaledale road runners vest on. I now look the part even if I don’t feel it!

I arrived at Darlington at about 9.30 am, to join the queue at the Dolphin centre to get my number and to register. I thought I was rather organised, as I had brought along my own safety pins but then realised I had forgotten to bring any water! Having registered I now started to look for some friendly familiar faces. Did not have to wait long. There was Kate with Mum Jan and sister at the bottom of the stairs, and soon after arrived Jo and Pete Richardson.

I have realised having run some of the league races this year, that an important part of running is knowing where the toilets are. An expert in this area is Jo who did a reckie of the Dolphin centre and found on the third floor a toilet that the majority did not know existed. Hence no queue!

On the High Row, somebody pointed out Lin Gossage in a ‘rubbish bag’ and I could see the ever practical Lin in her black bin liner. I wonder if she knows ‘black is back’ according to some fashion magazines?

Having been to the toilet for about the 4th time, and I think it was Kate’s 5th it was time to line up for the start of the race.

We were all a bit nervous, but I think the lads next to me who had made a bet at the pub that they could complete the race, were more nervous than most!

At last we were off……but I found I could not run properly because I did not have a space to run in as bodies surrounded me. Rather than get engulfed, I decided to go onto the pavement to keep out of the way of the crowd.

However, having completed about a mile the gaps had got bigger and I started to try to maintain my pace. I felt ok, and looked at my watch and I seemed to be running at about the right pace for me.

I felt like a true professional when spectators clapped, and I had my water ‘pit stop’ and imagined myself as Paula Radcliffe…..anyway back to reality, I knew not to get too excited when I had run one lap as this was a 2 lap race, but when I was about half way round I was glad to be starting the next lap, as it was at this point that my normal stitch appeared. I decided to give Jo’s advise a go….. now what was it, blow out as you land on the opposite foot of your stitch.

I decided to try to keep up with the person in the ‘orange’ shorts. Managed for about half a mile but then the orange shorts disappeared over the horizon. Never mind, I noted with a bit of smugness that I had managed to pass a few people on the way!

Once I reached the 8K mark I knew I still had enough energy to finish with a sprint, and as we approached the High Row, I went up a gear and was encouraged with other members of Swaledale shouting ‘come on Sally’.

At the finish line, (having caught my breath) I spoke to Maurice who advised me Pete had got passed him. I did not realise until I read the results that there was only a second in between them! That would have been a good finish for the spectators!

Now I wonder whether the lads at the start line won their bet!

Full Results:

Sally Rutherford

Predictor

The predictor returns for the winter on Thursday 29^th September. The start is at the bottom of Gilling Road at 7:00pm. The course is as follows, up Gilling Road, left along Conan Drive, Cutpurse Lane, left down Gallowgate, right along Green Howards Road, right into Racecourse Road, follow up and round into Firby Road back onto Racecourse Road and down Quarry Road, right onto Maple Road onto the top of Sycamore Road and left onto Hurgill Road. The short course follows Hurgill Road to Victoria Road at the cricket ground and finishes at the tourist information centre at the round-about. The long course turns right off Hurgill road onto Quaker Lane, right onto Reeth Road which is followed until right turn into Coronation Place follow the road up and round a right turn onto Whitecliffe place will bring you back to Reeth Road. Left turn onto Reeth Road and follow the road into Victoria Road and the finish at the tourist information centre. Runners should stay on the footpaths when ever possible. You predict your time and leave your watch in the club house. The closest to their predicted time wins a bottle of wine. The person furthest from their predicted time wins the ‘Time Way Out’ bar. Entry fee 20p.

John Hunter

Race Diary

The race folder is bursting with entry forms and here is a selection of forthcoming races within easy access of Richmond and Northallerton. Early entry is advised as all races seem to be filling up fast nowadays.

Sept 11th Ray Harrison Memorial 10k -

Billingham

Sept 11th Sutton 7 - Sutton on the Forest

Sept 18th Coniston Trail Race 14k

Sept 18th The Viking Chase Four Peaks -

Carlton in Cleveland

Sept 25th Kirkstall Abbey 10k - Leeds

Oct 2nd Selby Half Marathon

Oct 2nd Horsforth 10k

Oct 2nd Middlesbrough Tees Pride 10k

Oct 9th Harewood House 10m Trail Race

Oct 9th Scarborough AC 10k

Oct 16th Richmond Castle 10k

Oct 23rd Pickering and Moors 10k

Oct 30th Jedburgh Half Marathon

In Brief

Auckland Castle 10k - In a race containing fast Kenyans and some of the top UK runners Erika Johnson won 2nd lady over 35 trophy in a time of 41.22, Richard Johnson was first in for the club in 37.12. Martin Luxton finished in 44.40, Maurice Bates 47.58, John Hunter 48.32 and Eric Nutter 48.54. Marian Hunter finished in 55.38 with Glenys Nutter following in 61.34.

Hawick 10k - The Nutter and Johnson quartet nipped across the border to run the Hawick 10k. After running the West Witton Fell race the previous evening Richard finished 11th in 37.27. Erika was again first lady over 35 in a time of 40.22. Eric is gradually regaining his form and finished in 48.31 with Glenys recording a time of 62.42.

New members

A warm welcome to new members John Wilson, Ann Chapman, Joanne Meechan, Rachel Wilkinson, Paul Goad and Alex Sutcliffe.

Social Diary

Saturday 10th December Christmas Dinner - Holly Hill Inn. Details to follow.

Congratulations

Congratulations go to our Men’s team captain Stuart Smith and Melanie Sadler on their recent wedding.

sults that there was only a second in between them! That would have been a good finish for the spectators!

Now I wonder whether the lads at the start line won their bet!

Full Results:

Tony Ward 37.22 and 1st male over 55, Pete Wicks 42.19, Pete Devlin 45.19, Pete Richardson 46.22, Maurice Bates 46.23, Pat Neeson 46.51, John Hunter 48.06, Bob Jones 49.02, Vic Parkinson 49.05, John Smith 49.24, Amy Cassar 50.14, Ian Robertson 52.08, Sally Rutherford 55.47, Kate Staines 61.32 (P.B.), Lin Gossage 63.07, Jo Richardson 63.56, Sue Smith 66.58, and Graham Turnbull 68.15.

Sally Rutherford

West Witton Fell Race

Having spent the last two weeks in Cyprus lazing on the beach and doing nothing but sip brandy sours I was slightly apprehensive as to whether or not I would finish this race alive! So thankfully, having run the route prior to going on holiday, I knew what awaited me as I began the long and arduous climb up Pen Hill.

The weather was terrific and even through all the huffing and puffing and crawling, yes crawling, I just about managed to take in the spectacular views.

The race attracted few runners for both the senior and junior races - 28 and 18 runners respectively and although only three ladies entered the senior race I was chuffed to finish first lady in 49.40 (22nd), albeit at one point I nearly did the splits falling down from one of the stony walls. Ann Luxmore finished a close second in 52.59 (24th).

First home for Swaledale men was Richard Johnson in fourth place in 35.07. Andy Gaines finished 17th in 44.07, Peter Richardson 19th in 45.27 and Pat Neeson close behind in 46.10 (21st). Well done to Harry Gaines who finished the junior race in 10th place in a time of 40.39.

Will I be running next year? ... definitely but it may be unlikely I hold on to first place if Erika runs!

Along with the clay medallion received, a trophy would have been appreciated; perhaps someone should ask the organisers why a trophy for the winning lady was not awarded when all the male category winners received one!!

All in all a very challenging race; one I would recommend if you are looking for something different and want to push your own personal limits.

Sharon Morrison

West Witton Junior Fell Race

On Saturday 27 August, I took part in my first race. It was the Pen Hill Fell Race. I was totally unprepared as I had not planned to run (just to watch Dad) and wore a hoody and normal shorts. I was in the junior race with 17 others. The race was really hard and in the first 10 minutes a boy about my age pulled me back by my hood!! I also fell and cut my knee. It was 2 miles and I took 40 minutes 39 seconds. Overall I came 10^th. I got a medal and was really happy. I hope to take part next year. Harrison Gaines

Darlington 10k

Yorkshire Veterans Athletic Association (Y.V.A.A.)