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Thursday 5th June, 7.30pm at Howarth The race is a tough two lap event with stiff climbs at about 1 1/ 2 and 3 1/ 2 miles. Entry for the YVAA Championship is via entry forms below, or downloads from www.ukresults.net, entries in by 1 st June. It is usually possible to enter the open race on the night but check with organiser. Limit of 200. In the past we have had a good turn out at this race but last year only had about 4 entries. Let’s try for a good turn out this year. Warning, arrive by 7.00 to be sure of parking near the start/finish area (free parking). If you have to park elsewhere make sure you read notices. CLAMPERS OPERATE IN THE PRIVATE CAR PARKS! Sunday 22nd June, 11:15am at Horwich This is a 3 lap Town Centre course so excellent for spectators and is part of a whole day of events, part of The Horwich Carnival, should be a great day for families. Starting at 9:50 with a railway sleeper carrying World Championships and going on all through the day with cycle races – youths, obstacle, junior, road race championships and penny farthing and tricycle races; road running races – 5K vets championships, 5K road walking championships, Horwich Carnival 5K road race, Mizuno Elite Invitation Mile and junior fun runs. Closing date for entries is 15th June. Forms and info below or from www.ukresults.net
Please put these dates in your diaries. I would particularly like to know if you are available / unavailable for the team events i.e. the National and YVAA Road Relays. The Nationals at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, while a long day, is an excellent day’s racing particularly when we get teams in all the age groups. While the men’s teams have never quite managed to medal in any of the age groups the women have always had a team either in or just outside the medals. It would be great if we could get our strongest teams out this year. Men’s teams: 35 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 – 59 and 60 – 69.
Weds May 7 th Esholt (7.30pm) YVAA 5K Champs Sat May 17th Sutton Park BMAF National Road Relay Champs Thurs June 5 th Howarth (7.30pm) YVAA 5m Champs Sun 22 nd June Horwich BMAF 5K Champs Sun 10th August Askern (11.00am) YVAA 10m Champs (Askern 10) Sun 14th Sept Spenborough (11.00am) YVAA 10K Champs (Spen 10K) Sun 21st Sept Spenborough (12.00) YVAA Track and Field Champs Sun 12th Oct Esholt (11.00am) YVAA Road Relay Champs Sun 26th Oct Honley (10.30am) YVAA 15m Champs (Holmfirth 15) Sun 2nd Nov Meltham (10.30am) YVAA Fell Champs (Cop Hill)
News:
For some time I’ve been trying to collect your times for distances from 5K to a Marathon. While I have managed to cajole some information out of a few people there are still loads of runners that have not given me any times. As you will see (on the MEMBER's Page) we’ve posted those. Almost any time supplied is likely to get in the top ten simply because we have so few contributors. So why not let me have your times and see yourself in the top ten for your age group. Click on the link (to e-amil ROB) at the top of the page, then Email your best times. Thanks.
Dianne and Al storming up the hill |
Welcome to Holmfirth Harriers
Some of the many vets that compete for the club at last year’s Holmfirth Harriers has a thriving Vets section and has had many excellent results in local races and championships. This year we came 2 nd in both competitions in the men’s section of YVAA Grand Prix and came 4 th in both of the women’s sections. As we have shown in the past with a better turnout we can win both men’s and women’s sections and so I will be striving to get you all out on a more regular basis this year. For anyone that has not run one of these races before they are really excellent races. Most are multi-terrain, about 5 – 6 miles long and vary from almost pancake flat as at Halifax to quite hilly (!!!), like our own from Neiley. Races can be entered on the day, only cost £2 to enter, cater for all age ranges and abilities, from 35 to 80+. At most races there is also free food and a hot drink after the race. Prizes are given for all 5 year age ranges, depending on entry, with several spot prizes as well. If anyone would like to try out these races next year and would like a lift please see Rob (on the desk) at the club or by email. Other successes have been to numerous to mention with prizes being won in many local races but some notable championship wins in 2007 include; Overall M50 and F50 winners in the Grand Prix; 1 st M45, M50, M65, F40, F45 and F50 in the YVAA Fell Championships; 1 st M55 in YVAA 5mile Championships; 1 st M35 and M55 in YVAA ½ M Championships and 1 st F45 in YVAA 15 mile Championships. Details of all the races in this series can be found at www.yvaa.org as well as from Rob and the Vets Notice Board at the Clubhouse.
Meltham
Sixteen members of Holmfirth Harriers braved the snowy conditions on Sunday to take part in the 2 nd race in the YVAA Grand Prix Series. Though down on numbers compared to the first race, due to the weather and the clash with Easter Sunday, 83 runners from 20 Yorkshire clubs attended and were rewarded by another excellent race superbly marshalled and organised by Meltham AC. All 83 entrants, varying in age from 35 to 70+ finished the 6 mile off road race. Conditions varied from clean fresh snow to thick mud but were pleasant for running and there were the usual smiles and banter at the finish once people had got their breath back. Dave Watson, M35 had an easy win in 35:35, nearly 3 1/ 2 minutes ahead of the second placed runner.
Holmfirth Results: 1 st Dave Watson 1 st M35; 6 th John Ewart 1 st M50; 14 th Ian Moore 3 rd M50; 15 th Sean McCaffrey M40; 20 th Rob Kersey 3 rd M55; 21 st Dave Knight 2 nd M35; 25 th Rod Futrell 1 st M60; 26 th Andrew Keast M40; 30 th Bill Wade 2 nd M65; 36 th Lesley Ewart 1 st F50; 38 th John Philpott M50; 46 th Karen Sinkinson 1 st F45; 49 th Helen Pettit 3 rd F40; 53 rd Robert Ellis M45; 54th Tim Cock M65; 60 th Rob Halstead M50. It was good to see some of the less regular racers taking part and many of them figuring in the prizes. Every runner contributes valuable points for the overall team championships so all runners of whatever standard would be made very welcome. The next race in the series is at Walton near Wakefield on Sunday 1 st June. A completely off road course over pleasant woodland paths, tracks and canal path. Have a go, you will enjoy it.
After the race prizes were collected by the first three in each age category and spot prize winners while members of Meltham AC provided tea/coffee and cakes for runners, supporters and marshals. All this for just a £2.00 entry fee; this has to one of the best, if not the best race series, both for value for money and variety of courses, any where in the country. All runners are welcome to enter any of these races but only runners over 35 years are eligible for prizes.
YVAA Grand Prix Race 1 Horsforth
At the 1 st race in the 2008 Grand Prix series a small team from Holmfirth Harriers scored a number of successes for the club. Results: 16 th John Ewart 2 nd M50; 37 th Ian Moore M50; 54 th Lesley Ewart 1 st F50; 58 th Bill Wade 1 st M65; 72 nd Karen Sinkinson 2 nd F45; 84 th Paula Gould 2 nd F35; 98 th Dayn Wilkins M45; 105 th Steve White M55; 113 th Tim Cock M65. This race had 157 finishers as was the usual great event with a fantastic spread of free food afterwards and 41 age group prizes plus spot prizes and all for only £2.00 After the race the trophies for the 2007 Grand Prix series were presented with John and Lesley Ewart again completing a family double winning the M50 and F50 trophies. Rob Kersey won 2 nd in the M55, John Broome 3 rd in the M35 and Bill Wade 3 rd in the M65. The men’s team was second in both team competitions (‘4 to count’ and ‘all to count’) but gained the ‘all to count trophy’ as the rules don’t allow both trophies to be held by the same team. The ladies were 4 th in both their team competitions. This year there will also be a ’Best of the Rest’ trophy for both men and women. These will be for the teams with the best overall score after their top 4 runners have been taken out of the results; in other words a trophy to encourage the slower runners in a club to race. So come on all you vets it doesn’t matter how fast you are all runners from our top competitors to ‘social runners’ are wanted. All will count towards the team events. The races are multi-terrain and incredibly friendly affairs and while they are very fast at the front there are plenty of slow runners further down. Lifts are always available and many of us share cars both for economy and increased enjoyment of the events. If you haven’t run before and would like to know more talk to any of the runners on the above list or Rob on the desk at the door.
Report from YVAA CC Championships Sunday13th January 2008 At Cliffe Castle / Greenhead High School Keighley Although this was a very much a weakened team with 11 men and 3 women missing on the day, the 26 remaining team members ran with real grit and determination on a tough, muddy and hilly course to do the club proud. Individual highlights were the gold medals for Dave Watson in the M35 race (2 nd man overall) and also for Julia Johnson in the F40 category (3 rd lady overall) plus the bronze for Lesley Ewart in the F50 category. In the team events Dave Watson, Gavin Baxter and Chris Beadle gained silver medals for 2 nd M35 team in the ‘first 3 to count’ competition; Gary Graham, Andy Shaw, Sean McCaffrey and Steve Rimmer just missed a medal in 4 th place in the ‘first 4 to count’ and with Ricky South, Andy Smithson, Phil Hobbs and Dayn Wilkins were placed 4 th again in the ‘all to count’ team event in the M40 – 49 age group; John Ewart, Andy Hauser and Ian Moore won silver in the M50 – 59 ‘3 to count’ team and with Dick Facey and Steve White were also 2 nd in the ‘all to count’ team. In the ladies team events we were unable to field a team in the F35 – 39 age group but Jean Shotter, Lesley Ewart and Christine Couch picked up bronze medals for 3 rd place in the F45+ ‘3 to count’ competition and with Karen Sinkinson, Barbara Hinchliffe, Yvette Arthur and Jeanette Pierson won the shield for 1 st place in the ‘all to count’ competition. Many thanks to all those that made it to the start and also for those that came along and supported the runners. Apologies for lack of photos but I forgot to check the batteries in my camera before I left. If anyone else has any digital pictures I would be pleased to have copies for the website. Rob
YORKSHIRE VETS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION – 2008 RACE PROGRAMME. View this site regularly to keep up with any updates Secretary – Rob Kersey, 01484 685789. Fixtures secretary – Peter May, 07789 345575
Yorkshire Vets Cross Country Championships, 14 th Jan. 2007
Some of the Vets Team shortly before the first race
The 30th Vets Cross Country Championship, held this year on an excellent hilly course at Winter Hills, Rotherham was a great success. 232 runners including five 70 year olds and one 75 year old made for a great atmosphere. Although loosing the usual crop of runners due to injuries, illness and last minute family commitments, 32 runners from Holmfirth made the start. A club record I think. Thank you to all the runners that turned out. It was particularly good to see runners turning out for the club even though they had no expectation of an individual or team medal and also some of the injured runners turning out to support the team from the sidelines. After a week of howling gales and torrential rain everyone was expecting the course to be a quagmire, especially as the course was being used in the morning for the South Yorkshire Championships. The day dawned bright, if cold and we were blessed with blue, almost cloudless skies for the whole day and amazingly the course was mostly firm underfoot with just a few muddy patches, mostly on the steep descents, to remind us we were in a cross country race in the wettest January for years. I hope everyone enjoyed the afternoon, if not while climbing the long hill for the 4 th time, at least once they’d finished! RESULTS
Overall we had a very successful day gaining 5 team prizes and 6 individual prizes.
LadiesOnce again a brilliant display by the ladies. F35 – 44 team 1st Holmfirth, Kath Farquhar, Julia Johnson + Rachael Mellor. F45 + team 2nd Holmfirth, Lesley Ewart , Christine Couch + Karen Sinkinson. Individual Medals F35 2 nd Kath Farquhar
MenCouldn’t quite match the ladies team for medals but did brilliantly to field a team of 22 runners with everyone giving there all and producing some excellent performances.
M35 – 39 team 3rd Holmfirth, Gavin Baxter, Nigel Moran + David Knight. M40 – 49 team 1st Holmfirth, Andy Shaw, Michael Mavromihales, Andrew France + Gary Graham. M50 - 59 team 1st Holmfirth, Andy Hauser, John Ewart + Rob Kersey Individual Medals M45 1 st Andy Shaw
NATIONAL MASTERS ROAD RELAYS AT SUTTON PARK, 12 TH MAY 2007
Four teams travelled down to Sutton Park on a very wet Saturday morning with very heavy showers/torrential rain promised later in the day. In the event we were very lucky, apart from a couple of ten minute spells the weather remained dry and pleasantly warm. Good conditions for both runners and spectators. With only a light breeze the tent was pitched easily and by 10.00 a.m. all those in the first race, ladies and M50+ men had arrived and team running order was duly sorted out. The only problem was fitting the two numbers and age category on the vests! 11.30 saw the start of the first race. For the F35 – 44 team New Member Dawn Critchell lead off and came back 12 th in a time of 18:56 (the fastest woman on the first leg and on the day was Rachel Jones from Salford in an incredible 16:49), Jacqui France (F45) went of next and picked up 4 places to bring us back in 8 th in a time of 19:21. Next came Julia Johnson who has been in great form lately, she ran yet another PB to come back in 6 th in 18:57. Kath Farquhar ran the last leg and despite running our fastest leg of 18:27 and passing 8 men, lost one place in the women’s race to bring the team home in a very credible 7 th place out of 23 teams a big improvement from the 20 th place in 2006. For the F45 – 54 team Jean Shotter lead off and finished 9 th in 20:03, Christine Couch ran the 2 nd leg picking up 3 places to finish 6 th in 19:50 a time that got her into the top 20 fastest times of the day. This was a great run; Chris has come back after being out with an injury for a long time and is running faster than ever. The last leg saw Lesley Ewart run her usual good race to hold on to 6 th place, out of 19 teams, in a time just 1 second faster than Jean, 20:02. This was not quite as good as last year when we picked up a silver medal but still an excellent result. For the M50 – 59 team John Ewart lead off and ran an excellent race to finish 8 th in 16:57 our fastest of the day (but still a minute slower than the fastest run of 15:57). Andy Hauser ran the 2 nd leg and picked up 5 places to finish 3 rd in a very good 17:02 and with the 1 st team dropping out (only 2 runners), this left Rob Kersey, who had moved up from last runner to 3 rd leg as Steve Winspear was worried about his ankle injury, in 2 nd place. Rob’s race plan went out of the window and he set off too fast and paid the price later in the race (see There’s No Fool Like an Old Fool! In the next Footnotes), he finished in 18:21in 8 th place. Mike Pennington ran the 4 th leg and finished strongly in 18:59 in 13 th place. Kevin Yewlett ran the penultimate leg and ran well to drop just one more place, finishing in 18:24, 14 th and handing on to Steve Beardsell. Steve, who was struggling a bit with an ankle injury, still ran a good 17:52 to hold on to 14 th place out of 35 teams. This is 6 places better than last year when we finished 20 th.
Unfortunately we were unable to get sufficient runners to run to make up an M40 – 49 team so only had an M35 – 39 team in the 2 nd race starting at 1.30p.m. With no Dave Watson to run the fastest leg of the day (this year we only had Sean McCaffrey running from last years team) we were obviously going to struggle to get anywhere near the 5 th place of last year.
For the M35 - 39 team Gary Graham (M40) led the team off and ran 17:03 to bring the team back in 12 th place. Sean McCaffrey ran 2 nd and ran 8 seconds faster than last year to come back 10 th in 16:40. Chris Beadle ran leg 3 in 17:31and picked up one place to finish 9 th handing on to new member John Broom. John ran the fastest leg of the day by a Harrier, 16:34 to hold onto finish 9 th out of 14 teams.
This was a great day out, enjoyed by all. Special thanks should be given to Ian Arnold who offered to fill in for the M50 team when we were struggling to get a 6 th runner and then nobly gave up his place but still came down as reserve, when John Ewart found he could run at the last minute. Also to Dianne Waite who continues to support everyone at races while she’s out injured.
YVAA Grand Prix Races Recording Record Entries The latest race in the YVAA Grand Prix Series took place at Walton, near Wakefield on Sunday and yet again entries were around the 150 mark. This totally off road course of about 5 1/ 4 miles was run in hot and humid conditions and many runners struggled in the midday sun on the second lap. Holmfirth Harriers had only a small group competing but still managed some good results. John Broome 2 nd, 2 nd M35, 31:09; John Ewart 6 th, 1 st M50, 32:40; Rob Kersey 19 th, 1 st M55, 34:12; Bill Wade 46 th, 2 nd M65, 37:47; Lesley Ewart 53 rd, 1 st F50, 38:36; Steve White 86 th, M50, 42:36; Dayn Wilkins 94 th, M45, 43:05. Dawn Critchell had to retire with asthma related breathing problems and Tim Cock had to retire with an Achilles injury sustained when falling through a garden chair the previous day! Some excellent results but if the Harriers are to retain their team title next year they will need to get more runners turning out on a regular basis.
Two Gold and Silver for Holmfirth Vets A small group of Holmfirth Harriers made the trip to Howarth on Thursday for the Bronte 5, which incorporated the YVAA 5 mile Championships. The race is a tough two lap event with stiff climbs at about 1 1/ 2 and 3 1/ 2 miles. Dawn Critchell was 2 nd lady and won the F40 Championship in 33:11 and Rob Kersey was 27 th overall and won the M55 Championship in 31:51. Michael Mavromihales was 6 th overall and was 2 nd in the M40 Championship. John Broome also had another good run finishing 9 th overall, just outside the medals, 4 th M35 and Tim Cock did well to complete the course after his injury problems last week.
Harriers Survive Tricky Course at Oakwell Hall Country Park On Wednesday 11 th July 12 Holmfirth Harriers Vets travelled to Birstall to run in the 6 th race in the YVAA Grand Prix series. The course followed a tricky two lap twisting route through meadows, scrub and woodland with plenty of opportunities to make mistakes with the route. Many runners made minor errors and found themselves either suddenly behind or maybe in front of their near competitors but most battled on to the end and completed the race. Holmfirth were pleased to have 3 new team members out Gary Graham, Gary Wade and Robert Ellis. Gary Graham, returning to racing this year, was too shy to admit his age at registration having joined the Vet 40 ranks and nearly missed out on his 2 nd M40 prize as a result! Holmfirth results: Gary Graham 5 th, 2 nd M40; Rob Kersey 16 th, 1 st M55; Sean McCaffrey 19 th, 2 nd M35; Julia Johnson 34 th, 2 nd F40; Bill Wade 44 th, 2 nd M65; Lesley Ewart 46 th, 1 st F50;Jeff Pierson 58 th, M55; Gary Wade 61 st, M45; Robert Ellis 81 st, M45; Tim Cock 89 th M65, Jeanette Pierson 105 th, F50
Knavesmire Course Attracts Large Entry
Twelve Holmfirth Harriers made the journey to York to take part in the latest race. On what was one of the flattest courses in the series times were always going to be fast for an off road race, ideal conditions for Dave Watson to make a rare appearance in these events. Dave won the race easily, some 45 seconds in front of the 2 nd runner, Shaun Dimelow from Penistone. John Ewart was the next Holmfirth Harrier home, an excellent 6 th, 1 st M50 followed by Gary Graham16th, M40; Sean McCaffrey 17 th, M35; Bill Wade 51 st, 3 rd M65; Jeff Pierson 57 th M55; Gary Wade 64 th, M45; Robert Ellis 75 th, M45; and Tim Cock 76 th, M65. In the ladies race Julia Johnson had another great run to finish 2 nd and was closely followed by Lesley Ewart in 5 th, 1 st F50; and Jeanette Pierson 29 th, F50. This race, once again showed the strength of the vets racing scene in Yorkshire, with over 150 finishers. The last three races in the series are at Starbeck near Harrogate on the Thursday 23 rd August (7.30pm), at Honley (Holmfirth Harriers Clubhouse) on the 16 th September (11.00am) and at Halifax on Saturday 17 th November (11.00am).
Race 8 in the YVAA Grand Prix series was held on the 23 rd August at Starbeck, Harrogate. This is probably the furthest distance we have to travel for any of the races in the series. Holmfirth managed to field 14 runners one of our best turn outs this year. Results: John Broome 7 th, 2 nd M35; Sean McCaffrey 12 th, M35; John Ewart 14 th, 1 st M50; Andy Hauser 27 th, M50; Rob Kersey 31 st, 1 st M55; Julia Johnson 44 th, 3 rd F40; Jeff Pierson 60 th, 3 rd M55; Lesley Ewart 64 th, 1 st F50; Jean Shotter 68 th, 1 st F45; Bill Wade 72 nd, M65; 80 th Malcolm Sizer, M60; 86 th Rob Ellis, M45; 93 rd Tim Cock, M65; 105 th Jeanette Pierson, M50. This race had another great turnout, 149 runners and also a fantastic spread of food after the race.
Cross Keys Relay Success by Holmfirth Vets
At the last minute an over 50’s team was put together for the Cross Keys Road / Fell Relay run from the Cross Keys pub at Uppermill on 1 st September. This is a superb event and in the past has been well supported by teams from Holmfirth. I understand from Andy Hauser that Holmfirth won the race for something like the first 5 years that it ran. Teams run a tough 3 mile, 2 lap road leg, followed by a 2.5 mile fell leg and then a 2 nd road and fell leg. Categories for both men and women include open and veterans plus juniors. There is also a mixed category that requires two men and two women. In recent years Holmfirth Harriers seem to have largely deserted the race, apart from the vets team and sometimes a women’s team. In fact the Holmfirth won the women’s race last year. It would be nice to see a real effort put into attending again, we could certainly have a good chance of winning the race with our top road and fell runners running. It would be good to put out a strong team for such a local event in our centenary year. The Holmfirth vets M50 team had an excellent run with John Ewart coming 10 th on the first road leg and then Andy Hauser picking up two places to finish 8 th on the first fell leg. Stephen Beardsell and Rob Kersey (both M55’s) ran well to maintain the team position giving us 8 th overall and the 1 st vets’ team prize. Karen Sinkinson, a Saddleworth lass it turns out, came along to see if she could find a team needing a runner and ended up running in a Saddleworth Vet’s team (men!). Running her usual strong race she helped them to 2 nd vet’s team much to their surprise I think as it seemed they doubted her ability to run on the fells. She’s a lot tougher than she looks!
YVAA Road Relays, Esholt, 9 th September 2007
In the end we managed to get 7 teams out at this event, M35 – 39, 2 x M40 – 49, 2 x M50 – 59, M60 and 2 X W45+. This was a total of 27 runners willing to represent the club rather than running just for themselves. Many thanks to all those that ran, we had a number of runners who had not represented the club in a team event before and while I know all found the fast pace, needed over such a short race, hard work I hope all will be encouraged to put their names down to run in other team events. We just missed out on claiming any of the championship shields but gained 2 nd M35 – 39 team, 2 nd M50 – 59 team, 3 rd M60+ team and 2 nd W45 team. Full Holmfirth results are listed below and a complete set of results can be found on the Vets Board at the club or at yvaa.org W45+ Holmfirth ’A’ Lesley Ewart 16:42, 1 st; Barbara Hinchliffe18:17, 1 st; Andrea Higgins18:16, 2 nd (Andrea was unlucky to come up against the fastest runner in the W45+’s who ran a minute faster than any other runner in 16:23) Holmfirth ‘B’ Alison Whitelegg 20:33, 4 th; Paula Bee 20:47, 4 th; Jeanette Pierson 20:15, 4 th M35 – 39 Holmfirth ‘A’ John Broome 13:40, 3 rd; Sean McCaffrey 13:36, 2 nd; Dave Watson 13:01,1 st; Steve Rimmer 14:42, 2 nd (Steve was running in a group below his age category and again came up against the fastest runner in his race who finished in 12:42) M40 - 49 Holmfirth ‘A’ Mick Mavromihales 14:24 6 th; Andy Shaw 14:05, 5 th; Ricky South 14:14, 4 th; Gary Graham 14:07, 4 th Holmfirth ‘B’ Steve Nash 15:05,10 th; Ian Shuttleworth 15:34, 9 th; Richard Wade 17:12, 9 th; Chris Whitelegg 17:24, 9 th M50 – 59 Holmfirth ‘A’ John Ewart 14:20, 3 rd; Andy Hauser 14:40, 1 st; Steve Beardsell 14:44, 2 nd (again Steve came up against the fastest runner of the day, 13:54, his 2 second lead being run down in the first few strides but did well to hold of a fat finishing Rotherham by 5 seconds) Holmfirth ‘B’ Ian Moore 15:59, 9 th; Bob Harbisher (coming out of retirement again!)15:38, 8 th; Rob Kersey 15:09, 7 th M60+ Holmfirth ‘A’ Tim Cock 18:32, 4 th; Malcolm Sizer 17:26, 3 rd; Bill Wade 17:11, 3 rd
Thanks also to all those that came to spectate and shout on the teams. Rob
What a fantastic turnout for the Vets Race at Neiley on Sunday. We had 36 runners in the race and another 29 helping around the course and in the clubhouse. Many thanks to all those that ran and especially to those that helped marshalling, at the start and finish, with refreshments and with the raffle. Without these non running helpers the race could not run. The race attracted 133 runners and this is well up on previous years. Many thanks to all those members that brought food, very little was left at the end and well over 300 cups of tea were consumed as well! As is usual when we get a strong team out Holmfirth runners collected many prizes on the day including: First in race, Dave Watson, 1 st M35, 32:19; John Broom, 3 rd M35, 35:16; John Ewart, 1 st M50, 36:25; Andy Hauser, 3 rd M50, 37:00; Rob Kersey, 1 st M55, 37:44; Kath Farquhar, First Lady, 1 st W35, 40:17; Julia Johnson, 1 st W40, 40:54, Chris Couch, 1 st W45, 42:10; Lesley Ewart, 1 st W50, 42:40; Bill Wade, 3 rd M65, 43;38 Barbara Hinchliffe, 2 nd W50, 44:56; Jean Shotter, 2 nd W45, 46:41; Jeanette White, 3 rd W50, 65:42. The ladies actually had 4 out of the first 5 lady runners and could obviously walk away with the Ladies Grand Prix team prize with that sort of result on a regular basis. Let’s hope we can get a few more ladies out on a regular basis next year to support Lesley, Dawn and Jeanette our only real regulars this year. Other Holmfirth results are given below: Gavin Baxter, M35, 36:05; Sean McCaffrey, M35 36:36; Andy Shaw, M45, 37:34; Dave Overend (out of retirement), M50, 37:46; Kevin Yewlett, M50, 38:15; Nigel Moran, M35, 38:38; Ian Arnold, M50, 39:42; David Murgett, M40, 39:48; Ian Moore, M50, 40:03; Rod Futrell, M60, 40:48; John Philpott, M50, 42;32; Chris Hampshaw, M45, 43:05; Andrew Keast, M40, 43:43; Peter Tipling, M50, 45:05; Richard Wade, M40, 45:28; Keith Wild, M50, 47:25; Tim Cock, M65, 47:46; Pete Dolan, M50, 47:48; Andrea Higgins, W45, 48:15; Paul Senior, M35, 49:29; Jeanette Pierson, W50, 52:01; Kath Wilkins, W45, 65:44.
YVAA Half Marathon Championships Bridlington
On Sunday 16 th October 8 Harriers travelled to Bridlington to take part in the YVAA 1/2M Championships run within the ‘Brid. ½’. On a good day for running, light winds and slightly misty, although very warm and humid once you got running, the team came away with 3 medals and some excellent runs from other members of the team over the undulating course. The complete results will go on the Vets Board down at the club as soon as they are available but Holmfirth finishers in the first 150 were: 1st M35, (9 th) John Broom, 77:19 1st M55, (30 th) Rob Kersey, 84:43 M35, (41 st) Mark Pigford, 86:37 2nd W40, (49 th) Dawn Broom, 87:34 M55, (115 th) Jeff Pierson, 95:51
YVAA 15m Championships On Sunday 28 th Holmfirth harriers hosted the first of the Centenary Races, the Holmfirth 15. This was an excellently organised race and congratulations to Tony Crowther for such a well run event. The day dawned wet and windy, up at Cartworth it was horizontal rain and difficult to walk into the wind at 7.00am when I took the dog out! However by the time the race started the wind had dropped to a light breeze and there was just a light, refreshing drizzle. The field of 247 finishers was made up of 203 vets, 82% of the field, of which 136 were eligible for prizes for the YVAA Championships. Holmfirth runners gained 4 Championship medals: Jax France was 1 st W45 in 1:42:48; I know she was a little disappointed with the time immediately after finishing but still an excellent time and good enough to win her age category. John Philpott (with whom I ran for about 12 1/ 2 miles till, having stitch which I couldn’t run off, I had to tell him to go on and not hold back for me), ran a classic even paced race and was rewarded by that and his hard work in training for the event in running 1:39:04 (some 46 seconds faster than last year) and the 3 rd M50 prize. I came in next in 1:39:35, 2 nd M55. The ‘pain’ of being beaten by John for the second year running ( he’s going well for a “fat *******”- his quote, not mine!) was tempered slightly by running 1min. 48 seconds faster than last year, even though struggling over the last 2 1/ 2 miles. Our final prize winner in the Yorkshire Vets Race was Tim Cock who picked up the 3 rd M65 prize. Tim’s time was not available, when we did the prize giving. This was not as some of the crueller members of the club might say because he was so slow it didn’t get recorded, he was in fact 155 th out of 247 finishers but because we did not have a print out with times on at that stage. Other Holmfirth Vets, many of whom had excellent runs even if they weren’t in the prizes included (apologies for lack of times but no doubt they will be elsewhere on the website): 9 th Sean McCaffrey M35; 21 st Gavin Baxter M35; 25 th Mark Pigford M35; 47 th Michael Pennington M50; 52 nd Pete Dolan M50; 55 th Dave Shepherd M45; 62 nd Dave Knight M35; 132 nd Paul Senior M35; 133 rd Nigel turner M45; 135 th Jim Sommerville M60; 141 st Sean Doyle M40; 145 th Mark Dolan M45; 147 th Richard Whale M50; 166 th Kiersti Dickinson F40;171 st Philip Hanson M50; 172 nd Claire Whitwam F45;179 th Jeremy Halstead M50;192 nd Steve White M50; 218 th Sandie O’Conner F45 and 243 rd Dave Riddle M40. Dave, who is often the butt of good natured banter in the changing rooms and out on club training runs regarding his lack of fitness, deserves a special mention for battling all the way round in what I’m sure he would be the first to admit is a totally unfit state! When fit, Dave is no slouch, as his past club race times’ show. It would be good to see him back to racing fitness. There’s a challenge Dave! Other runners from local clubs with results worth a mention include: Trevor Wright (Longwood), 1 st M55, 1:35:41; Bridget Coomber (Denby Dale), 2 nd W40, 1:36:33; Donald Kennedy (Longwood), 1 st M40, 1:36:46. Rob
Calderdale Way relay 9th Dec07
Amazingly all four teams managed to complete the relay, although only through some last night replacements bravely stepping in and with Chris Beadle running a leg for the first team and a leg for the 4 th team. The day was mostly fine and the cloud cover high so conditions were pretty good for running. I followed the relay through from start to finish and everyone seemed to have enjoyed their run even those that hadn’t a clue about the route managed to latch onto another team and have an enjoyable run. The vets’ team, almost an M50+ team (Dave Shepherd on leg 1 was 50 last Sunday), managed to stay virtually intact with only one person dropping out. One or two others did ring me say they weren’t in great shape but soon realised that could be said of half the team and we had no waiting replacements. Many thanks to everyone that ran and it’s only 9 months till I ask you again next year! We finished 49 th team out of over 100, so just in the top half, just pipped by the ladies team much to their delight. Bob Harbisher suggested Kevin and I should be banished to the ladies changing rooms for letting Kath and Julia finish in front of us; Dave and Bob being one of only three of our pairs that beat the women on their leg. Vets results: Leg 1 Dave Shepherd and Pete Dolan, 61 st 1:32:19; Leg 2 Ian Arnold and Dick Facey, 35 th 1:13:13; Leg 3 Bob Harbisher and Dave Overend, 33rd 46:38; Leg 4 John Adair and Paul Coleman, 52 nd 1:28:37; Leg 5 Ashley Smith and Bill Hunter, 84 th 1:20:40; Leg 6 Rob Kersey and Kevin Yewlett 38 th 1:18:57 Apologies but I forgot to mention it was £4 / person to enter, so if you haven’t paid me please let me have your race fee next time your down at the club. Thanks to everyone, Rob
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