Wednesday 29th December 2021
Thirteen Harriers attended the Penistone Footpath Runners, annual Ambles Revenge. There were 251 runners this year. The race was won by Jonathan Escalante-Phillips of Cambridge and Coleridge AC in a time of 54:37; the First Holmfirth Harrier home was Mark Law in a time of 1:05:42 who was also third in his age category. Second in their age category was Kevin Yellett and congratulations to Karen Sinkinson who was first in her age category. Elaine and Neil also got on the age category podium, but well done to everyone on this difficult course.
Here is the full list of Harriers results:
Position Cat Pos
32 1816 Mark Law MV55 3/25 1:05:42
42 1923 Graeme Smith MV45 6/29 1:09:07
49 1675 Philip Brown MV40 10/29 1:10:09
64 1758 Ian Goulding MV55 5/25 1:12:40
69 1737 Jim Durrans MV50 11/27 1:13:48
88 1988 Kevin Yewlett MV65 2/12 1:16:34
130 1956 Richard Wade MV55 13/25 1:24:06
132 1918 Karen Sinkinson FV60 1/3 1:24:19
141 1844 Neil Midgley MV70 3/4 1:25:14
176 1933 Elaine Stewart FV60 3/3 1:29:51
192 1783 Mark Henderson MV55 22/25 1:34:04
206 1965 Richard Whale MV65 11/12 1:38:58
218 1949 Laura Tiffany FV50 6/9 1:42:08
The Ambles Revenge is the winter race of The Amble, which is run in July. It is a mixture of cross country, road and fell the race goes in a clockwise direction, starting on the Trans Pennine Trail at Oxspring. It proceeds for 7.5 miles with over 1,200ft elevation, over farmers’ fields, quiet country lanes, through woodland and over many stiles towards Green Moor and back to Oxspring.
The weather had been (and still was) particularly wet and there were parts that were very muddy and wet underfoot making it a real slog in parts. Undulating and hilly, it is certainly not an easy race. This year we also had the wind, not a gentle breeze but on the upper parts I would say gale force – enough to knock you off balance! The course was well marked and had plenty of wet and windswept marshals all very cheerful and giving us all lots of encouragement.
The event was subject to the ongoing National Covid rules which meant that there was no socialising indoors, queue for number collection, mask wearing once inside then exit the building, we basically only met up as a Holmfirth Harriers Club at the start, on the Trans Pennine Trail; then dispersed once each runner had crossed the finish line. No open bar for competitors or a chance to tell tales of the race but I am sure that we shall all look back on these measures in a few years and tell the youngsters “I remember when..” But at least we were lucky to be in England and running in real race conditions.
I believe we all enjoyed the race, it was such a fun event with a brilliant quality, beanie hat just for turning up; I have run this race before and will definitely will be signing up again in the future. It is suitable for everyone and speaking for myself, the more mud the more everyone walks so I didn’t feel guilty for not running the whole course, I just joined the procession with those of similar ability! Trying my best to improve my position going downhill, he he!!!
See the Gallery below for some Harriers enjoying the conditions
Richard Whale
30th December 2021
