Parlauf Final – Tuesday 28th of June 2022
The final of the 2022 Holmfirth Harriers Parlauf took place on the field on Tuesday 28th of June 2022.
All ten pairs that had qualified for the final lined up at the start with a sense of keen anticipation among the athletes and the very good crowd of spectators.
The first 3 laps were very nip and tuck with the whole field passing and re-passing each other.
As the race reached the half way point two pairs started to open up a little gap on the rest of the runners.
Eddie Hinchliffe with his partner Quinn Favager was just holding a slight advantage over Curtis Firth and Eleanor Clarke.
Curtis and Eleanor were having a battle royal each time they received the baton and Eddie was just keeping a 5 to 10m advantage when he was running.
As the race reached the final minute Eddie and Curtis both retained the baton and despite his best efforts Curtis was not able to reel Eddie in and he held a 10m advantage as the final whistle went at the end of the 10 minutes.
The rest of the field had bunched up with some of the more experienced runners, Joe Minchella and George Hobbs making late headway with the other eight pairs all finishing within 20m of each other.
The trophies and medals were presented to Eddie and Quinn shortly after the finish.
All those who participated in the heats and finals plus the spectators said what a great event it was.
It was pleasing to see young, older, experienced and athletes just talking up running reaching the final and the way the pairs bonded not matter the age of the pair of or perceived ability.
A big thank you to Roger for organising the course, Steve Beardsell for timekeeping and to those who helped with lap counting.
It is now less than a year to the heats of the 2023 Parlaufs and I hope everyone no matter who you are will think about taking part in this unique event where the whole club not matter age or ability can come together and enjoy each other’s comradely.
