First and last, Holmfirth Harriers top and tail this demanding hilly 10k race, which is run in the beautiful countryside around Shepley. Stu Sharp came first and Tracey Courtney brought up the rear. Both running really good races.
15 Holmfirth Harriers lined up on the start in ideal running conditions to take part in one of the Huddersfield Road and Trail Series of brilliant local races organised by John Burdon and Matthew Pattison, which have been a local institution since 2014. I understand we are in for a few changes in 2022. The race HQ is Shepley Cricket Club which has undergone some magnificent improvements in recent years. We are always made very welcome there.
So about our individual Harriers running: Stu Sharp won I don’t have a time for him as the system didn’t recognise him as a Harrier – we have put that right, Rob Dickinson and Phil Brown powered around in under 50 minutes, Rob Kersey was 37 seconds over 50 minutes magnificent running, I got around in 55 minutes not my fastest but my final M60-64 race, Ruth Churchill Dower a seriously good trail runner and Tracey Newman a seriously good endurance runner battled each other coming in only 20 seconds apart in under 57 minutes. One of our new members Kelly Law produced an excellent run ducking in under hour along with Jane Stirling, great to see you again Jane. Two of our evergreen pros, Bill Hunter and Richard Whale came in almost together just over the hour. Richard was mortified!! More speed training needed Richard. Charlotte Whale was less than 2 minutes later. Oliver Davies came in next under 1 hour 15 minutes great effort. Next came one of our newest members Nicky Evans who produced a really gutsy performance coming in under 1 hour 30 minutes – superb effort. Bringing up the rear but running with commitment and passion was Tracey Courtney.
Well done to all those who ran. Particularly good to see new members immediately embracing racing. You don’t have to be fast to enter races. My evaluation is that it was a really good club performance displaying a range of talent throughout all levels of the club.
For the future look out for this race next year and give it a go.
Phil Hanson, September 2021
