From Petra Bijsterveld…
Photo credit Mick Hall
Conditions were perfect for the 18 Harriers who lined up with around 2200 others at the start of the Dewsbury 10k this morning. Cool but sunny, and without any noticeable breeze, we could not have wished for anything better weather-wise. The Dewsbury course, for those who have not done it, is well suited to fast running, being an out and back along the main road, slightly up on the way out (it climbs 150 ft) thus naturally providing a negative split unless something goes really awry. There is no scenery or pleasant view to distract the mind from the single task in hand, i.e. to reach the finish arch as quickly as possible without blowing up in the process of doing so. We were encouraged by local support including some brilliant drummers delivering a powerful beat, and the usual friendly marshals. There were pacers too for a variety of times. Nathan Edmondson ran brilliantly to finish second in 30:07, thereby setting a new club record for the distance (previously 30:53 set by Cameron Reilly in 2022), closely followed by Jack Cummings in fourth place. There were PBs for many of us beside Nathan’s record: Jack, Ed, Dave, Kyle, Ruth, Tony, Marie, Emma and myself all improved our all-time bests (let me know if I have forgotten someone), and Matt ran his fastest time since 2004 so to my mind that counts as a PB too! Amanda was delighted to finish sub 1 hour which was her goal for today.
(1 29:55 Omar Ahmed, Birchfield Harriers)
2 30:07 Nathan Edmondson – new club 10K record
4 30:46 Jack Cummings
23 32:35 Edward Hobbs
56 33:31 Matt Cox – 3rd MV45
95 34:28 Dave Foyston
132 35:31 Danny Thompson
157 35:38 Forrest Hamilton
257 37:47 Kyle Bethell
281 38:05 Ruth Kitchen
332 38:44 Tim Ashelford
400 39:39 Tony Pye
613 42:27 David Brown
637 43:12 Mark Iley
659 42:51 Mike Williams
761 44:07 Marie Watson
779 44:22 Emma Sheppard
1025 48:49 Petra Bijsterveld
1786 59:51 Amanda Newham
2212 ran