From Dawn Turner…
Thursday saw the fifth and final race in what has been a great series this season.
With previous venues being Knaresborough, Harrogate, Yeadon & Wetherby it was the turn of Ripon to host the finale.
The last race of the series takes the form of a handicap with participants given their start time beforehand, calculated on how they’ve performed in the previous runs – the theory being we should all finish together.
To be fair to the handicapper they did a good job with 77% of those taking part finishing in a three minute window between 67 and 69 minutes after the first runner started.
It was an interesting course, taking in tracks and trails through woodland, fields with cows and skirting the edge of Studley Royal near Fountains Abbey.
Ripon Runners put on a fine spread afterwards at the rugby club where a few of us Harriers partook of sandwiches and cakes and waited for the prize giving ceremony.
Matthew Thackwray had a great evening, his handicap net time of 27.29 was the fastest of the night and consistent finishes of 5th, 5th, 2nd & 3rd in the series meant he took 3rd in the overall men’s race. Dave Foyston picked up the MV45 category prize with Jonathan Turner netting the MV50 category.
Well done to all in what has been an excellent event. Hope more Harriers sign up in 2024.