From Jill Ezard…
Photo credit Montane Spine Race
Spine tingling performance on the 268 mile Pennine Way!
A virtual standing ovation for Ritchie Williamson this week for completing the brutal Montane Winter Spine. A few facts to explain this frankly mind blowing achievement: a 268 miles endurance race starting in Edale in the Peak District, completing the full length of the Pennine Way ending in Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders; over 10,000 metres of climb through some of the toughest terrain in the UK including the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall and the Cheviots; only 168 hours, or seven days, non-stop to complete it; and all that whilst battling the full force of the British Winter including deep snow, storm force winds and driving rain. Ritchie set off on his challenge on Sunday 14th January at 8am and completed the event well ahead of the cut off in 155 hours, 48 minutes and 41 seconds. In a race where almost half of participants didn’t finish, and having experienced real highs and lows, and no doubt some sleep deprivation induced hallucinations along the way, Ritchie’s achievement is all the more incredible. In his own words Ritchie said “Lots of highs, lots of lows, want to go back to the Spine”! We’ll wait a couple of days and see if the enthusiasm for another go wears off! Well done Ritchie!
Continuing on the fells, Dave Robson took on his first fell race of the season at the Hoof Stones event near Todmorden. At eight miles and 430m of ascent it’s a tough challenge, taking competitors onto Stansfield moor and up to the Hoof Stones Height trig point and back. 67 hardy souls braved the wintry conditions and Dave had a fantastic run, taking 10th position overall in a time of 1:13:57.
Continuing off road, two of our promising young Harriers, Ed Hobbs and Beth Rogers, were selected to run in their respective Northern Athletics teams in the Cross Country Challenge in London on Saturday. Taking place at Parliament Hill the tough 2km loop course provided some challenging and fast racing for the teams. Both athletes had great runs placing in the top 15 in both their races: Ed, completing an 8km race, finished in 13th place in 26:51; and Beth, completing a 6km race finished in 15th place in 24:07. A fantastic experience for both runners and great results on the day.
With less mud and practically no hills to contend with seven Harriers ventured over to York to take part in the iconic Brass Monkey Half Marathon. The ever popular, super flat and fast course has potential for some great times and this year didn’t disappoint: Dave Foyston was the first Harrier home in 1:19:27; Steve Coy was next over the line in 1:23:22, securing an impressive top ten age category place; next up was Jonathan Turner in 1:26:13; Marie Watson was the first female home for the Harriers in 1:43:23; Michael Ho completed in another great time of 1:48:48; and Bess and Paddy Sturman completed the roll call coming over the line together in 1:51:45. Well done team!
And finally, the challenging underfoot conditions meant only ten Harriers braved the parkrun events this week. Ever popular, five Harriers took on the Roberts park event with top 50 finishes for Tony Pye, Andrew Smith and Gawain Moore. Samesh Chotai was just pipped at the post at the Skipton event and was second finisher in 18:21, setting a PB in the process. And Tom Lambe completed his 100th parkrun in style at the Leicester Victoria event securing a PB by finishing in 19:53.