From Neil Chapman…
Two Harriers took on the aptly named Meltham ‘Tough’ 10k at the weekend. A tough course where runners rarely get under 35 minutes, made more difficult by the windy conditions on the day. Christos Tzelis led the race from the start and was just pushed back to second place at the finish with a time of 36.32, seven seconds behind the winner Mark Holden of Dewsbury RR.
Christos’ run was particularly noteworthy as he has not been running much recently, whilst concentrating on his cycling.
Sally Armitage had an equally impressive run, finishing not just first lady but 15th overall with a superb time of 40.46, which was over five minutes faster than when she last ran the race in 2019. Two brilliant Harriers results.
From Sally Armitage…
Today I drove over to Meltham, the other side of Huddersfield, for the Meltham ‘Tough’ 10k.
This was my second attempt at this horrifically hilly, callously cold 10k road race. I ran it in 2019 previously, it was one of the league races that year. Having experienced it in all its glory once once already I knew what to expect.
I think it was slightly warmer today than last time but there was an icy wind to make up for the slight rise in temperature. The wind was most noticeable once the major climb was done and we were on the tops, and lucky for me I was running in the middle of a group of taller males so was quite shielded.
The race finishes with a rapidos 1.5 mile downhill run back to the start, at this point the wind was actually behind us, I was just hoping and praying to stay on my feet!
Christos Tzelis joined me in representing Team IH and he led the race all the way round and was then pipped to the post in the final 100 metres by a more experienced Dewsbury Runners athlete. We discussed tactics afterwards!
1st Mark Holden (M40) Dewsbury Road Runners 36:28
2nd Christos Tzelis (MJ) 36:32
15th Sally Armitage (F40) 40:46
229 ran