From Geoff Howard…
Life does have an unfortunate knack of getting in the way of running – as I’ve experienced recently with various niggles – up until the last few weeks seemingly locked into an endless repeat series of “just getting back into it”. So that’s probably why, with glorious weather and at last feeling o.k., I impetuously plunged into two events in one weekend. Both proved to be highly memorable and, in their own ways, the essence of why I enter in the first place.
Where else, but in the uphill finish at Skipton parkrun, are you likely to be drawn into an epic 200 metre ‘sprint duel’ with a ten year old (with line and pace as predictable as the US President) spurred on by the “we can get him” exhortations of his arms length responsible adult.
Where else, but in the rugged 10k Run Nidderdale trail race 1,000+’ up to the Guisecliffe trig point and Yorke’s Folly at Pateley Bridge, can you guarantee to have the great privilege of running against erstwhile Ilkley Harrier and BOFRA legend Norman Bush now in his 85th year and still (when not running) demonstrating bushcraft and circus manoeuvres to school children. In this I was joined by new Harriers Edwyn Oliver-Evans and Ellie Middlemass who both ran brilliantly to finish second man and fifth woman in 44m 33s and 60m 3s respectively of 121 finishers. I was mightily relieved to finish 56th just ahead of Norman 67th (66m 11s and 69m 26s) always remembering that ten years ago in a World Masters Mountain Championship race we finished level in the same time despite him being in a older age category.
Whatever else, it was just great to be back and to have two such terrific, but poles apart, experiences.
Footnote: The Organiser Emma Wilkins pointed out ” We’re really proud to see that we had a 45% female participation rate, but we’d be particularly keen to hear what we can do to make things easier or more welcoming for minority groups”.
Overall winner at Nidderdale: Jack Simpson 38m 44s
First woman: Gemma Callaghan (Pudsey Pacers) 51m 23s