From Iain Young….
As part of this year’s selection in the race league, five Harriers including myself arrived and ran the 10k course. Two laps on the undulating paths around Swinsty Reservoir, in the Nidderdale area. We were lucky to be racing on a sunny morning. Our own Colm McCann was a part of the organisers helping out in the event. This race was to help raise money for WaterAid to bring clean water to everyone’s homes.
During the week I was at Neil Chapman’s speed endurance session along Rupert Road Thursday night and ran the EHF park run the day before. Getting ready for the start I was surrounded by half a dozen tall men towards the front (me thinking they’re here to win it). As soon as we set off, I somehow found myself running in the top 3 when we all spread out. (me thinking it’s only the beginning and expecting to be overtaken soon). At halfway I peeked over my shoulder whilst running and was amazed how far I had gone, runners behind not in vision around path ways and trees. The front two were already far ahead, so all the way I was by myself towards the end, made a comedy of myself by going past the race marshals huffing and puffing and telling them I can’t believe I’m this far in front. Crossing over the finish line at 39:39 (sub-40) third overall. I was congratulated and handed the 3rd male trophy by the organisers . Less than 3mins behind Osian Hegarty, the winner, and less than 2mins behind Michael Slack from Vegan Runners UK, who came 2nd.
Our own Owen Parker finished around 1min behind me and came 4th. Jonathan Turner finished 1st MV55 and Alison Weston finished FV60, Geoffrey White had a good run and finished around 50min zone and crediting his partner Laura for the finishing photos. All runners finish with a medal plus a goody bag of running gels, free Yorkshire tea and a protein shake. Now we await to see where it takes us in the Harriers Race League and only half dozen more fixtures before the end of 2026, next race onto Rombald’s Romp next weekend.
Getting a PB in a race is one thing to expect but claiming a finishing trophy is a surprise, 95 ran this event so this may well be the one off for me but you never know what lies ahead.