[Photo credit: Iain Young]
From Hilda Coulsey…
I’m very pleased I ran this race. What a super day in the Dales, beautiful weather, wonderful views, very social with lots of Harriers and friends from elsewhere, lots of support also very much appreciated and with food, drinks and showers available afterwards in the rugby clubhouse in Grassington.
I am somewhat out of love with road races, constantly trying to get up some speed to chase times (too many in the last seven months, don’t worry I’ll be back!) and this race has been in my diary since last year when I was injured and couldn’t run. I knew it would be tough to race, did I want to put myself through another tough race – no! – so I decided I would do it and just enjoy the atmosphere and the scenery, contemplating finishing amongst the back markers. The night before, whilst checking the details, I couldn’t stop myself checking last year’s times therefore I was armed with times of both the v65 and v70 winning times. I did keep to my word of not going off fast and eased into it nicely. After the up to Scott Gate and down to Coniston Bridge the drag up Mastiles Lane is relentless, I took to Jeffing it which would have been annoying for others I passed then they caught up etc etc etc. From then on the run is undulating over rough moorland and Boss and Threshfield moors, over stiles and gates and slow enough (in my position of the field) to exchange comments on the heat, the views and when will we ever get to the top of this, yet another, hill. The race is not for the faint-hearted at nearly 600m elevation gain but the social camaraderie is great to be part of. My competitive self was satisfied by beating those target times and coming in 47th out of 90 ladies, nowhere near the back end. More importantly, it was a very enjoyable day out.
Great performances from Harriers with Jenny Roberts (now competing for NLFR) taking 1st lady and Matthew Thackwray second overall also 1st v35. Matt Cox was fifth overall and 2nd v45, Rachel Carter and Emma Sheppard taking 1st and 2nd v45 with Rachel as fourth lady plus other category wins for Jonathan Sinclair, Peter Ferguson and Hilda Coulsey.
(1. Joe Hudson, Keighley and Craven, 1:27:30)