From Steph Fox…
Some months ago in a moment of running madness, I half-heartedly agreed to run the Yorkshireman Half Marathon with (new to the club – but not running) Teresa Brooks. I had hoped that a casual agreement over a sunny mooch over the Moor along with the tick of the confirmation box was just a figment of my imagination.
So imagine my surprise when I found myself at the bottom of Haworth Main Street on Sunday morning, particularly when fell racing isn’t something I would ordinarily choose to take part in.
The Yorkshireman half and marathon is a superbly organised event by Keighley & Craven AC. The regular updates and social media streams sustained enough anticipation for the race over the weeks and months. In addition to this, the club host regular recces over the summer months and so with a little trepidation I had joined one of the runs on a very wet August afternoon.
In fact the two ladies who took out my recce skipped home in first place in the marathon pair’s race!!
The weather conditions were perfect, dry underfoot, not a wisp of air, and an ambient temperature, so with a packed whistle, waterproofs, map and compass – we headed off up a brute of a hill start.
Once the initial climb was conquered, I was able to find a suitably comfortable plodding pace and for a very brief moment experienced some elation and the views.
I was heartened that the group I had managed to fall in with, all slowed to a fast march up the hills rather than a lung busting, heart stopping run and I was able to relax into the race.
At mile 8, I inhaled around a dozen jelly babies (I even ran back for more!) and then trudged on the tarmac for a short spell, before heading back on to the uneven moorlands. I secretly rejoiced at being back on the uneven terrain and with a skip, jump and thankfully not a tumble headed down into Oxenhope.
The race finishes as it starts with a small incline (the sting in the tail otherwise known as Butt Lane) and as I trudged up the hill I could almost smell the finish line and the slice of pizza before stumbling to chip in with my time with a sense of achievement and a tear in my eye (again!) and a can of coke in hand.
This is fantastic event, with supportive helpers, including the children who handed out the pizza to some very tired runners and I would highly recommend it to everyone.
From Sarah Edwards…
A perfect day for running over the moors above Haworth. I ran the “half” marathon, which is a beautiful and tough 15-mile route taking in some varied terrain and fabulous views. A killer finish up the hill to Haworth primary school but well worth it for the pizza afterwards.
1 Jack Wood 1:46:56
24 Rachel Carter 2:06:59 (3rd lady)
29 Paul Calderbank 2:10:04 (1st MV60)
58 Paul Disney 2:22:35
109 Chantal Busby 2:38:59
118 Sarah Edwards 2:42:10
130 Adela Reperecki 2:45:39 (2nd FV60)
151 Stephanie Fox 2:52:45
158 Teresa Brooks 2:58:44
235 finished