Holmfirth brave the heat

OVER the last 6 weeks Holmfirth Harriers veteran runners have been out racing in very hot conditions.

On the 3rd of June, nine Harriers made the long trip to Lythe near Whitby for a race in the YVAA Multi-terrain GP series. The tough 10K undulating course in the grounds of Mulgrave Castle has a very steep climb over the last 200m and for most people this is tackled at walk pace!

Only 3 women made the trip, with Margaret Sykes coming 3rd and 1st F45; Judy Howells, F45 (2nd claim HH running for Wharfedale) 11th and Liz Yewlett F60, 54th.

In the men’s race Michael Fanning was 2nd and 1st M50; Chris Beadle 8th, 3rd M45; Rob Kersey 39th, 2nd M65; Kevin Yewlett M65, 49th; Paul Winn M60, 73rd and Mark Henderson M55, 97th. While a long way to go, this is a very enjoyable event in a beautiful setting. Well worth the trip.

The following Thursday was the YVAA 5 mile Championships incorporated in the Full Bronte 5, at Haworth. First home for Holmfirth was Damien McQueen M40 in 25th place and 2nd YVAA M40, in 32:29.

After a two week break The James Blakey Fell Race, at the Harden Moss Sheep dog trials on the 23rd, was quickly followed by the Multi-terrain GP at the John Charles Stadium, Leeds. The James Blakey FR is a great little race that all members should take part in at least once.

Only 3 miles and on terrain similar to a summer club run, I doubt if there is anyone in the club that could not get round the course. Mike Fanning M50 was first back in 21:32.

In the YVAA Multi-terrain race of about 8K from the John Charles Stadium, Leeds, there were some excellent performances all round and it was nice to see a few more of our women vets managing to get to the event. As always, when they race, the strength in depth of the women’s vets’ team, right through the age groups, shows up.

July has continued where June finished, with racing coming thick and fast in extremely hot conditions. On 1st July, three Veteran Harriers plus Tim Street a senior man (U35), braved the heat to take part in the Eccup 10 / YVAA 10 mile Championships. Tim had a tremendous run, coming in 10th in 59:39.

Four days later saw the club’s own 10 mile (closed) Championship race. This was won by Chris Beadle, M40 in 1:06:23.

As well as being first home, Chris was also 1st on Handicap, with Damien McQueen and

- 25th Damien McQueen M40 and 2nd YVAA M40, in 32:29; 48th Jon Burdon M40, 34:30; 85th Rob Kersey 2nd YVAA M65, 37:22; 98th Debbie Hall F40, 38:19; 134th Debbie Beck F45, 42:09; 144th Paul Winn M60, 43:48; 146th Becky Burdon F40, 44:26; 162nd Bill Hunter M70, 48:23.

- 1st Mike Fanning M50 21:32; 4th Dan Stewart 2nd M45, 23:26; 7th Chris Beadle, M45, 24:50; 9th Jon Burdon, 2nd M40, 25:23; 14th Andy Hauser, 1st M60, 27:38; 17th Fran Whitworth, 1st lady, 1st F40, 28:29; 18th Rob Kersey, 1st M65, 28:45; 19th Judy Howells (2nd claim Holmfirth), 2nd Lady, 1st F45, 29:22; 20th Phil Brown M40, 29:33; 22nd Jean Shotter, 3rd lady,1st F55, 31:06; 24th Joanne Lee, 2nd F40, 32:30; 28th Richard Whale, 2nd M65, 35:00; 29th Roger Bradley, 2nd M70, 35:18; 30th Becky Burdon F40, 3rd F40, 36:10.

- 3rd Margaret Sykes, 2nd F45, 35:13; 8th Lesley Ewart, 1st M60, 39:00; 13th Helen Pettit, 1st F50, 40:25; 14th Jean Shotter, 1st F55,40:52. In the men’s race Chris Beadle, M45 was 1st home in 20th, followed by 62nd Andy Hauser, 3rd M60, 38:24; Liz Woodfield equal 2nd.

On the same night the first Huddersfield Greenhead Park 5K took place. This race only attracted 39 entrants. Was this due to the high cost of £9 (£30 for all 4) for a 5K race, when you can do a Park Run on Saturday mornings at the same site for free?

Finally on 12th July, the second Greenhead Park 5K took place, with 12 Holmfirth veterans taking part. First Vet home for Holmfirth was 11th Brandon Holroyd, 2nd M40, 18:51. 73rd Rob Kersey, 2nd M65, 39:20; 77th Kevin Yewlett, 3rd M65, 39:40; 115th Paul Winn, M60, 45:23; 128th Mark Henderson, M55, 47:41; 147th Bill Hunter, M70, 50:49.

- 10th Tim Street 59:39. 139th Rob Kersey, 1st M65, 1:15:39; 365th neil Midgley, M65, 1:28:41; 514th Bill Hunter, M70 1:37:33.

- 1st Chris Beadle, M40 1:06:23; Helen Berry, F40, 1:07:06; Damien McQueen, M40, 1:08:32; John Levick, M50, 1:12:33; Liz Woodfield, F40, 1:14:02; Rob Kersey, M65, 1:15:02; Mathew Rose, M45, 1:15:48; Juan Biurrun, M40, 1:15:56; Sean Doyle, M50, 1:16:58; Ian Goulding, M50, 1:17:04; Rob Davies, 1:19:35; Louis Cromwell, 1:22:05; Mike Pennington, M60, 1:24:50;1:22:05; Robert Dickinson, M45, 1:28:03; Neil Midgley, M65, 1:28:58; Heidi King, F45, 1:34:05; Richard Whale, M60, 1:38:33.

- 1st Luc Burnip, Male U23, 16:44; 5th Edward Pritchard, Senior Men, 18:45 and the Vets 9th Jon Burdon, 3rd M40, 20:58; 12th Philip Hobbs,1st M50, 22:27; 17th Debbie Beck, 1st W45, 25:32; 23rd Becky Burdon 2nd W40, 26:41;25th Alison Smith 3rd W40, 27:39; 27th John Philpott 3rd M60 27:56; 28th Jane Stirling 2nd W45 28:02.

- 11th Brandon Holroyd, 2nd M40, 18:51; 14th Sean McCaffrey, 2nd M50, 19:32; 22nd Jon Burdon, M40, 20:58; 26th David Milton, 3rd M50, 21:40; 28th Liz Woodfield, 1st F40, 21:48; 30th Phil Hobbs, M50, 21:57; 34th Rob Kersey, 1st M65, 22:26; 40th Phil Hanson, M60, 24:09; 47th Debbie Beck, F45, 24:58; 52nd Becky Burdon, F45, 26:16; 55th Jane Stirling, F45, 27:46; 57th John Philpot, M60, 29:11.