EASINGWOLD RUNNING CLUB
The final race of the York District Road Race League was held at Wistow near Selby on 3rd July. A flat course taking in the lanes around Wistow with views across to Selby Abbey, it is renowned for setting PBs and this year the 29 members that ran did not disappoint. Chris Hartley beat his PB of 20 years standing along with Sheila Capper, Kim Phillips, Karl Gerhardsen, Luke Shannon and Helen Dolding.
With the league completed and results collated, the only event left was the handicap race and presentation evening at Stillington on 17th July. Easingwold Running Club had plenty to celebrate walking away with 4 trophies for various successes; 2nd and 3rd places awarded to Nigel Ramsden and Mark Whiteman respectively in the Male Vet 40 category; 2nd to Hazel Wharton-Street in the Female Vet 55 class and 2nd to Easingwold A Team in the open team category. Also worthy of a mention is Sheila Capper and Kim Phillips, both missing out by only 1 point and 2 points respectively to finish 4th in their age categories. Of the first 10 places in the Male Vet 40 category no fewer than 6 of the competitors were from ERC. Well done to everyone who competed in any of the races.
The race at Selby also counted as Round 13 of the Club Championship and this has led to some changes in the top positions. Although Chris Hartley still leads, hot on his heels is Nigel Ramsden closely followed by Mark Whiteman. In fact, only 3 points separate all 3 of them! With 3 races remaining for the title a closely fought battle will ensue. Hazel Wharton-Street is 1st lady lying in 4th position overall. Not all members have yet completed 8 races, of which the best 8 scores count so the leaderboard could yet change quite dramatically.
Another league that some runners have been taking part in is the Black Sheep Series. Chris Richardson has been competing for the full pint and Cliff Simm the half pint. To complete the half pint, competitors must run 4 out of the 6 10km runs; likewise to qualify for the full pint with the addition of running the Ripon 10 mile and Burn Valley half marathon. Both Chris and Cliff are currently lying in second place in their own age categories, but with 2 remaining races there is chance for competitors to improve their positions.
Having enjoyed a series of training evenings ‘playing away’, the club will now return to its regular training evenings, meeting at the Galtres Centre on a Thursday at 7.00pm.
