Easingwold Advertiser 24th October 2008

EASINGWOLD RUNNING CLUB

With temperatures hovering around 6ºC and a biting gusty wind to also contend with, the words “enjoyable”, “great”, “fantastic”, “pretty” and “would run it again”, don’t immediately spring to mind. Nevertheless, these were the general comments of the majority of the field who competed in the first Thornton-le-Clay/Foston 10K on 4th October (also Round 2 of the Club’s new championship season). A very well organised race planned by fellow Club members Richard and Tracey Harrison. The route took on the form of a figure of 8 on undulating terrain. Starting in the village of Thornton-le-Clay and climbing out onto the Sheriff Hutton and Flaxton roads, the route returned back through Thornton-le-Clay and headed down into Foston before returning along farm tracks to finish behind the village school. Vocal support from the villagers and spectators, coupled with a clear vista across the Vale of York with York Minster standing proud on the near horizon and views beyond, all contributed to the wonderful atmosphere of this event. The icing on the cake, as it were, was the refreshments served in the village hall afterwards – homemade sandwiches and cakes and tea and coffee served in china cups no less!

As an inaugural race, on a Saturday, it was difficult to judge how many runners would be competing, so it was a pleasant surprise that around 40 people entered the race on the day making a respectable field of 140 competitors. Twenty ERC members supported this local event and some excellent times were achieved despite the strong winds. First home was Mark Whiteman, taking 2nd place in the M40 category; Al Byrne ran his best time for months finishing 1st M45 and Anne Hartley achieved a PB with time of 48:17. Tricia Rees-Hughes and David Rogers, who have graduated from the beginners group, both finished in under the hour and also achieved PBs. Everyone who finished the race, received a unique Foston/Thornton-le-Clay hessian shopping bag (with chocolates as well) – very useful and in the era of reducing the usage of plastic bags, environmentally friendly.

The previous week was Round 1 of the Club Championship with another local race – the Sutton 7. A good representation again from ERC was evident with 16 members competing, and another successful event. Nigel Ramsden and Mark Whiteman finished 1st and 2nd in the M40 category; Sheila Capper 1st F40, Kim Phillips 3rd F45 and Harriet Reid 2nd F35 who collectively also won the ladies team event.

Round 3 of the Championship is the Pickering & Moors 10K due to be held on Sunday 26 October.

Last week’s training session was a bit of fun with the team mile relay event. Ten teams of 4 raced in this event which should have seen each team finishing more or less in the same time. The winning team finished around 20 seconds ahead and was led by Peter Johnson. Each member of his team – Sally Walker, Cliff Simm and Andrew Nelson-Lee, -was awarded a bottle of wine for their efforts.

This week’s training is a tri-discipline – hills, shuttles and intervals.