Otley Athletic Club

The Danefield Handicap (2.9 miles), the halfway point in this year’s Club Handicap Championship.

Report from OAC’s Shane Ewen:

The Hadrian’s Wall Half Marathon is a mixed terrain half covers an undulating course of approximately 1,000 feet of elevation overall – so it very much fits into the “undulating” category of races.

It follows a circular route of country roads, trails and grassy paths close to the Hadrian’s Wall (though rarely in sight of it…). For those who know the Twice Brewed Inn near Haltwhistle, it’s around there. It’s not a PB course but offers the opportunity to camp overnight, do some walking, a fell race the day before and have a great weekend away.

This year was only the third running of the event. I came eleventh overall in 92.56, third mv35.

From the results, the race was won by Conrad Franks (Gateshead Harriers) in a new CR I think of 81.38. The ladies race was won by Louise Hayes (North Shields Polytechnic Club) in 96.02.

I’d have probably finished quicker (and higher up the field) but I also ran the Roman Wall Fell Race the previous afternoon. This is 4.4 miles around – and closer with better views – the wall with 620 feet of ascent.

There was a strong head wind on this one and I reeled in a couple of runners on the final mile, finishing eighth overall.

The CR also went at this one. The race is part of one of those country shows complete with “best-in-show”, butting rams and Cumberland wrestling.

All in all a great weekend of camping, walking, running and, err, drinking. Highly recommended.

Report from Sean O’Halloran:

I was told about the Staveley Stampede 10km on Friday and after checking out the course, I decided to enter. The course looked to be mainly flat course with a long progressive uphill section between mile 4-5 and downhill section between 5-6. This got me thinking a PB for a 10k maybe possible and even a sub 60min time.

Upon arriving at Staveley I was pleasantly surprised to find other OAC members. Following a team photo we went to the start line. Not much of a count down, just a few words of advise regarding the course and a sudden go…… And we were off.

The course was exactly what I was expecting, the weather was perfect and I knew a good time was on the cards. I lost sight of the other OAC members (not wearing my glasses did not help) within the first half mile but I selected a victim of similar pace to have a battle with and to the countryside we went.

The water station just over half-way was very welcome sight and my battle had been won, as the lady I selected faded away just before the water station and never caught up. However a new victim had been selected following and in pursuit I went. As expected at the 4 mile marker the climb began, not particularly a steep incline but it went on for the next mile. Keeping a steady pace I was gaining on my victim and at 5 miles it was downhill to the finish, time to open up a little and pick up the pace.

With a mile to go I checked my watch I knew a sub 60min time was too much to ask of my legs but a good PB was coming up. As we entered Staveley village I knew it was not far and pushed on a little. Passing the field where we had parked I ran for home and running as hard as I could it was great to hear my wife and daughter along with the other OAC members cheering me over the line.

I was so focused on the finish I can’t remember if I caught my victim or not, I think I did?? I collected my water, banana and mug (my first running event mug of many I hope) and headed for home.

It was a really enjoyable race, well organised and marshalled and one I hope to do again next year.

My time for the race was 61.56. Although I did not manage sub 60mins this time I did achieve a 10k PB by over six minutes. Really pleased with my run today and looking forward to improving further and gaining that sub 60 minutes before the end of the year.

From the results here, the race was won by James Franco (Valley Striders) in 36.24 and the first lady in eighth position overall was Hannah Oldroyd (Saltaire Striders) in 38.59.

For OAC, Tom Hannah finished 51st (48.41), Billy Rayner 61st (50.10), Jack Robertshaw 64th (50.32), Sara Richard 72nd (51.34), Dave Hainsworth 82nd (53.14), Ged Peacock 90th (55.08), Kath Robertshaw 105th (58.17) and Sean O’Halloran 123rd (61.56).

From runSunday, this week’s race was won by James Tarran (Valley Striders) in 20.01 and the first lady in twelfth position overall was Leah Forey (Unattached) in 23.59.

For OAC, Steven Robinson finished third (21.15) and Pange Srivastava fourteenth (24.44).

Race organiser Paul Shack’s report here… Read the rest of this entry »

OAC’s Tom Potter reports:

This morning I travelled to the fifteen miles Three Lakes Classic Trail Run organised by Killamarsh Kestrels Running Club starting at Rother Valley Country Park, halfway between Sheffield and Rotherham.

After completing this race two years ago and thoroughly enjoying this 80% off-road race (see report here), I decided to run the 2013 event.

It’s not the easiest of races, with a few busy road crossings and a number of fences to negotiate.

The weather was lovely and ideal for trail running. I must say I found the race even harder after gaining a PB on Wednesday night at the Otley 10. Completed the race today to finish 51st overall in 115.27 (about sixteen minutes quicker than 2011!!).

The race was won by Iain Bailey (Sleaford Town Runners) in 89.53 and the first lady in eighteenth position overall was Sally Fawcett (Hallamshire) in 101.24.

I would strongly recommend this race to anyone. It’s relatively cheap to enter and the finisher’s bag is jammed with great goodies and what’s more, finishers are rewarded with ample free cake and tea. What more could a runner want?!

To add, I was thanked on behalf of Otley A.C. by a runner who enjoyed the Otley 10 race this week. Great feedback.

Well worth the 110 mile round trip!

Results here.

Results for Harrogate parkrun

302 participants completed the run today. The first male to finish was Mark BRYANT (M) (Leeds City AC) in a time of 00:17:17. The first lady completing the course was Lisa Maria MAWER (F) (Wetherby Runners) in a time of 00:19:21. You can find the full parkrun results for this event here.

The following club members participated:

6 Graham LAKE 00:18:43

Results for Leeds parkrun

345 participants completed the run today. The first male to finish was Matthew HALLAM (M) (Kippax & District Harriers) in a time of 00:16:57. The first lady completing the course was Shamiso SISIMAYI (F) (Kirkstall Harriers) in a time of 00:20:58. You can find the full parkrun results for this event here.

The following club members participated:

88 Andrew WEBSTER 00:23:23
138 Elliot WEBSTER 00:24:55
281 Imogen WEBSTER 00:30:42

Results for Roundhay parkrun

185 participants completed the run today. The first male to finish was Jeremy LADYMAN (M) (Valley Striders AC) in a time of 00:17:49. The first lady completing the course was Liga MAGDALENOKA-KEEN (F) (Chapel Allerton Road Runners) in a time of 00:21:24. You can find the full parkrun results for this event here.

The following club members participated:

13 Joe WEBSTER 00:20:22
146 Debra BROWN 00:31:08

Well done and congratulations to all the runners who took part in tonight’s Otley 10 Mile Road Race.

With 384 finishers, it was the biggest field in the race since 1995.

We hope you all enjoyed the event and please feel free to add any comments to this post or email Otley A.C. with any feedback.

The race was by won by Mike Jefferies (Unattached) in 55.58 and Mike also won the recent Ripon 10 Miles. The first lady was Hannah Oldroyd (Airedale Dodgers) in 52nd position overall (67.24).

Congratulations too to the team prize winners of Spenborough in the men’s race and Skyrac in the ladies’ race.

Results are now finalised. Two runners crossed the finish line without numbers and one was disqualified for wearing an MP3 player.

2013 results Word document here or spreadsheet here.

Updated all-time spreadsheet here and yes you’re right, it is a big spreadsheet. You can also peruse through ukresults.

Again our thanks to everyone who took part, our numerous kind sponsors (Buffwear, Up & Running, Club Energy Otley, Pure Running Harrogate, Red Pepper Restaurant Otley, Nu-fex Gels and The Original Factory Shop) and members and friends of OAC who helped make the race possible with their considerable contribution.

For OAC, Rogan Ashton finished fourteenth (62.39), Tom Midgley 27th (64.15), Tom Potter 78th (69.57), Lloyd Best 96th (71.21), Karen Best 104th (71.58), Andrew Leonard 112th (72.390, Simon Toyne 114th (72.51), Mark Beswick 165th (77.090, Liz Fawcett 254th (86.11), Billy Rayner 278th (88.32), Sara Richard 294th (90.25) and Hannah Mallinson 332nd (97.58).

Lots of race pictures available from Club Photos.

For four fine performances in competitive races, Scott Harrington has been named as Runner of the Month for May.

Starting with the first HDSRL @ Otley where he finished eighth, Scott then finished fourth in the Ripon 10 Miles, seventh in the second HDSRL @ Harrogate before completing an excellent month as runner-up in the Ilkley Trail Race.

Well done Scott!

From runSunday, this week’s race was won by Alan Brydon (Kirkstall Harriers) in 18.19 and the first lady in seventh position overall was Leah Forey (Unattached) in 23.00.

For OAC, Pange Srivastava finished twelfth (24.55) and second-claim member Emma Payne 21st (27.32).

Race organiser Paul Shack’s report here… Read the rest of this entry »