Otley Athletic Club

Report from Shane Ewen

Pleasant morning run at (to quote the locals, silent m, y, t, h, o, l, & m) ‘royd fell race, with 1,300 ft elevation over approx 6 miles. Steep first mile, with another stiff climb half way round, & some fun descents, with runners slipping and sliding all over the place. I thought I was the only black & white present, but have since spotted Simon Toyne in the photos
I took it more as a training (ahem, hangover recovery) run. Felt refreshed – at the end…
Joseph Crossfield (CVFR) won in a super speedy time of 48.46. First lady was Sally Newman (CVFR), 25th in 58.34 Shane was 27th in 58.44, a Simon Joyne was 68th in 69.05! Results here

Hi Everyone

Sorry about the delay in sending you the results but I’ve been fixing a leaking pipe that saw water coming through the kitchen ceiling.

This morning saw not only a fantastic record breaking run and a great turn out but a presidential visit too.

The high winds earlier this week resulted in a some trees being blown over across the course so Michelle and I got up extra early and, as you’ll see in the pictures below, made short work of them to ensure we had a navigable route for our runners this morning…

Ah.. if only!  The council did a sterling job of clearing the paths quickly in time for our run (but we did take the saw just in case).

As I mentioned we were graced with a presidential visit this morning as Matt Podd, Otley Athletic Club’s President joined us for a run and he observed, quite rightly, that if it didn’t get any lighter we might need headtorches!

Indeed the weather had been forecast to be calm but a strong and steady wind created some hard going conditions earlier today as it always seemed to be blowing against the runners no matter where they were on the course so well done to each of our 25 hardy folk who turned out this morning.

Our marshals this morning were tail runner David Womersley, who celebrated his 100^th run of the year with us, and on the course were Andy and Debra Brown (with Emmie), Eilidh and Gordon Slater (with Dexter),  Julie Brennan,  Michelle Smith  and Thomas Robertshaw and family.  Thanks to all of you-we simply can’t do it without such great supporters!

First across the line today was Zack Whitehead in a mighty 18:05 followed by newcomer Jamil Parapia who finished in 18:19.  Third and smashing the MJ12 category record by about  three and a half minutes was returning whizz kid Euan Brennan who came home in a swift 18:34.  That’s some impressive running!

For the women, Karen Thrippleton finished in 26:21 with Emma Drake not far behind in 26:45.  Also there was a podium finish for Jane Ellis who crossed the line in a PB of 29:07 (with her typical sprint finish).  Well done all of you!

Our canine competition saw Max cross the line first in 33:17 (with Jane Bellerby) and Flo was second in 35:18 (with Mary Carlisle-oh and Mary you were just 2 seconds off your own category record!).  Our Mutt Marshals were Dexter (with Gordon and Eilidh) and Emmie (with Andy and Debra).

Despite there being no baked goods on offer this week it was a great atmosphere as always so thanks to all of you for turning out on such an overcast morning.

Other news is that next week we will be giving away a week’s half board stay in a Pyrenees guest house, courtesy of Peter Covey’s family, to one lucky runner or marshal (I’m not kidding).  I’ll email everyone about it in the week

I hope that whatever life decides to throw at you this week you take it easily in your stride and Michelle and I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

All the best and Good Running, Paul Shack

www.runsunday.com

Report from Matt Broughton – Yesterday I took part in the Frostbite 30. As the name suggests a 30 mile route incorporating about 3000ft of assent. Starting in Pately Bridge it follows much of the Nidderdale way and when dropping to lower levels it visits Gowthwaite, Scarhouse and Anagram reservoirs. I ran this last year in crisp and clear, but very icy conditions. Yesterday in contrast it was blustery and damp.
Running into the wind for the first half I really struggled, and considered dropping out, but for the last 10 miles the terrain was more forgiving and the wind mostly behind us, where I started to run a little better. I finished in about 5 hours. Almost 30 minutes slower than last year although last year it was shortened missing out Angram reservoir. Fantastic organisation and great marshalling. £15 entry with free Berghaus long sleeve technical top, hot and cold beverages on route, and free soup, sandwiches and cakes at the finish. If you like this sort of thing, a highly recommended event.

Cheers,

Matt B

The joint runners of the month for November, both running well in a number of races throughout the month are:

Gemma Harrington for  her performances at the Calverley Handicap,  Leeds Abbey Dash and the  Burley Festival Moor Run

and Andy Webster for his performances at these 3 races plus the Guy Fawkes 10.

Honorable mentions were also made for Susan Kirby and Caron Ralph.

Thanks to Kath Robertshaw for the updated Club Rankings and Club Runner of the Year tables.

Don’t forget you have to submit any results and times for inclusion on the website for those details to be included in the ROY table.

Skyrac AC hosted the final race of this year’s West Yorkshire cross country League.  The races took place in pretty much perfect running conditions and unusually for Nunroyd park, fairly firm underfoot conditions.

In the senior ladies, Katie Walshaw, Holmfirth won in a time of 19:09, second claim member Racheal Bamford was fifth in 20:26.

The senior men’s race was won by David McNamee, Skyrac AC in a time of 29:07.  For Otley AC Liam Dunne was first home in 28th 32:08, followed in 68th by Graham Lake 34:25, Leon Ricketts 124th, 37:14 and 171st Antonio Cardinale 1:00:13; and second claim Zack Whitehead 50th 33:37.

And here are some photos.

Report from Christian Hosker:

I headed over to Tintwistle, near Glossop in Derbyshire this morning to run the annual Gravy Pud fell race. This was a 5.5 mile route, of which the first two consisted of a 981 ft ascent (according to my GPS). We were very lucky with some un-seasonaly fine weather, and the clear skies allowed for some cracking views of the High Peak. It added up to a thoroughly enjoyable race for a fell running novice like me.

The race of 128 runners was won by Tom Cornthwaite of Salford Harriers in 33.32 with the first female finisher being Sarah Turnstall of Kendal AC in 39.07.

I finished 108 in 49.07. Full results here.

Quite a few Otley AC’ers running this week including the first to break the tape Scott Harrington in a time of 17:19, followed home by Simon Anderson in 18:52.  Simon Toyne and Steve Robinson finished 5th & 6th in 20:42 and 20:51 respectively.  Pange was next in for Otley and second lady in 26:29 followed by Gemma Harrington 27:39 and Debra Brown 32:15.

Read more for Paul Shacks report including a bit of birthday cheer… Read the rest of this entry »