Otley Athletic Club

Report from OAC’s Sarah Fuller:

I was in Hathersage today for round two of the darkandwhite Mini Mountain Marathon Series.

Like round one, this was a three hour score event (collect as many checkpoints as you can in three hours) and it took in all the moors to the north of Hathersage, taking in the Burbage Valley, Stanage Edge and Bamford area.

Lovely, but fast running (not my forte as anyone who knows me can attest to!) with little navigation choices to make over the three hours.

I was suffering a little from the tail end of girl flu (far worse than man flu of course!) and heavy legs from the Christmas endulgance!

Still, it was an extremely enjoyable and friendly event and it wasn’t even that windy (well maybe a little bit!).

I finished with 225 points and 98th position (fourth lady in my age class and about tenth lady overall) and very proudly ten seconds within the three hour limit so perfect on the route judgement front!

Around 190 ran and the event was won by Richard Robinson with 330 points.

Report from OAC’s Karen Best:

The Ovenden Fell Race (8.1 miles / 1,201′) – another windy fell race. Started from Ogden Resevoir with a superb run over the moors.

A record turnout on the day – with about 180 runners although running was rather difficult at times in the peat.

Just myself and Lloyd there from OAC (I think)… determined to get our fell races in for the Runner of the Year 2012…

The race was won by Karl Gray (Calder Valley) in 57.49 and the first lady was Jo Waites (Calder Valley) who finished 30th overall (67.03).

Lloyd finished 65th (73.38) and Karen 75th (74.43).

Results from this link at fellrunner. You’ll need to scroll down to the bottom of the page.

The Yorkshire Cross-Country Championships took place at Thornes Park, Wakefield.

Andrew Robershaw texts in,

“Just me at the Yorkshires today. After all the recent rain the usual Thornes Park lap was shortened and made less hilly but the going was surprisingly firm underfoot.

The Brownlee brothers battled it out at the front with Alistair taking the honours (34.51).

I was a little further back and was pleased to finish 65th (41.23)”.

Race reports in the Yorkshire Post, Telegraph & Argus and Wharfedale Observer.

Results from noeaa-athletics.

Race preview in the Wharfedale Observer.

From parkrun, the race was won by Andrew Bedford (Unattached) in 18.20 and the first lady in sixth position overall was Andrea Dennison (Bingley) in 20.02.

For OAC, Tom Potter finished tenth (20.31).

From parkrun, the race was won by Mark Byrne (Royal Air Force) in 17.22 and the first lady was Chloe Hudson (Valley Striders) in 36th position (23.52).

For OAC, Howard Jeffrey finished thirteenth (20.29).

Another joint award this month deservedly for Racheal Bamford and Howard Jeffrey (pictured right in the Chevin Chase).

Racheal finished the year with a Club Record for 5km (16.44) whilst representing the North of England at Nos Galan on the back of winning the Chevin Chase and finishing third in the final Complete Runner Cross-Country @ Wakefield.

For Howard, a busy month saw excellent results in the Jolly Holly Jog, Chevin Chase, Park Run Roundhay 5km, Great Langdale 10km Races One and Two and Guys 10 Miles.

Well done Racheal and Howard!

Thanks to Kath Robertshaw for the draft final 2011 Club Runner of the Year Table and 2011 Club Rankings.

Andrew Robertshaw has also updated the Club Records.

Kath comments,

“Here are the final tables for the 2011 Club RoY and Club Rankings. Any amendments to the Rankings should be notified to me asap please.

It has been a very exciting last month for the RoY. The best chase we have had for a few years..

Congratulations to Club President Mick Jeffrey who has retained the title for a second year, just ahead of Liam Dunne and Howard Jeffrey in third place.

Hopefully 2012 will prove just as exciting. Three members have already registered races!!”

Race report from OAC’s Tom Paget:

I have set myself a target for 2012 of running a half marathon every month, so I thought I’d get off to an early start with the Central Lancashire Half. I was very pleased to finish 51st in 1.29.22, a pb, and finally dipping under the 1hr 30min barrier. Howard Jeffrey finished 55th (1.30.06).

The race was won by Paul Lockwood (Wakefield Harriers) in 1.11.39 and the first lady was Joasia Zakrzewski (Dumfries R.C.) who finished seventh overall (1.18.14).

Results from ukroadraces.

Incidentally, although I have been trying to find a half marathon for every month in 2012, I’ve still got quite a few gaps in the calendar, so if anyone can recommend any “must do”, quirky or interesting half marathons, I’d be very grateful.

Thanks,

Tom Paget.

The Nos Galan 5km Road Race incorporating the Wales vs North of England match.

OAC’s Racheal Bamford, representing the North of England, texted in,

“Finished first lady (36th overall) in 16.44 on a net uphill course off now to Cardiff partying.”

This time is a new personal best for Racheal as well as a Club Record and places her third in the 2011 Club Rankings just behind Matt John (16.17) and Ian Fisher (16.43) for some perspective!

The race was won by Richard Peters (Bristol & West) in 14.40.

A radio report on the history of this race which started in 1958 from bbc wales and also from walesonline.

Race report from welshathletics.

The Auld Lang Syne Fell Race (6 miles / 900′) with details and results from woodentops.

The race was won by Alistair Brownlee (Bingley Harriers) in 40.28 – just eleven seconds ahead of brother Jonathan Brownlee (Bingley Harriers) in 40.39. The first lady in 35th position was Katie Walshaw (Holmfirth) in 49.46.

For OAC, Peter Kettleborough finished 68th (53.32), Lloyd Best 103rd (55.52), Chris Stacey 126th (57.56) Karen Best 128th (58.06) and Hugh Pearson 133rd (58.25).

Continuing, Andy Webster 198th (63.06), Dave Fox 232nd (65.16), John Dade 256th (67.13), Colin Best 293rd (70.51) and Don Buffham 359th (79.54).

Race reports in the Telegraph & Argus and mudsweatandtears.

Full results and photos in the Telegraph & Argus.

Full results and report also from fellrunner.

Race preview in the Wharfedale Observer.