Our lot were all over the region and beyond last weekend, competing in a variety of races, with two super veteran athletes taking the honours.  The club’s vests were seen as far away as East in Bridlington, West in Hawkshead , Durham Dales and North Yorkshire Moors.

On Saturday whilst visiting Sewerby Hall and Gardens near Bridlington David Kirk saw a park run advertised.  As he had all his running kit in the car, he decided to run it, after he had cleared it with the boss of course.  As it turned out only 27 had entered the race, and after half a mile David found himself sharing the lead heading towards Bridlington on a cold and windy day.  This 5k course was not suitable for a pb with various undulations.

When the route hit the cliffs heading for Flamborough Head David had pulled away from his rival and found himself way out in front.  On the home straight flying through the Hall grounds and into the woods he held on to his lead winning by 1 minute.  An outstanding performance from an O/60 veteran, David said “the last time I won a race was 45 years ago in the 5th year at St Francis Xavier Grammar School (now the Whitehouse pub) competing in the 100 metres”.  This proves that age is no barrier to being competitive and enjoying athletics.

To back up that theory, Mick Ludgate another O/60 athlete won his age group in fine style at the Durham Duathlon, battling against the cold temperatures and strong winds.  Not only did he take the honours he kept his younger rival and team mate Karl Edwards firmly in his place over the hilly 5k run, 25k bike ride, and just to finish off, another 5k run.  The two long time rivals were neck and neck after the three lap undulating off-road run and only 10 seconds separated them as Mick got on the bike first.  

Karl knew he had lost any advantage as his older rival is stronger on the bike but gave a spirited chase, keeping Mick in sight, only losing him on tight corners.  At the seven mile point and still in contact, the longest and steepest climb of the day appeared.  This is where Mick opened the throttle and pulled well away.  After what seemed an eternity of heavy breathing and heavier legs the top was reached.  After this it was mainly fast (it would have been fast except for a very chilly headwind), sweeping downhill bends.   Karl made a brave attempt to close an unknown gap as Mick was well out of sight now and heading for home with the bit between his teeth.

At the end of the bike ride Mick had trouble changing from his cycling shoes, he was trying to pull them off but forgot to undo the Velcro.  Luckily a marshal noticed his plight and reminded him of the tight Velcro straps.  After some laughing from both sides he got into his running in just under one minute.  90 Seconds later Karl arrived at changeover and had trouble getting his new helmet off (could not find strap release) and got running in just over a minute.  Both athletes found the running tough after putting all their effort into the bike ride (as anyone who has done this type of event will tell you your brain does not work well when trying to rush things in the transition area after diving of the bike, above are two examples).

Mick managed to get into a good stride pattern after a short while but Karl was running through treacle again on all 3 laps, and was really glad to see the finish. So to sum up, Mick beat Karl in every aspect of the race, 4 seconds on first run, 10 seconds to get on bike, 90 seconds on the bike, 6 secs from bike to run and over two minutes over the last run!  Karl thinks he may be able to train in the art of quick change to at least say he was in front of Mick in something, NEXT TIME!

Mick finished 1st O/60 and 32nd overall in I.39.15, Karl finished 7th O/50 and 48th overall in 1.43.02.

Moving out West, the Swinbourne duo of Greg and Nichola took on their second Lakeland trail race at Hawkshead near Coniston in dry and sunny conditions.  This very hilly 17k off-road race is not for the faint hearted, so it is just as well that the husband and wife team are fond of a challenge.  The views are spectacular with Lake Windermere, the Coniston fells and the famous Langdale Pikes on show.  The first climb of the day came at 2k and Nichola pushed on upwards leaving Greg trailing in her wake, never to be seen again all race.

Greg who is just getting over an ankle injury from his last Lakeland outing took it all in his stride.  At the 12k point the highest and longest (2k) hill of the day awaits and is named the ‘Coffin Trail’.  This tough climb did not faze Nichola or Greg who got over in good shape to find an exhilarating 3k downhill to the finish.  Nichola was thrilled with her strong run finishing in 100th place (1.45.33), while Greg was happy to get around in one piece after his lay off, in 281st place (2.05.25)

Closer to home at Ainthorpe near Danby on the North York Moors a trio of the club’s fell run enthusiasts took on the very tough and technical 9 mile Fox and Hounds race in very cold and damp conditions.  This race consists of some really tricky single tracks, in places covered by heather and rocks strewn all over waiting to upend the unwary runner.  There are two vertical scrambles where grabbing hold of any vegetation to aid upward motion is a necessity.

Jason Ellis the club’s top man on the hills powered off like a rocket wanting to finish the last winter series race on a high, he was up with the leaders and holding on well until the four mile point.  Knowing he was on his maximum effort he eased slightly and tried to relax over the taxing terrain.  Losing touch with the lead group he and two others worked together, but unfortunately went off route and lost about 25 places.  On reaching the finish by another route, Jason and the others were awarded a time penalty which took him from a top ten place to just below his two team mates in 35^th.  He was gutted, but put it down to experience.  David Kirk had no such trouble as he knows this terrain very well, having run it many times before.  He and Trevor Sherwood shared the workload, pacing the race brilliantly and taking all the best lines over the difficult moorland.  Trevor did this race last year for the first time and was pleased with his vast improvement.  David was also happy with his run especially having triumphed in his 5k race the previous day.

Results: David Kirk 31st (87.24), Trevor Sherwood 32nd (87.30), Jason Ellis 35th (87.43).