Elvet Striders

Brass Monkey Half Marathon, York Racecourse, 22nd January

Dougie Nisbet

We turned onto the avenue to the racecourse and I saw a sight unfamiliar to me. Lots of places to park, even for a coach. This must be what it's like when you're organised and turn up to races with time in hand. I made a note to try this out as it sure looked more relaxing than driving round and round looking for somewhere to park with just minutes to spare before kick-off. As chief-of-the-clipboard I'd been a bit anxious about parking and I relaxed a little as we pulled into the side of the road just a couple of hundred metres from the racecourse. Billy the Bus wasn't so sure. He'd spied the marshalls ahead waving coaches into the racecourse car-park and he was quite keen to get a piece of the VIP treatment. "This is a long way to walk for my cup of tea!", he exclaimed, so we scrambled back on the coach and headed for the racecourse. Sure enough, parking cones were swept aside and we were waved straight through to the racecourse and were soon parked pretty much right outside the front door. Like royalty. Lovely.

The chaos from last year was absent this year as we'd all had our race numbers posted to us. So I found myself a cup of coffee and made an impulse buy of a packet of shotblocks (Blackcurrant) and settled down to wait. I decided to have a couple of shotblocks now and eat the rest during the race. They really were very nice. Presently I threw the empty wrapper in the bin and headed for the start.

A blustery and sunny start soon gave way to a blustery and sunny first mile, a shoelace malfunction, then some fierce cross-winds. With lots of Striders running there was the added excitement of spotting purple vests and giving chase. It took me a few miles to settle into my stride but then I started to feel very comfortable and, for the first time in months, race fit. It was a great feeling. I gradually and cautiously lifted the pace and around mile 8 I was slowly, but imperceptibly, closing on a Strider vest. Who could it be? Oh joy of joys, that head belonged to the crimson crown of Kathryn! It's been absolutely ages since I last beat Kathryn in a race as she has improved steadily throughout 2011 and so this was a big confidence boost. It took a long time to close the gap so I had plenty of time to consider my overtaking quip. I settled for a condescending pat on the shoulder and a pitying smile as I went past in the sure knowledge that this would shatter her resolve.

I should, as Mr Diamond once observed, have known better. Just half a mile from the finish I heard that unmistakable patter of tiny feet. I glanced around in horror only to see Kathryn attack with a ferocious intent. I immediately lifted my pace and gave chase but this was no half-hearted effort and she soon opened up a comfortable gap of about 20 metres. My immediate thoughts would not be permitted on a family website but I was secretly impressed. Smart move, well played. I would have done the same thing myself, and did indeed do something very similar at Gibside in 2009 to steal the gallop on Debs.

But Kathryn had mis-timed her attack. We turned left away from the main road and as we approached the final corner I realised the gap was closing. We were both exhausted from our battle so this was not going to be an elegant energised sprint built upon a saved reserve. I attacked on the final corner and ran for the line as surely as if the Captain had fired a couple of photon torpedoes up my jacksie. I braced myself for the counter-attack, but it never came. It was a close thing and I'm sure if Kathryn had attacked just a couple of minutes later than she did she'd have certainly crossed the finish line in front of me. Still, we were both happy! Having me to hunt down had given Kathryn a PB, and having Kathryn hunt me down had elbowed my time to a sub 1:45. Even if did mean I was dangerously close to the dry boak as I collapsed on the bench while someone relieved me of my timing chip, and the spike in in my heart-rate as reported by my garmin is something I prefer not to examine too closely. Things did, as they say, go a bit fuzzy. I don't think I was alone as Jane and Dave also needed things to lean on after crossing the line. But the rewards were worth it.

Our return to Durham was via a good pie and chips at the Dawney Arms and finally my coach-master duties were over (I can't believe how tricky it is to count up to 30 - especially when Jim Nicholson is heckling!). Soon I'm home and settling down to beer and curry. The phone rings, and it's for me. It's Richard, from Gillingham's coaches. They've found my bag! Excellent! Er, hang on, I didn't know it was missing. And isn't Richard actually calling me at home, from, er, my mobile. Ah.....

Results

Pos	Name	Club	Cat	Pos	Chip Time
1	Yared Hagus	Wallsend Harriers	M		1:06:42
30	Felicity Milton	Heaton Harriers	F	1	1:17:45
91	Neil Sleeman		M		1:24:00
145	Till Sawala		M		1:26:13
145	Stewart McConnell		M		1:29:39
353	Shaun Roberts		M55		1:33:32
371	Jerry Lloyd		M40		1:33:32
383	Graham Daglish		M55		1:34:00
683	Andrew Thompson		M		1:42:10
697	Alister Robson		M		1:42:12
788	Roz Layton		F55		1:44:49
815	Dougie Nisbet		M45		1:44:53
818	Kathryn Sygrove		F45		1:45:14
925	Jane Ives		F40		1:48:06
1074	Karen Chalkley		F45		1:52:53
1139	George Nicholson		M60		1:54:05
1154	Ian Spencer		M50		1:56:17 *
1197	Claire Readey		F35		1:55:58
1201	Corrina James		F35		1:56:05
1260	Greta Jones		F45		1:58:11
1278	Denise Mason		F		1:58:28
1282	Martin Wilson		M40		1:57:57
1316	Dave Robson		M60		1:58:56
1467	Barrie Evans		M65		2:07:14
1491	Susan Jennings		F45		2:07:29
1520	Mike Elliott		M65		2:09:13
1523	James Nicholson		M60		2:10:37
1543	Angela Proctor		F35		2:10:33
1582	Jacquie Robson		F35		2:14:04
1676	Margaret Thompson		F60		2:27:15

1712 finishers. *Gun time - no chip time.

Cathedral Relays, Durham, 22nd January

3x3km

Jan Young

While lots of Striders had a trip away last Sunday, 5 stayed home and flitted round 1.8ml/3k in this local relay. The route, fast and flat, was two loops of the cricket field and riverbank past the bandstand.

While the fastest time of the day was run by Dan Garbutt of DCH (8.52), our Will Horsley (10.35) and Matt Claydon (11.58) did their best to close the gap, but unfortunately were one man down. Striders' ladies fared better, with Fiona Shenton leading the first charge (13.03), handing over to Louise McGolpin (16.07) and Jan Young bringing the team home (14.58). The team finished 26/32. Speediest lady: Ashley Gibson of Morpeth (10.32).

Don't be put off by fast times and quality of the field ... we weren't! A good time trial run for us all on a windy day.

Sedgefield Winter Handicap, 15th January

6.5M

Mike Elliott

At 1000 on a cold and frosty morning, a grand group of 14 Striders mustered in Fishburn's Workmans Club along with 51 others to pick up their numbers and race briefing for the Sedgefield winter handicap. Kick off was just down the road on a white covered hill, started with Sue, Angela, Joanne, Jayne, and Joanne following in the footsteps of the race director who had walked the course earlier and reported no problems.

Picked up the old railway line which had some uncomfortable ruts especially where the gates crossed the track. A 1.5m stretch along this sheltered cutting it was easier to run on the frost covered grass than the well worn track, passed Holdforth Farm and Bridge [could have been 'Drop Five Farm' oh dear country humour], to the marshalls showing us to turn right along the farm track passing dog walkers on the way who were muffled up to the eye balls as it was -2°C, the dogs were sensible and had their fur coats on.

Then it was a loup ower the farmers barricade and between the two cars and on up the hill to the next set of marshalls, mam with 2 little kids who were encouraging us to keep warm saying we should run faster.

Across the farmers field missing what looked like frozen sausages [it was dog crap], sharp right and on up the hill passing Town End Farm into Bishop Middleham were we were spied on by the local photographer. A short stretch of footpath down to the next marshall who pointed left up the tarmac hill only to go down again. Another left turn onto a track taking us passed a little lake or big pond up the steps across the bridge up the steps more friendly marshalls pointing left onto the track and the way home. Further along the track we came to a cross roads, not to worry this time big kid marshalls pointing straight on through the sheltered cutting and then I was passed by Will Horsely going like a steam train [see why in the results], on to the bottom of the starting hill, all the way to the top [of course] with a little 100 yards down hill to the finish.

We all finished within five minutes of each other then followed the race directors instructions to go back to the CLUB for the presentation, liquid and solid refreshments. O.K. as we had all ran our guts off we got back before opening time it had to be Tea, Coffee or Water.

First home was 16th Will Horsely in a run time of 37.06 and received a trophy and a bottle of wine [which he did not share] for being the Fastest Man. 26th Mike Elliott 59.05, 27th John Hutchinson 59.15, 31st Sue Jennings 59.51, 37th Angela Protecter 60.11, 46th Richard Hocking 46.28, 49th Greta Jones 56.53, 51st Joanne Porter 62.08, 52rd Jayne Freeman 62.12, 53rd Joanne Richardson 57.13, 54th Alister Robson 49.14, 56th Angela Robson 62.41, 58th Peter Bell 45.49, 62nd Louise McGolpin 55.50 - 64 finishers.

A well organised event by Sedgefield Harriers. Look forward to the Neptune relays Hardwick Country Park on Wednesday April 25, Registration 1800 - 1830, kick off 1845.

Will Horsley adds:

Fourteen Striders turned out for a very cold and frozen Gerry Kearsley Handicap Race, organised by Sedgefield Harriers. Runners went off in two minute intervals depending on expected finishing times. I was last, by myself, so had a lot of chasing to do. I started to pick off runners from about half way in the village of Bishop Middleham, the only section of road on the whole route. The rest of the route is on cycle tracks, farm tracks and footpaths in pleasant countryside around Fishburn. The frozen ground made this race faster than last year as some parts of the route would otherwise be quite boggy. The handicapper had done pretty well as it looked like most runners were finishing within a few minutes of each other.

I won a prize, which was a very big and shiny new trophy, for being the fastest male runner on the day. The winner looked really rather shocked to have won, which is understandable as he didn't particularly have the physique that you might associate with race winners. This is a very sociable event and quite low-key. It is also free, which probably explains its popularity with Striders! Well done everyone.

Clay Bank East, North Yorks Moors, 15th January

5.7m / 680'

Jan Young

Driving through thick fog on motorway, we packed compasses and maps into bumbags. No need, no fog on Clay Bank, but ground frozen rock solid, so no shoe cleaning. We climbed Cleveland Way paved path, skirted edge of Urra Moor in biting headwind, buffs over noses, crossed moor to Round Hill, touched the cairn, descended Carr Ridge, hurtled down through Greenhow Plantation to finish. The long queues at registration felt like 200 again, 170 ran.

Shaun, 1st MV55, got the points, but not the wine, as Dave Parry awarded it incorrectly. He's slipping up with his results these days and we have to keep him right! Looking at stats, Nina, (Nigel were you trying to catch her?) was 9.5 mins behind first female, which says something about quality of field. Cal, running steadily, finished in a solid 117/170 - good to see him out racing again. Phil 'the hill' Sanderson, NFR, led the way as expected. Thank goodness he runs on Striders' team at Harrier Leagues.

Results

Pos	Name	Club	Cat	Pos	Time
1	Phil Sanderson	NFR	MV40		35.38
19	Fiona Blackett	DFR	F	1	39.56
88	Shaun Roberts		MV55	1	48.30
95	Nina Mason		F	7	49.28
109	Nigel Heppell		MV55	4	51.12
117	Callum Young		M	37	52.24
145	Jan Young		FV55	3	56.03

170 finishers.

Colin's Sunday Social Run, Edmondbyers, 8th January

9M

Shaun Roberts

Many thanks to Colin for organising a great run from Edmondbyers on Sunday! A lovely run out to the west of the village onto the moors getting all the climbing out of the way, then a nice undulating stretch back with the wind behind, pausing for a murder mystery tale at a crumbling house on the way ... great stuff! Pam and Paul organised a walk as well, and there were also four other walks, runs and bike rides that people sorted out for themselves. All followed by a great lunch, washed down by a choice of good beers.

A Sunday well-spent! Any more Sunday Run possibilities, folks?

Old Monks Race, Hart Village, 8th January

5.5M

Alister Robson

Is it just me or are there a lot more runners about this year? Last time I did this race in 2009 it was quite a small affair, this time well over 200 were on the start line. I was a little bit gutted to be missing Colin’s Sunday social run, but I needed something a little quicker to fit into what passes for my training plan.

This is a lovely run with lots of elevation and surface changes – something midway between a light trail and a fell race proper and ideal for someone who wants to dip their toe in the latter. I guess the nearest equivalent is something like Gibside or the Hellhole. Today was perfect conditions for running; cool, bright and still. There’s a longish section downhill to start and the field really took off here – I’d done this too last time and ended up blowing towards the end, so I backed off a bit. It soon starts to climb again though and I made a conscious effort to back off again here; I was lucky enough to run with Tom Williams of the Marathon Talk podcast in the Great North Run last year and he drilled into me then, something that has stayed with me since – namely that most runners could improve by going uphill a little less hard, and downhill a bit harder so as to maintain a consistent level of effort. This stood me in good stead and I felt quite comfortable until the field in front of me stopped to walk on a narrow hill – I wasn’t too disappointed.

Once you hit the top it’s nice and flat if a touch exposed – I was certainly glad it wasn’t as windy as last week! Finally you turn and can see the sea and reappear in Hart village. I gave it my all but couldn’t quite catch the triathlete lady I’d been having a ding-dong battle with most of the way round. Still over the line and very happy to have knocked more than two minutes off 2009’s time. The only other Strider I saw, Aaron, was already in by that point although he said he struggled a bit. It was also nice to see a few familiar faces from Durham parkrun and other races and also Sharon & Bill Gayter – clearly fully recovered from her 7 day treadmill world record just before Christmas.

Congratulations to Hartlepool Burn Road Runners & AC for putting it on. It’s a great run and if anyone else is keen on trying it, it’s also on again in July. I’m not sure if we’re allowed advertorials but I called in at The Olde Mill at Metal Bridge on my way home for Sunday dinner and both food and service was fantastic! Anyone know any good routes and fancy a social run starting and finishing out there one Sunday?

Christmas Eve Durham Parkrun, Maiden Castle, 24th December

5K

Alister Robson

An amazing 220 runners turned out for this one in various Christmas themed fancy dress and were rewarded with a lovely morning. Michael Grimes of Durham City Harriers was the runaway winner in a cracking 16:16, only just over half a minute off his own course record and the joint third fastest so far.

Newcomer Amy Etherington of Shildon Railway AC was first lady in 19.49, one of quite a few runners from Shildon joining us for the first time. Our own Roz Layton and Fiona Shenton both topped 80% WAVA age graded scores too.

There were 44 were first timers in all and 43 runners recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 20 different athletics clubs took part. 32 Elvet Striders took part.

Captain Cooks, Great Ayton,NYM, 1st January

5m / 885'

Shaun Roberts

Lots of rain and wind overnight, but getting close to Great Ayton the weather seemed pretty mild, with just a bit of breeze. Met Mike in the car park, and another runner asked if it was 'shorts or tights' .... shorts we said, definitely. I thought of him as we headed out into the driving rain that came in five minutes before the start. A start that was unusually punctual, I should say ... in previous years we've started half an hour late, but Dave Parry's new streamlined entry system worked a treat, and handled a record turnout of nearly 300 runners. Numbers are definitely on the up in fell races at the moment ...

The usual fast road start, out into the aforementioned rain, then off onto increasingly muddy tracks and then open fields before the fast walk up towards Captain Cook's Monument itself. Felt pretty good coming up, and overtook a few on the way ... wanted to make as much progress as I could before the clarty slippy descent to come. Nice to get the wind to the rear as we turned back northwards, then we had some slippy paving to skate over or skirt round, and then the awkward steep muddy descent. Note to Graham: I was just slightly less "like an old woman with a zimmer frame" coming down here this time. After this, strangely, the thick clarty sections to come were a dream to run on - just hammered straight through the stuff.

The last couple of miles across fields and down decent tracks were brilliant ... great to really stretch the legs out. I got to the finish just 12 seconds down on my best time for this one, so I was happy with that. David ('Gibbo', 'The Gibmaster', ...) Gibson was already there after what looked like a fast run. Mike came in soon afterwards, doing well coming back from injury, with Nina finishing strongly not far behind. Didn't see Aaron come in (Do you need a visit to the kitmistress, Aaron? Always a pleasure ...) then Jan was along, also finishing very strongly, her sciatica not hugely apparent, given that she had nearly a hundred other runners behind her! Phil had a good run, having nearly 50 runners also behind him, and even Alister was well in front of the sweeper, with not at all a bad run - you really had to see him in the flesh before the race to appreciate how much he'd had to drink the night before!

Great way to start the year ... thanks to Jan for organising the meal in Stokesley afterwards ... a good crack, as ever.

Alister Robson adds:

If I'm being honest I don't remember a great deal about this one thanks to the exertions of the previous evening when I was (over)celebrating a fantastic year of running ...

Some hazy recollections include; Phil banging on the door at 9am to wake me up, trying to fill in the entry form, trying to start my Garmin only to realise I'd forgotten it, being too cold and wet to take off my jacket, wearing my buff on my head as it was so cold and I'd forgotten my hat (and gloves), slipping and sliding up and down a ruddy great hill and a huge moment of relief when I thought for one horrible second that we still had to climb Roseberry Topping.

Still a lovely dinner and pint in the pub on the way home (no change of dry clothes) then straight back to bed where I stayed for the whole of the rest of the day.

Kids - don't fell race still drunk - it's not big and it's not clever, (but if you must, make sure that you pack your running kit before you go out the night before!)

Results

Pos	Name	Club	Cat	Pos	Time
1	Jim Bulman	Unattached	MV40		32.31
13	Cath Williamson	Loftus & Whitby	F	1	36.22
58	David Gibson		MV40	12	40.01
112	Shaun Roberts		MV55	7	42.52
126	Mike Bennett		MV55	9	43.46
134	Nina Mason		F	6	44.28
165	Aaron Gourley		MV40	31	46.03
197	Jan Young		FV55	2	48.49
247	Phil Owen		MV45	31	53.38
256	Alister Robson		M	56	54.45

295 finishers.

Resolution 10K, Town Moor, Newcastle, 1st January

Sue Jennings

Today we did the Resolution 10K - Peter, Angela, Dave, Lyndsey, Maggie and me so a good turn out from the Striders. I had a few misgivings about entering a race on New Year's day but dont know how but managed to stay alcohol free on New Years eve (the first time in all of my drinking career - which must be way over 30 years ha ha).

It was cold, but dry (it was pouring down in Durham) so we were pleased to see the rain had managed to stay away from Newcastle and there was a pretty good turn out all round considering - and I understand all entry fees go to a local charity which is great.

Someone had said that there is a hill on the Town Moor but I thought they were kidding - they weren't though there really is a big hill - in fact there are 2! And we had to run them twice!!!!!! It was good fun though - cold, muddy but lots of people cheering you on. Bring it on again next year I say.

Results

Pos	Name	Club	Cat	Pos	Time
1	Phil Wylie	Bristol & West AC	M		31.27
27	Claire McManus	North Shields Poly	F	1	38.27
108	Peter Brooks		MV40		45.42
115	Dave Robson		MV60		46.38
174	Angela Proctor		F		58.16
175	Sue Jennings		FV40		58.48
184	Lindsey Brooks		FV40		62.58
190	Margaret Thompson		FV60		64.58

204 finishers.

Guisborough Woods Fell Race, North Yorks Moors, 27th December

5.5M

Shaun Roberts

This was my first time for this race - I hadn't been able to get away from rellies in previous years - but I managed this time, and it turned out to be a good crack. Two hundred runners made the trip, including Tom, Geoff and Susan, Jan and Nina, and Dougie. The numbers took quite a while to register, so the race was half-an-hour late getting started.

I was wondering just how hilly this was going to be, but the start wasn't too bad, and there were a couple of level bits before a really steep climb up to the top of the woods which had to be walked, so there was actually a chance to get your breath back before a long undulating section across the top of the woods. Then the bit I really hadn't been looking forward to ... the long muddy, slippy descent back to the start, and indeed I found it bloody awkward. Geoff overtook me going down here on the first lap, and Nina did the same on both the second and the third laps! Luckily, I was making enough progress on the uphill and flattish bits to get a reasonable placing, so my hopes of gadgie glory in the Winter Series are still intact ... ;-)

All in all ... a good post-festive blast!

Results

Pos	Name	Club	Cat	Pos	Time
1	Paul Lowe	North York Moors	M		38.16
3	Phil Sanderson	NFR	MV40	2	38.23
23	Cath Williamson	Loftus & Whitby	F	1	43.52
53	Thomas Reeves	DFR	MV45	11	46.56
85	Geoff Davis	NFR	MV50	14	50.05
115	Nina Mason		F	7	52.31
123	Shaun Roberts		MV55	4	53.28
150	Susan Davis	NFR	FV50	3	56.54
174	Dougie Nisbet	DFR	MV45	32	60.52
180	Jan Young		FV55	2	62.15

201 finishers.

Boxing Day Run and Walk, 26th December

Allan Seheult

Seventy-two humans and three dogs braved the fierce winds on Boxing Day with a choice of off-road runs and walks from Allan & Carole's house in High Shincliffe, followed by an excellent choice of hot and cold food, delicious puddings and a plentiful drink supply.

Most participants are shown in the photograph.

Allan & Carole would like to thank all those who took part for their generous food and drink contributions and for helping to make it such a jolly and friendly event.

East Hull Harriers Boxing Day 10K, 26th December

Alister Robson

Jacquie had very reluctantly entered this race with me but after only mild persuasion [Mild persuasion? What did you do to the poor woman?? Ed. ] we climbed out of bed and again across Hull to the East Hull clubhouse I was by now quite familiar with.

This route goes out and back on the same route as the East Hull 20 mile I’d done earlier in the year as preparation for the marathon. It’s very flat but often a little exposed and windy too – especially on the long way back along the old railway line. There’s a nasty little hill just before the end which is a sting in the tail too.

Still a lovely friendly event, a cracking red tech tee and another 1000 or so calories which would otherwise have been sat around my waist burned off!

We also bumped into Stewart McConnell of Durham Tri (18th overall in 41:15) who’s run for us at XC this year.

For some reason I’m missing from the results although my Garmin said 47:43 and Jacquie came in with a highly creditable 59:52.

 

 

 

Hull Xmas Day parkrun, East Hull Park, 25th December

5K

Alister Robson

It’s an old tradition of parkrun to run where possible on Xmas day and New Years day, even if that means consecutive days. Although we couldn’t run Durham parkrun on Christmas day because the sports centre was closed, as Jacquie and I were at her parents in Beverley, we popped along to East Park on Christmas morning and ran at Hull.

This is a very different parkrun to Durham, and unusually they were running the course in reverse as they normally finish at the park café, but as this was closed they had mince pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine in the car park. It was a very fast two lapper and I can easily see why this was the course Keri, who many of you will remember and has now moved down to her native East Yorkshire, cracked 20 minutes on at last.

As well as being fast it was also very friendly, and also rather unusual – there’s a wild animal enclosure, so you run past wallabies, deer and peacocks. The Event Director was also telling Jacquie about a tail-less squirrel called Stumpy that they’d befriended. I was going great guns up until the last corner when my stomach decided to relinquish the John Smiths of the previous evening and eventually snuck in in 22:22.

Jacquie by comparison had a much better run storming home in 26:42, only a few seconds off her season’s best, and winning a sprint to the line with another gent. Not bad at all given the excesses of the previous day!

Aberdeen parkrun, 24th December

George Nicholson

My 60th Parkrun, but first at Aberdeen... added bonus was being able to run with 2 of my Grandsons and in Fancy Dress!

Scottish Parkruns start at 9.30 am. Very necessary this far north in Mid Winter. There was a strong wind blowing in off the cold North Sea and for some strange reason it also seemed to be 'in your face' and never following! But at least it wasn't raining. The course is a one & half loop circuit along a straight and flat, upper & lower Beach Esplanade, starting and finishing at the same point.

Not sure if the conditions were too bad for my 6 yr old Grandson Jasper, or for my Son-in-Law, David! Whatever, they both decided to pull out of the race after approx 2k. 9 yr old, Oscar however competed as well as ever. Leaving me at the start, he ran strongly all the way and finished 40 seconds or so ahead of me. His time of 24:48 was very creditable considering the conditions & wearing an ill fitting Santa hat & coat. (see photo 27 of Mike Dunbar's)

Their normal cafe was closed for the Christmas period, and it was too cold to 'mingle' long after the run. However I will return to run there again in 2012

Happy New Year to one and all.

Jolly Holly Jog, Ripon, 27th December

10K

Dave Robson

This has always been one of my favourite races, its scenic, offroad and its a friendly event with encouraging marshalls. Last year's race was postponed because of ice and I didn't manage to make the re-arranged date. The previous year the race had gone ahead when it was very icy, so it was great to find that the weather was almost perfect for this year's race. It was mainly cloudy with no wind, but there was lots of mud :-)

Three other Striders ran, John Hutchinson, Jim Nicholson and Maggie Thompson. Melanie came down and took photos. I had forgotten quite how hilly this 10K event is and together with the mud, it made it quite an interesting event. The deer were out in some numbers and there were also quite a few visitors in the deer park, but they were all helpful in letting the runners cross a narrow bridge.

I came home in with a time of 53min 51sec and I was happy with that in the muddy conditions

Results

Pos	Name	Club	Cat	Pos	Time
1	RUTHERFORD, Jamie	Darlington Harriers	M		36:16
4	PENTY, Becky	York Acorn Running Club	F		37:52
140	John Hutchinson		M50		49:26
209	Dave Robson		M60		53:51
303	Jim Nicholson		M60		1:00:23
377	Maggie Thompson		F60		1:06:50

414 finishers.

Forest Burn Fell Race, 26th December

3.2M

Dougie Nisbet

I've long since learned from adventures such as Wansfell and Roseberry Topping that a short race doesn't necessarily mean an easy race, and was duly treating Will's Boxing Day Burn-Off with the respect it deserved. Race length is no indicator of interest either; there are many longer races that are astonishingly dull, yet this short dash around and through Forest Burn is stuffed with variety.

Will was multi-tasking again as we ran up the hill from the start and before long Casper was just a distant yip on the horizon. Last time I ran this it was August 2010 and the vegetation and weather were completely different. One of the enduring attractions of fell races is that they change so much from year to year and season to season whereas tarmac is just, well, tarmac. There was a quirky and fearsome crosswind as we headed into the valley for the first crossing of Forest Burn, then out the other side, up a hill or two, then back to the burn. I then made exactly the same mistake I did last time I did this race. I crossed the burn as soon as I reached it, rather than following, or even noticing, the marker tapes that led alongside the burn to a better crossing point further downriver. I then compounded the error by spotting the marker tapes as I emerged from the burn and headed for them, before quickly realising I was now doing the course backwards. Comparing my gps trails from 2011 and 2010 I can see that I made the identical error each time.

No entry fee, no prizes, just a pint of Theakstons in the Gate pub afterwards. A nice low-key quality event, just how I like them.

Wansfell Race, Ambleside, 27th December

2.5M 1329'

Colin Blackburn

Elfie and I had just spent a wonderful Christmas break in Grasmere. The weather, though, wasn't so wonderful and so other than eat and drink all we managed to do was a brief walk up to Easedale Tarn. Even that ended with crisps and beer in a Grasmere pub. So come the 27th I really needed a run and discovered that the Wansfell race was ideally timed and situated to fit it in on our way home. It was billed as a 2.5 mile straight up, straight down race. A classic cobweb-blowing-away race. A few Striders had done the race in 2009 when it was also an NFR championship race. That year there was snow. In 2010 there was so much snow the race was cancelled. This year it would be very different following several days of rain. It was still raining on race day.

One casualty of the rain was registration. We parked in the old grammar school car park only to discover that registration would be in the Lakes Runner cafe down in Ambleside. This meant a jog down to register, a walk back up to change and then a jog back down to start! I would be knackered before the off and I'd still have to run back up the road once the race started. I dismissed brief thoughts of hiding behind a tree near the school and joining the pack as it ran past—I did the honest thing and jogged down to the start on the edge of Ambleside.

I didn't notice anyone I knew personally at the start but I did recognise a few big names: Rob Jebb, Wendy Dodds,... it was going to be fast. The start was a classic small fell race start, "Everyone got a jacket and whistle? Good. GO!" Then it was up that road again! Just after the school the race turns off the road and heads up the paved track to Wansfell Pike. Before long I was walking with the best of them. At this point I was alongside Wendy Dodds but before too long the shouts of "Come on Wendy!" became more distant as even her walking pace proved too much for me. The final few yards to the summit involved a hands and knees scramble though there was probably a sensible path route. There was definitely a sensible path for the first few yards of the descent but my shoes decided that I'd rather go down the wet grassy slope on my backside. Then my backside met the gravel path and came to an abrupt grazed halt! Fortunately, for me, the photographer, who seemed to feel my pain judging from the expression on his face, had failed to get the crucial shot.

The remaining mile back down to the school was a mix of slopes of wet grass, wet leaf litter and wet dead bracken. I tested them all and can confirm that leaf litter is the slippiest. I followed an Ambleside AC runner who zigged off the straight descent, though at one point I thought she might just be heading home. But just as I was getting worried she zagged back toward the school and I think I have her to thank for not spending as much time on my bum as I expected. The last few yards of the race are back on the road to the finish in the school car park. I'm not sure what my time was as I appeared to have stopped my Garmin at some point on the descent though I was definitely close to the back. [Very close to the back in fact, though at least I'm in the results!] The prize ceremony was a bit chaotic as the results sheet succumbed to the rain, though Rob Jebb definitely won.

With a race entry fee of just £1 and the opportunity for lunch in Ambleside (I'd suggest The Apple Pie Cafe & Bakery) I'd recommend this race as a great post-Christmas blast for anyone who happens to be over in this part of the world at this time of year.

Christmas Handicap, 17th December

5m

Pam Kirkup

Some 17 runners braved the increasingly cold temperatures for the annual Striders' Christmas Handicap. There was quite an array of Hollywood 'wannabes' snuggling together for warmth as Santa waved at all manner of vehicles - including 2 police cars - raising a smile from even the most surly drivers.

Naturally, the handicapping was perfectly executed! Well, considering how many inaccuracies occurred in the information people gave me - thank goodness for the many sets of results on the website. Dave Robson shamelessly told me that the young race winner, 16yrs old Adam Walker, would "do it in around 44min 20." He actually romped home in 34.07, a worthy winner.

The fancy dress was impressive and cleverly thought out - I now see Andrew Thompson in a new light after his appearance as one of Spinal Tap. A new career beckons, Andrew!

Prizes were awarded as follows:

Race winner, fastest runner, first junior - Adam Walker in 34.07
First Lady finisher - Liz Lamb in 44.50
Fastest Adult male finisher - Shaun Roberts in 34.18
Fastest Lady runner - Roz Layton in 38.39

Fancy Dress prizes:
Best Male - George Nicholson as the Straw Man/ scarecrow in Wizard of Oz
Best Female - Juliet Percival as a Christmas tree
Runner-up Male - Andrew Thompson as one of Spinal Tap
Runner -up Female - Jan Young as a Christmas Elf

Spot Prizes:
David Shipman - a very credible Robin (no sign of Batman, however!)
Nigel Hepple - as Forrest Gump in his 'running across America' phase
Laura Ralph - new runner and handicap debutante
Margaret Thompson - another Christmas Elf

Afterwards there was a considerable gathering of runners, helpers, families and supporters at the Court Inn for lunch. London Marathon numbers were drawn after David Shipman presented the prizes. Marathon numbers went to: Jane Ives, Barrie Evans and Claire Readey. We drew out 2 additional names as reserves: Sue Jennings and Peter Brooks.

A night at the Oscars is wasn't but I'd like to thank everyone who took part and in some amazing costumes. Thanks also to Santa (Nick Young) and his elves (Janice Young and Gill Wesson) for entertaining the traffic and for judging the fancy dress. I'd also like to thank Mike Bennett and Andy James for being timekeepers and to Allan Seheult for supporting the runners.

Finally, I'd like to thank Harry and the staff at the Court Inn for making us so welcome.

Results

Pos	Name	Pos	Time
1	Adam Walker		34.07
2	Shaun Roberts		34.18
3	Roz Layton	1	38.39
4	Nigel Heppell		39.27
5	Jerry Lloyd		40.00
6	Peter Bell		40.26
7	Andrew Thompson		41.10
8	Alan Smith		44.00
9	Liz Lamb		44.50
10	George Nicholson		45.07
11	David Shipman		47.18
12	Jules Percival		47.26
13	Jan Young		48.02
14	Louise Miller		51.01
15	Laura Ralph		51.05
16	Emma Detcheon		54.07
17	Maggie Thompson		55.56

17 finishers.