Elvet Striders — Race Reports Archive

Harrier League, Blaydon, 26th November

Mudman

A solid start to the season by the ten muddy men who were led home by Mike B, like so many times before, followed by Tom the baby of the team. Everyone did well in the muddy conditions particularly Alan and Mike H our two senior veterans. Mudman's dream of promotion could be on!

A fantastic start to the season by our champion women's team. Fiona flew round the course, straight into fast pack qualification, pursued by a big field. Donna continued her excellent form of last year and our three Harrier League debutantes, Joyce, Janet and Karen, all put in extremely brave performances—we want to see all of you back next time! We still have a few secret weapons in reserve so we're well on course for retaining that trophy!

Women

Fast pack (f) times minus 2.20

Men

Leeds Abbey Dash, 10K, 26th November

3952 finishers

Ravenstonedale 10K, 25th November

Dave Robson

If you are wondering where Ravenstonedale is, its a small attractive village just off the A685 between Kirby Stephen and Tebay, about a 70min drive from Durham. Very lucky with the weather it was dry and the sun even came out for a while before the race started. The course was entirely on quiet country roads with a couple of cattle grids to negotiate. Not much of the course was flat, but there were no long climbs. However it was pretty windy and the stone walls on either side of the roads were not really high enough to protect you from the strength of the wind. The Race HQ was the lovely Black Swan pub in Ravenstonedale and they served soup and a roll in there to all finishers. I recommend this run and I hope to do it again.

114 finishers

Brampton to Carlisle, 18th November

616 finishers

Team results

Women's team 13th overall, 8th vets, first 3 counting.
Men's team 30th overall, 15th vets, first 3 counting.

GB & Ireland Masters XC International, Callendar Park, Falkirk, 17th November

Donna James

This was no way to start the cross country season! Everyone was wandering about the front of Callendar House earnestly talking about 9s versus 12s while I was just wondering what hell they were on about....

I was thrilled to be selected for the England Masters Cross Country team for the first time and my tri coach changed my training from the sluggish coming out of rest, base training to some short sharp stuff in swim, bike and run to get myself going. I knew it wouldn't be enough though! On Friday night, I picked up my England vest and compulsory red England sweatshirt at the team hotel, at a mystery location on the one way system of Falkirk, and started to get excited.

Race morning was bright and sunny — although windy and cold, and the surrounding hills wintry white added their grandeur to the beauty of the park in its autumnal coat. After the team photo, there wasn't too much time to warm up but I had already walked the 6k course to find two significant grassy hills — one with a slippery descent combined with a lot of flat, and narrow, track — the latter not to my advantage.

At the off, the pace was fast and furious and a lot of elbowing to maintain position was required. We went straight up a grassy hill and I soon found myself jostling not to be boxed in down the bank. The numbering system made it easy to spot others in your age group and I was surrounded by V35s and some V40s—and the odd V45. There were plenty of spectators around the two lap course for me to learn the names of those around me and to spur us on. I saw more England and Scotland vests around me than anything else but I knew that the contender for the overall race was Irish and a V40. I saw a Scottish V40 ahead of me and tried to convince myself that I could reel her in, that I was stronger etc. Eventually, on lap two as the field had spread out and I was on my own I overtook her. Unfortunately she came back down the finishing straight and my legs could not respond.

I finished 11th overall in the race, 5th O40 and 2nd O40 for England in a time of 24:30. Unfortunately, the W040 team missed out on Gold my one point?that one second between me and the Scottish runner. Time to train harder! The other age groups fared really well, with England taking the lion's share of the team golds.

Fabulous experience and a bit of a shocker to start the XC season!

Town Moor 10K, 12th November

Dave Robson

A relatively mild day for November for this fast and flat race which followed the same two lap route around Town Moor that it has done for the last three years. This race was said to be close to its limit this year, although people entering on the day seemed to be able to get numbers.

There was a slight breeze, but nothing to affect times too much. Karen won a prize as the second woman home in her age category and did her fastest time for 10K for a number of years. The women's team of Karen, Kathryn and Susan did very well and won the second team prize for the senior and veteran teams combined. Four male Striders ran (Geoff, Graham, John and Dave) and Kathryn's friend Paul

334 finishers
The Women's team was 2nd out of 8 teams.
The Men's team was 10th out of 15 teams.

Gibside Fruit Bowl, 5th November

Dave Robson

A lovely mild day for this popular multi terrain race which followed the usual route through the woods, down to the river and then up through the woods again. It has probably the longest finishing straight of any local run. The route was mud free in spite of recent rain and although it was a bit windy most of the route was protected by the trees. The second hill was said to be as steep as ever.

Fiona led nineteen Striders home and she was also was the third woman home. A number of Striders obtained improved times on this unique and beautiful course. Supporters included Mandy, Mary and Dave

464 finishers

Derwentwater 10M, 5th November

by Alan Purvis

Four Striders made the trip to Keswick for the forty seventh running of this popular race. While the route is basically around Derwentwater there are plenty of hills and spectacular views along the way.

Nearly 500 competitors filled the the traffic-free Market Place before setting out through the narrow streets on their way up Borrowdale. Here the undulating road gave some warning of what was in store on the other side of the lake. After crossing the River Derwent at Grange the route climbed 220 ft along the side of that familiar feature of the view from Keswick - Cat Bells. Then it was mostly downhill through the village of Portinscale and on the finish at Keswick School.

485 finishers