What better way to start the New Year than with a race, especially as there is something for everyone,
from a 5k Parkrun to a 5 mile Fell Run to a 15 or 30 mile Hardmoors Race, where we had athletes
competing in all 4.
First up was husband and wife Stephen and Andrea Bulmer competing in the Hardmoors 15, taking in
Robin Hoods Bay, Whitby and Ravenscar. Stephen finishing in 2:37 and Andrea in 3:17, well done Team
Bulmer!
Next up was Joe Leadley running in the Hardmoors 30 with a total climb of 2,700ft. The route is a circular
following the old railway lines north between Robin Hoods Bay and Whitby before heading southwards
along the Cleveland Way to Robin Hoods Bay and then rejoining the old Railway lines passing through
Ravenscar along the way to Hayburn Wyke. Leaving Hayburn Wyke the route heads northwards along
the Cleveland Way back to Robin Hoods Bay with a slight sting in the tail for the last hundred or so
metres. Joe very narrowly missed out on a podium spot, coming in a very impressive 4 th out of 184
competitors, in a time of 4:16, also 2 nd in his category. Joe’s race comment (which I have stolen from his
Strava) ‘Shoutout to the old couple in the caravan who hooked me up with some salt and saved my
race after cramp struck me down lost a few minutes but could’ve been worse. Mint morning’
We then had Joanne Marshall running with 589 other runners (one of them being her son Nathan) at
Albert Parkrun and gaining a new PB of 27.20, fantastic start to the year! Look out for further
information from Joanne (Race Director) regarding the new Brotton Parkrun coming soon.
A few miles away, and a few hours earlier was Graham Palmer at Stewarts Parkrun, running with a
total of 577 runners, and after convincing Graham that a parkrun/fell run double was far more fun
than a parkrun double he then headed over to Great Ayton to experience the great atmosphere of
Captain Cooks Fell Race. The route was unusually dry rather than the muddy plother of the last few
years and with a record 350 seniors and 48 juniors running there was a fantastic running buzz at the
race start. The race itself was just as tough as muddier events, especially for those suffering
hangovers (Peter & Jamie), but also equally as fun, thanks to the many supporters and locals
shouting their Happy New Year wishes along the way. Well done to those who ran, Ben Senior, Chris
Foster, Graham Palmer, Jamie Ellison, Gary Beard, Sue Dick, Mally Peggs, Peter Phillips & Glynis
Johnson (Monday night group).
A few days later, Saturday 5 th Jan takes us over to Lightwater Valley for the Yorkshire Cross Country
Championships where all races are staged inside “The Ultimate” rollercoaster ride. The ground was
firm and dry, as oppose to previous years where quagmire would be a more suitable description and
with an ambient temperature of 4 to 6 degrees with sunny spells this made for perfect running
conditions. The course itself is tough and undulating and with such a high calibre of athletes it was
a hard, fast race. There was a lot of support out on the course for Jonny Brownlee who finished 3rd in
the Senior Mens Race, after being held off for a short while by Mally Peggs! Overall the senior ladies
team finished 20 th out of 35 teams and the senior men finished 32 nd out of 38 teams.
Competing on the day was Joseph Leather, Joe Leadley, Ben Senior, Chris Foster, Mikey Garbutt,
Jono Urban, Gary Beard and Mally Peggs in a field of 324 men.
Competing for the ladies was Maddy Mastrolonardo, Grace Rodgers, Julia Jackson, Isabel
Mastrolonardo, Kyah Hall, Sue Dick, Kelly Clapton and Philippa Hambley in a field of 199 ladies.
Special mention has to go to Maddy Mastrolonardo racing in the Women’s U20, she took a very
impressive bronze podium spot with a girl hot on her tail 2 seconds afterwards, congratulations
Maddy! She is now invited to represent Yorkshire at the Intercounties Cross Country Final at
Loughborough in March.
The following day, Sunday 6 th Jan seen 5 of our Hardy men tackle the Commondale Clart Fell Race,
Steve Hardy, Joe Leadley, Sam Leadley, Graham Palmer and Mick Clarke, scooping the mens team
prize, well done chaps!
Running this weekend are Julia Jackson and Ben Senior at York’s Popular Brass Monkey Half Marathon,
best of luck to you both!