Cross Country

REPORTS
By a quirk of fate, we have 2 B team reports and no A team report!
(Dave's report coming shortly....)

B Team Report #1
Another great day on the Cleveland Way and this year it was a bit special because we had 5 course records and 5 reserves and normally we are struggling to get a team. Many thanks to those involved on the last leg.

The B team race got off to a great start with the first course record of the day when Peter Hardy arrived at Valley Bridge Scarborough bang on 6.am - not bad for someone who hasn’t run for seven years. Freddie took over on the next leg and as usual was as reliable as ever with a good run and 100 % effort. He then handed the baton to our next runner and our first lady runner of the day - Jo Abbott. Another great effort and another great time on a leg that seems to be all uphill and had some terrible high steps to climb. Well done Jo. The fourth leg was run by our youngest team member – Danni, who had a fantastic run and just missed breaking the course record by 9 seconds on her first run in the Cleveland Way. She ran 24.22 from Ravenscar to Robin Hood’s Bay - most men would be pleased with that time. Well done Danni and good luck for the future.

Our next runner and second lady runner of the day was Julie, - a very experienced, talented and reliable runner, who had a great run to bring the B team into Whitby in 3rd place in a time of 57.28. Julie handed over to Dave Horness and before Dave got to Sandsend we were back in 4th place; it wasn’t Dave’s fault - it just happened that the bloke who over-took him was one of the best runners of the 272 runners out that day: Andy Bowman. Dave said the bloody swine shot past me as if I was standing still… anyway to prove Dave wasn’t standing still, he broke his own course record in a brilliant time of 59.08. Well done Dave - you did what you set out to do in fine style. Next up was Alan Bottomley who ran very well on a very long hard leg handing over to Tecca at Skinningrove. At this point I thought we would beat the 2007 course record but it wasn’t to be - we missed out by 9 minutes. Tecca ran a good leg unfortunately most of it was into the wind he wasn’t very happy with his time when I met him at Slapewath but I think he did marvelously considering he’s 60 shortly. Tecca handed over to Ian Brown who was shadowed by Dan because of injury worries. (For me that sums up the race, the club, and the person because Dan had already ran the 1st leg at Filey for the A team at 5am). Thanks Dan, and of course, well done Ian who had a great run considering he hasn’t been able to train due to injury and work commitments.

Ian handed over to Megan who got our third course record knocking 1 min 19 secs of the previous record and amazingly she did this running on a sprained ankle which she picked up running down from Captain Cook’s monument. Our next runner was Graham Youngston who ran very well considering the conditions: wind, rain and massive hills - not the best of ways to spend a Sunday afternoon! Anyway, Graham was very happy when I met him at Hasty Bank absolutely soaked. Chris was our next runner and he got our 4th course record on the 3 massive hills… I bet when I see him he wants a leg change next year!... that’s what usually happens on that leg, it’s so hard. It must be a first: father and daughter both getting course records on the same day, in the same race. Well done to you both. Chris handed over to Nicola at Carlton Bank - unfortunately I was unable to get to the start of her leg, but knowing Nicola she would always give 100% and she did on an extremely hard leg and finished with an extremely good time of 62 minutes. Darren took over at Osmotherly and in the 1st mile over took a North Yorkshire Moors runner and it was great to see 4 runners running up Black Hambledon on the same hill. Well Done Darren - I didn’t think anyone could sweat so much it just proves how much effort you put in! Darren handed over to Neil Duffield at Sneck Yate and just before Neil set off he was told by Dave to make sure he got a course record. Neil did that in fine style - he knocked 4mins 22 secs off the old record… just proves what good condition you are in Neil - well done and good luck for your Ironman.

The last leg was run by our 5 reserves: 3 ladies and 2 men… Julia, Adele, Jo, Steve and Graham, the ladies showed the men a clean pair of heals and the first one back to Helmsley was Julia. However she was pressed hard all the way by Adele and at the cross at Helmsley they were only 3 meters apart. Very well done and thanks to everybody who took part on Sunday and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. All the best to you all.

Contact Dave Parkin 07980569650 to confirm please
Or email prkdav1@aol.com
Please be at your handover leg at least 15 mins prior to estimated start time and ensure you have good knowledge of your leg before race day.

*Subject to mini mass-start at 14.00 if incoming runner is not expected before 14.30

Hi all,

just a short reminder, the Cleveland Way Relay will be on again this year, the date remains as communicated at the end of last years race, 29th June 2008. I thought it was an enjoyable event last year, mainly thanks to the participation of a good number of teams. I therefore hope that you all can turn up a team again for this year's event. If possible, could you let me know if you intend to participate again, it would be much appreciated.

NYMAC is planning to have 2 teams again this year, and with a lot of luck, and some hard work by one of our ladies, we may even have a 3rd 'ladies only' team on this years relay.

Looking forward to hear from you or at least see you at Filey, 29.6.2008, 5AM.

Cheers,

Martin Dietrich

On an evening of torrential downpours a contingent of 7 Loftus and Whitby runners travelled to the remote village of Langdale End to run a 6 mile fell race. Miraculously, about 45 minutes before the start the clouds parted and the evening turned fine with a light breeze, blue skies and sunshine!

Alec Duffield showed he is over his recent breathing problems by scoring a decisive win leading from start to finish. He knocked 50 seconds off the course record for this race coming in in 41.17. Dan Middlemass had a tussel for 2nd place with Mike Jeffries of Billingham Marsh House, eventually being pipped by just 13 seconds to come in in 44.59.

Steve Hardy had an exceptionally good run finishing one place behind Dan in 47.20 and showing a promising improvement in form. Next runner in, in 9th place was Rob Williamson - now evidently over his calf injury. Chris Ellis, clocking 52.55, was just beaten to first V50 by Ted Kraft of Scarborough.

Julie Mastrolonardo had a good run taking into account that she ran in trainers on a course that was very wet and slippy and involved at one stage a waist-high wade through a river. (Alec apparently swam this!) Julie finished in 56.44 - and was second woman. Robert Howard didn't have the best run, but seemed to enjoy the night out anyway and finished in 57.42. Most of the runners rated this as one of the best races they have had for a long time. The course was really varied and well marked out and the "water sections" only added to the fun!

Loftus won the mens team prize with prizes also for Alec (1st man) Julie (2nd woman), and Dan (3rd man).

Thanks to Catherine Hare for driving, bag handling, photography and general support!

Loftus ‘B’ Team set off on the Cleveland Way at the ungodly hour of 5am with Neil Braithwaite who rolled off the operating table and onto the start line. He ran a solid leg and came into Scarborough with two other runners contesting 5th, 6th and 7th place. Freddie Rodgers ran a strong leg on a lovely morning handing over to Dave Collett in 5th place. Dave surprised himself with a good time and went home for breakfast satisfied with his contribution to the team. Jo Braithwaite ran an excellent time, breaking her target time by 30seconds despite having an unscheduled on-route stop (I wish we had that on camera!). An injured Rob Williamson took over at Robin Hood’s Bay and took an excellent 12minutes out of NYM team by the time he reached Whitby.
Dave Horness set off aiming to beat 60minutes for his leg, and overtook NYM on route, but did not quite make it to the top of Runswick Bay bank (and didn’t beat his target either!) But Good Samaritan Ian Brown came down the bank a bit to his rescue, and then ran strongly through over grown jungle paths to Skinningrove getting a good soaking on the way. Tecca Howard carried on the challenge running a good strong leg despite the rain and falling arse over tit into the mud, then handing over to Mark Walker. Mark also set off in heavy rain, but was fired up from the start and turned in a storming record breaking leg before finally grunting his way to Jimmy O’Brian, (who didn’t get lost this year) Jimmy ran another good time and turned in a good performance for the team. Julie Mastrolonardo was awaiting Jimmy’s arrival. Julie ran an excellent leg on a lonely moor top ending up at Hasty Bank looking like a drowned rat (the poor bugger!), but got lots of soggy cuddles from her kids which perked her up. Meanwhile, Rod Levan had set off on the mini mass start with five other team runners facing three bloody great hills (sorry Rod you got the short straw). Despite this he coped very well in shitty conditions and ran a strong leg to Mike Pope who also got wet through and finished his leg snotty and sweaty narrowly missing out an a leg record.
Darren Fawcett took over and looked like he ran through someone’s front door, but that’s how it starts from Osmotherley. He ran a good solid leg and said he enjoyed it (silly bugger!). Julia Jackson (on her first ever outing on the Cleveland Way) ran a ‘nice’ leg (That’s the problem with JJ she is too nice, she’s not aggressive, she doesn’t swear and she doesn’t even spit.) But she got to the end and said “oh that was hard!” (I rest my case). She handed over to the three amigos on the last leg. Norman Chester, Mally Peggs and Tecca Howard all were trying to cover themselves in glory while the rest of us sat eating fish and chips in Helmsley. Not long after feeding our faces the boys came in to great applause and recording a new ‘B’ team overall record by an outstanding 92seconds and finishing in a very creditable 4th place out of 7 teams, which was the best we could have hoped for.

A big Thank you to all runners and supporters for your commitment and efforts. Dave.
Dave Horness

Alec Duffield selected to run for England
Following Alec's succesful outing on the track in the Northern U20 3000 race he decided to run at Snowdon the following Sunday in the Junior trial race for the forthcoming world Mountain running champs in Turkey. The race at Snowdon was 'uphill only' as the world champs will be.

On the lower slopes the field were quite tightley bunched with runners conserving energy before the bigger sloes. First to show was Alec quickley stretching the field. He was soon joined at the front by a small group. As the race progressed Alistair Brownlee pulled well clear and a single file procession followed. Alec ran very hard and kept the pressure on the rest of the field, finishing 3rd English runner, 4th overall. Other English runners earning selection were James Kevan (2nd) and Nick Swinburn (4th)

This result earned him selection for the 4 man English team, running in Turkey on the 10th of Sept.

Dan Middlemass came second in 87:25
Colin Knapp came 34th in 103.58
(Race report and pictures: www.nym.ac/)

Four Loftus members braved the elements on Sunday 12th February to run in the Castleton - Danby Race. This 8 mile course across Moors, Woods, Bogs and Streams was a challenging course with over 1100 feet of climbing.
Dan Middlemas (55.48) had a superb run coming in second to Nick Swinburne who had over 2 minutes advantage. Next in was Andy Pearson, in 10th place in a time of 60.10 with Steve Hardy, 62.24 and Colin Knapp following in 67.40. This was one of the few occasions when we had a team competing and finished a creditable third place. This race is part of the Winter Fell Series.

Note from Andy: For those of you club members who have not done any of this series you don't know what you are missing! How many times during a Road Race will you get lost, fall over, end up in a stream, lose a shoe and risk life and limb on crazy downhill sections so you don't lose a place! The races are usually challenging, fairly well marked and usually based around a pub! For further details and lots of pictures go to www.nym.ac