Report & Results

Another year’s race is done and dusted and it’s time for a bit of a write-up and the results.

Filey

Arriving in Filey, the tide was in but not especially high, so runners were able to get across the beach without wet feet. Looking out across the bay before the start, it was hard to imagine better conditions. The sea was calm, there was barely a breath of wind and despite the early start several runners commented that it was one of the best times to run a leg.

As runners gathered on the Coble Landing, I took team details and was pleased to see 23 teams representing 14 different clubs.

Josie from Cleveland Mountain Rescue was trialling a pair of powered “bionic legs”. The jury was out on whether they would help or hinder off-road running and it turned out to be the latter when the battery ran out two-thirds of the way through the leg and they were abandoned.

Catherine was first into Valley Bridge in under an hour for Loftus A before waiting to run the Scarborough to Cloughton leg for another Loftus team. Runners then arrived steadily, handing over to teammates, with several taking on double and even triple legs instead of handing over.

Along the Coast

From there it was on to Cloughton and then Ravenscar. Cloughton isn’t the easiest place to spot runners, but Ravenscar offers a much better vantage point and a bit more space to socialise while waiting. A few people mentioned that Scarborough had used some different changeover points this year, so I took the opportunity to catch up with Bob and find out more.

By now the weather was beginning to change. It remained sunny but a north-westerly wind was building, giving runners a headwind on the remaining coastal sections.

With the Whitby mass start approaching, I headed straight there to make sure I didn’t miss the early arrivals.

I made my way to the Whalebones to greet the 9am starters and it wasn’t long before the shout of “Runner!” went up. The Scarborough A and Loftus A runners appeared along East Terrace shoulder to shoulder before tagging their next runners and beating the mass start by almost 15 minutes. Fantastic running by both teams.

As 9am approached, the starters were lined up for a quick photo before setting off.

Whitby is always an interesting checkpoint. With no defined route through the town it’s often a guessing game as to where runners will appear from.

Billingham and Esk Valley were next through, separated by just 45 seconds and arriving less than five minutes after the mass start. Like buses, the runners then seemed to arrive in groups after periods of quiet.

Clay Bank

Once everyone was through Whitby, I headed for Clay Bank. As the route moves inland it becomes much harder to keep track of runners.

Clay Bank was particularly busy as a Hardmoors event was using it as a checkpoint. There was a real buzz around the place with runners from both events passing through.

Then came another shout of “Runner!” as the Loftus A runner flew down from Urra Moor and handed over at 13:50. It’s been a while since the Clay Bank mass start has been beaten, so it sparked plenty of conversation and showed just how strong a team Mally had assembled for Loftus. Superb running by them all.

After lining up the remaining starters for a quick photo, they were sent on their way at 2pm.

At Clay Bank you can spot runners on the skyline near Urra Moor before they disappear from sight. Then comes the wait until you hear the gate slam and see them charging down the steps towards the road, only to be greeted by me shouting “STOP!” before they get there.

Scarborough were next through at 14:20. Still a fantastic performance, but now 30 minutes behind Loftus A. Had the race for the A teams been decided?

I stayed at Clay Bank as long as I could before heading for Helmsley. Just as I was about to leave, Marc from Quakers spotted another runner approaching and then a second appeared. I knew I was risking missing the first finishers, but I also know how disappointing it can be to finish a leg with nobody there, so I waited a little longer.

The Quakers runner was the last one I managed to see before leaving. Apologies to Stockton Runners and Billingham B, who I missed at Clay Bank.

The Finish at Helmsley

I arrived in Helmsley just before 6pm and was immediately told that the Scarborough runner had finished at 17:50. I’d estimated four hours for the afternoon legs would be a fast time, so this was fantastic running.

Loftus had looked to have the race under control at Clay Bank, but Scarborough had clawed back time on the afternoon legs. It all came down to when the Loftus runner would enter the square and touch the monument to stop the clock.

Loftus were next in and there were a few questions from both teams about who had won. I wasn’t revealing anything until I’d worked it out a few times to be sure, as I knew it was close.

The square was packed, with around 100 runners enjoying the sunshine, fish and chips and the occasional pint while waiting for teams to finish. It made for a great atmosphere.

There were regular shouts of “Runner!” and space would quickly be made for them to reach the monument and record their time.

Once I could confirm the Ladies and B Team competitions, the presentations were made.

Possibly the most important contest of the day was between the two Thirsk and Sowerby teams, with Team Thirsk taking the honours over Team Sowerby by just over 38 minutes.

Results

Overall

 

Position	Team	Time
1st	Scarborough A	13:10:00
2nd	Loftus & Whitby A	13:21:01
3rd	Esk Valley A	14:23:02

B Team Winners

Team	Time
Loftus & Whitby B	15:32:10

Ladies Winners

Team	Time
Loftus & Whitby Ladies	17:55:37

Special Mentions

A special mention to the Esk Valley and Cleveland Mountain Rescue runners who stopped to assist a fellow runner after a fall.

Another special mention goes to Cleveland Mountain Rescue. After being called out to an incident and losing one of their runners, they continued despite knowing they were out of the competition. Their predicted leg time was used to complete their overall result.

Thanks to everyone who took part, marshalled, supported and helped make another successful Coast to Coast Relay possible.  It really is down to you for making this such an enjoyable day.

Full results.