Chair's weekly update

Last week's Team Relay event proved to be great fun and enjoyed by everyone who took part. Big thanks to the volunteers who made it a success - Bernie and Andy, Lindsey, Sarah, John, Jennie and a special mention to Pippa and Andy who were on standby to step in should there be any no shows. It was really helpful  and ensured a smooth team draw that everyone registered ahead of the event and those who couldn’t make it let me know.

The draw managed to throw up some interesting team combinations and no clear favourites so it was down to the running to see who would prevail. 

Teams took various approaches to tactics and strategy within the 7 laps and 4 allowed changeovers, some choosing to minimise changeovers and others using all 4 in various combinations. Strict application of the rules by the changeover judge meant most teams were given at least one time penalty and one team managed to gain themselves a 10 second penalty for jumping the start in an outrageous move to gain advantage. Well done to teams 5 & 8 were the only teams not to be penalised and will share the fair play award. 

It was eventually team 9 consisting of Jack, Cheryl and Steve who crossed the line first by just over a minute followed by team 7 (Neil, Megan, Jacqui)  just 5 secs ahead of team 6 (Cameron, Matt C, Rob) in third. The fastest lap was by team 1 on their 7th lap. An appeal to disqualify team 9 due to the incorrect wearing of the team number by one member was rejected by the referee and the results declared official.  

Saturday and parkrun day saw 34 members doing the 5km in warm conditions and volunteers helping Millfield hum along as it reaches its 6th anniversary which will be celebrated next Saturday. Weekly ERC parkrun report is here.

Sunday was the recce of the Easingwold Community 10k, 19 members left the Marketplace at 10am to gain an early access preview and perhaps gain slight home advantage. Entries are going well for the event which is now just over 4 weeks away, we have 345 entries as I write. The organising team held its latest meeting last Wednesday, hot weather preparation was one of the topics discussed. Preparations are going well with a huge amount of work already done, the team of Ray, Jason, Jo, Claire, Cheryl and Andy have put in a lot of effort to make this first event a success over the last few months. 

Thursday evening is an away night at Husthwaite, details soon from Andy and thanks to the leaders who have planned and reviewed the routes. 

Our next committee meeting is on Weds 16th July, this will be open to members to attend, details will be with the agenda soon. In the meantime if you have anything you would like to raise please email Ray ercsecretary1@gmail.com or see one of the other committee members. The committee make-up and members can be seen on the website here.

Looking further forward it’s the Ilkley Half Marathon Club Championship event #8 on the 13th July, entries are still available here. 

Our working group of Kevin, Jane, Andy, Steve and Rachel for our Club 30th anniversary are in the process of organising a celebration in September/October, I'm told it may involve some running as well!

We still need a volunteer to update and perhaps maintain the Club Records for the various race distances and age groups. It would be great to have these done for the celebration and maintain our club history.