One runners story,

Welcome back to Easingwold Running Club and a February special! In January, I dropped in

that one of our members had had a pretty special 2025. Without further ado, I’ll hand over to

Cath Skinner as she tells us about her running journey over the last year.

At our annual Easingwold Running Club (ERC) Presentation night I was proudly presented with three different awards.  Firstly, a Club Championship bronze award, secondly, the George Becton Trophy and thirdly the ‘Most Improved Runner of 2025’!

This was quite a night for me. Although I consciously put a lot of effort and running into

achieving the first two awards, I am left feeling humbled and appreciative to receive the ‘Most Improved Runner’.  At the start of 2025 I certainly did not set out to win this one, so it is the icing on the cake.

I am a 60+ female runner who for the last 17 years has quite happily mostly kept to being in my comfort zone, entering races and just doing my best. However, last year was a bit different, which I mentioned on presentation night and would like to share why this was.

In the winter of 24, I began some Strength and Conditioning sessions which I found I really

enjoyed and could feel the benefit.  In January 25 I decided to shed a few pounds.  I found my Parkrun times were getting better, so I set myself a personal challenge to get a personal best (PB) every month for 12 months.  I managed this for 10 months in a row.  My times in the York Road Race League improved and I came in the first 30 runners in the last race in Heslington (handicap race), earning me the 3rd in a row special T-shirt only given to first 30 runners. 

Throughout the year I slotted in a few other Club Championship runs including 10k’s and the

Ilkley Half Marathon on the hottest day of last year.  It was actually great fun having water

thrown at you all the way round by children and adult supporters!

August was another chance to win the George Becton Trophy.  Fellow runners know this was

one trophy I have aimed to bring home for years, but never quite managed it.  The scratch race came and went, then the night of the actual race for the Trophy was in front of me.  I don’t think I ever prepared myself so much for a race.  This was not a night I was saying, “I just want to get round”, but did not dare admit it in case I didn’t achieve my goal.  I was in it to win it this time.  I know I probably ran the hardest that I have ever run, not looking sideways or behind me. I finally got to the finish line well ahead of the next runner and I think in a time I have not equalled since.

You can probably guess, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I realised, I had finally won it!

Another season of running with ERC is upon us and I will be aiming to just do my best again.  I hope sharing my experience of 2025 inspires anyone who just wants to run a 5k, 10k, or anything longer or reach for that trophy you have your eye on!

Catherine Skinner

Thanks, Cath, for your story and huge congratulations from everyone at ERC, Parkrun and the wider community. A worthy winner indeed and a true member of our club we can look up to for inspiration and encouragement. I can see some highly lucrative ‘running improvement’ consultancy sessions on the horizon for you!

Rich Freeman, Publicity Secretary