Road Race League

Welcome back to another article from your local running club, Easingwold Running Club!

Each year, a selection of running clubs local to York host an event, forming part in what is known as the York & District Road Race League.  Each event is a 10km road race, where members from each club can pit their wits against each other.  It’s all age and gender categorised, so plenty of bragging rights to be had!  Of course, if you’re anything like me, unless everybody drops ill on the same day, I’m not bringing any prizes home, so most of us turn out to challenge ourselves.  The good old battle for many which we can title ‘me verses me’!

On Tuesday May 19^th, it was the turn of our running club to host the third in the series, with Tadcaster and Pocklington already out of the way.  A brilliant team of volunteers, all being expertly managed by Ed Duffield, brought the event to town.

Just on the back end of the very hot and sticky few days we’d had, the temperature kindly dropped a few degrees and attracted 422 runners to come along and take part for the 19:30 start.  If it had been 24 hours earlier, I think the numbers would have been much lower.

This year, the whole route was a closed road event, increasing safety for all involved, runners and marshals alike.  Starting in Millfield, the route took us out onto Oulston Road, making its way towards Crayke, Daffy Lane and back into Millfield via Crayke Road and the lower section of Oulston Road.  ERCs Nigel Ramsden kindly organised a cool shower for all on Daffy Lane at the 7km mark, providing some light relief to those who chose to run through!  The marshals were amazing, many with cow bells, tambourines and encouraging voices seeing everyone round.

36 runners from Easingwold took part, with some strong performances considering the conditions.

The women’s race saw Laura Thompson (City of York) claiming victory in 38:16. Her performance also earned her first place in the F35 category.  Charlotte Bush (York Acorn), winner at Pocklington, took second place in 39:42, while Rose Mather (York Knavesmire) secured third in 40:14.

Dom Carter (York Postal) once again proved unbeatable, taking victory in 33:26 for the men. Although 21 seconds slower than his winning time from last year, it was another commanding performance in difficult conditions. James Wisbey (City of York) finished second for the third consecutive race in 35:09, while teammate William Torgerson completed the podium in 35:28.

Emma Patchett (Holgate) produced a standout run to win the F40 category in 42:05. Chrissie Dover (City of York) continued her dominance in the F45 category, crossing the line in 40:53. Hazel Hall (York Knavesmire) was first F50 in 42:43, while Julie Mastrolonardo (City of York) maintained her unbeaten record in the F55 category with a time of 47:50.

The leading positions in the older women’s categories also remained unchanged. Anita Ruddock (York Knavesmire) claimed the F60 title in 50:35, while Gill Boynton (York Acorn) continued her dominance in the F65 category, winning in 51:09. Liz Piper (York Knavesmire) took gold in the F70 category with a time of 65:00.

In the men’s age categories, Tim Pattison (City of York) regained top spot in the M35 category, winning in 36:13 after taking gold at Tadcaster and silver at Pocklington. Mark Cherryholme (York Knavesmire) was first M40 in 35:50, while Christopher Poulton (York Acorn) led the M45 category in 36:39.

The next five men’s age-category winners all maintained their winning streaks. Dave Smithers (York Knavesmire) was the leading M50 for the third successive race, clocking 36:23. Matthew Smithson (York Acorn) secured his third consecutive M55 victory in 38:47, while Glen Johnson (Tadcaster) remained unbeaten in the M60 category with a time of 41:45. Neil Strange (Haxby) made it three wins from three in the M65 category, finishing in 44:18. Paul Robinson (Pickering) also recorded a third straight victory, winning the M70 category in 50:25.

Open to all who fancy giving it a go, the Easingwold Community 10k is back for its second year on July 26^th.  Check online for details if you fancy!

For all info as usual, pop onto the ERC website and see what’s going on, it would be great to see you if you fancy trying something new this summer.

Rich Freeman, Publicity Secretary