The Women’s F35 – 44 team champions, Jacqui Khoueiry, Helen Berry and Margaret Sykes with their trophies.
On a weekend crowded with races Holmfirth Harriers Veteran runners still managed to get out 6 complete teams at the combined Northern Athletics / YVAA Cross Country Relay Championships at Graves Park, Sheffield on Saturday. With many of the runners also taking part in the 1st WYCC race, YVAA Grand Prix race at Skipton or the Woodland Challenge the next day this showed real commitment to the club and the Vets Teams.
First to run were the ladies in the open and vets categories with 3 legs of 2 miles each on a single undulating lap. Conditions were misty but warm with a strong breeze on some parts of the course and almost totally still at others. Helen Berry led off the F35 – 44 team and after a steady start Helen pulled through strongly finishing 2nd overall and 1st in the age group in 12:50. She was followed by Margaret Sykes, who while running a very good14:10 dropped to 4th overall and just managed to hold 4th place by one second from Bingley with Hallamshire also closing fast.
Jacqui sets off (left) with Bingley about to start only a second behind.
However, with all these teams being in different age categories, Holmfirth were still well clear in their age group. Jacqui Khoueiry set off with Sue Becconsall of Bingley on her heal and although she was unable to hold her off she ran an excellent 13:44 to bring the team home in first place in their age group. In the F45 – 54 age group Julia seemed to start slowly but had moved up to about half way through the field by the end of the leg and into 2nd place in 14:38. Yvette Arthur took over on the 2nd leg and continued her excellent form in team races running 15:08, maintaining her place and handing onto Helen Pettit on the last leg (seen right).
Helen picked up two places in the overall race, running 15:40 but Bingley were uncatchable in the age group race. Nevertheless another excellent 2nd place for the F45 – 54 team.
Helen Pettit, Julia Johnson and Yvette Arthur, with civic dignitaries at the prize giving, having been presented with their 2nd place trophies in the F45 – 54 category.
Unfortunately the open women’s team were one short but Lucy Griffiths and Cara Penfold still ran well finishing 10th, 13:48 and 15th, 15:51 on their legs.
With no third member of the team in the Open Women’s race there may have been nothing to run for, other than personal pride but it’s plain to see, from Lucy’s expression, the effort put into her run as she hands over to Cara. A real pity we could not find another runner to complete the team.
The men’s race run over the same 2 mile lap as the women started at 2.15 and again we did well to get 4 full age group teams to the start. While none of the teams was what you might call ‘full strength’ all those that ran gave their all and we came away with 2nd M35 – 39 team and 2nd M60 – 69 team.
“No Simon watch the Otley runner on your right, touching your toes is supposed to be done with straight legs!”
In the M35 – 39 age group Brandon Holroyd ran 13:58 on the first leg; Maz Khoueiry 13:48 on leg 2 and Jason Kaushal, really an M45, ran14:30 on leg 3. With no age group numbers worn it was impossible to know who was in what race and so none of the team stayed for the presentation, not realising they had picked up second place. While all three runners were happy just to represent the club a 2nd team trophy was, I’m sure, a bonus.
Jason Kaushal (M45) finishing strongly on the last leg for the M35 – 39 team.
The M40 – 49 team had Simon Rawnsley on leg 1 finishing in 4th place in 11:54 followed by Jonathon Sykes who maintained 4th in 12:16. Chris Beadle started the last leg 12 seconds behind the third placed team but was unable to make any impression on the Loftus runner but held on comfortably, from the chasing Rotherham runner in 5th, to keep the team in 4th in a time of 13:22.
Chris Beadle pushing all the way to the finish on leg 3 for the M40 – 49 team.
Both the M50 – 59 and M60 – 69 teams had runners from ‘a past decade’ on the last leg; Martin Seddon at 59 wants to get fit again so that he can have a real go when he reaches 60 so has started racing again; while Roger Bradley came out of retirement to make the team up for the M60 – 69 team. Ricky South led off for the M50 – 59 team and while running 12:51, fastest of the Holmfirth team, still found himself down in 5th at the end of his leg. Kevin Yewlett took over and dropped just one place to 6th running 13:37 and Martin Seddon on the last leg ran 15:59, dropping to 8th.
Kevin Yewlett, Brandon Holroyd, Jonathon Sykes and Simon Rawnsley find time to pose for the camera having completed their legs and encouraging the leg 3 runners.
Martin Seddon
There’s no truth to the rumour Ricky ran round the course with his eyes shut!
The M60 – 69 team was led off by Jeff Pierson who, although he quickly found himself close to the back of the field, ran strongly to finish in 15:41.
Jeff proves he can finish the course (this time!) and even looks to have enjoyed it!
Matthew checks his pulse before the start!
Tim Cock took over on leg two and set off after John Smithhurst of Bingley some 40 seconds ahead of him. By the end of the leg Tim had closed this down to only 6 seconds so he was pleased with his 16:43. Roger Bradley took over on the last leg not sure whether his numerous injury problems would allow him to get round but in the event made it round without mishap in 18:37 and was amazed to pick up a 2nd place trophy as well. Amazingly this was his first team trophy / medal in all his years of running for Holmfirth Harriers. Well done Roger and I hope there are no adverse after effects.
In the men’s open race, Holmfirth did not enter a team, but Matthew Pierson ran the first leg finishing 3rd in 10:39 in plenty of time to support his dad in the M60 race (some 5 minutes behind!).
Roger before and at the finish of his first race since ……….. (?) and a 2nd team trophy as well!
Many thanks to all those that turned out for the club and don’t forget the next team event is the YVAA Road Relays at Ilkley on 23rd October.
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