It was another hot week for long distance running. On Wednesday evening, the latest event in the Summer Fell Race League took place, Tom’s race in Bransdale. This is a tough 7.5 mile course with 1,300 feet of climb over open moorland, through bracken and along forest tracks. Runners, volunteers and supporters were treated to a great post race social and feast in a field in the quiet beauty of Bransdale accompanied by a variety of biting insects! Robbie Preston was first back for PRC with a time of 67 minutes 59 seconds which placed him 17th out of 78. Lucy Saggers was justifiably delighted with her 6 minute course personal best clocking 87:41 and earning her the prize for 2nd F55. Paul Smith was 3rd M65 with his time of 91:31 and was followed by Nick Cousins in 93:30. Jo Towler’s time of 93:53 earned her the prize for 2nd F50 and Lynn Humpleby was close behind in 95:54.

The Hardwolds 40 took place in scorching temperatures on Saturday. Organised by the Hardmoors team, this race starts in Beverley then follows the Wolds Way to Settrington Beacon before descending into the Vale of Pickering to finish at Malton Community Sports Centre. The actual distance is 47 miles with a staggering 4,800 feet of climb. With such high temperatures, this was a seriously tough challenge, out of 102 competitors, 24 did not finish.
Making it look like a pleasant day out on the Wolds, Mike Richmond cruised home in 8 hours exactly, placing him 5th overall and 1st M50. Kelly Richmond was not far behind and ran the last few metres with baby Daisy. Kelly won the trophy for 1st female with her amazing time of 8:33. Martin Dennison celebrated his birthday in style by completing an ultramarathon! Martin ran with Chris Adams. They started well but the heat took its toll. Martin said “18 miles in and I thought that was it but somehow managed to summon the stupidity to finish!” Aching, and for Chris coping with painful blisters, they were certainly glad to cross the finish line clocking 13:31. In a truly epic performance, Graham Robinson, accompanied and encouraged by Alice Hayter, made it to the finish in 18 hours 9 minutes. Graham was 2nd M70 but even more impressively walked his way into the Guinness World Record book as the only person completing an ultramarathon needing an oxygen cylinder to breathe. In addition to the kit competitors have to carry, Graham had to carry a cylinder weighing 11lbs. He said it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of his wife Marie, Alice and all the other PRC supporters who cheered him en route.

Choosing a less onerous option several members of PRC ran the race as a relay. Serena Partridge, Simon Jones, Lucy Saggers and Karen Farmer-Scott were the 1st mixed relay team in 7:51. Shirley and Simon Tyrell, David Stephenson and Sue Slack were the 2nd mixed team in 9:55. George and mum, Lisa Adams, Nicola Wise and Dean Wise were the 3rd mixed team. They were led by George, the youngest runner in the event and Dean, the oldest runner in the event, brought the baton home in 11:50.

On Sunday, the Mulgrave Castle 10k, organised by New Marske Harriers, took place in the beautiful grounds of Mulgrave Castle. Kirsty Brown, displaying her usual speedy form finished in 46 minutes 25 seconds placing her 14th out of 94 and 4th female. Next came Rich Johnson in 56:22 followed by Lynn Humpleby who had a great race finishing in 56:55. Suzy Hodgson was next in 57:17, then came Julie Ventress in 57:35, Karen Harper in 65:05 and Lydia Adrian in 67:07.