Runners Take On Challenging Wharfedale Marathons

A group of runners from Beverley Athletic Club spent last weekend in the Dales and took part in the tenth annual Wharfedale half and full marathons.

The off-road races follow challenging routes on well-established footpaths with more than 2,550 feet of ascents. The marathon is a category CL fell race and the half-marathon is category BL.

Starting and finishing in the village of Threshfield, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, runners navigate their way around the course via a number of checkpoints. They are rewarded with spectacular scenery and a huge sense of achievement when they finish.

Saturday was a good day for running and with little wind to slow runners down the course records for the full and half-marathon were broken. Runners from Beverley AC were all pleased with their times and several recorded new course bests.

Lucy Stamford and Brian Richardson last ran the Wharfedale Marathon in 2010 and were both faster at their second attempt this year. Stamford was the first Beverley athlete to finish, crossing the line in an excellent time of 4:18:07, four minutes faster than 2010. She was the ninth lady and third FV35 to complete the course. Stamford enjoys fell walking and takes part in off-road races regularly. She rates Wharfedale among her top 3 events in the year because “It’s one of the most challenging courses around without going all-out fell racing.”

She praised her club mate Brian Richardson for his “absolutely amazing time.” He finished in 4:58:28, 35 minutes faster than last time and was first in the MV65 age category. Richardson excels in hilly off-road events where his natural agility helps him tackle the tough terrain.

Seven Beverley runners competed in the half-marathon event and Darren Rodmell was the first of them to finish. He crossed the line in 12th place and recorded a new course best time of 1:40:06, four minutes faster than last year.

Cousins Denise Thompson and Jacqui Dickinson were on great form tackling the course together and finishing in 2:48:39, significantly faster than last year.

It was Amanda Ritchie’s first time at Wharfedale and she took the 13-mile course in her stride to finish in 2:26:55.
New members Penny Booth and Christine Whitehouse were taking part in their first weekend away with the club and chose to take part in the Rugger Ramble, a challenge walk which follows the same route as the half-marathon. They enjoyed their debut in the Dales and finished in just under four hours.

Beverley AC finishing times:
Marathon: Lucy Stamford 4:18:07; Brian Richardson 4:58:28.

Half-marathon: Darren Rodmell 1:40:06; Helen Storr 2:17:50; Tony Beck 2:20:32; Amanda Ritchie 2:26:55; Denise Thompson 2:48:39; Jacqui Dickinson 2:48:40; Pete McNally 3:06:13.

Rugger Ramble: Penny Booth 3:57:35; Christine Whitehouse 3:58:38.

Report by Kay Farrow

Photos by David Brett of www.photos-dbs.co.uk & Marg Richardson of Beverley AC