It was a very wet start to the 2010 / 2011 East Yorkshire Cross-Country League on Sunday as athletes from local running clubs made their annual trip to Bishop Wilton. Finishing times for many of them were slower than last year due to the boggy conditions.
The race was won by Steve Rennie of City of Hull in 40.16 and the first lady was Katy Rawnsley of Scarborough AC in 43.58.
Like all races in this league, the course at Bishop Wilton is challenging with very steep hills to negotiate at the start and at the finish. Even the downhill stretch at the end is not easy as runners have to dodge rabbit holes and molehills on the long and steep descent.
A number of Beverley runners are preparing for the Abingdon marathon in two week’s time and decided not to risk injury by competing at Bishop Wilton so it was newcomer Matt Chadwick who led the Beverley contingent home. In his first race for the club he finished in fifth place in an excellent time of 41.44. He is a welcome addition to the men’s team and will increase the competition between the club’s top male runners.
Club stalwart Clare Bracken was the first Beverley lady to finish, just ahead of newcomer Francesca Giuntini from Italy. The Italian’s performance scored valuable points for the ladies’ team pushing them into third position.
Competing in her first cross-country race, Claire Burcham distinguished herself by taking a tumble down the final hill. Undeterred, she picked herself up and carried on to the finishing line.
It was encouraging to see so many new members turning out for the club to tackle the hills and the mud. Although the courses are challenging, and the weather can make conditions even more difficult, the races are good for building stamina and team spirit.
After the first race Scarborough lead the men’s league and are also joint leaders of the ladies’ league with Driffield Striders. Beverley’s men lie in fourth place and the ladies team is third.
The next race is at Drewton Woods on 14 November.
Beverley Athletic Club finishing times:
Men
Matt Chadwick 41.44; Jonathan Leskiewicz 42.23; Steve Jackson 44.46; Andy Collinson 46.35; Andy Tate 47.42; Steve Evins 47.56; Pete Watkinson 48.01; Nigel Braithwaite 53.39; Alan Flint 54.19; Brian Richardson 55.38; Rob Reid 55.45; Adrian Holland 56.01; Pete Myers 56.56; Bill Grieve 58.48; Colin Sleight 62.05.
Ladies
Claire Bracken 53.04; Francesca Giuntini 54.18; Sam Allen 55.51; Amanda Ritchie 59.14; Pam Atkins 67.09; Jo Dewar 68.04; Maria Britton 69.06; Claire Burcham 72.05; Rachel Cope 77.31; Mary Carrick 77.50.
Photos by Jayne Dale and Brian Richardson of Beverley Athletic Club
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