The promise of a mud-bath attracted 270 runners and they were not disappointed at this 5.6 mile tracks and woods event hosted and well marshalled by Pudsey Pacers. Even the start along Scholebrook Farm track and the lane to Black Carr Woods was like running along a very muddy stream. The climb and descent of the wood was through a testing mix of deep clay mud, with several water traps and stream crossings to negotiate. Then followed 1Km of flatish paths with better surfaces, 2 more stream crossings and it was back to the woods for another circuit. With that completed, it just remained to run most of the flat part again, power up 400m of steep, rocky path and finish with a flat 100M sprint.
The weather, at least was kind. It was sunny and once off the start track, sheltered from the cold wind.
Bingley had a good turn-out, taking six age-group placings and scoring 2nd in the womens “top 4 to count”
team placing, with the men 10th in the “top 4 to count” team placing. Not too bad for the men, considering the young ‘un in our team was Paul Mitchell!
First man home was Neil Armitage, M40 Pudsey & Bramley in 31m-05 and first woman Tanya Seager, F40 Stainland in 36m-24 Bingley placings were:
Women – 3rd Sue Becconsall FIRST F50 in 39-05 great run!
145 6th Marisol C-V 43-07
Finished 9th Tamsin Treasure-J 44-53
34th Kate Phillips 53-44
Men 11th Paul Mitchell SECOND M50 34-41 another good result
125 65th Peter Covey FIRST M70 42-53 good to see him running well
finished 66th Peter Ellerton SECOND M65 42-56
90th Bruce Duncan 47-29
93rd Andrew Moore 47-51
98th Dave Barber SECOND M70 49-35
100th John Smithurst FIRST M75 50-10
Race HQ was at the Royal Hotel, Pudsey which sold a lot of excellent pie & peas prior to the presentations.
The YVAA AGM was held immediately after. Next race is at Honley, near Huddersfield on Sunday 30 March, hosted by Holmfirth Harriers.
Report by Peter Ellerton.