Team Manager Jo Buckley gathered 3 ladies teams together for the annual trip to Graves Park, Sheffield, including 3 new to the event – Caroline & Phoebe Francis and new member Nicola Jones. Phoebe has been running for Bingley on the Track, and mum Caroline was also keen to run. Nicola has a strong swimming background and has done well this year in some triathlons and is now exploring competitive running. The others were Jo Buckley (of course), Lesley Watson, Sue Becconsall, Marisol del Carerra Vivar, Sarah Dewhirst, and Becky Weight.
Jo & Lesley had daughters running in the earlier Junior races. Sarah had come over from her Sheffield base with the University team (of which she is the captain!); as Jo had entered Sarah first she happily ran for Bingley while busily sorting her university team at the same time – thanks Sarah. Nicola threw herself in at the deep end offering to drive and ending up with a car full, and competing in her first cross country and Bingley team event. Marisol took some timeout for herself – but with half a mind on daughter Amy’s ballet and cricket activities for the day. Becky enjoyed a real treat with Nicola driving and Jo organising the teams – just turn up and run.
At Graves Park the tail end of Storm Brian was blowing strongly, bringing occasional spatterings of rain. The tent (thanks to Martin Peace and others who set it up in the morning, shame about the Charlton result) was sheltered behind some trees and shrubs but still fighting to stay upright so we pegged the base more securely and put some extra guy ropes on. It really makes a difference having the tent to retreat to.
Once everyone had arrived – we had a warm up trot around to see the start and handover pens, and get a feel for some of the 2 mile course and hills. Underfoot was soft and a little muddy in places but I have seen it worse. The U15 races were on the go so we could see some racing action.
Jo decided to make the teams roughly even which meant we ran ‘together’ for most of the race. I could see Sarah most of the way round on Leg 2 and did my best to make some ground up on her, before she pulled away towards the end. There were 56 full teams running and over 30 clubs represented and the Blue & White hoops were well in the mix :
30 Bingley Harriers & Ac ‘C’ 43:51
Lesley Watson (38) 14:15 Nicola Jones (38) 15:33 Jo Buckley (30) 14:03
38 Bingley Harriers & Ac ‘A’ 45:52
Phoebe Francis (42) 14:38 Sarah Dewhirst (42) 15:36 M Carreravivar (38) 15:38
42 Bingley Harriers & Ac ‘B’ 47:28
Sue Becconsall (47) 14:48 Rebecca Weight (44) 15:49 Caroline Francis (42) 16:51
The winning teams were Lincoln Wellington (37.23), Birtley AC (37.25) and Sale Harriers (37.42). Running into a strong wind, especially at the start and finish, slowed times from last year – especially as the main places (hills!) where the wind may have helped were sheltered by the woods!
Our U17 ladies (Emily, Eliza and Katie, 2.3km) had a great runs to get 9th place with Emily 11th fastest.
9 Bingley Harriers & Ac 29:04
Emily Field (6) 8:44 Eliza Findlay (8) 9:40 Katie Smith (9) 10:40
There will be separate reports on the Junior races but I like to include the older juniors alongside the ladies as they start to join some senior events at 16+.
Senior ladies in action :
Left to right : Sarah, Becky, Nicola,
Sue, and the group – Phoebe, Marisol, Becky, Jo, Nicola, Caroline
Lesley (middle – bottom row)
Our U17 girls in action :
Emily Field, Eliza Findlay, Katie Smith (group picture at finish)
Photos mostly by D Woodhead 21.10.17 and a few by Becky Weight.