2018 Yorkshire Cross Country Championships - Lightwater Valley
The club enjoyed an excellent day’s racing at this annual event in which 600 runners competed over 10 individual age group races. It was the qualifier for those seeking to represent Yorkshire. As such, the running standard at the front end of each race was very high. That said, there was a full and friendly mix of all running abilities and ages thanks to over 40 running clubs attending. Typical of cross country matches, the races were well organised, undulating grass courses located in the heart of the theme park. Each race was a multi-lap course which included a steep muddy bank, sharp turns, some lumpy sections and an open (but very muddy) finish straight. It provided ideal viewing and entertainment for the many spectators, including lots of Ripon Runner’s supporters and their families – who were very much appreciated.
Ripon Runners Juniors competed across 5 of the 8 age groups. Congratulations to Mena Scatchard who finished 4th in her age group, qualifying for the Yorkshire Inter-County Team Championships, which takes place in Loughborough in March.
Here are the junior’s results:
U13 Girls, 2,550 m
Marnie Scatchard, 19th, 10.41
Emma Ibbotson, 47th, 11.00
Lucy-Mae Musgrave, 79th, 13.00
Katie Ratcliffe, 85th, 14.52
U13 Boys, 2,550 m
Archie Bordewich, 15th, 9.27
Jake Phythian-Lee, 64th, 10.35
U15 Girls, 3,900 m
Mena Scatchard, 4th, 15.13
Molly Acton, 33rd, 17.08
Millie Lock, 45th, 18.10
U15 Boys, 4,450 m
Ben Rickard, 52nd, 17.54
Fred Cooper, 65th, 20.47
U17 Women, 4,450 m
Phoebe Hall, 21st, 19.09
Libby Rickard, 27th, 20.17
For the Senior Women’s race (8,250 m), both Kari Munro and Suzanne Rickard did a fantastic job for the club. Kari experienced her first attempt at cross country racing.
Kari Munro, 63rd, 38.02
Suzanne Rickard, 92nd, 42.50
The Senior Men’s race (10,320 m) was the last of the day and faced 5 gruelling laps, each including the slippery mud ‘wall’. At the gun, our 11-man team was led out by Richard Watson and Trevor Bosomworth. We experienced the fiery opening sprint to clear the first couple of sweeping turns, shoulder to shoulder. The field was well packed and it wasn’t until around 1 km before it began to spread a little and runners were able to choose their own line. Richard maintained his race enthusiasm to expand his team lead and finished well up in the field – an impressive performance considering his recent comeback and this being his first race for a few years. The team suffered just one set back when John Chatwin reluctantly retired mid-race, thankfully without injury. ‘Run of the day’ went to Mark Ryder who demonstrated a perfect race plan – keeping his cool from the off, he bridged up to his various team mates ahead; carefully spending his energy and relishing the hills to make good gains, finishing 2nd for Ripon Runners. ‘Sprint finish of the day’ went to Joe Lofthouse with a fierce and unmatchable effort in the last 150 m. Neil Dring also enjoyed his first cross country event, but only after taking his weekly parkrun fix the same morning! All the hard work delivered 13th team overall, ahead of local rivals Harrogate Harriers and Wetherby Runners.
Senior Men’s results:
Richard Watson, 63rd, 40.35
Mark Ryder, 101st, 42.20
Lee Stanley, 108th, 42.41
Joe Lofthouse, 114th, 42.54
Simon Cave, 115th, 42.56
Derek McCreadie, 122nd, 43.31
Trevor Bosomworth, 149th, 44.54
James Boddy, 149th, 45.36
Trevor Schofield, 198th, 48.43
Neil Dring, 228th, 52.35
John Chatwin DNF
Also: Ben Pease ran for Swansea Harriers and achieved an excellent result, 15th, 36.21.
Link to full Yorkshire Champs results:
www.northernathletics.org.uk/2018-results-index/
Link here to Sarah Swinscoe’s flickr photo page:
www.flickr.com/photos/40676433@N07/