Baker first back for Ripon at Hardmoors
On New Year’s Day the first of the 2016 Hardmoors Grand Slam events took place on the North Yorkshire coastline with the Hardmoors 30. The Grand Slam consists of this and three other events including the 55 in March, the 110 or 160 in April and ending with the 60 in September.
The 30 mile long race has 2,700 feet of ascent and starts in Robin Hoods Bay and follows the cinder track to Whitby before returning via the 199 steps of the abbey to RHB then heads south to Ravenscar. The final 7 mile return northwards includes the steep climb of Boggle Hole. Muddy conditions proved difficult on the Cleveland Way, but Claire Baker still managed 7th lady and 31st out of 213 finishers in 5 hours 4 minutes. In 34th was Matthew Holt in 5:07 with Paul Walker managed 37th in 5:10 followed by Colm O’Cofaigh in 6:17. Jonathon Baker completed the half course of 15 miles in 2 hours 45 minutes.