Hardmoors 110 & 160
Three Ripon Runner members took on the ultra marathon challenge of the Hardmoors 110 and 160 mile races over the weekend.
The 160 mile event started at Sutton Bank on Friday evening and headed East for 60 miles to the Yorkshire coast where it met the Cleveland Way and followed the 110 mile route. Paul Walker was looking good at the start but a knee and ankle injury worsened and after 80 miles took the correct but difficult decision to retire at Whitby.
Colm O’Cofaigh and Matthew Holt commenced their 110 mile race on the Saturday morning at Filey Brigg. Sunny blue skies were a welcome sight and the wintery weather of the week before disappeared. The first 50 miles headed north along the coastline taking in Scarborough, Whitby, Runswick Bay and Saltburn before turning West over the North Yorks moors to Osmotherley and finally Helmsley.
An essential part for most runners is their support crews, and Matthew was lucky to have RR members along the route for the entire distance. Jonathan Baker provided non stop support throughout with Claire Baker running 85 miles of the race with Matthew. Wife Jill also ran 26 miles, while brother in law Dave Allen also walked 25 miles towards the end, as well as supporting at check points. Colm was also well supported by his wife and also Tony White, Heather Glegg and John Bull.
Matthew finished in 32 hours 30 minutes with Colm also comfortably inside the 36 hour cut off in 33 hours 30 minutes.
(PS – PERSONAL NOTE – THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP, SUPPORT, SPONSORSHIP, AND……. ER WELL EVERYTHING REALLY, MUCH APPRECIATED. Matt)