Hardmoors 30 & 15
Report by Claire Baker
Hardmoors offer two races on NYD; the 30 and the 15. The Hardmoors 30 is a circular route following the old railway lines north between Robin Hoods Bay and Whitby before heading southwards along the Cleveland Way to Robin Hoods Bay and then rejoining the old Railway lines passing through Ravenscar along the way to Hayburn Wyke. Leaving Hayburn Wyke the route heads northwards along the Cleveland Way back to Robin Hood’s Bay with a slight sting in the tail for the last hundred or so metres.
The Hardmoors 15 is also a circular route following the cinder track to Whitby, through the town and then returning to Robin Hoods Bay on the Cleveland Way.
The conditions for the races were almost perfect on Wednesday with clear skies and for the first time ever minimal mud on the Cleveland Way (This is the 6th time I have run one of these races and I have never seen the Cleveland Way so dry). Both races are very popular and always have a large entry field.
There were two Ripon Runners on the start line of the 30 with Christy Irish being first back in a time of 6 hours 23 minutes to claim 94th place overall. Tony Carr also completed the race in 7 hours 53 minutes.
The 15 attracted six Ripon Runners to the start line. Lenny Lennox was first back for the club in a very impressive 2 hours 7 minutes and finishing 7th overall. Michael Hernandez was hot on his heels and finished in 2 hours 10 minutes to claim 9th place. Next back was Claire Baker (and Wilma the dog doing her first ever race) in 2 hours 15 minutes, finishing 15th overall and 3rd lady although in new Hardmoors rules anyone running with a dog can no longer be eligible for a trophy so this was passed to the next lady finisher. Helen Cox ran a great race to finish in 2 hours 35 minutes after overcoming a recent knee injury and Karen Lennox and Fiona Hernandez crossed the line together in a very respectable 3 hours 36 minutes.