Thirsk 10 Mile Northen Athletics Championships
Thirsk 10 Mile Road Race
SUNDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2009.
On a wet Sunday morning at the end of November the race course at Thirsk took on a colourful appearance, as over 1200 runners crossed the course to make their way to the start. This was the 2nd year that Northern Athletics have utilised this race for their 10 mile championship, and as the number have increased, so the times have decreased.
In the men’s race, the male dominant force in championship road races, Leeds City, won the Northern Athletics individual and team medals, with
David Webb winning in 49.32. Just 22 seconds behind came Longwood’s Andrew Pearson, and Salford’s Thomas Abyu third man, just 1 second over the 50 minutes. In the team event Leeds City’s other 2 counters were Mike Burrett, 8th and Paul Merchant 9th. Silver medals went to the well packed threesome from Bingley, Stuart Macdonald 14th,54.29, Steve Broadbent 15th 54.34, and John Convery 16th in 54.39. The bronze medals team award was won by Trafford, with Tim Edgerton 13th, 54.24, Thomas Charles 18th 54.51, and Jeff Priest 26th 56.41. Trafford were only just ahead of 4th placed North Yorkshire Moors A.C.
In the women Sarah Jarvis, Bingley won the individual Northern Athletics Gold medal with a time of 58.27. In 2nd place, racing her first 10 mile race for 10 years, and doing a P.B. was Chester Le Street’s Claire Simpson 59.10, with Rotherham’s Jenny Blizard, just squeezing under the magic hour with 59.47, and winning the bronze medal.
The women’s teams gold medal went to Holmfirth, Claire Leaver, 16th, 63.41, Helen Berry 18th 65.38 and Dawn Broom, 20th 66.00. Silver was won by Otley A.C., Josie Hodgetts, 6th 60.50, Racheal Bamford, 25th 67.28, and Karen Best 69.11. The bronze team medal went to Abbey Runners with Allison Skillicorn 23rd 66.39, Kate Bell 30th 68.55 and Sharon Williams, 43rd 70.52.
The last Northern Athletics road championship event for 2009 is the 10K distance, and this will be incorporated in the Ribble Valley race on Sunday 27th December at Clitheroe.
Above photo Sarah Jarvis with Northern Athletics President John Driscoll Results
Report Ken Smith
Photos Eileen Smith
Winning Leeds City team of David webb, Mike Burrett, and Paul Merchant with Northern Athletics President John Driscoll
Claire Simpson 2nd lady