Harrogate 10K, Sunday 30th June
Report by Howard Jeffrey
In days of yore, I used to relish doing the Harrogate town centre 10K which was usually on a blistering hot day in early July. Recently, I started to feel like my old self (literally) whilst training and I looked at the calendar to see what races were pending. ‘Harmony’ Harrogate 10k came up and was listed as a challenging, rural event. I saw there looked to be a reasonable number of entries likely to be available on the day and I also saw Phil Robinson had entered and that encouraged me even further to bear this race in mind. The key proviso was how I felt after the parkrun yesterday. My legs felt good both during and after that run, so I entered on the day. A very well organised event, by Harrogate Harriers.
My intention was to start at the back and aim for a steady training run to get under the hour. The start was narrow through the start banner and I moved forward to maybe halfway up the field before the countdown started. It still took me the best part of a minute to get across the timing mat. The first three K’s were along tarmac roads, with plenty of room to start working my way through the field, the latter part, being downhill. The route then followed well trodden paths, undulating through beautiful woodland, with the downs far less challenging than the ups. The sun wasn’t out but it was pretty warm and muggy, so I was glad of the drinks station at 5K which was situated on another long stretch of tarmac road, where they had coned off a carriageway. I went through that marker in about 29.30, so pretty much on schedule. I did catch up someone who I thought might be a rival in the next age category which I shall be entering early next month. There was a splendid long downhill stretch and I thought I would tuck in and then kick past towards the finish. The trouble, was that most of the last two kilometres, is uphill, with a real tough stretch to within 400 metres of the finish. The lack of hill training showed and I lost a bit of ground but I did manage a strong last two furlongs without using the whip. I crossed the line in 56.40ish by my watch.
Eccup 10 next week which might be on the cards.
The race was won by Marcus Valero of Valley Striders in 33.12. First lady, in 19th place was Stella Cross of Wetherby Runners in 40.17.
Fellow Otley AC finishers were: Jack Margerrison, 16th in 39.46, Eddie Lines, 101st in 46.31, Howard Jeffrey, 318th in 55.03, Ali Verney, 339th in 55.40. Phil Robinson in 508th in 1.02.01 (first in AG). All chip times and 740 finished.
Full results at: racebest.com/results.
One thought on “Harrogate 10K, Sunday 30th June”
Harrogate 10k used to be very popular in the past with club members , myself have done it several times . It is good that Howard is coming to a good form , Howard crossed the finish line with a splendid 55.03 and I enjoyed reading his report from Harrogate . Jack M. had a great run , he finished with a fast 39.46 . Eddie L. had a good performance also , he finished with a solid 46.31 . Ali V. had a robust run , he finished with a strong 55.40 . Ex President Phil R. had a super run too , he finished with a superb 1.02 .
Comments are closed.