KEZIAH Paxton demonstrated her Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers' credentials in running by finishing an excellent fifth in the ladies' race in the recent NYSD cross-country fixture at Upsall Hall Country Park.
A beautiful morning saw runners tackling the challenging course which had hills, grass and plenty of mud.
Angharad Owen of Loftus and Whitby won the race in 24.02, with the first five runners all within a minute of that, and 15-year-old Keziah's t
ime was 24.55.
Angela Hall continued her usual strong form to come 12th in 27.27, Pat Kirby 35th in 31.27 and Pam Sherlock 52nd in 41.49. Overall, the team finished third.
The men's race, over twice the distance, was won by Lewis Rogers of Loftus and Whitby in 36.03, with Gary Dunn second in 36.09, Richard Hall 15th in 38.40, Phil Utley 18th in 39.53, Gavin Coventry 38th in 43.21, Brett Edgeworth 42nd in 43.33, Ken Evitt 74th in 49.13, Ernie Huck 82nd in 51.57 and Phillip Craig 96th in 73.26.
The men's team was fifth overall.
This was the final race in the Club Championship series, and presentations will be held at the annual Christmas Dinner.
The following weekend saw several inches of snow at Thirsk and this perhaps deterred members from entering the Clay Bank West Fell Race, as the evergreen Ernie Huck was the only club participant!
Snow had its effect on the course and with slippery exposed rocks resulted in slower times than usual.
Will Horsley of NFR was the winner in 31.36, with Ernie 51st out of 73 runners in 47.12.
SWALEDALE RUNNER Chris Jameson was 35th at the Guisborough Three Tops fell run in 82.33.
He was followed by Jacqui Keavney who was sixth lady and second in her age group in 87.13.
Tracy Hunter, despite falling, was fifth in her age group in 99.37.
Chris and Tracy were back in action at the Wensleydale Wedge a week later, a 23 mile off-road challenge event for runners and walkers.
Chris finished well up in the field in 3.37, while Tracy Hunter was second equal among the ladies in 4.05, not far behind international ultra-distance runner Sharon Gaytor. Liz Sowter enjoyed running on home territory and finished right on target in 4.29.
