ON Tuesday evening, 464 runners, watched by a curious herd of cattle, stood poised on the start line of Pocklington 10k, the second race in the York & District Road Race League.
The course is an out and back. The first half being largely uphill as runners climb the scarp slope of the Wolds then at the halfway turnaround they can enjoy careering back down, shouting encouragement to those still struggling with the steep gradients.
This, together, with the excellent marshals gives this race a great atmosphere with everyone feeling well supported.
The weather was set fair for the start but the dark, threatening clouds drenched runners with a mix of rain and hail part way in. At least overheating wasn’t a problem!
First and second places were the same as Tadcaster with Dom Carter (York Postal) maintaining his supremacy by storming across the line in 32 minutes 59 seconds, establishing a new course record 8 seconds ahead of his time last year.
James Wisbey (City of York) once again took silver with his time of 34:47. Matthew Lunn (York Knavesmire) took bronze in 35:15.
Charlotte Bush (York Acorn) once again took the top female spot sprinting home in 38:42.
Kate Thompson (York Knavesmire) took silver in 39:20, also 1st F35 and 4 minutes ahead of 2nd F35. Rose Mather (York Knavesmire) once again took bronze place with her time of 39:38.
Elizabeth Nairn (Selby Striders) achieved top place for the F40s with her time of 42:03, over 5 minutes ahead of her nearest rival in this category.
Chrissie Dover (City of York) was again unrivalled in the F45 category finishing in 40:25, placing her an impressive 6th overall.
Julie Lawn (York Acorn) in 45:50 took the top spot for the F50s and Julie Mastrolonardo (City of York) maintained her dominance in the F55 category clocking 47:19.
Anita Ruddock (York Knavesmire) also maintained her top spot in the F60 category crossing the line in 49:42 and Gill Boynton (York Acorn) kept her gold position in the F65 category with her time of 51:43.
It was a change of name for the F70s with Sally-Annea Lardner (Easingwold) winning top place in 66:13.
It was a change of position for the top two M35s. At Tadcaster, Tim Pattison (City of York) was 2 seconds ahead of Paul Anderson (Pocklington).
In their second exciting battle for the finish Anderson reigned supreme in 36:12 only 25 seconds ahead of Pattison. Two to watch at Easingwold.
The 1st M40 was Luke Davison (Pocklington) in 36:41 only 13 seconds ahead of rival Adrian Stipetic (York Knavesmire) and Stephen Walker (Tadcaster) was 1st M45 in 36:59, just 6 seconds ahead of Charlie Goodwin (York Knavesmire).
Dave Smithers (York Knavesmire) once again demonstrated his dominance of the M50s with a remarkable time of 35:55 placing him 6th overall.
Matthew Smithson (York Acorn) was again 1st M55 in 39:30 but had to work hard to maintain his lead over Jason Fielding (York Knavesmire) only 6 seconds behind.
The 1st M60 was Glen Johnson (Tadcaster) in 41:03, 3 minutes ahead of 2nd in category.
Neil Strange (Haxby) was once again 1st M65 with his time of 44:24. Paul Robinson (Pickering) also maintained his top placing in the M70 category clocking 50:46 as did 1st M80, David I’Anson (York Knavesmire) who crossed the finish line in 67:42.
Both male and female top team places go to York Knavesmire with York Acorn bagging silver for the ladies and Pocklington taking silver for the men.
Next up is the third race in the series, the Easingwold 10k on Tuesday, May 26.
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