Beverley AC – racing ready, racing strong!

It has been another month of great racing and some incredible personal challenges have been achieved for many of our runners, whether on the flatter road races or the hills that come with fell and trail running.

In the Boston UK marathon, Patrick Marshall completed in a time of 3:54:14 followed by Neil Bant in a PB time of 3:57:24 and Martin Green in 4:03:33. In Manchester, Rachel Cope completed the marathon in an impressive time of 3:32:46 whilst in Paris, this iconic marathon was completed by Martin Hall in a time of 4:19:56.

The half marathon distance was the race of choice for some members. At the London Landmarks half marathon, Elaine Julien finished in 2:24:40, Nicola Riley in 2:24:42 and Usha Chapman in 2:36:30. Somewhat further afield, Lucas Meagor completed the Canberra half marathon in 1:52:00.

Off the roads, the trails and fells attracted several members. The Heartbeat Hobble, an 11 kms fell race on the North Yorkshire Moors saw Andy Johnson and Rob Sparkes compete, with Rob finishing as the race winner and smashing the course record.

The North Yorkshire Moors was also the venue for the Blakey Blitz, an 11 mile fell race that saw Rob Sparkes finish in 1:15:35.                                                                           

In Northumberland, the Allendale Challenge, a 26-mile trail was the challenge of choice for Laura Emms, who completed the hilly course in a time of 6:21:24.

38 Beverley AC runners took part in the Ali Clark Memorial 10 kms race at South Dalton on the Dalton Estate, with 4 runners completing the race in under 40 minutes. James Johnson was the race winner in a time of 34:29 while Luke Davison was the 2nd Beverley runner home in 36:50 and Ben Patel was 4th Beverley runner to cross the finish line in 38:22. In the women’s race, Demi Lidster came in 2nd in 39:01. Beverley produced some strong performances in the age categories with several top 3 places. Ken Pearson was 3rd MV60+ in a time of 48:34, Sharron Hutchison was 3rd FV50 in 53:23, and Jo Dewar was 2nd FV60+ in 56:20.

The Club also helped crack open the champagne with many members taking part in the first 3 races of the prestigious Champagne League, a series of 10 local cross country races taking place from March until July. The series is organized by City of Hull AC with local clubs invited to take part in racing at venues located throughout the East Riding. The first race of the League was held at South Cave, and the second on Beverley Westwood and the 3rd at Elloughton Dale.

Beverley AC Juniors continue to go from strength to strength and were well represented at the first track and field meeting of the year in wet and windy conditions at Grimsby. A really good turnout, lots of effort and some good PBs along with some taking part in these events for the first time. On the track, Xavier, Seb and Addien ran in the U11 70m sprint, Willow in the U13 80m, Jacob in the U15 80m, Freddie and Willow in the U13 150m, Harriet, Orlaith, Milla and Lorna in the U15 150m and Corey and Meisha in the U17 100m. At longer distances were Meisha in the U17 300m, and then a whole set of 600m races - Xavier, Seb and Addien in the U11, Freddie, Zach S and Willow in the U13 with Jacob, Lois, Poppy, Milla, Lorna, Harriet, Ameerah and Orlaith competing in the U15. In the field events, Addien and Seb took part in the Vortex throw, brothers Freddie and Jacob in the shot put and finally Xavier and Zach in the long jump. Well done to everyone who took part - a great start to the track season and a good base to build on for the next event at Costello!

Beverley’s iconic 10kms race takes place Sunday 14th May 2023. The race is now sold out but places for the fun run are still available and can be booked via the Club’s website. Walkington 10kms will take place on Friday 14th July 2023, and places are available and can be booked online, again via the website.

New members, whatever your age and fitness level, are always welcome and further details about the membership and what the Club has to offer to its members can be found on the Club’s website: www.beverleyathleticclub.co.uk.