Beverley AC - RUNNING OUT OF 2023!!

Beverley AC – running towards the end of 2023!

It’s been another busy month for Beverley AC Club members as they head towards the end of a successful 2023 and look forward to the challenges of 2024. With so many choices of events, there is something for everyone and this past month has seen Beverley athletes continue to take on many challenges, producing some great times and PBs and securing several podium finishes. The range of distances and choice of terrain is always inspiring and proves that there is an event for everyone!

Road races included local 10 kms events - Brigg Poppy 10k where Josh Green completed in 00:39:08, Elaine Lang (00:54:24), and Jennifer Hamlyn (00:59:46),  and the Deepdale Dash 10k, where Simon Bishop was the first Beverley runner to finish in 00:40:18, Ben Atkinson (00:46:22), Rosie Greenfield (00:48:05), Caroline Jorna (00:51:05), Lucy Bishop (00:56:44), Allison Hayward (00:58:31), Tim Bourne (00:59:01), Nigel Wilson (01:00:49), Helen Ryan (01:01:35), Kay Farrow (01:01:54 1st V65), Mila Ramos (01:07:45), Hollie Oxtoby (01:18:57), and Chris Gibson (01:19:02).

A good turnout, too, for the Dave McDonald Haltemprice 10k  - Luke Davison (00:36:38 2nd), John Dawson (00:41:27), Gary Walford (00:42:47), Jack Kane (00:42:55), Andrew Johnson (00:43:14), Ben Cowton (00:44:24), Richard Scaife (00:44:41), Brad Freeman (00:45:54), Alan Flint (00:46:46 1st v70), Neil Wright (00:46:59), Lucy Berriman (00:47:05), Sophie Houston (00:47:08), Ken Pearson (00:48:06), Matthew Frampton (00:48:48), Sarah Harris-Smith (00:51:12 1st F45), Joanne Crawford (00:51:26), Matthew Hutchinson (00:52:51), Sharron Hutchinson (00:52:51), Fiona Holland (00:53:20), Jackie Hardman (00:54:38 1st V65), Robert Mayson (00:54:39), Tim Heneghan (00:55:21), Sarah Fell (00:55:35), Jonathan Ewen (00:56:45), Kay Farrow (01:02:00), Carol Cooke(01:08:12), Hollie Oxtoby (01:09:06), Cat Williamson (01:12:27), Julia Peplow (01:16:27), and Frank Harrison (01:30:30).

There were some popular 10 mile events too - Derwentwater 10 miles where Nicola Riley was first Beverley runner home in 01:39:14, Lynne Beer (01:48:23), Alison Benson (01:50:57), Carol Cooke (01:58:48), Christine Whitehouse (02:02:44), Cat Williamson (02:07:50) and the Guy Fawkes 10 miles at Ripley was the race of choice for  Luke Davison (01:04:05), Charlotte Sherman (01:13:54), Joanne Rowland (01:44:16), and Emily Atkinson (02:03:55).

In the Abingdon Marathon Fiona Oakes finished in a time of 04:04:49.

This month has seen some excellent running by our Junior section. Although disappointed that the Northern cross-country relays at Sheffield were cancelled due to the weather, a group of Juniors had a great day out in Weelsby Woods at the Cleethorpes AC open cross-country event. In the U11 girls’ race, Addien took second place, and with Alice and new member Nell were second team overall winning silver medals. In the U11 boys, Sebastian was third, closely followed by Xavier. Indie won the U13 girls’ race, leading from the start while Freddie and Fraser ran in the U13 boys’ race. Jacob was second in the U15 boy’s event. Our U15 girls proved themselves to be pure gold, securing the first team prize, with Millie winning the race, supported by Milla and Hattie (another new member in her first cross country race) Finally, Lily had a good run in the U17 women's race. Their strong performance continued at the West Yorks xc league race at Thornes Park, Wakefield. Star of the day was Lois who won the U15 girls race with an excellent performance, striding away from the rest of the field over a tough two-lap course. We fielded 2 U15 girls’ teams: Lois was joined by Poppy, Millie, Milla, Harriet and Ameerah. Good runs also in the other age groups too: well done to U11 boy Sebastian; our U11 girls team Addien, Evelyn and Grace; Indie who had a great run and was near the front of the field in the U13 girls race; Zach in the U13 boys race, Louis in the U15 boys race, and finally some very good performances from Meisha and Ella in the U17 women's race. Well done all!

There were plenty of off road and trail races for senior members too! The second race of the East Yorkshire Cross Country League took place at Welton when 61 runners donned the Club colours, where in muddy conditions, Rob Sparkes secured the race win, finishing in a time of 38:59. Beverley mens’ team of Rob Sparkes, Dave Whiting, Tom Ramsey, Darren Edge, Dave Morrison and Lee Phipps finished in 2nd place with the ladies’ team of Charlotte Sherman, Sam Allen, Justine Tomlin and Emma Greensmith finished 5th. After 2 races, the mens’ team are in 2nd place with the ladies’ team in 4th place. The next event is in December and takes place at Ravenscar.

In the Kilham Multi-terrain 10k race, Luke Davison was the first Beverley runner to finish in a time of 00:39:47 and 2nd M40, followed by Elliot Hakner (00:42:32), Samantha Allen (00:49:29 2nd V50), Richard Parkin (00:54:34), Maxine Charlton (00:54:51), Paul Allen (00:57:31), Jackie Hardman (00:58:19 1st V65), Anna Ramsden (00:59:05), Patrick McConnell (01:00:46), Jacqueline Edwards (01:01:45 2nd V65), Hollie Oxtoby (01:24:31) and Chris Gibson (01:24:47).

The Lockton Limping fell race, 7 miles and 1148 feet of elevation, saw a win and a new course record set by Rob Sparkes in a time of 49:15 with Roger Tomlin completing in 60:08 and Richard Parkin in 85:24. In the Cop Hill Fell Race 6 miles Andy Johnson was the first Beverley runner home in 00:55:32, followed by Sam Allen (00:57:25 2nd V50), Paul Allen (01:14:48).

Nathan Cobb completed the Hardmoors Goathland marathon (26.7 miles and 3500 feet of elevation) in 5:07:00) while at the Saltergate Gallows fell race (18 miles and 1739 feet of ascent) Richard Parkin completed in 2:25:20. The Langdale Half Marathon saw Billy Pike finish in 01:48:15.

In Scotland in the Taynish trail run (6.7 miles and 900 feet of elevation) Fiona Oakes finished 4th female in 1:13:22 and in France in the Defi de Mont Saint Clair trail race (9 miles and 2000 foot of elevation) Jackie Hardman finished in 1:51:31 and 1st F65.

The Club held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 18th October, at Beverley Cricket Club. Over 75 members attended and were able to enjoy the meeting as well as food and refreshments and reflect on the events and successes of the past year as well as discuss the way forward for 2024. The Club was delighted to announce its nominated charity for 2024 will be the Cherry Tree Community Centre and the final fundraiser for this year’s nominated charity, the East Yorkshire Food Bank, will be the forthcoming Santa Run.

The Beaver Trail celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and the annual run took place on Sunday 19th November where runners, walkers and friends enjoyed this popular local trail. The trail was founded by members of Beverley AC in November 1998 and since then the club has celebrated the route with an annual event by inviting anyone to run or walk their choice of 5, 10, 13 or 15.2 miles route, finishing at Beverley Leisure Centre for refreshments.

Wednesday 13th December will see Father Christmas get festive fit by taking part in the Club’s annual Santa Run, accompanying Club members as they enjoy a socially festive run around Beverley before enjoying festive refreshments back at Beverley Cricket Club. So please look out for us and give us a wave and a festive cheer! The running Santas will also be fundraising for the East Yorkshire Food Bank, the Club’s nominated charity for 2023. Also, as we get into the spirit of Christmas, please look out for our Club’s tree at Beverley Minster’s Christmas Tree Festival! We hope you enjoy it and huge thanks to Laura Egan for organizing us!

Club members have undertaken fund raising through their running throughout the year and well done and congratulations to Paul Furness who completed his Run Every Day in October Challenge, raising £1,170 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

And finally, some important 2024 dates for your diaries. Beverley’s iconic 10kms race takes place on Sunday 12th May 2024 and details of the event and registration will be circulated in the New Year, whilst Walkington 10kms will take place on Friday 12th July 2024. The Club is also hoping to replicate its’ successful Couch25k programme starting in January 2024 and completing in May. This popular running programme takes people from being non-runners to completing their first 5kms event in a few of months of training. Details will be circulated in the New Year.

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.

On behalf of the Club’s Committee and its members, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!