The first weekend in September saw the first physically distanced race for members of the newly-formed Hambleton Athletics and Running Club.
A number of runners from the Bedale-based club made the trip over to a very wet Keswick and tried trail running around Derwentwater – some for the first time.
There were a number of impressive performances, notably Gemma Birtles completing a gruelling Derwentwater Sport Trail 5k in 42:12 placing her 40th in a field of only 61 finishers.
To give this achievement some context, head coach Chris Lees admitted it was the toughest 5K he had ever run.
Having paced Gemma round, he then went on to complete the Dewentwater Trail Race 15k in 1:28:46 contending with nearly 4km of continuous climb and knee-deep bogs.
The Dewentwater Trail Challenge 15k brought home Lucy Owens 1:39:34, Sophie Owens 1:59:40, Kay Kelly 2:06:15 and Alasdair McWilliam 2:31:23, who had also marshalled the 5k route in the morning.
Chairman Toby Ellis and Nell Ellis provided much needed support and encouragement along the way for the intrepid runners.
The team really did make a weekend of it, despite horrendous weather conditions.
Sunday saw the newly converted trail runners paddle boarding and canoeing.
After all the hail and rain encountered the day before, they really couldn’t get any wetter.
All-in-all, the event was well organised, Covid-19 safe and an enjoyable experience.
HARC runners are already signed up for their next race in the Lakeland Series on October 4 at Coniston.
If you’d like more information about what HARC can offer in terms of coaching, running and athletics, visit their website http://harc.uk/ for further details and contact information.
Be the first to comment