6miles 1100 ft BM.

A cracking run out this weekend, two plus teams of men and a single self styled freaky lady.

The crisp frosty morning, with air temps read from the car of -1c made a warm up very necessary!

We had taken two car loads down from Tyneside. I had Neil Gammack, Paramjeet Bhogal (NFR form in post), James G and NFR new boy Shaun Harris, Lawrence J had his “cousin” Dave Johnson and Marie Drozdowicz resplendent in her new Purple and Green vest!

Chris Eggett, had come down with his wife and daughter, and parkrun buddy Kevin Lister (NE vets) was down on his own. Dave Beaumont and Phil Sanderson were also there.

So the race..

It’s an uphill start for about a 400ft then it levels out.. but the damage was done by then, lactic poisoning had sent in.

The main climb up the Cleveland way was a huge bottle neck, I followed Cameron, Joe Johnson and a couple other Esk valley runners up to the top of the first climb via an alternative route.

Phil was quickly out the front with Cameron Taylor (Esk valley), the twenty odd years separating them was certainly not noticeable, as they vanished into the distance.

I settled into a pace that kept me just behind Clive Thornton of Esk valley and Martin Clements of North York Moors, they have been my guide pacers for this year’s winter series.

The pull up to Round Hill, the highest point of the NYM was over good track and allowed a fast pace.

A quick touch of the trig point then back down over the moors, fantastic wintery views of the Wainstones ahead.

The support was notable over the course, with lots of walkers and helpers cheering us on. The turn down into the woods was a pleasantly peaty relief and the loup over the gate was taken at full tilt, al la steeplechase!

I paid the price further down, going my length on some clarty pine needles after managing to stay upright over all the icy ground. Lovely purple leg to match the vest. Shaun put it politely with the difficultly of keep apex over base a real problem: Dave, Marie, Param and James all going BOA as well.

The brilliant fast downhill to the finish at the gate had Clive, Myself and Steven Watson of Pickering going absolutely flat out, with Steven just edging us out in the final 10 yards. Thanks to Clive for the belt round.

So the nitty gritty, Phil S finished a finger in front of Cameron, very nearly beating the course record in the process! Third was Alex Brazier of Ampleford

I was in next for NFR in 35th place, very closely followed by Lawrence in 39th place, then Kevin, Paramjeet, Chris, DJ, Shaun, Marie, Neil, James and Dave B. ( Marie was first in her age group).

The ladies race was won by Fiona Blackett of DFR in 19th place, Kath Rawnsley (Scarborough) in 2nd and Jenny Guard (Leeds City) in 3rd.

DFR won the men’s team prize, with Ian McGrath leading them home in 4th. NFR A was 5th team and NFR B was 12th full team.

Pickering had the womens team prize.

A splendid race, well organised by Dave.

Results on Esk Valley website

Phil Green