Fox & Hounds Chase                                5 May 2013

The North Yorks Moors were once more the venue for the latest NFR Champs race on Sunday. And what a fab day, in a lovely location, with a healthy turnout of runners.

The race was typical of the North Yorks Moors races; not too testing, quite fast terrain, lovely scenery and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

There were 12 of us, in a field of 93, and it was good to see Peter Reed returning from his recent back injury and Graham Wilkinson back racing after a year or two away due to health limitations.

The route started uphill to the top of a bit of an escarpment, which turned into about 3 miles or so into a rather too-brisk headwind. There followed a bit of route uncertainty here, with a large number of people dropping down below the escarpment and having to climb back up again, with no-one really knowing whether we were actually supposed to do that! The regular pieces of tape apparent on the rest of the route were decidedly absent here, or we all just missed them, but if we were wrong, then dropping down and climbing back up, and in doing so going further than the correct route, can hardly be classed as gaining an advantage!

The race location was superb, with a circular route showing it off at its best in the glorious Spring sunshine. The return section also had its moments of route doubt, with a few of us ending up clambering through optional hedges and over streams, which tends to slow the momentum somewhat!

The hot sunshine in the valley bottom for the last mile or two was rather draining for the final climb, and demonstrated how much working hard for half an hour into a strong headwind does to your legs!

Unfortunately NFR didn’t bother the prize-giving unduly on this occasion, although a couple of us returned with bottles of wine that I’m sure were at least equally deserved by others that returned empty handed! Susan Davis was 1st LV50 in the results, but I don’t recall that being recognised at the prize-giving. Perhaps I’m just dopey, or maybe the prizes went in 10-year bands, but then Joe Garbarino was 1st V70, but that also didn’t appear to attract a prize. Never mind folks, well done anyway!

I was first home for NFR in 10th, followed not far behind by Steve Minnikin, who in turn had John Tollitt hot on his heels. Paul Appleby was next, followed by Geoff Davis, Paul Hainsworth and Peter Reed. Steph Scott followed Peter as our first lady home, with Susan Davis following her. Graham Wilkinson, Dave Beaumont and Joe Garbarino completed our contingent for the day. We managed 2nd men’s Team and 3rd ladies Team, but both were somewhat adrift of the winners

The full results are on the Esk Valley Running Club website.

Dexter