running Archives - Page 3 of 6

Harrogate runners win Knaresborough’s big raceKnaresborough and Bishop Monkton gear up for running eventsHarrogate 10k set for biggest entry everTips I wish I’d known before my first marathon, according to Yorkshire runners

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You may have entered your first marathon this year, and no matter how much you prepare beforehand, it’s nearly impossible to anticipate exactly what will happen on the day.

There are many runs taking place across Yorkshire and beyond this year, and there’s a fair chance a great many newcomers have chosen one to be their first official event.

In 2023, over 10,000 people took part in the Rob Burrow Leeds marathon with this year’s event set to be even larger. Then there’s the London marathon, which is taking place on April 21, and attracts around 48,000 runners from all over the globe.

26.2 miles is a daunting distance, but the challenge can be part of the enjoyment – take it from these marathon veterans, who have come together to share their first-hand advice and knowledge.

‘Plan your fluid intake properly – and find a running buddy’

The piece of advice I’d would give anyone starting their marathon journey would be find a friend to run with.

Not only does it become a social thing, but when you make a commitment to go for a run with someone you always go, whatever the weather, and don’t make an excuse to stay in. That’s by far the best way to make sure you do your training miles.

And on the day of the race, plan your fluid – and food or gel – intake. I didn’t, it was the one thing I didn’t prepare properly. So, late in the run I drank too much, including an isotonic drink, that I then threw back up!

Dave, 61, Nun Monkton.

‘Training can be lonely and long’

The main thing I wish I’d known was how the training would be. It can be lonely and long – it’s very hard and it’s a serious commitment.

But crossing the finish line with my daughter negated all the hard work. I was just so proud of her, and to share the experience together.

Simon, 59, Harrogate.

‘Check the route to work out the difficult parts’

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I ran the Manchester marathon in 2017 and really wish I checked the route in more detail. I actually ran on the day without earphones because it said there would be crowds and didn’t recommend them.

The route went out of Manchester city centre so on the 20 – 21st mile or so there was a long stretch of running by fields with no spectators, water stops or people handing out sweets and I was pretty close to stopping because I was tired and lacked motivation.

If I checked the route, I would have probably known this would be the most difficult part. I also wish I’d done longer training runs – the extra 10 miles on the day was killer.

Nick, 28, Leeds.

‘The support of fellow runners and the crowd is the best motivation’

There’s a special energy on event days, and everyone gets behind the runners which is the best motivation to keep going.

It’s hard to explain how much it actually helps though, you really have to experience it. Whether it’s a runner giving you words of encouragement or the crowd cheering you on, it can be the difference between pushing on or stopping.

Lydia, 44, Ripon.

‘Invest in a quality set of headphones that will last the whole run’

I wish I’d known to invest in a pair of wireless headphones that had a longer battery life, as mine died around mile 19 or 20.

For me, this was the stage of the marathon where I was really struggling and only being able to hear shoes pounding the floor and my heavy breathing was even more mind-numbing.

Tom, 22, York.

‘You have to sacrifice a lot of hours but completing it makes every second worth it’

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No amount of training can truly prepare you for how challenging a marathon is. Every inch of your body will tell you to stop, but knowing you can overcome that is pretty monumental.

It’s a real commitment and you have to be prepared to sacrifice a lot of hours to train. But, ultimately, it’s an endurance sport – it’s not meant to be easy – and knowing you’ve completed it makes every second of training worth it.

Also if possible, do the marathon with someone else. Training can get lonely and it’s hard to keep only yourself motivated. I wouldn’t have even signed up for a marathon if it wasn’t for my dad, let alone have crossed the finish line without him running it by my side.

Flora, 24, Harrogate.

‘My friend said marathons were addictive, and she was right’

I wish I’d known that my experienced runner friend Kate was right, and that running marathons is addictive, when I said I was only going to do one.

Now 14 marathons later I realise how important that was. Although you have to train hard and running 26 miles is a long way, just finishing one gives you a real sense of achievement and the pain is quickly forgotten.

Nev, 60, North Yorkshire.

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Nearly 1,000 people to see out 2023 in Ripon Runners 10k

About 900 people will see out the year by taking part in Ripon Runners‘ Jolly Holly Jog 10k tomorrow.

The event, which is being held for the 35th time, is the club’s biggest of the year.

Usually held on a Sunday between Christmas and New Year, it attracts a mixture of seasoned club athletes and casual joggers.

Race director Anneke Imeson said:

“Whether you’re aiming for a personal best or just want to have a scenic jog out, it’s a fab time of year to run off the Christmas excess and prepare for the forthcoming New Year festivities.

“We’re extremely lucky as a club to have the support of the National Trust who are delighted every year to welcome so many runners to run around their stunning deer park as part of our 10k course.”

Starting at Hell Wath Nature Reserve, runners complete a multi-terrain loop through Mackershaw Woods and Studley Royal Deer Park, passing Monty’s bench, which is named in memory of Ripon Runners’ club co-founder and former club president. They then return via Mackershaw with a short section through Hell Wath woods, before approaching the finish line.

The race fills up fast and this year’s 925 capacity has been reached.

The event raises funds for Upper Nidderdale Food Bank, which is based at St Cuthberts’ Church in Pateley Bridge and entrants are offered the chance to plant a tree. Over 400 saplings were planted last year.

Ripon Runners, which was founded in 1985, hosts various races throughout the year including the Burn Valley Half Marathon, which is a road event in Masham, the Ripon 10 Mile around Studley’s seven bridges, The Round Ripon Ultra, which is a 35-mile solo or team event and the festive Jolly Holly Jog 10k.

Ms Imeson said:

“We’re especially pleased this year as in May we sadly had to cancel our Ripon 10 event which had struggled to get back to regular race numbers post-covid. Many local races suffered and those that did go ahead saw significantly reduced numbers with increased expenses. That said it’s fantastic to see such a high entry this Christmas.

“Without such a positive response from Ripon Runners who step up to marshal, such a hugely successful race would not be possible, so huge kudos to our own club members.”

Harrogate athlete Cal Mills wins at Yorkshire Marathon Festival

Elite Harrogate runner Cal Mills won the 10-mile race at yesterday’s Yorkshire Marathon Festival in a blistering 50 minutes and 18 seconds.

Over 10,000 people took part in the festival, which was part of the Run For All series of events established by Leeds fundraiser Jane Tomlinson. The series has now raised more than £10 million.

Cal, 23, led more than 2,500 entrants home in the 10-mile competition, finishing nine seconds ahead of second place and just three seconds off the course record.

He is no stranger to winning big races, having finished first at the Brighton half marathon in February.

Cal takes the winner’s spot in the middle of the podium.

Yesterday’s event, which took place in and around York, marked the 10th anniversary of the Yorkshire Marathon Festival. It featured a marathon, marathon relay and 10-mile races.

Serious runners were joined by fun runners and famous faces, including British rugby league coach and former professional player Jamie Jones Buchanan and comedians Rob Deering and Paul Tonkinson.

Harvey Gration, son of late BBC Yorkshire broadcaster Harry Gration, started the marathon and then took part in the 26.2-mile marathon.

The fastest male in the marathon was Joe Sagar in 2:24:10 and the first woman home was Melissah Gibson who clocked 02:40:41.

Mike Tomlinson, chief executive of not-for-profit events company Run For All, said it was “a truly spectacular day and an amazing atmosphere from start to finish”.

Knaresborough Crag Rat Run set to return

Up to 300 people will experience the beauty of Knaresborough on foot in a fortnight’s time in the town’s biggest running event of the year.

Knaresborough Crag Rat Run has been staged annually since 2016 by Knaresborough Striders.

The event is suitable for all abilities and attracts a combination of serious club runners and people who just enjoy the challenge of completing the five-mile course.

The mixed terrain route starts at Knaresborough Cricket Club at 11am on Sunday, September 24 and includes sections on tarmac, woodland and the town’s crags. No road closures are required.

Tom Calvert, who won the race last year.

The course takes in some of the finest parts of Knaresborough, including Birkham Woods, Abbey Road and back along the crag top back to the cricket club.

Guy Close, chairman of Knaresborough Striders, said:

“In my view it has to be one of the best local races around. It’s family-friendly, suitable for all running abilities and cheap as chips to enter!

“Runners will also get the benefit of being cheered on by a fantastic group of Knaresborough Striders who are hosting the event.”

Tea, coffee and cakes will be served for cash donations. All money raised will go to local charities.

Further details, including how to enter, are available here.

Olympic champion to present prizes at Sunday’s Harrogate 10K

About a thousand runners will take part in the Harrogate 10K on Sunday.

The event, organised by running club Harrogate Harriers, starts and finishes at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Club on Hookstone Road.

Olympic triathlon champion Jonny Brownlee will present medals to the winners of the adult races, which starts at 10am.

The adult event will be preceded by a fun run for children, which includes a 1.3 km route for children in school years 2-5 will and a 2.5 km course for those in years 6-9.

The event, sponsored again by Knaresborough renewable energy firm Harmony Energy, takes runners on around Crimple Valley, finishing with the notorious Crimple killer last uphill kilometre.

A total of 486 adults and 70 children took part last year. This year, more than 800 adults have already registered.

However, local running star Cal Mills, who set a men’s record of 33 minutes and 13 seconds last year, won’t be defending his title.

Cal Mills (green vest) on his way to victory last year.

The women’s race last year saw Emily Gibbins, of Ilkley Harriers, destroy the female record by more than four minutes in a winning time of 38 minutes and 15 seconds.

Entry for the 10k race can be done here https://racebest.com/races/375cy

Online entries, which can be booked here, close at 10am tomorrow. If places remain, you can enter on the day.

Harrogate man beats 10,000 runners to win Brighton half marathon

A Harrogate man who only took up running three years ago beat nearly 10,000 runners to win the Brighton half marathon on Sunday.

Cal Mills, 22, completed the 13.1-mile course in one hour, six minutes and 37 seconds, which was faster than the world record time until 1965, when Britain’s Ron Hill ran one hour, five minutes and 44 seconds.

Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo’s current world record is 57 minutes and 31 seconds and Mo Farah’s British record for the distance is 59 minutes and 32 seconds.

What’s even more remarkable is that former Harrogate Grammar School student Cal only started running at the age of 19 and is virtually unknown in the sport.

He won his first event, the Guy Fawkes 10k organised by Nidd Valley Road Runners, in 2021 and followed that up by winning the Harrogate 10k last year.

Leading the field in last year’s Harrogate 10k.

After finishing 10th in this year’s Manchester half marathon, he turned up in Brighton hoping for a decent time and ended up smoking everyone, being cheered to victory by thousands of people on his way to the finish line. He said:

“It’s absolutely mad. It was the craziest atmosphere I have ever run in. I have never felt like that before when I crossed the line.”

Cal, who is in his final year studying history at the University of Leeds and runs for Leeds City Athletic Club, wasn’t into running at school and only got into the sport seriously during lockdown.

In the space of three years he has gone from Stray jogger to elite distance runner. The Brighton half marathon, which was being held for the 33rd time, is a major event on the British road running circuit.

Celebrating in Brighton on Sunday

Cal’s next event will be the London marathon in April and despite his achievements he isn’t putting any pressure on himself.

“It’s been a surreal journey. Nobody knew my name at Brighton. If I had started when I was younger, who knows where I could have taken it.

“But I just want to enjoy it. If I end up being a high standard club runner that’s fine by me.”

Rudding Park 10k race to return in spring

Rudding Park‘s 10k multi-terrain trail race is to return in May after a successful inaugural event last year.

Olympic triathlon gold medallist Jonny Brownlee started last year’s Rudding ParkRace, in which more than 300 runners navigated their way through 18th century parkland at the privately-owned Harrogate resort.

This year’s event, which will be held on May 9, will raise money in support of former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow’s Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal.

There are 450 places available and the entry fee is £25 for affiliated runners and £27 for non-affiliated runner.

Nicola Richmond and SuperFan of Jonny Brownlee! Rudding Park Race 10k

Jonny Brownlee at last year’s event.

Nuno César de Sá, Rudding Park hotel manager, said the 2022 race had a “great vibe”, adding:

“Rudding House made the perfect backdrop for the finish line where the prize giving took place as guests enjoyed music, hog roast and refreshments as the sun set.

“We were thrilled to raise over £4,000 for the Queen’s Green Canopy and this year we are super excited to be supporting Rob Burrow and his family whose tireless campaign to raise awareness and funds to support families living with MND is inspiring.”

The start of last year’s race.

Last year’s winner was Nathan Edmonson from Ilkley Harriers, who recorded a time of 34 mins 25 secs. The fastest female was Charlotte Mason from City of York AC in a time of 41 mins 29 secs.

More information is available here.