Created by : Tom Shaw On : Thu, 01/02/2025 - 16:37
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On Boxing Day 17 Harriers headed up to Braithwell for the Boxing Day bash for the finale of the KMR series which saw a crisp winters day host a 4 mile trail race as runners headed out of Braithwell and up in to the field for an undulating loop before a fast finish back downhill. Tom Shaw was 1st Harrier back in 4th followed by Dom Fielding, Matt Daly, Henry Brady and a prize winning Paul Parry for five Harriers in the top 20 and a bottle of plonk for 1st MV50. Chris Johnson, Chris Lawrence, Jim Staveley, Barry Mercer and Mark Manley completed the mens team and that wasn’t it for the individual prizes either. Nat Cunningham was first Harrier Lady back for a great days training including another age cat win followed soon by Cathy Mhembere, Rachel Silcock and Camilla Mercer. Next in were Jo Campbell, Tanja Maric and Lee-Anne Manley to round up the Harriers Ladies.
That wasn’t it for the prize givings either as with the race marking the end of the KMR series. The 11 race series requires runners to complete up to 8 races with the winner being the lowest score from best 8 and two Harriers this year have frequented the front of the races. Dom Fielding was making his 9th appearance in the series so had the series already wrapped with a very impressive 8 wins from 8 meaning the pressure was off (and Christmas dinner could be enjoyed!) at Braithwell to give Dom the Male Senior winner of the series. Up one Age Category and Matt Daly took the M35 category win with an impressive score of just 35 across the eight races.
Also on Boxing Day, Kerry Dickinson and Sally Staveley got lucky with the weather, as they headed through a foggy Sheffield, but arrived in Totley to be greeted by blue skies and sunshine. The Two Turtle Doves is hosted by Totley AC and is a category BS race of 5.3 miles with just under 1000ft of elevation. The route climbs through Blacka Moor Woods and over Totley Moor, rewarding amazing views, a herd of deer, a cloud inversion and mince pies at the end. Hard work , but well worth the effort as the ladies finished nearly together 1:09
On to Sunday and The Green and Black flag certainly had a strong presence today with a fabulous turn out at the Amblers Revenge 2024. The weather was much kinder than last year with a drier than expected course of around 9 miles. The race was followed by a delicious lunch at the Travellers Inn, with Social Secretary Chris Lawrence ensuring the festivities continue! Chris was also the first harrier home of ten harriers but an extra a big congratulations to Cathy Mhembere, winning her age category. Think it is fair to say, that despite some concerns about the weather and conditions, with many Harriers enjoying the trip to an annual favourite despite initial hesitations.
We finish the year quite literally over in Glossop. Wormstones is a category AS fell race, a fraction under 5 miles, with approximately 1300 ft of elevation - the majority of which comes in the first half of the course. This year the race was dedicated to the memory of Ian Bennett, a well known and highly respected fell runner in the Glossop and Hayfield area who recently passed away. Runners were all asked to wear remembrance ribbon pins on their vests in his memory.
The forecast rain stayed away, but it was cold, blustery and boggy on the climb over open moorland to the Harry Hut trig point and on the descent back towards Glossop. Eventually, the route turned onto a farm track, another short, sharp ascent, and a final fast downhill finish to just outside the Beehive Pub. Curry and rice was laid on for everyone, so we happily refuelled before heading home. Jim Staveley was first back in 62:02, followed by Lee-Anne Manley in 71:46, Sally Staveley in 74:26 and Kerry Dickinson in 79:02.
This coming Sunday marks the return of a big club favourite as our local XC series returns with the first match as always at Retford for the verified most mud per £ available on the market. Stay tuned for some great racing and all at Worksop Harriers & AC hope you’ve had a fantastic Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year!