A cash prize for the winners was enough to tempt some of our Junior Harriers to enter what is predominantly an adult event. Nearly 400 athletes turned out at Stewart Park, Middlesbrough on Thursday evening in a bid to win their category and claim the reward!
This popular event, hosted by North Yorkshire Moors Athletics Club consisted of teams of 4 members, each running a one mile leg, using almost the first mile of the Stewart Park Parkrun course. It was a mass start with all first leg runners of all categories starting together, and each teams’ race ending when the fourth runner (last leg) crossed the finish line. With nearly 100 teams taking part, the start was a sight to behold!
DHAC had one complete junior team, and what a team it was! Entered into the mixed category they were Jade Hutchinson (U20), Liam Brittle (U17), Catherine Roberts (U17) and Emma Hart (U17). Endurance expert, Jade got the team off to a great start with a first leg run of 5:53, before handing the baton over to Liam. Liam pushed hard, continuing at a blistering pace and gaining a few places on his way, finally completing his mile in an excellent time of 5:14.
Next up was Catherine who maintained the fast pace, completing her mile in 5:29, before handing the baton over to Emma. As always, Emma worked hard and ran an impressive final leg, finally crossing the line in 5:45. For all four, that was a total time of 22:21, and an amazing 2nd place in the mixed category (17th overall) A tremendous result for a junior team. Well done to all!
Under 17 Junior Harrier, Megan Noble joined forces with endurance coach Bernadette Caygill, mum Linda Noble and Sue Phillips to produce a formidable team in the F 160 category. In this category the combined ages of the four team members must be at least 160. Megan ran an excellent second leg for the ladies completing her mile in 6:03 (faster than her mum and Sue, but not quite as quick as Bernadette!) With a total time of 24:04, they also finished in an excellent 2nd place in their category. Great stuff, well done!
It was a real family affair for Senior Harriers, Steve and Zoe Rogers along with their two boys Harry and Ewan. It was a great team effort from them all in the mixed category. Both the boys ran really well in the hot and humid conditions, and the fastest in the team after their Dad was Harry finishing in 7:25. Well done Team Rogers, a fantastic effort!
…..and finally, well done to Under 15 Harrier, Kyle Atkins, in only his second season of competitive athletics. He was the anchor man here today and ran an excellent fourth leg in a time of 7:45, knocking 18 seconds off his time at the same event last year. Great job, Kyle, well done!
