Tadcaster Harriers Running Club

Sally Polkey - Guide Runner

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Jul 17, 2019

We have all seen the record breaking runs that Sally Polkey has recorded since she joined the Harriers in May this year but did you know she is a registered guide runner as well? Here she tells us all about it.

“ I completed a one day Guide Running Course through England Athletics in March this year. The course involved some theory and practice and I am now a registered guide runner with the England Athletics. We learnt about the different types of visual impairment, how to run and communicate with runners and to consider health and safety issues which as sighted persons we take for granted.

The reason I wanted to become a guide runner was because I enjoy running so much and wanted to enable people with visual impairment the opportunity to run who would otherwise be unable to run on their own. It is my wish to run a half or full marathon as a guide one day.

I have not actually run as a guide yet and would welcome an opportunity to practice with any runner from Tadcaster Harriers.”

If you can help Sally , please e-mail her on sallypolkey@gmail.com.

Endure 24 2019

Author: Dave Mullaney   |  Jul 1, 2019

Endure: verb 1. Experience (pain or hardship), bear patiently. 2. Tolerate. 3. Remain in existence, last.

The above definition of Endure from the Oxford Dictionary sums up the Endure 24 event over the weekend of the 29th / 30th June.

When we first entered this type of event two years ago, we hoped to get a team of eight runners, but managed to get two teams. Last year we had an excellent weekend with two teams of eight, a faster team of eight ladies, a fast team of five males, and one solo runner. We came away with two trophies (2nd Ladies and 3rd Male teams).

This year exceeded all expectations with three teams of eight (mixed), a fast team of eight ladies, a fast team of eight males, two solo runners, and another member running as part of a pair.

At an event like this where you are there for the whole weekend, there is quite a bit of socialising, as well as the running. Getting the best conditions for both is almost impossible. The weather last weekend was ideal for socialising, but probably the worst you could get (for most of us) for running, with temperatures of around 30 degrees during the day on Saturday! I am sure there were many of us who would have been happy to call it a day after the first lap! However, true to the definition of the event name, you have to tolerate the conditions, experience the pain, remain a member of the team and get up at all hours of the day and run a lap! Being a member of a team of eight, this is nothing compared to the solo runners who kept on dragging themselves (literally in some cases) for lap after lap.

There was a sign after one of the marshall points that stated ‘ You are a stronger runner than you think you are’. I am sure there are runners in our club that realise this after some excellent performances in all the teams.

The ethos of the event for Tadcastor Harriers is for us to go out and have an enjoyable weekend. Coming away with any trophies is secondary, but the fact that we did is testament to the strength in depth of the club at the moment. We didn’t select teams from the fastest in the club, but selected a ladies and men’s team that we felt would be competitive from the members who had wanted to run at the weekend. To come away with podium places then is a fantastic achievement.

Solo Males:

Jon Steele completed 20 laps (160kM) in a time of 24:22

Shannon Naylor completed 13 laps (104kM) in a time of 19:51

Male Pairs:

Dave Baxter was part of a pairs team that completed 30 laps (240kM) in 24:22

Ladies team of 6-8

Ladies that Lunge (Jo Millican. Sue Tindall, Emma Dunn, Liz Mould, Laura Macaulay, Suzanne Marshall, Abigail Carter, Lisa Sharpe) came second completing 34 laps (272kM) in 24:21

Male team of 6-8

Kipchoge’s Old Fogeys (Glen Johnson, Dave Rowe, Ian Saynor, Paul Dykes, Lui Ryan, John Netherway, Gary Cowler and Jim Brayshaw) came third, completing 38 laps (304kM) in 24:18

  Mixed Teams of 6-8

Rapid Thigh Movement (Angela Wray, Ian Ward, Becky McGuinness, Amanda Apperley, Gail Jamieson, Sarah Collier, Mark Hobson, and Celia McRoyall) completed 30 laps (240kM) in 24:1

Scrambled Legs, we’re toast (Keith Smith, Andy Lee, Adam Smith, Elaine Kavanagh, Sue Jannatti, Carolyn Jolley, Sally Beckett and Andy Mason) completed 30 laps (240km) in 24:38 

Better at Running up a Tab (Dave Mullaney, Shirley Steele, Emma Triffit, John Ryder, Denise Robinson, Sarah Cairns, Mark Swinden and Alex Wilson) completed 29 laps (232kM) in 24:24

Next years event is on the 4th-5th July.

Canalathon Ultra

Author: Dave Mullaney   |  May 6, 2019

Back in 2018 Richard Penny decided to enter the 2019 Ultra Race 'The Wall' covering 69 miles of the Hadrians Wall Way, from Carlisle to Newcastle. His aim to complete a personal challenge and to raise money for charity.

As part of his training plan, Richard ran the Cannonball Canalathon race on the 24th March. The aim being to test how his training was going and test his strategy for his main race. The Canalathon starts in Manchester and runs along the scenic Rochdale Canal to Sowerby Bridge. The event has races of varying distance. Richard chose the 50k distance. if you want to read how Richard did in the event from his personal perspective, then his 'Blog' is worth a read. Follow the link below.

Richard finished the race in 26th place (out of 191 finishers) with a time of 4:40:43.

Other results: 1st Male: Gareth Pritchard 3:35:54 / 1st Lady: Mel Sykes 4:14:01

Link to Richards Blog Post

Richard is raising money for St Leonards Hospice, if you want to donate to his charity you can find a link on his blog site.

New Run Leaders

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Mar 25, 2019

Congratulations to Amanda Apperley, Jo Millican, Keith Smith and Angela Wray who all completed the Leader in Running Fitness qualification on Sunday. They join Angela Beall, Chris Cook, Celia McRoyall, Dave Mullaney and Mark Swinden who also have the qualification. 

We also have two Coaches in Running Fitness -  Glen Johnson and Andy Sloan.

That gives us 11 people in the club with Coaching or Run Leader qualifications which is of real benefit for Tuesday night groups and our beginners sessions.

The club's next beginners sessions start on April 4 and here is the link for registration if you have any friends or family who would like to take part.

https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/TryRunningTadcaster

Newly Qualified Coach

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Jan 28, 2019

Many congratulations to Andy Sloan who successfully completed his Coaching assessment at the weekend and is now a qualified Coach in Running Fitness. Andy joins Glen Johnson who achieved this qualification a number of years ago, and has been successfully organising our Tuesday nights ever since. 

Currently we also have five qualified Run Leaders - Angela Beall, Celia McRoyall, Chris Cook, Dave Mullaney, and Mark Swinden; with another group being scheduled to qualify in March.

Hardwolds 80

Author: Pip Freer   |  Dec 3, 2018

Saturday  24th November saw Pip Freer take on the inaugural 'Hardwolds 80' race. Covering the full length of the Yorkshire Wolds (plus a little bit extra - to give you your money's worth as organiser and fellow Tadcaster Harrier Jon Steele would say!), the competitors had 24 hours to cover the 80 miles. Pip takes up the story.........

'The Humber bridge was imposing in the early morning darkness, stretching away over the black glittering water. A couple of gazebos had been set up directly under the bridge and kit was signed for and trackers fitted to the deep rumble of cars passing over head. It was an exciting and atmospheric place for a run to start. By 7.45, about 200 runners stood tense and quiet in the grey morning light as Jon Steele welcomed us to the inaugural Hardwolds 80. After threatening us with all manner of dire consequences should anyone be found without mandatory kit, we were gathered for the start. I enjoy the start of an ultra. I make sure I’m right at the very back and we saunter off at a casual walk, sharing a bit of banter, already conserving for the time and distance and trials ahead.

The Wolds way is scenic right from the start, following the Humber and then crossing through small towns in to woods and fields. The cool early mist began to clear and by late midmorning we were lucky to have sunshine to warm us and pick out the lovely autumn colours. The first checkpoints were passed and each time I appreciated the welcoming sight of husband and hot coffee even more!

The Hardmoors runners are a friendly bunch and as we pass and re pass each other everyone has a brief chat. I really enjoy a chatty run (ask Jo Derry!)  and on the climb out of South Cave I was greeted by a fellow runner who seemed to be up for Ultra Chat. Roger and I ran together on and off for the next 57ish miles. He was an experienced runner and all round really interesting guy, having completed the MdS and other exciting ultras. Talking about life, adventures and families saw many miles pass happily away.

33 miles in found us at Millington indoor checkpoint which had all the atmosphere of a ceilidh; sweaty, happy people crowded into a village hall, all joking and laughing and sharing a buffet. Hardmoors marshalls are legendary and every effort was made to look after us. We refuelled on soup, rice pudding and scalding hot coffee. The climb out of Millington was one of the highlights of the whole run. It was just about 4pm and the Wolds were bathed gold in the setting sun. The view from the top was glorious, both a reward for the climb and a treat to see us through the dark hours.

The first drops of rain were felt just as the sun set and it was headtorches and full waterproofs from that point on. At first it was pitch black and we were now in what I feel is the real Wolds. Steep hills and valleys that follow each other, swell on swell like huge waves. We spent the rest of the miles dropping, climbing and contouring on wet, slippery, muddy trails. Heavy rain came and went and came again. Eventually the nearly full moon was exposed, just in time to add even more atmosphere to the checkpoint that was the abandoned medieval village of Wharram Percy. The church and surrounds had been garlanded with tiny fairy lights and there was a ghostly melodic chanting coming from the windowless church. The whole effect was thrilling and magical, if a little spooky! It was getting fairly cold by this point so I took the chance to layer up fully and change some kit.

Wintringham, at 57 miles, was the next indoor checkpoint. It was a bright, warm oasis of new village hall. I met Al for a hug and stocked up on food and coffee. The pizza was hot, savoury and just what I needed. At least 5 slices later I was ready to tackle the rest of the run.

I was very glad I’d recced this section in the dark, as from Wintringham on I ran entirely on my own. This point onwards is best pictured as scenes from the Blair Witch but without the screaming. Just darkness, woods, torchlight and heavy breathing. I got more proficient at a fast change of headtorch batteries, dreading that second when I would be plunged into total darkness. It was getting harder to keep eating and every now and again a blister would pop and some more skin would split under my toes. I have realised though, that not much in the way of discomfort can convince me to stop and faff about in a forest at night! I got my music out to stave off the miseries and kept going.

Turning into Muston caravan park in the windy rain I had a wonderful surprise. Al had come out (in his running tights no less!) to guide me in for the last few miles. I was so grateful to see him that I had a bit of a weepy wobble but we set off together to enjoy the sting in the tail that was the steps and stretch out to Filey Brigg before the return to the Sea Cadets Hall. Having pictured that finishing moment all year, it was strange and quite emotional to be living the fantasy and receiving my longed for Hardwolds t-shirt. I really can say I enjoyed every single step of that run, even the slow ones and the painful ones. Thank you Jon and Shirley! The Hardwolds 80 was absolutely everything I had hoped it would be. '