Tadcaster Harriers Running Club

John Nettleton

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Oct 27, 2019

Tadcaster Harriers are very sorry to note the passing of founder member John Nettleton who died last week, a few months short of his 80th birthday. He had been in failing health for some little time. 

John was one of a group of very keen and talented runners who formed the Harriers in 1983.

John was the club’s first Yorkshire Champion winning the over 40s race in the Yorkshire Veterans cross country championships in 1987, and was also a member of the bronze medal winning team in that race along with Will Allan, Martin Overton and Bill Humphreys.

He was also a member of the Harriers’ team that placed 5th (and 3rd British team) in the prestigious European 25k championships in Bruges, running 1 hour 29 minutes, which is 5 consecutive sub 18 minute 5ks. That event attracted the best clubs from all over Europe.

He was a sub 2.45 marathon runner and was the first over 40 veteran in the first 5 Tadcaster 10-mile road races from 1983 

John was a very talented all-round sportsman. As well as being an extremely good runner he was also an excellent rugby player and an accomplished horseman.

He was a very kind, friendly and modest man and was always happy to offer advice and encouragement to those of us runners who were attempting and failing to get anywhere near the running standards he could achieve. He is pictured here after winning the veteran’s trophy at the Kirk Deighton 10-mile race in 1986.

The club sends its condolences to John’s wife Dorothy, his daughters Alison and Susan and his stepchildren Nick, Sarah and Catherine.

The funeral will be held at 2 pm on Thursday the 31st October at St Mary’s Church Tadcaster

Mark Swinden

Club Champions 2019

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Oct 2, 2019

We are pleased to announce that the club champions for 2018/19 are Liz Mould and Ryan Kavanagh, with Jo Millican and Andy Sloan as runners up. They will receive trophies at the dinner along with those coming in 3rd- Abi Carter and Paul Dykes. Congratulations to all of them.

Results on these links: Club Championship (Women) and Club Championship (Men)

Dawn to Dusk Challenge (Duncombe Park)

Author: Lianne Dayson   |  Sep 10, 2019

Sunday the 8th of September saw Cara and I taking on Grim up Norths, Dawn to Dusk Challenge as a duo. It was an early 4am wake up call to get to a very picturesque and hilly Duncombe park for a 6am start. 

We went into it as a training run for our ultra in October and really only needed 18 miles each. However our strategy of running the 3 mile route at under 30 mins each time so that we could tag the other in straight after to run worked really well and we ended up doing 27 miles each bringing our total to 54 miles in 8hrs 39mins. Cara had to rein me in as I was going to go again! 

It was also great that Andy Mason, Paul Storr and Ian Saynor were all there running the event. Ian doing a solo run and doing 24 miles in total after having no sleep camping in very cold conditions the night before. 

Cara and I came 1st female pair and 2nd overall only being beaten by our fellow Tadcaster Harriers..... Andy and Paul who did a combined total of 72 miles. 

The event was absolutely fantastic, the route was tough but so enjoyable with stunning views. The organisers went above and beyond with all the food, drink and support. Great event that we will be doing again next year. 

Lianne

Club Handicap Champion 2019

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Sep 5, 2019

The Joe Knowles 5.1 mile handicap which took place last week, and was won by Sally Polkey, was the last handicap of the current series. Each race is a separate event and the final race has its own trophy dedicated to Joe which will be awarded to Sally at the dinner in November.

The results of each race (after handicap adjustments) are aggregated over the year and an overall winner is declared. We are pleased to announce that the overall winner is Paul Dykes, with Denise Robinson a very close second and Ian Ward third. They will each receive a trophy at the club dinner. The results are based on handicap position in the best 7 races out of the 9 each year. Congratulations to all the trophy winners. 

Here is a link to the results: Handicap Championship Results 

Once again, huge thanks again to Mike Smith for timing and results, Mark Swinden for organising all of the races and to everyone else who has contributed by marshalling, timing, etc.

Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday 22rd September for the start of the 2019/20 competition - the Old Street Loop (start and finish at Lawtons)

Aberfeldy Middle Distance Triathlon

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Aug 24, 2019

Congratulations to Glen Johnson who achieved a fantastic bronze medal in the British age group middle distance triathlon Championships which were held in Aberfeldy, on 17th August.

Set in the beautiful Highland Perthshire region, this 'Middle Distance' race (1900m Swim, 90km Bike, 21km Run) takes in the cool, clear waters of Loch Tay, challenging roads over the shoulder of Schiehallion, a circumnavigation of the wild Loch Rannoch, and the grounds of the spectacular Taymouth Castle.

Glen completed the race in 5hours 19mins 38secs to take 3rd place in his age category.

Full results can be seen here

The photo shows Glen on the finishing straight.

Claire's Triathlon Challenge

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Jul 25, 2019

Congratulations to Claire Tucker who completed her series of 3 Triathlons over the Summer with an age group category win at the tough  Castle Howard event.

Here she is on the podium. Claire has also completed triathlons in Leeds and York and raised £3000 for Parkinson's UK.

Read Claire's story