Tadcaster Harriers Running Club

Howard Plaut 1958 -2017

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Apr 8, 2017

Tadcaster Harriers are very sad to note the passing of our club member Howard Plaut who died on Sunday 2 April 2017 in St Leonard’s Hospice in York at the age of 58.

Howard had been ill for over a year but had stuck with his running and many members of the club have run with him in recent times.

He joined the club 5 years or so ago and although he worked away a lot, he was a regular attender at club handicaps and the like and was always happy to help out at events with his wife Briony. His great love was running on the fells and moors and was in his element running or marshalling in the Hardmoors series on the North York Moors.

During his final months he was unable to work or drive, but he was able to keep his running going. Briony has said that the Harriers were a godsend during that time and how much she and Howard appreciated the kindness, friendship and support that many people in the club provided at that time and how important that was to them.

In accordance with Howard’s wishes there will be no funeral as such. The intention is to scatter his ashes on the North York Moors: Roseberry Topping if possible. Any running friends would be welcome and we will publicise details when known.

Race Report - Dales Trail Series Reeth 20km (DT20)

Author: Dave Mullaney   |  Apr 3, 2017

The Dales Trail series of events based in the Yorkshire Dales comprises of three events increasing in distance through the year. The DT20 (20k) was held on the 1st April.

Although it is the shortest, it cannot be underestimated with testing climbs (right from the start) and fast technical descents that make it ideal for seasoned fell runners. The last mile to the finish, over a muddy rollercoaster landscape tests what energy you have left in your legs.

The weather in Reeth was looking good at the start, with glorious sunshine. However, by five miles we had hailstones, by 7 miles it was thunder and lightning, then at 12 miles we had light rain. At the finish, in time for ice creams on the village green it was sunny again.

With a lot of training and racing behind me, I finished 14 minutes faster than last year with 2:16:43 putting me in 127th place out of 280 runners (16th out of 45 for my age group)

Other results:
1st male Ben Livesy 1:20:37
1st Lady Elaine Bisson 1:47:50
Last runner 3:36:02
1dnf 26 dns

Handicap Championship

Author: Stephen King   |  Mar 30, 2017

The Handicap Championship table has been updated after 6 of the 9 events. Mark and Ged out in front, but remember it's your best 7 results from the 9 races. Loads of people still in with a shout - get those calculators out !

For more details about the events in the Handicap Championship and how it all works, click here

You can download the full table here: Handicap Championship

But for now, this is your current top 10:

The Harriers are Moving Home 4th April 2017

Author: Mark Swinden   |  Mar 22, 2017

Tadcaster Harriers are on the move - Tuesday 4th April.

As many of you will no doubt be aware, in more recent years the club has grown significantly to the point that we now have over 100 members. In times gone by we have relied upon the goodwill of the leisure centre to allow us to use their facilities, be it the car park or toilets. However as the club has developed the committee has been looking into alternatives, somewhere that the club can use as a base with facilities that will benefit the members.

We have recently been in discussions with Magnets Sports and Social club as an alternative base and home for the Harriers, somewhere with facilities not only from the running side but also social. Magnets have plans to develop the area with the backing of Selby Council and we have been extremely impressed with their vision to make it the sports and social hub of Tadcaster.

For the Harriers it is a fantastic opportunity which will enable the club to hopefully grow and bring in more members. As it stands they have a large tarmacked surface area where the warm ups can take place. There is adequate parking and there is a well maintained grassy area for training to take place on. On the social side it means that post runs there is a place to change if so required but also to socialise. The club will now have somewhere to host its functions be it post-race or on a weekend.

The plans for the area are to develop the changing rooms and the laying of an all-weather floodlit surface area. The members will have somewhere to securely leave items on a Tuesday if required and there are showers available. The changing facilities are likely to be developed over the course of the next year or so.

There is no cost and this is a trial run . However we are hoping and expecting that it will be permanent. The management of Magnets are hoping that our club members will join their social club which costs £25 a year and gets you a 25% discount at the bar. Whether or not you become a member the facilities, bar etc are open to all. Its a lovely clubhouse with Sky Sports etc and they will be able to do catering for us and it can host meetings, social events etc. We will remain an autonomous club.

The committee believe this move is for the benefit of the club and its members and demonstrates the ambition that everyone has for the future progression of the Harriers. As of 4th April the new meeting place will therefore be at Magnets. For those who don’t know, Magnets is located on London Road opposite the Brewery and can be accessed by car via Queen's Gardens off Leeds Road. A location map will be published on the website and Facebook. To right of the club house from the rear is a tarmacked area where it is suggested we all meet. If you walk past the entrance and then take a left after the building you can walk onto the area where the warm ups will take place. The beginners group, for this year at least, will continue to meet at the Leisure centre.

We are sure that everyone will agree this is a fantastic opportunity for the Harriers, for Magnets and for Tadcaster as a whole.

If you have any queries please contact Andy Sloan or Mark Swinden

Race Report - Hardmoors 55

Author: Dave Mullaney   |  Mar 20, 2017

The Hardmoors 55 ultra trail race is one of those races you could run time and again and each time experience something different. Over that distance you are tested by your choice of kit, the weather, hydration and nutrition as well as your physical and mental state.

I entered this race for the second (and last time) mainly as training for the Lakeland 50 in July and because I am 55 a couple of days after the race (hence the reason as well for getting the number 55!) On the day I was fit and well, the weather was ideal, my kit choice was excellent (no blisters) my crew (Annette) was always there with food and drinks at the designated points. However as usual for me I struggled after 35 ish miles and the rest was more of a death march! However at no point did I think of quitting.

If you don't know the Cleveland Way, the stretch from Helmsley to Guisborough starts off fairly sedately. Heading out through farmland, past Rievaux Abbey before climbing to Sutton Bank. Then another scenic and undulating section before reaching Osmotherley at 22 miles. Then you get to the tough 33 miles with plenty of technical climbs and descents that slow you down and sap your strength. Faster runners (under ten hours) will finish in daylight. The rest are left to run Roseberry Topping in the dark!

I wasn't alone from the Harriers. Philippa Freer (Pip) ran too. It was her first and longest race over 30 miles. I saw Pip at the start, but didn't see her again until the finish.
Also present were Howard Plaut and his wife Bryony. Howard had entered the race but had to withdraw due to ill health. He was there at the start, at the White Horse CP and at Lordstones to cheer us on.

At about 46 miles in, descending from Captain Cooks Monument before the ascent of Roseberry there was the checkpoint manned by Izabella and Jason Underwood.

Right at the point you needed your spirits lifting their enthusiasm and disco theme did the trick and I remember leaving to the sounds of Voodoo Ray.

I had a plan to finish under 14 hours. I managed 13:59:43
Pip finished in 14:13:19

Other results:
1st place Donald Campbell 7:31:19 (course record)
1st Lady: Kim Cavill 9:00:38
Last runner 16:19:00
329 finishers. 41 DNF

Big thanks to Jon and Shirley for another excellent event!

Race Report - Haworth Hobble

Author: Dave Baxter   |  Mar 13, 2017

I did the Haworth Hobble yesterday as a slightly unorthodox long slow training run as part of my London marathon prep. Fantastic race, great scenery and even greater hills (5000ft overall). A sedate 6hrs 27mins but with happy checkpoint stops for hotdogs and donuts. A great race for aspiring ultrarunners and only £13 including hot meal at the finish!