North Yorks South Durham Cross Country – Acklam Hall

The cross country season is finally upon us and Hambleton Athletics and Running Club (HARC) couldn’t wait to get stuck in to their first ever competitive league, joining the North Yorkshire and South Durham Harrier League which caters for all ages from 8 to 80+.

Individual and team points are awarded at each fixture and awards are made to the top teams and individuals at the end of the season.

The weather was kind for the first meet at Acklam Grange School in Middlesbrough – not much mud to be seen but the course was tough and undulating. A number of runners couldn’t quite believe they were running a cross country raceat a school, having spent years avoiding them during their own school days.

HARC had seven members taking part in a number ofcategories which covered different distances:

Elsa Styles​Women U17​31:39 (6^th in category)

Ruth Hancock​Women V50​37:01 (15^th in category)

Hugh Jenyns​Men V70​37:44 (8^th in category)

Diego Segura​Men Senior​41:04 (13^th in category)

Craig Keedy​Men V50​41:05 (4^th in category)

Phill Heward​Men V45​51:01 (27^th in category)

Dave Oldacres​Men V45​1:03:15 (32^nd in category)

Dave Oldacres said, “I took part in my first cross countryseries race. It was quite a competitive event and I was one of the slowest, but it really spurred me on and I ran a good race for me. I really enjoyed it and loved the mixed terrain too.”

Well done to all the HARC runners on this tough first event of the series. The next race will take place on Sunday 24^thOctober at Foxrush in Redcar.