401 Challenge in Ripon

Ben Smith who is running 401 marathons in 401 days came to Ripon on Saturday 14 May to run his 557th marathon.
I designed a route for him that showed him all the sights of Ripon and was made up of joined up club runs.
We met in St Marygate carpark and around 50 others turned up to welcome Ben, some to run, some to cycle and others just to meet him. Ben took the time to meet everyone and have selfies with them.
We ran through Sharow along the Ure to the racecourse where Caroline had set up a drink and cake station at about 6 miles before we headed along the canal to Littlethorpe. After that we headed along the Sanctury Way to Moorside dale and up Whitcliffe Lane. We ran past the Spinny and up to Howe Hill. We then ran down Howe Hill admiring the views of Fountains Abbey and Fountains hall before heading to the Visitor Centre for lunch.
After Lunch we ran the seven Bridges to Sam's seat, into Studley Royal and though the cross roads in the field. From there we ran up Bishopton and lark Lane before running alongside the cemetary and out to Palace Road. We crossed to the golf club and passed the tennis centre before joining the Ripon Rowel route along the Ure. Next was the Clock tower and the winter route of Kings Mead anf the Tax office. Along college road to Kirkby Road and turn back to Trinity Church and past the junior schools, the rugby and cricket fields and onto malorie Park. We turned down Borrage Lane crossed at Kwikfit and ran along the river back to Fishergreen, where we crossed the Skell and ran around the base of the cathedral past the old library and up Traffic light hill. with a turn around the market Square to enjoy the tudor buildings and obelisk it was time to turn down Kirkgate to enjoy the view of the cathedral to finish the 27 miles running back to the car park.
Everyone had a great day with people running their furthest distance and a few new marathoners were made.

Harrogate District Summer Race League (HDSRL) race 1 Ilkley

Thursday 5 May

First race of the series, I love this route. Tarmac and hilly.

Weather was warm. 

All the runners gathered at Ilkley Rugby Club. There were lots of runners as always for the first race in the series, though not too many from Richmond or Swaledale as it is a long journey for them. Ripon Runners had loads of runners, it was good to see so many. 

The race started on the neighbouring park. There were nasty midges biting exposed flesh but we didn't have to wait long before the start. We ran round the field then along the road before the climb started. The route was crowded at first but the hill soon spread us out. My hill running is not great at the moment but I slogged it out, steadily passing people  as the climb went on up up up. After about a mile and a half the route flattens for a while and then turned for a long down hill, I was passed by some runners but was still catching others, Down down down. Finally we were on the flat run in, it didn't feel flat after such a long down, but now the battle for position began. (Points are awarded for position) lots of overtaking and being overtaken. Just before the turn into the rugby club there was a real push, but I had nothing left and was overtaken on the final section by 3 or 4 runners.

Timing is chipped this year. My time 45:30. My second fastest time on the course. I was 319 out of 378 gaining 16 club points and 30 ladies points.

Fastest time was 26:16 

fastest lady was 31:52

Ripon Duathlon series race 1

Friday April 29

3D Tri/Go Tri Ripon Racecourse

I entered within the last week. I figured that a short Sharp event would help my speed and transitions.

Distances 2km run, 29 km cycle, 2 km run.

The weather was pretty foul, it rained all day and there were strong winds. I got home from work later than planned, had tea, grabbed my stuff and set off. 

I had in my head that the race was 18:30, but thought I'd check on my phone. I looked and the event I saw had shorter distances and was at 17:30. Oh no! It wa 25 past now and we were 6 miles away. I continued searching on my phone, this time a link took me to a different site. This had correct distances but was an 18:00 start. At least we would make it in time. 

The rain stopped and I got registered. I went to rack but had to find Billy, he had locked the car and briefing was in 5 min. I found him racked. It was a low key race with only 22 competitors so transition was nice and small. I wrapped my kit in a plastic bag in case it rained again.

The race stArted and I set off round the lake, the ground was soft but not muddy. The small field meant that pretty soon nearly everyone was ahead of me. I got to transition and in order to get a quick transition I had put my bike jacket and rain jacket on earlier and removed them together. As I put them on, my arm went in only on armhole on the left side, but I was taking too long and just zipped the jackets up and struggled into my gloves.my hands stuck but I got my bike and jogged over the rough ground to the mount line and set off on the bike. 

There was a rider in the distance and one just behind, I started to chase. It took about 4 miles and I finally caught the rider ahead and in the next 3 miles overtook 4 riders, a little further on there were no bikes in sight but I was overtaken. Blast! I set chase again, I kept him close but could not quite catch him. The last 6 miles were into a head wind, my speed dropped but so did his, but he was slowly getting away. I pushed my burning legs harder and closed the gap again and a busy junction forced him to wait but cleared as I got there. A few yards later and we turned back into the racecourse.

T2, I was determined to leave a tidy area putting everything back in my bag. Helmet off last then ran out chasing the rider that had passed me. I felt OK for such a hard ride and soon caught and passed the man an ran my hardest around the lake to the finish.

1 hour 28 minutes. I have no splits as I messed my garmin up.

Great event. I think it will grow as the series continues.