Back in May Ian Smallwood completed the Joss Naylor Challenge. Sometimes referred to as the old folks Bob Graham, it is an incredibly tough day out on the Lakeland Fells, nearly 50 miles from Pooley Bridge to Wasdale across the tops. You have to be 50 to record an attempt though the cut off gets a little longer the older you are when you try.
Ian made short work of the route and we finished in time to chat to Joss himself. Ian has written up his adventure for all to read:
Last week end three Acorns completed the Hardwolds 80 mile race. It started in Hessle and finished in Filey following the Wolds Way through the yorkshire wolds. It was wet wet, wet. The first third was deceptively fast and by Millington I was dreaming of a pre midnight (16 hour finish). Leaving the warmth of Millington village hall the mud started immediately, sending me flying and draining all speed. The mud never let up for the next 48 miles to Filey and my estimates for finishing kept pushing back.
Andrew Goddard led for a lot of the race, eventually finishing in 3rd place (16 hours 14 mins). Mark Webster finished in 10th place (18 hours 25 mins). Sorry, no finish photo for Mark. I completed our trio, crossing the line with good friend David Betteridge to finish in joint 14th place (19 hours 13 seconds). Those 13 seconds would not have happened if either of us had a working watch by that time.
Nikki Gover put in a sterling shift on the first checkpoint and then supporting me and David (when he caught up): I’d pushed on earlier but after a brief detour and tiring legs I was pleased to run with someone who had recced the route.
It was good to run new paths as I’d not previously done much of the Wolds Way. It would have been better to have seen some of it: rain and fog during the day and then a little under half in the dark. Brilliant support as usual from Hardmoors marshals, some of whom were putting in overnight shifts in muddy laybys tending to the physically and emotionally fragile runners.
A busy weekend of running and racing for Acorns. The biggest group heading to the Dalby Dash for a fast trail 10k. Helen Spring was first FV40 and Chris Poulton came 5th overall.
Richard and Nikki Gover went to the Hardmoors Goathland Marathon. Beautiful sunny autumn day on the moors. Very muddy paths particularly where the Levisham Limping fell race the week before had churned it up. Richard came 9th in 5:18:57 and Nikki came in at 7:03:39. Runners were still staggering home long after dark. Some interesting route choices by people in the top 5, with some checkpoints being deemed optional 😉 No race photos but here’s a shot of the beautiful morning and a beautiful campervan.
Andrew Crease was at the York Movember 10k at the Knavesmire, regretting football the night before.
Further afield Anthony Tomkins did 9 miles of quagmire in the Welsh Black Mountains.
Even further afield Jane Lawson got up at 05:30 to get a 1.5 train from Tokyo in time to do Kashiwanoha parkrun. Proper dedication to the parkrun cause.
We have a calendar! Anything needing adding let me know. I’m keen to get more social runs added, especially in the summer to get people out and about.
Entries open today (1 November). A cracking little race, usually sells out quick.
Our Christmas party will be at the Black Swan on Peasholme Green on Friday 6th December. Details to follow but I’m going to go out on a limb and say John Tat can sort you out with a ticket. Members only, sorry, but why not join the club? 😉
Due to bonfire celebrations at the rugby club, for one week only we will run on Monday 4 November (7pm) and not Tuesday 5 November. At a loose end on Tuesday? Come to a fitness session at Acomb Fire Station with actual fire fighters
Four Acorns ran the Abbey Dash 10k in Leeds on Sunday 27 October 2019. Helen and Tim ran strong races, Drew scored yet another PB making a full sweep of PBs this year and Andrew Crease got below the magic 45 for the first time.
Meanwhile Jane Lawson and Erwin raced the Wistow 10k, Anthony Tomkins was at the “dirty double” in the Lakes and many others were out getting covered in mud. Good running everyone.
York Acorn Running Club would once again like to welcome you to join us on 21 November for a sporting evening, this year with GB ultra-distance international Sharon Gayter; recent breaker of the women’s ‘JOGLE’ record (traveling by foot from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 12 days, 11 hours, 6 minutes and 7 seconds)
Tickets cost £14 and include curry (veg or meat). Sharon will also be raising money for her chosen charity Mind.
Please contact Nicola Gover (nicolagover@gmail.com) if you would like a ticket.
