Pickering Running Club triumphs again at Wistow 10k league race

Tuesday evening saw the sixth 10k in the York & District Road Race League take place in Wistow. The figure-of-eight route along quiet country lanes is almost completely flat, giving an advantage to runners good at pacing themselves. The evening was a tad warm for running, but there was a stiff breeze helping the 435 competitors on the way out and blowing in their faces on the way back, making it harder work but also making it feel cooler. The finish line was at the primary school where finishers congregated to cheer their teammates in. The whole event was expertly managed by Selby Striders, now in their 40th anniversary year, with plenty of marshals offering encouragement throughout the course and providing a much-needed water station. Once again, Dom Carter (York Postal) was first to cross the finish line, in a super speedy 33 minutes 30 seconds, thus cementing his dominance throughout the league. He had to work hard for his gold place with Joey Wynne (York Knavesmire) only 16 seconds behind, claiming silver with his time of 33:46 and fellow teammate Tom Pavis (York Knavesmire) earning bronze in a time of 34:13. Laura Thompson (City of York) also maintained her dominance by cruising home in 37:54, thus bagging the top spot overall and in the F35 category. Josie Rawes (Pickering) took silver in 38:08, and Claire Jones (York Knavesmire) won bronze in 38:17. Emma Patchett (Holgate Harriers) was the first F40 to cross the finish line. Emma’s time of 39:43 was nearly five minutes ahead of her nearest category rival. Chrissie Dover (City of York) continues to be unbeatable in the F45 category by clocking 40:34. The first F50 to cross the finish line was once again Hazel Hall (York Knavesmire) with her time of 44:04. The F55 category was won by Karen Dransfield (Haxby) in 46:33, and Deirdre Souch (York Acorn) claimed gold again in the F60 category. Deirdre’s time of 49:52 was only 23 seconds ahead of Nicola Convy (Easingwold), who crossed the line in 50:15. Sally Ann Polkey (Tadcaster) won gold in the F65 category in 53:29, almost 2.5 minutes clear of her nearest rival, and Liz Piper (York Knavesmire) was first F70 with her time of 61:10. Ant Carr (Pocklington) took pole position for the M35s in a time of 35:53, and Mark Cherryholme (York Knavesmire) claimed the M40 top spot with his time of 34:54. The M45 category was won by Charlie Goodwin (York Knavesmire) in 36:58, and Dave Smithers (York Knavesmire) proved, once again, that he reigns supreme in the M50 category, speeding home in 36:15. Matthew Smithson (York Acorn) reclaimed the top spot for the M55s by crossing the line in 38:33, and the first M60 was Glen Johnson (Tadcaster) in a time of 41:08. Also reclaiming their gold prizes were Neil Strange (Haxby), first M65 in 42:54, and Paul Robinson (Pickering), first M70 in 48:47, over two minutes ahead of silver place. David I’Anson (York Knavesmire) was once again the first M80, crossing the finish line in 67:46. The final event, the reverse handicap, will take place in 2 weeks' time.