Ripon Runners played host to over 250 runners on Sunday with the annual Ripon 10 mile race. The course, new for this year, started and finished at Hell Wath playing fields and took in the delights of StudleyRoyalPark before heading back down Whitcliffe Lane. Runners appeared to enjoy the challenges of this hilly course despite the hot and sunny conditions. Gary Dunn of Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers was first home in a time of 54.40. Michela Stepto of Stockport Harriers was first female in a time of 1.09.57. A sprinkling of Ripon Runners also competed with Sawley farmer Richard Watson coming in first for the club in a highly commendable sixth position  in a time of 1.00.57 having arrived at 8.30 in the morning to assist with race organisation. The other times were Ray Johnstone 1.19.14, Sean McKeag 1.15.15, John Ward 1.19.34, Ian Walker 1.24.01, Chris I’Anson 1.32.31, Mel Dutka 1.39.39, Emily Walker 1.56.19. Before the main event there was a 1 ½ mile fun run for younger runners Jack Watson finished first in a time of 10.32 to win the 12-16 age category. The other winners were Alexander Abrahams boy under 6, Amy Hansen girl under 6, George Gibson boy 6-8, Emma Sorby girl 6-8, Alex Millar boy 9-11 and Beth Eyles girl 9-11.

Ripon Runners meet at Ripon Cricket Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30 and new members of all abilities are always welcome.
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On Tuesday 6^th May there was a good turn out of Ripon Runners for the first Harrogate District Summer Road Race League event of the year at Ilkley. The race was fast and furious despite being hot and hilly! Richard Watson finished in a strong ninth position for the club with a time of 28.02. The other times were as follows;

Pete Chapman 29.50, Dave Jelley 30.22, Ben Imeson 30.49, Andrew Turner 32.00, Ray Raper 32.59, Gary Wilks 33.13, David Jones 33.14, Allan Hansen 33.17, Fred Clapham 33.27, Ray Johnstone 33.52, Bruce Symonds 34.42, John Ward 35.12, Paul Oldham 35.26, Ian Walker 36.19, Lisa Quinn 36.21, Chris I’Anson 37.15, Barbara McPherson 38.04, Helen Crompton 38.07, Mike Penock 38.37, Kevin Jackson 39.25, Andy Matheson 39.49, Suzanne Rickard 39.59, Anna Ashfield 40.12, Mel Dutka 41.57, Emily Walker 42.34, Claire Mumford 42.38, Sharon Stoker 42.40, John Welch 42.50, Catherine Lyons 43.53, Leah Horner 44.35, Helen Pickard 44.38, John Bull 47.23, Jill Wass 49.35, Michelle Newsome 49.40, Tim Tribe 50.55, Lorraine Matheson 41.49, Ranjit Kaur 53.30, Doug Tooth 53.59.
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On Saturday 26^th April 9 Ripon runners travelled to Leyburn to take part in the 22 mile off-road  Wensleydale Wander.In ideal running conditions the route started in the market square and soon got off onto the footpaths. The runners headed out along Leyburn Shawl and had fine views of Wensleydale and Penhill which would be the only major climb of the day. The 6 Ripon men made their way through the field, and after the climb up onto the side of Penhill started to lift the pace. The route then went across the Middleham gallops and then the race was 'on' because they could see the 2 front runners in the distance. On reaching the  last few miles through the lower fields below Leyburn the front runners could be sighted again, so Paul Morgan with the 'bit between his teeth' chased off after the 2 front  runners.  Paul ran in strongly coming in an impressive close second with the next 4 Ripon runners coming in joint 3rd.

Times for the runners were, Paul Morgan-3.27. Ray Raper, Martin Gabriel, Pete Chapman, Ian Wallace 3.31.Peter Wright-3.35. Lynda Wilson, Christine Orr-3.54
Jo Wallace opted for the shorter distance of 12.5 miles completed in 2.12

Sunday 27^th April saw a good turn out of Ripon Runners for the Fountains 10K race. The first race in the Black Sheep Series is always popular and was full before the day of the event.

The race seemed to go very well despite the 'challenging' conditions. The continued wet weather had turned Skeldale Moor into something resembling a primordial swamp but strangely enough this seemed to make the runners enjoy it even more! Ripon Runners times were Ben Imeson 40.31, Sean McKeag 43.09, Ray Johnstone 43.20, Gary Bastow 43.46, Steve Oates 44.52, Bruce Symonds 45.32, Chris Brown 45.39, John Ward 46.32, Steve Parkinson 49.43, Chris I’Anson 50.25, Mel Dukta 55.45, Anna Ashfield 56.03, Emily Walker 58.08, Fiona Prestwich 59.33, Graham Green 1.03.04, Jill Wass 1.05.39, Tim Tribe 1.06.25 Doug Tooth 1.13.31, Monty Munson 1.28.45
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On Sunday 20^th April two Ripon Runners headed to the coast for the Tees Valley Half Marathon at Redcar. Gary Wilks finished in a time of 1.36.33 and Sharon Stoker finished in 1.59.05, showing they are both in good form for the Edinburgh Marathon in May.
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Belated congratulations on completing the London marathon to Charlotte Wilson who finished in a superb time of  3.33.18 and Dennis Connor whose time of  3.30.03 followed him running the Paris Marathon the week before.

Martin Gabriel travelled to the village of Barbon on the borders of Cumbria to take part in the Barbondale round on Saturday 19^th April. The 24 mile off-road event had two big climbs, Great Coum and Calf Top each above 2000 ft. This is one of his last events before he takes on the Fellsman a 62 mile event with 11000ft of ascent taking place in the dales.
Martin completed his 24 miles in 4 hrs 40mins coming in 4th place overall.

Congratulations to Ripon Runners Ellie and Mark Pocock on the birth of baby Hannah on Friday 18^th April.
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Ripon Runners take on the London Marathon Challenge

Ripon Runners ventured to London this weekend to take part in the 100^th London Marathon. The whole weekend was a great adventure and experience. The weather was unpredictable at times, not knowing if we needed  winter, summer or rain clothes, and I ‘m sure there was snow at some point.

The crowds were amazing and the miles went by very quickly and before you realised you were looking at Big Ben with a mile and a half to go, and the sun was back out for that finish line photo.

The Results for Ripon Runners are Nick Wilson 3.13.19; Peter Wright 3.27.17; Lynda Wilson 3.52.12, Christine Orr 3.52.43; Kevin Jackson 3.53.48; Jo Hope 3.55.04; Mel Dukta 4.21.36; Andy Matheson 4.25.57; Robert Mundy 4.33.16 and Diana Williams 5.06.03.

Congratulations to all Ripon Runners and anyone who took part in the Marathon its not easy to run 26.2 miles.
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16th March saw three Ripon Runners travel to the city of Bath to take part in the "Nationwide Bath Half Marathon". In wet and  miserable conditions and after the start was delayed for an hour some 10,500 runners set off around the two lap course. Nick Wilson first home in 1.29, Lynda  Wilson 1.45 and Suzanne Rickard 1.51.
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Review of Ripon Runners performance at the annual  Dentdale 14 Run, Saturday 8th March 2008
On Saturday 8th March 2008 a group from Ripon Runners braved a wet 'n' wild Dent to take part in the annual Dentdale Run.  Despite the  atrocious weather the Ripon Runners embraced the challenging 14 mile  course which resulted in good performances from Denis Connor 1:42:43, Gary Wilks  a PB of 1:45:07, Allan Hansen 1:47;54, Chris Brown 1:49:06, Chris I'Anson  2:02:24, Kevin Jackson 2:02:39, Helen Metcalfe 2:13:32, Katherine Shaw 2:13:38, Sharon Stoker 2:22:00 and Leah Horner 2:24:57.
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East Hull Harriers 20 mile race took place on Sunday 9 March, the race was not the only challenge for the 2 Ripon Runners participating in this event, the 1^st was to find their way to the start of the race not easy, the 2^nd was running the 20 miles in changing weather conditions, the initial 10 miles where perfect light winds and sun, the next 10 were a struggle into the wind all the way home and the sun seemed to vanish. The day was a success with both Ripon Runners  achieving  sub 3 hour times, Chris Orr 2 hours 48 and Jo Hope 2 hours 53.
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Saturday 1^st March saw many Ripon Runners take on the challenge of the 25 mile Trollers Trot across the Dales, starting and finishing in Threshfield. The weather conditions were dry but a bit blustery in places and the beautiful scenery had its ups and downs. The run was followed by an overnight stay in Hawes Youth Hostel (Thanks to Martin Gabriel for organising it) for some of the participants and two walkers who wandered in, then a gentle jog the  following morning!

The finishing times for the Trollers Trot were:

Mike Appleton  3.54, Nick Wilson 3.54, Pete Chapman 3.55, Martin Gabriel 3.57, Iain Wallace 3.58, Pete Wright 4.03, Paul Morgan  4.22, Ray Raper 4.29, Bruce Symonds 4.32, Mark Pocock  4.32, Dave Jelley 4.32, Allan Hansen 4.34, Fred Clapham 4.34, Chris Orr 4.43, Lisa Quinn 4.43, Lynda Wilson 4.44, Steve Parkinson  4.53, Andrew Turner  5.03, Mel Dukta 5.04, Anna Ashfield 5.51, Fiona Prestwich  5.51, Chris Brown 7.05, Jeannie Wright 7.08, Lester Pickard 7.31 and Helen Pickard 7.32.

Three members of Ripon Runners also took part in the Snake Lane 10 at  Pocklington: Dennis Connor 1:07:55; Ray Johnstone 1:07:58 and Tim tribe 1:43:33.