Knaresborough Striders won the prize for the best team performance at the Harrogate 10K yesterday.
A total of 742 runners took part in the race — well up on last year’s 486.
It started and finished at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Club and took competitors around Crimple Valley, finishing with the dreaded ‘Crimple killer’ uphill final kilometre.
Organised by Harrogate Harriers, Olympic triathlon champion Jonny Brownlee was on hand to present trophies to the winners.
Ben Douglas, of Leeds City Athletic Club, claimed first place in the men’s race in 34 minutes and two seconds. The 33-year-old had won the Leeds 10K in May.
Jack Kelly, running for Knaresborough firm and race sponsors Harmony Energy, was runner-up for the second consecutive year.
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Rebecca Flaherty, of Bingley Harriers, took the women’s race in 37 minutes and 14 seconds — her mum Sarah was second.
Knaresborough Striders’ trio Tom Calvert, Dan Caven and James Ireland secured the Berwins team prize.
It went some way to alleviating the disappointment they felt at last month’s Great Knaresborough Bed Race, when they were part of the team who saw their hopes dashed when a wheel on their seized up.
A fun run for children preceded the adult event.
Here are some photos of the event.
Pictures by Richard O’Brien and Andrew Hawkes Photography
The winning Knaresborough Striders team
Mother and daughter Rebecca and Sarah Flaherty took first and second in the women’s race.
The men’s top three receive their prizes from Jonny Brownlee.
Still smiling despite the tough route.
Jonny Brownlee (left) and Peter Kavanagh, chief executive of race sponsors Harmony Energy.
About a thousand runners will take part in the Harrogate 10K on Sunday.
The event, organised by running club Harrogate Harriers, starts and finishes at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Club on Hookstone Road.
Olympic triathlon champion Jonny Brownlee will present medals to the winners of the adult races, which starts at 10am.
The adult event will be preceded by a fun run for children, which includes a 1.3 km route for children in school years 2-5 will and a 2.5 km course for those in years 6-9.
The event, sponsored again by Knaresborough renewable energy firm Harmony Energy, takes runners on around Crimple Valley, finishing with the notorious Crimple killer last uphill kilometre.
A total of 486 adults and 70 children took part last year. This year, more than 800 adults have already registered.
However, local running star Cal Mills, who set a men’s record of 33 minutes and 13 seconds last year, won’t be defending his title.
Cal Mills (green vest) on his way to victory last year.
The women’s race last year saw Emily Gibbins, of Ilkley Harriers, destroy the female record by more than four minutes in a winning time of 38 minutes and 15 seconds.
Entry for the 10k race can be done here https://racebest.com/races/375cy
Online entries, which can be booked here, close at 10am tomorrow. If places remain, you can enter on the day.
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Olympic gold medalist Jonny Brownlee to appear at Harrogate 10k
Olympic gold medalist Jonny Brownlee is set to appear at this year’s Harrogate 10k.
The annual event, which is celebrating its fifth year, will be held on Sunday, July 2, and start and finish at the Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre.
British triathlon star Brownlee will present prizes to the top three runners in each award category.
The 33-year-old has won three Olympic medals in his career, including bronze in the individual triathlon at London 2012 and silver in the same race at Rio 2016.
He went on to win gold in the mixed relay at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
The event organisers, local running club Harrogate Harriers, are gearing up for the event with over 90 members volunteering to accommodate runners of all levels.
The Harrogate 10k. Picture: Ray Thomson.
The race will also see a fun run with children in school years 2-5 completing 1.3 km, and years 6-9 completing 2.5 km.
Sue Moul, race director and Harrogate Harriers club member, said:
“Harrogate Harriers are looking forward to welcoming 1,000 runners back to the Harmony Energy Run Harrogate 10k and fun run in 2023.
“Our beautiful course through the Crimple Valley and our Kids Fun Run means that this is something all the family can enjoy. The support of Harmony Energy is crucial as it enables us to share our love of running with our wider community.”
Peter Kavanagh, CEO of Harmony Energy which sponsors the race, said:
“We’re delighted to be back supporting such a brilliant local event. It’s great to see people of all ages taking part.
“Good luck to all those participating.”
For more information on the race and how to take part, visit the event website here.
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Harrogate school raises £6,500 in 1,000-mile cycling challenge
A Harrogate primary school cycled 1,000 miles in 24 hours to raise £6,560 — triple its fundraising target.
Teachers, pupils and parents from Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School set off on a virtual race from John o’ Groats to Land’s End with the target of raising £2,000 to fund playground improvements.
Riders took 15-minute turns on one of four stationary bikes in the school hall, with quick changeovers to ensure the pedals never stopped moving.
Video messages of support were received from professional cyclist Lizzie Deignan and Olympic gold medallist, Jonny Brownlee.
The first day finished with a disco ride in the dark, complete with lights and motivational music until 9.00pm and riders were back on the saddles again by 6.00am to continue the virtual journey.
An online fundraising page and cash sponsorships have so far generated £6,560.
Ms Ross with the head girl and head boy
Headteacher Amy Ross said:
“I am so proud of Team Hampsthwaite and what we have collectively achieved in these past two days.
“Every child has been involved and had the chance to take a turn on the bike and the support from parents and family has been incredible.
“I am overwhelmed by the amount of money that we have raised; it will make a tremendous difference towards improving the playground, which all pupils will get to enjoy.”
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Rudding Park 10k race to return in spring
Rudding Park‘s 10k multi-terrain trail race is to return in May after a successful inaugural event last year.
Olympic triathlon gold medallist Jonny Brownlee started last year’s Rudding ParkRace, in which more than 300 runners navigated their way through 18th century parkland at the privately-owned Harrogate resort.
This year’s event, which will be held on May 9, will raise money in support of former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow’s Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal.
There are 450 places available and the entry fee is £25 for affiliated runners and £27 for non-affiliated runner.
Jonny Brownlee at last year’s event.
Nuno César de Sá, Rudding Park hotel manager, said the 2022 race had a “great vibe”, adding:
“Rudding House made the perfect backdrop for the finish line where the prize giving took place as guests enjoyed music, hog roast and refreshments as the sun set.
“We were thrilled to raise over £4,000 for the Queen’s Green Canopy and this year we are super excited to be supporting Rob Burrow and his family whose tireless campaign to raise awareness and funds to support families living with MND is inspiring.”
The start of last year’s race.
Last year’s winner was Nathan Edmonson from Ilkley Harriers, who recorded a time of 34 mins 25 secs. The fastest female was Charlotte Mason from City of York AC in a time of 41 mins 29 secs.
More information is available here.
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