A school in Harrogate is to honour a former pupil who became the first woman to run a mile in under five minutes.

Diane Leather, who attended Harrogate Ladies’ College, made history on May 29 1954 in Birmingham when she ran a mile in 4 minutes and 59.6 seconds.

She only received a fraction of the acclaim given to Roger Bannister when he ran the first sub-four-minute mile 23 days earlier.

Her former school plans to establish an award for promising female runners in recognition of her extraordinary feat.

Sylvia Brett, the principal of the college, said:

“Diane was a pioneer and an amazing athlete. We’re determined her legacy for female athletes won’t be forgotten, and we hope the new award will help others achieve their dreams.”

The school intends to establish the award for athletes as part of its annual Speech Day.

Inspired by the Olympics

Staffordshire-born Diane attended Harrogate Ladies’ College between 1943 and 1951 and enjoyed all sports, particularly netball and lacrosse, but her running ability marked her out from a young age.

She trained as a chemist and joined her local athletics club, Birchfield Harriers, after watching the Helsinki Olympics in 1952.

The following year she set a women’s ‘best’ for running a mile in 5 minutes and 2.6 seconds. After she broke the record she recorded another two sub-five-minute miles by running 4 minutes 50.8 seconds and 4 minutes 45 second.

It wasn’t for another 13 years until after she set the ‘best’ time that the International Amateur Athletics Federation, now known as World Athletics, recognised women’s world records for the mile. Unfounded medical concerns meant women were banned from the Olympic marathon until 1984 and only began ski jumping at the Winter Olympics in 2014.

Even the most dedicated fitness enthusiasts can have a tough time in winter.

Cold days and long nights make it hard to get out of bed, let alone get the body moving, but there are some simple ways to stay motivated and train smart when the cold weather hits.

“The goal is to remove as many obstacles as possible and make small changes that can make staying active easier until the warmer weather returns. At this time of year, exercise can also help to cope with seasonal depression.”

Here are Liv’s top training and wellbeing tips to keep you going in winter:

1. Layer up

When you train outside in cold weather, it’s really important to wear the correct clothing to stop you overheating or getting too cold.

We aren’t always great at dressing for the weather when it comes to training in this country. If you are too cold your muscles will seize up and you can injure yourself, but then if you get too warm that obviously isn’t great either.

So for example if you go running, I would recommend breaking it down to a fitted base-layer. Then you want a nice cosy mid-layer, which you want to be still quite fitted so it locks in the heat, but is still breathable. Then finally you want an outer-layer, which is water resistant but still light and breathable. You can then take it off if you are too hot and put it back on when you get cold. Layering is essential.

2. Stay safe

Wear reflective or bright coloured clothing when you train in the dark. Don’t wear black. Even just a hint of brightness would be better than a dark colour. For example wear a hat or headband that would stand out. Or gloves and trainers which are reflective.

3. Keep nourishing your body

It’s so easy in winter, with the dark, cold nights and mornings to just stuff your face with any old rubbish. But try nourish and fuel your body as much as possible. So for example go for something warming that will keep you full for longer, like porridge or overnight oats.

Also make sure you get your Vitamin D in, which we get from sunlight and obviously lack in this country in the winter months. So this could be in a supplement or from another source of food or drink. Also remember to stay hydrated, which can be easy to forget when the weather is colder.

4. Keep moving

In winter it’s so easy just to hibernate and think oh I’ll just wait for summer. But the best thing you can do for your health – both physically and mentally – is to keep on moving.

So when it’s cold, layer up, get yourself outside. Fresh air is always good for you no matter what the weather is like. Go for a run or a walk – even just 20 minutes will do you the world of good. You don’t have to exercise for hours, even if you just do 10 minutes of something, it’s better than just vegging out on the sofa in front of Netflix. It’s 10 minutes more than you would have done and once you have, I guarantee you will feel better as a result.

5. Make time for you

In winter it can feel harder to fit in training. It is often a busy time of year in the run-up to Christmas and life can get a bit crazy. Your exercise regime can soon end up being put to the back of the queue. When you get home after a busy day at work and it’s dark and cold, it’s difficult to motivate yourself. Equally it’s tougher getting out of bed on dark mornings.

But then we aren’t necessarily doing the things that make us feel good. So it’s about making sure you still make some time to prioritise yourself.

Don’t be afraid to take some time to step back from training if you need to, but use your time wisely.

Even if you don’t feel like training, rather than just getting home and binging on chocolate in front of the TV, get your coat on, get warm and go outside and see your friends for a hot chocolate instead. Make that time for you.

Liv’s top 3 Sweaty Betty winter picks for outdoor training

1. Glisten Seamless Long Sleeve Top

In winter it’s all about layers and I love this top. It keeps you warm but it’s still breathable. It’s made from natural bamboo and it has antibacterial properties so you don’t smell sweaty after you train.

2. Pathfinder Packable Gilet

I like it because it’s very lightweight but still warm – made with recycled feather down – and you can pack it away. It comes with a little bag, like a bumbag, so you can roll it up. You obviously can’t tie it around your waist if you get too hot while you’re out running, but you can put it in the little bag. Perfect for that layering!

3. Power Boost Reflective Workout Zip Through and Power High-Waisted Reflective Gym Leggings

They are breathable and have sweat-wicking, as well as being made with four-way stretch fabric. So they are fitted and still give you shape, but you can move really freely. What I really like about them is they are reflective. So there is that safety aspect for the darker nights.

• Sweaty Betty will be taking over the F45 Harrogate studio on Saturday, October 23 at 10am. To join in with a free functional training session featuring a live DJ and a Heck BBQ, click here to book.

A 10 kilometre race and fun run that raise money for a Harrogate district primary school is set to return this month.

The event, which was founded by race director Rebecca Owen, is called Beck Busters and helps Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School.

It hopes to generate £10,000 to get an all-weather track for the school field that children can use all year round.

Beck Busters didn’t take place last year because of lockdown restrictions but will return on September 19 for a fourth time.

Nina Swainston, one of the organisers, said:

“It’s a big local community event, anyone of all ages can take part.”

Read More:

• Fun runs to restart in Harrogate
• £22,000 fundraising campaign launched for Ripon Walled Garden

Ms Swainston said runners were still welcome to enter. There are currently about 20 spaces for children out of a maximum entry of 150 and about 110 adult spaces out of a maximum entry of 330.

Entry costs £5 for children and £18 for adults (£16 for members of a running club).

The Beck Buster run is 10 kilometres, while the fun run is two kilometres.

Participants from clubs such as Ripon Runners and Harrogate Harriers have taken part.

In past years, the fundraiser has allowed the school to afford iPads for children, as well as save towards creating an all-weather track.

For more information see the Beck Busters website.

More than 600 people entered the inaugural Dalesman Triathlon on Sunday, which started and finished at Ripon racecourse.

Triathlons consist of a swim, followed by a cycle ride and run.

There were three different distances, the main one being the full Dalesman, which consisted of a 2.4 mile swim in the lake at Ripon racecourse followed by a 112-mile cycle route in Masham, Dallow Moor and Brimham Rocks and a 26-mile marathon run that returned to Ripon.

The full Dalesman started at 6am and final competitor finished in darkness at 10.30pm. Henry Sleight won in a time of nine hours and 53 minutes.

Event organiser Rob Wilkins, who lives near Ripon, said it was a successful but exhausting day and he hoped it would return next year.

Keen runner, the Rt. Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, the Bishop of Ripon, was among those who answered a call for volunteer marshals put out by Ripon Runners club, of which she is a member.

Dr Hartley said:

“It was a terrific event, and great for the region to attract nationwide competitors.

“In addition, it highlighted the sporting attractiveness of Ripon and its surrounding communities.  It was great fun to be a marshal and I am full of admiration for all those taking part.”

Read more:

• Ripon’s Old Deanery Hotel is back in business
• Bishop Monkton’s pandemic story

The number of people I’ve seen out running in this current heatwave, both at the peak of the day and without a water bottle, is frankly more than a little alarming.

Running in near 30°C heat (feels like way more when you take into account irradiated ground heat) can be risky, especially when you are not used to it. It is easy to become dehydrated and overheated, which can lead to excessive sweating, headaches, nausea, tiredness, dizziness and muscle cramps.

You’ll likely stop running well, and may even find you are not able to run at the same pace or cover the same distance as you might run in milder temperatures.

My 22-year-old son is fit as a butcher’s dog (though as a vegetarian I don’t think he’ll much appreciate that comparison!) and ran the Virtual Virgin Money London Marathon around Harrogate alongside me in the autumn.

He returned from a late afternoon run last week with a severe headache and nausea and had to go and lie down in a darkened room for several hours. He still felt out of sorts the next morning. It’s likely he hadn’t modified his pace to allow for the heat and despite having a bottle of water with him, simply hadn’t rehydrated enough, even for a relatively short 7km run.

The rule of thumb is to steer clear of running in heat if you are a young child, pregnant or elderly as the risks are obviously greater. However, there are some potentially serious risks whatever your age or fitness, especially when doing endurance runs.

Serious consequences

Having witnessed healthy young people collapsing before the finish line whilst running races in the heat and humidity of Singapore, I’ve seen firsthand the toll pushing yourself regardless in extreme temperatures can have on the body, when running for a long time and not getting the right fluid intake balance.

In many cases these are runners who have most likely trained in different conditions. Whilst running London in April 2018, its hottest race on record, I witnessed many people collapsing because they weren’t used to training in such high temperatures.

The facts are simple; there can be serious health consequences to exercising in hot weather — regardless of activity, length of time or distance — such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Read more:

• Bishop of Ripon: why I love running
• Vaccine passports for nightclubs ‘impractical’, says Viper Rooms boss

I recall finishing my second London Marathon (not a particularly hot one) shortly after a young lad collapsed crossing the finish line. He was surrounded by medics. Sadly this young man died, apparently due to flooding his body with too much water after opting to not take onboard any energy drinks or packs during the race.

It’s a fine balance, but one you must follow if you are going to train for any kind of endurance run and stay safe. Be it heat or distance, or with some races, like those in the Sahara, a combination of both.

If you are going to run in extreme temperatures, and let’s face it we don’t get a whole lot of practice in North Yorkshire, listen to your body and take sensible precautions to avoid getting overheated, even if you are just going out for half an hour.

Takeaway message

✔ Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, but don’t overdo it. Take small sips regularly.
✔ Avoid running in the heat of the day (between 11am and 3pm), dress light and ensure you wear breathable clothing to help regulate your body temperature.
✔ Slow down. Don’t try to run at your normal pace.

✔ Give yourself a chance to acclimatise to the temperature, usually a couple of weeks. Until then slow your pace!

REMEMBER… it really does come down to laziness where carrying a small bottle of water is concerned! Don’t be daft, be sensible, take a bottle and rehydrate as you run!

Sam Blakey is an international personal trainer working across the UK. She also has clients in the US, Singapore, Thailand and South Africa and ran a successful fitness company in Singapore before moving to Harrogate four years ago. She describes herself as a reluctant runner, who took up marathon running just before turning 40 to escape her five kids; she has since run eight marathons on three continents and completed several half marathons.

This year the Harrogate Harriers will use money raised to support the cardiac unit at Leeds General Infirmary, which saved the life of club member Rob Athey.

Mr Athey, 48, who lives in Harrogate, survived an alarming chain of events that started with a grazed knee last autumn and resulted in life-saving heart surgery and a two-month hospital stay.

He said:

“I do a lot of off-road running so I picked up a graze on my knee, which caused me to contract a blood infection called endocarditis. That took over my body and damaged my heart valve. Some of the heart valve came away, causing a blood clot, and then I suffered a stroke on the back of that.

“Then it came to light that I needed open-heart surgery to actually replace the heart valve.

“I got tested positive for covid as well, which meant that when they performed the open-heart surgery – because they have to stop your heart to work on it – it was touch and go. Basically, they actually saved my life.”

Harrogate Harriers club member Rob Athey. He will run this summer’s 10k event to raise funds for LGI’s cardiac unit.

Mr Athey, who went back to work for Lloyds Banking Group in March, added:

“It’s life-changing. Life will never be the same again, but I’m so grateful for LGI for treating me. The NHS are fantastic, Harrogate ambulance service were fantastic in getting me there for all my procedures that I needed.

“I’m now recovering and I’m back trying to do a bit of running, although I can’t do too much. Because I’m a member of Harrogate Harriers I’d like to raise money for the cardiac unit at the LGI and (club chair Adam Prentis) said ‘yes, fantastic, we’d love to support that cause’.”

He has been running 5k distances as part of his training and is aiming to get around the 10k route in an hour – but insisted that his main motivation was completing the course and raising money.

Read more

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The undulating route in the Crimple Valley, south-east of the town, will start and finish at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre, next to the Great Yorkshire Showground. Although it is described as multi-terrain, 70% of the single lap is on roads.

Runners on the Run Harrogate 10k course through the Crimple Valley in 2019. Photo: Dan Oxtoby Photography

So far the 10k event is only at half capacity, with 428 places out of 1,000 still up for grabs. The entry fee is £17 for UK athletics club members and £19 for non-members.

When the Bishop of Ripon called this month for the city to get a new sports village, she wasn’t speaking purely in a professional capacity.

The Rt Rev. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley is a keen runner who believes exercise has more than physical benefits.

Usually she runs alone but she’s also a member of Ripon Runners, and occasionally swaps her maroon robes for the club’s maroon colours.

The Stray Ferret was curious to discover more about the link between fitness and godliness and cheekily asked Helen-Ann is we could join her for a run.

She cheerfully agreed and on a pleasant eight kilometre jaunt around Ripon explained more about her journey from non-runner to regularly taking on distances of up to 16 km.

The Rt Rev. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley in her more usual attire.

She didn’t start running until two years ago, when she was 45. She says:

“I decided to give the couch to 5k programme a go. I never thought of myself as a runner, I enjoyed walking and going to the gym.

“But some friends had tried the programme and I thought it would be fun to try.

“I soon found the benefits of running both physically and mentally and starting Parkrun in August 2019 was a real milestone in my running journey.”

Read more:

• Bishop’s blessing for new Ripon M&S store
• Bishop of Ripon: ‘support bid for Ripon sports village’

Helen-Ann typically runs five to 15 km three times a week. Her personal best for a 5k is just under 30 minutes — it was 45 minutes when she started.

“To be honest though, I’m not that fussed about timing! My longest run was just over 16 km and I’m aiming for a half-marathon.”

Does running help with her day job?

“I think it does, because I use running to create space; I’ve often mulled tricky things over in my mind, or pondered a sermon and almost always come up with an idea or a different perspective because I’ve been out and about.

“I even pray as I run sometimes, when I’m running down streets I think of the people and the businesses and hope they’re doing ok, especially at the moment.”

Great North Run ambitions

Having grown up in the north-east, Helen-Ann’s ambition is to complete the Great North Run, which is a half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.

“My dad has done it. I’d love to do it and raise money for a brilliant charity called Daft as a Brush that provided the transport to enable my dad to access his cancer treatment in Newcastle, which thankfully finished just before the first lockdown. The treatment was successful, thankfully.”

As any runner will tell you, part of the joy is discovering new routes and Ripon has plenty to offer.

“I do think the Fountains Abbey Parkrun is an amazing route. I love running along the river Ure in Ripon, though it’s a bit muddy at the moment”.

Bishop spotting

She joined Ripon Runners during lockdown

“Seeing them out and about as individuals or in their bubbles doing a lockdown challenge in fancy dress made me think, they look like a cheery bunch. So I emailed their membership secretary Nicole and got such an enthusiastic response I knew I’d made the right decision.

“As a club they welcome all types of runners, fast, slow and everything in-between. I really enjoy the weekly runs when we are able to gather. Generally though I’m a solo runner and enjoy waving at fellow runners as I go on my way.”

Helen-Ann says she doesn’t get recognised often, probably because she looks so different.

“But occasionally people do a double-take but by the time they have decided if that was or wasn’t the bishop I’m well on my way!”

The Harrogate Harriers is encouraging all local runners to stay active during the colder, darker months by taking part in a festive virtual event.

The ’12ks of Christmas’ challenge will see runners covering a 12km distance during the first 12 days of December – it can be done in one outing or spread over a few.

Due to covid restrictions the group has had to adapt and find new ways to keep its participants exercising. Its annual 10km had to move online in July this year but it hopes the 2021 event can go ahead in line with any covid restrictions.

The group has ran several other virtual events for its members during lockdown but this challenge, it says, is for everyone to get involved in.

For this fun Christmas challenge the group has teamed up with toynado.co.uk – a Tockwith-based toy company which is offering 12 toy prizes to be included in the daily draws.

Nathaniel Southworth, Harrogate Harriers Treasurer, said:

“During lockdown we’ve been using different virtual events to keep the members engaged but also give them something to work towards. We want to open this out to everyone, all ages and all abilities.

“Lockdown encouraged people to get out and about so there is likely more runners out there who would enjoy this challenge.”

Read more:

• As a keen runner, the Bishop of Ripon has supported plans for a sports village to be included in a proposed housing development. 
• See runners as they take part in this year’s virtual London marathon around Harrogate. 

Participants will win other items including a discount for next year’s 10km event.

All the profits from the £6 entry fee go back in the club to help them continue encouraging people to get out and exercise within their local community.

To sign up, click here.

Today saw the VLM — the Virtual London Marathon. Here are some images of runners taking part in Harrogate – some kindly sent to us by the Harrogate Harriers. Did you run the VLM today and raise money for your nominated charity? If you did please share them with us and we’ll add them to this image gallery. contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Stephen Clegg

Tracy Iles finishing her Virtual London Marathon

Theresa Oldroyd on her VLM

Adam Prentis, chairman of Harrogate Harriers said:

“Today it was simply fantastic to see so many people coming out to support the incredible Virtual London Marathon runners around Harrogate. Some were Club runners, many were social runners, but all have continued to train really hard for months with the principle objective of raising thousands of pounds for their chosen charities. Congratulations to all who undertook the Marathon today. Really great effort.”

Debbie Songhurst at 23 mile point

Nicole Sutton from Ripon

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Morgan Glazier, 18, is aiming to run an incredible 465 miles over 30 days this month.

The student from Rossett School, in Harrogate, is running in aid of the mental health charity MIND, after suffering with OCD for a number of years. He is hoping to improve his mental health during lockdown, through running, whilst raising money for a charity close to his heart.

To meet his 465 mile target, he will add an extra mile to the distance to correspond with the date. For example, on June 1 he ran one mile and then on June 2 he ran two miles, this will continue until June 30 when he will run 30 miles in a day.

His efforts will see him run the equivalent of a marathon or longer on each of the final days. Morgan hopes his run will highlight the positive effects that running can have on mental health. He said:

“Lockdown has been a bit tough and I haven’t been feeling great. I’ve always enjoyed long-distance running and I often use it to get away from everything. It’s a way for me to disconnect myself from negative thoughts and improve my mental wellbeing.”

The mental health charity, MIND, is close to Morgan’s heart. He hopes his running will bring awareness to positive mental wellbeing.

Read more: 

• Mental health charity launches fundraising appeal to meet increased demand. 
• Harrogate race for life postponed until October. 

The mental health charity means a lot to Morgan and his family, who said:

“I am doing it in memory of my uncle, who died as a result of his mental health problems, and for everyone who suffers or has suffered with a mental illness.”

To sponsor Morgan, click here.