Race Report of 'The Wetherby Run - 10k of 14th September 2008  by Robert Gray Race Director & chair WRAC.

Last years winner of the Wetherby Run -10k Gary Dunn made a return visit to the racecourse to defend his title on Sunday. The Thirsk runner was determined to have a crack again at this years new Target time for the course which had been set by race organiser and Wetherby Runners Chairman Rob Gray. “Gary managed to shave 16 seconds off our predicted time last year and took the prize, this year I think its going to be more of a challenge”. However as the 2 o'clock start approached the weather was working in Gary's favour, the wet week had given way to glorious sunshine as the 600 runners charged downhill in a stream of colour from the racecourse towards Kirk Deighton. Many were running for the first time and had enjoyed the friendly atmosphere in the tented “runners village” constructed with the help of 1^st Wetherby Scouts.

Gary was clocking up the miles on the course as it wound from the village then along the old A1 to Sandbeck Way and on towards Freemans Way where there could have been problems. Co organiser Willie Allen of Wetherby Lions explained. “ We had been receiving some phone calls through the week from worried runners who had reported that the newly extended underpass was still blocked by construction work. It was only through the extra man-hours put in by motorway contractors Balfour Beatty that they were able to open up the tunnel for us on a temporary basis, this allowed the race to continue. Balfour Beatty were also supporting us by loaning additional crowd control barriers at the finish which due to increased spectator numbers at the event were put to good use”.

Lead runner Gary had recorded mile splits of by this stage of an impressive Mile 1 – 4.58, Mile 2 – 5.03, Mile 3 – 5.20, Mile 4 – 5.11 and Mile 5 – 5.24 and felt he was almost certain of finishing in under the target of just 32 minutes . Even with the cheers and shouts of the crowd as he fought the last few yards over the final stretch in 6.10 it left him an agonising 6 seconds outside the time, the £100 bonus had slipped away. Gary vowed to return next year and said “ If I could have run 6 seconds quicker, well I would have done, I'm gutted but its a great course, plenty of entertainment, this race is up there with the best of them”. The winner was followed in by Tony Lambert of Swaledale Roadrunners and Max Colligan of Arbroath & District Harriers.

The first lady, Vicky Whitehead was not far behind and won the SH Structures Cup in a time of 36.54. Wetherby Runner Chris Plews fought off strong opposition from fellow members Richard Bewell and Lisa Mawer to retain The Gray Cup in an improved time of 37.16. The Wetherby Ladies of Ann Dale, Andrea Normington and Emma Coster won the Wetherby Whaler Team Shield and York Knavesmire Harriers were first men's team.

Moores Furniture Group who were the main sponsors of the event entered into the spirit of the day by putting together its very own team of runners for the 10k race who were intent on smashing the £1,500 the company managed to raise at last year’s event which went to local causes including the Martin House Children’s hospice.

As well as being the main sponsors of the 10k, Moores were also delighted to sponsor and hand out the prizes to the winners of the Moores Mini marathon event which is a family fun run over a slightly shorter distance of 1.8 miles, encouraging families to take part and feel part of the big day.  This year over 125 keen runners took part with Wetherbys Emily Legg coming in first for the girls, while Jamie Martin scooped the prize for the boys.

“It is incredibly important to us as a company to support local events such as the Wetherby Run, not least because it is a great day out for the whole family and the money raised will be going to such worthy causes,” comments Peter Wilson, Chief Executive.

St James Church team of 25 runners finished in style, all were wearing special tee shirts for the occasion. Their Race Team Coordinator and runner Fiona Jones said “we've really enjoyed the community event. The atmosphere was great fun and we were made to feel very welcome among the more regular athletes here. The fun runners are already enthusing about doing it again next year. The 10K runners are still catching their breath!”.

Many relaxed afterwards with a massage provided by Wetherby Osteopaths or with a well earned cool drink from their souvenir mugs.

Fiona was delighted by the support for the Tower Appeal “Its been amazing. The running team have collectively raised around £1700 (a figure which seems to be rising!) so we would like to express our sincere thanks to all our supporters. Carol Farrar and her team on the refreshment stand worked tremendously hard providing drinks, home-made cakes and a barbecue - thanks to their efforts they raised another £650 towards our funds”.

St James Church is extremely grateful to Wetherby Runners and the Wetherby Lions for allowing us to use the Wetherby 10K to promote our appeal - it really was a community spirited day.

Race organiser Rob Gray said that the community support has shone through this year. With the Lions, Moores backing together with other business support like Moto Services with the drinks stations and 1Car1 we have worked together to make it a special day which has provided entertainment all round and raised money locally and for the Lions main charity Yorkshire Air Ambulance. He concluded “Wetherby's now got a ' Cracking little Yorkshire Run' and a real gem”.

The many spectators who attended Wetherby's 10km race on Sunday were treated to an event which has rapidly found its position in the local calendar of road races. A full field of 450 entrants, travelling from athletics clubs across the region provided a spectacle of colour as they were clapped and cheered around the course.

Only in its second year the organisers , Wetherby Runners AC and Wetherby Lions have built on the success of last years inaugural run and found that the benefits of both hosting the final race in the North Yorkshire Black Sheep Race Series and being on a date close to 'The Great North Run had attracted a field of competitive racers together with half marathon die-hards pushing their pre-race training.

Greeted by a fine day which had potential for fast finishing times there was a steady increase in the wind speed leading up to the 2 pm start time. This was something which frustrated Gary Dunn who as leader of The Black Sheep Series was looking to have a crack at the bonus prize pot of £100 provided by Jack Joy Insurance if he got around the 6.1 miles in under 32 minutes and 30 seconds.

At 5 minute miling on a course which included some gravel sections Gary knew it would be quite a tall order, but never one to shirk a challenge his race preparation was on track.

Not alone in looking for P.B. performances there was amassed at the start a strong field with Stephen O'Neil from Darlington, Craig Kreedy from St Theresa's , Richard Watson, of Ripon Runners and Stuart Johnstone of Harrrogate all looking to emulate the race of Kenyan Tarus Elley, last years winner, who seemed to float around the course in a record time of 32 min 10 second.

Beneath the start gantry the runners paid tribute with a fitting ovation following Race Director Robert Gray's tribute to the late Jane Tomlinson.

Then at the gun they were off, a veritable charge down the hill and away from the grandstand

The field soon strung out along the new link road to Kirk Deighton before they took to the tracks leading to Loshpott Lane. By way of a brief detour into Kirk Deighton the runners were then greeted by a Highland pipe band as well as well wishers from The Bay Horse.

Gary Dunn by this stage had committed himself to his trademark fast start but admitted he suffered slightly between 2km and 7km. Apart from a fresh looking Stephen O'Neill the hard pressed front men trailed by a minute as Richard Watson traded places with Craig and Stuart Johnstone kept them under pressure 30 seconds behind.

Chris Plews of Wetherby was contesting 'The Gray Trophy ' for first local runner and said he fully expected the experienced local Lisa Mayer to pass, sadly she was out of contention however with a cold virus. Taking her place and doing it in some style was Vicki Whitehead from the Leeds Club, Valley Striders. With team mate Tracy Morris, who won the ladies prize last year recovering from the marathon race for GB in Osaka the fellow 'strider' knew she had a good chance in a first placed finish for the ladies trophy. Erika Johnson of Swaledale on a come back season and ever improving worked hard but couldn't make up a 3 minutes deficit.

A final push for the finish saw Gary Dunn not only take a fine trophy, but add £100 to the £75 cash prize. He was asked what the secret to his success was and modestly said 'hard work' and what food had he had this morning in preparation and half joked .' Just a big tin of beans'.

Gary's km split times were 1 - 2.58, 2 - 3.03, 3 - 3.13, 4 - 3.20, 5 - 3.20, 6- 3.17, 7 - 3.17, 8 - 3.20, 9 - 3.14 & 10 - 3.08.

The other runners were enjoying the sights of this' Cracking Little Yorkshire run' as it is dubbed in the race literature. As 'The Harland Way' Cycle Track offered a safe route to not only for parts of the 10k but also for the 'Moores' Mini Marathon. The 1.8 mile fun run had seen Newton Aycliffe 16 year old athlete James Askew take a win from Wetherby's own 12 year old Luke Broadbent and 13 year old Emily Legg.

Jack Joy Insurance's prize winning contribution resulted in an award presentation which any race would be proud of. Masters athletes up to 70 years were well rewarded for their efforts. First places for v40 Chris Hartley (Easingwold), Ripon's V50 vet Dave Jelley. Ever competitive Chris Gill in the over 60's in a time of 38 minutes 14 seconds posted the 13^th fastest V60 10 km time this year. 70 years old Harold Dobson finished in under 41 minutes for 3^rd place, putting in excellent performances for the main race.

In the ladies classes wins for Wetherby's Jo Davey as a V35 competitor and Harrogate Harriers Sue Simpson first in the V45 range. Bridlington's Brenda Cossins in veteran V55 class had been rewarded with a win in her class following a fine run which she felt justified the long distance trip from the coast.

As well as being a sponsor for the Wetherby Run 10k Moores had its own team of runners, who ran to raise money for Moores chosen charities in 2007.They managed to raise £1500 for Martin House and The Yorkshire Cancer Centre.

An endurance world records attempt by runner Robin Simpson was seen by many as a literally quite staggering challenge as he made his way around the course with a 40 pounds pack on his back. His efforts to break a time of 1 hour and 2 minutes for establishing an official world speed march record may be successful as he recorded a time of 57 mins 31 seconds.

Wetherby Osteopaths kindly offered their massage services and were proving a great recovery service on the aching tendons and muscles of not only Winner Gary Dunn but to quite a number who kept them busy all afternoon. With team prize money from them and team Shields from 'The Wetherby Whaler' the men's first and second teams of Harrogate Harriers and Valley Striders stepped up to the podium.

The ladies teams, first being York Knavesmire and second placed Wetherby Runners were themselves jubilant Wetherby particularly as they had, by their success clinched the overall team prize in 'The Black Sheep Series'.

Tempo Fm had kept the listeners entertained with a series of post race interviews, while a welcome supply of much needed refreshments in the form of Cakes, buns & cups of tea were in ready supply for runners as they relaxed afterwards.

Co-Organiser Willie Allen of the Wetherby Lions now looks forward to next year when it is hoped that a larger field of runners will be able to compete in a race which, by early indications is proving a winner to all who have taken part.