We got locked down and we got up again. Sunday morning dawned with bright blue skies in York but heading north up the A19 the white stuff became more evident the nearer we got to Swainby, a lovely village on the edge of the North York Moors.
It was a picture perfect setting for the first race back. Time to check off the mandatory kit list and remind yourself of the art of attaching safety pins to bib numbers and running shirt.
Eight of us were there with Glynn, Mel, Di and Amy taking on the 7 mile course and Jo, Dee, Jonathan and Simon featuring in the 14 mile race.
The first change was on the morning itself with the advertised longer route being shortened to two laps of the 7 mile course due to the amount of snow on top of t'moors making it difficult for marshals to reach some of their drink stations. That aside we were good to go, having complied with the Covid changes to the registration and start line procedures. All very slick and clearly much time had been spent by the organisers in advance. First class in every way.
There was a certain symmetry to the course. A gradual climb to introduce us to the big hill in the middle followed by a Wacky Races style descent on the other side to the finish, or lap two for some!
The snow made way for some beautiful weather and near perfect conditions for running. It clearly suited the Postal Harriers contingent with some outstanding results.
There were 131 finishers in the 7 mile race with Glynn finishing on the podium (a virtual podium in this case) with a superb 3rd place in 45.23. Mel was 3rd lady over the line in 59.42 with Di close behind in 60.55 and taking the honours in the F40 category and first place on the virtual podium. Amy finished well to come home in 61.36 meaning the Postal Ladies team had all finished in the top 11. Outstanding stuff ladies.
Meanwhile, there were 134 finishers in the longer event but no awards to shout about other than the four of us got to witness the amazing views twice. And climb that hill twice. Simon came in 55th in 2.16.31 with Jo and Dee 100th and 101st respectively in 2.47 and Jonathan close behind in 106th with 2.49.
Well done to our prize winners and the whole team for taking part. An even bigger well done to the organisers for being the brave ones to hold the first race back and deliver a first class event.
Watch this space for further results each week as races well and truly get back under way. We've got entrants in the Hardmoors 30 and the Elvington races, taking place on the weekend of 24th / 25th April.
If you're new to the local running scene then check out some of the following websites for details of local(ish) events, noting that some of them will be full.
https://www.sientries.co.uk/ typically for trail events such as Hardmoors
http://www.evensplits.events/ road events such as Elvington runway, Vale of York 10M and HM
https://www.itsgrimupnorthrunning.co.uk/home/ very regular races from 5K to Ultras, quite often on canal footpaths.
parkrun is due to return on 5th June. No guarantees yet that all 3 of the York events will return on that day but keep your eye out for further updates.
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