Hawkswick Dash Fell Race Results
Sunday 20 July 2008
Race Report
A record field of 62 runners turned up at Hawkswick in the Yorkshire Dales. Hawkswick Dash is aptly named; it's a blast from start to finish negotiating some steep climbs, moorland and a cracking descent in about 11 minutes for the senior top guns. What a fine win Ted Mason pulled off, he broke off his work on the farm turned up at the race, kicked our butts, collected his prize and back to work. This keeps his championship hopes burning brightly. Brendon Taylor put in a massive run to finish in 2nd ahead of the 1st v40 Mark Croasdale. What a run by young Jack Thompson who had horrendous blisters last week at Alva, he came home in 4th. Mark McGoldrick collected 5th place with Colin Urmston 1st v45 in 6th, Matthew Athersmith was 1st u23 and 7th overall. Andy Preedy was 8th, with 1st v50 Adrian Pickles showing his class in 9th. Martyn Speight another vet finished in 10th. The race took a slightly longer route but it would only mean seconds to the times.
In the Ladies race the in-form Lisa Lacon would have beat the record from our normal start and finish so it was quite an achievement to come back in a time of 13.51. Further back there was an exciting tussle for 2nd lady with Val Done coming home like a steam train to pip Judy Marshall and Dawn Richards, Val was also 1st lady vet and this was her highest placed position in the ladies this season.
The under 17's took a new turn this week as Alva winner Tom Sessford sporting an injury turned up as a spectator, leaving Ashley Kay and Johnny Bradshaw battling it out up front. Two seconds parted them at the finish, with Ashley coming on top. Rossendale's Jordan Beard came 3rd with Matt Fretwell closely following. The under 17's girls saw the in-form Emma Flanagan take a comfortable win from Melanie Hyder with Pendle's Emma Spencer taking 3rd prize.
James Knox is stacking up the wins in the under 14's and put a six second lead over Ryan Croasdale in 2nd keeping him on track in the championship. James Hall was not far behind them in 3rd with three seconds separating Pascal Dark and Declan Bulmer. In the girls' Lauren Munro-Bennett looks the one to beat collecting an impressive win over Keighley's Pippa Barrett and Charlotte Cox in 2nd and 3rd.
The under 12's had 31 runners lined up which for here is fantastic. Ben Johnstone kept a clean sheet with a narrow victory over William Smith who is coming into some good form. Alexander Speight came home in 3rd with Phil Done getting nudged out of the prizes in 4th. The girls once again were led home by the in-form Lorna Jo Nunwick with Ludlow athlete Emma Clarke in second and Rebecca Flanagan a close 3rd.
The under 9's did a tough little course around the field with only 4 seconds separating the winner Joshua Newbold , 2nd Thomas Sumner and 3rd and 4th Charlie Lowrie and Robbie Johnstone. The girls were led home by Emily Cox with Kitty Morrison, Erica Nicholls and Katie Cox taking 2nd 3rd and 4th, 21 runners turned out.
Thanks to all who competed in our races at Hawkswick, a big 'thank you' to the land owners for the use of parking in the field and to all those who help in whatever way to keep these events happening. Next week's race is in the Dales at Cracoe. Hopefully we will see you there.
Barry Scholes