Author Archive: Mark Bower

Horsing around in Elsecar

Sometimes slow and steady wins the race, but not always how you expect.

Five Harriers ran in the eighth of this year’s KMR races. This one is dedicated to the much-loved late Rotherham runner Stan Bagshaw, who would always hand out toffees after races.

Series stalwart Michael Plant was there of course, and Andrew Finch who came with me and Dave Langford, perturbed at Simon Rayner for turning up, as it meant he’d have to run hard. I wanted to save myself for the Supermile the next day so thought I’d take it easy. Maybe I’d just keep behind Finch and see how it went.

The start was an old railway line. Two furlongs along and we turned onto a road and started climbing. Plant was just in sight, and Finch had also pulled away from me. I stayed disciplined, saving energy.

The road up the hill was long. Then, an urgent shout from behind. Something wrong? No, probably just someone cheering.

Seconds later, the lead runners came hurtling back down. They’d gone the wrong way, and weren’t happy:

“There should have been a marshall!”

“For flip’s sake!”

“What’s the point now?”

Quite a lot of point for me! I’d gone from back Danum marker to leader. Time to get a move on!

I had no right to be there, running with the leaders back down the road and into the woods, where we should have turned before.

People previously far behind had also turned, getting in the way on the narrow trail. I pretended to be a fast runner and overtook whoever I could in the woodland mêlée.

I felt like Foinavon in the Grand National 1967, catapulted into the lead as nearly all horses fell and unseated their riders at the 23rd fence. In fact, loose horses would feature in this race too, but luckily again I missed any of that hindrance.

I leapfrogged a few steady-paced runners just before a stile. That was bound to slow more fasties down as they battled to get past.

Then, a long slog up a steep field with more stiles and a turnaround at the top.

I put in some effort, and near the top the leaders came charging back down. After I turned back I expected the likes of Langford, Rayner and Plant to be on my heels. But no, I was able to run down toward a fence and duck under it, with ascending runners queuing to climb over the stile, and then past the other Harriers coming up, about to spook some horses.

The rest of the race I just ran swiftly. A few runners passed me. I was just happy to be among the top twenty or so. Another wrong turn by some people in front of me meant I caught up more places.

Then the finish was in sight, and I finished the four-and-a-bit mile race as first Harrier with an amazing 35:30. We were all rewarded with a bag of toffees!

A lovely day for a run is my description for the day with 15 Harriers turning up creating a bit of a Blue and Yellow wave with the 3 Syds bringing their much appreciated support. This was the 3rd race of the Askern RC calendar and definitely the toughest to follow Norton 9 and Askern 10k. £11 with a tee-shirt thrown in represents great value and the races really are a must in my opinion.

So off into the estate we went and there was over 500 runners getting ready for the start and before I had even got in position, we were away! It was a nice start off out into the countryside with the 1st 2.5 miles or so being quite flat through Campsall Village and a bit of Norton. Then the 1st bit of bumpyness which lasted about 1.5 miles with at a very steep bump which drained your legs up Norton and Kirk Smeaton Rd. It was then a long run down Green gate road for another mile or so. It was then along Woodfield Rd/Bone Lane (where I think Ben Hales was and nearly lost his Camera). Chris Ramsey was out and supporting at various points around the course. It was then a right turn onto Burghwallis Rd with another bit of steep climbing before turning back and heading back into Sutton Village which took us roughly to the 8 mile marker. I was suffering at this point but I couldn’t see any blue and yellow in front or behind so ended up in a little battle with a Ackworth Runner (not sure he knew but I did!). It was then the familiar last 2 miles from the Askern 10k out onto the A19 at the Owston Pub and a run to the finish. On turning into the WMC field, The Syds could be heard so I managed a sprint past the aforementioned Ackworth Runner (he didn’t show it but I know he was gutted!). And the welcome bleep of chip timing sounded and it was allover! I went straight for my Tee-shirt and a needed drink of orange squash. I saw Jim and Dave were back and I was able to shout home everyone else. Another great day to be a Harrier and a great race and run by everyone.

Hope to see you all at the next CC at Pontefract!

[wpa-simple-results event=’384′]

Race report: Go Tri Thrybergh Aquathlon – 31 July

If you’ve ever fancied taking part in a mini multisport race, Go Tri have some excellent events to get involved in.

It’s run by British Triathlon and funded by Sport England. The idea is to get people into triathlon and multisports and races are held all over the country.

I did my first at Scunthorpe a few months ago (an Aquathlon, so swim then run) and one here with Sarah Sutherland in June. I also did a Duathlon (run, bike, run) at Cantley Park with Daniel Hart a few weeks ago. Never mind that I won that one – these things are all about having fun and challenging yourself!

Last night’s event was a swim-run-swim at Thrybergh Country Park. With torrential rain all afternoon it looked like it might be a wash-out. However, the downfall stopped just before the start and we were into the water and away for the first 300-metre dip.

The water wasn’t that cold. I was swimming okay, but all over the place trying to maintain a straight line towards each buoy. Then it was out of the water into transition for a lap of the lake. Once we were running I started to pass people. I thought there was a good chance I was near the front as I couldn’t see many people in the distance. Certainly no sign of Laura Sydney. I assumed she must be behind me.

We came back to the water and into the final transition. A lady who I’d worked hard to catch up to and pass ploughed straight into the water in front of me. She had running shoes that you could also swim in. Bit cheeky, I thought. I did my best to stay with her, but she was a strong swimmer. Another 200 metres and then a barefoot shimmy to the finish line.

After getting my breath back for a couple of minutes I spotted Laura lounging by the water. Had she just finished? No – she’d finished ages ago, in third place, and the fastest lady! I, on the other hand had to make do with the ‘skins award’.

Tempted? There’s an Aquathlon in Scunthorpe this Sunday (August 4) and a Duathlon in Leeds next Wednesday (August 7). Closer to home there’s a Triathlon and Aquabike at Askern on 8 September. I plan to make that my first Triathlon!