Richmond NYSD XC race report

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The last real XC race of the NYSD series was at the old racecourse in Richmond. The race runs around the racecourse perimeter with a few short sharp hills up to the old grandstand ruins and one gentle, but what seemed like never ending, slog of a climb along one side.  A strong headwind made this even more challenging – is it ever not windy at this race??

Richmond Ladies Team

We had extremely dry conditions meaning only one proper patch of mud for the mud fans – a big contrast from Summerhill 2 weeks ago. A clear day and high location gave stunning views over North Yorkshire and Teesside for those brave enough to look up from avoiding the constant rabbit holes and mole hills. The rest of us got to admire the view after the race.

 

We had 2 four legged friends, Milly and Dexter, as team mascots for the day. Dexter got into true team Striders spirit by sampling some of the post race cake. He certainly enjoyed the orange cake  after catching Liz J by surprise and taking some out of her hand just as she was about to tuck in.  Luckily the cake fairies (aka Caroline and Liz J) had been busy again and there was plenty extra for everyone… including dogs.

 

The ladies team finished in 5th place with the men finishing in 7th. Great effort everyone.  Full results are here – Richmond NYSD results

 

It was a good end to a fab series, which has seen an increase in the number of people representing Striders as well as some excellent individual and team performances.  Special mention must go to Liz and Jerry J who have been fantastic team managers.  Ensuring all the logistics were sorted, the gazebo and flag were ready, everyones all important numbers were kept safe and of course providing us with lovely tea and cake after each race.  Great jobs guys – thank you for all your hard work!  All that’s left now is to clean those spikes (or leave them covered in mud by the back door for some of us) and put them away until next season – usually starting in October.

 

Some highlights of this season…

  • Best post run team re-fuelling: Fish & Chips in Whitby… Yum!
  • Most muddy race: Ormesby Hall
  • Best Striders sprint finish: David’s race at Summerhill against a Darlington athlete
  • Best expletives shouted: Sam at Ormesbby Hall
  • Most annoying route: the end of Fox Rush, Redcar, with it’s run round the field at the end when everyone thought they were nearly finished
  • Most fun race: Summerhill… you can’t beat a bit of mud, hills and a few streams to jump
  • Most chilled run by a Strider: Chris F at every race.
  • Coldest race: Acklam.
  • Best post run cake: It’s a hard one so the prize is split between the flapjacks at Whitby, chocolate brownies at Richmond and mash potato cake (yes really!) at Summerhill.  Trying them all to decide this was a hard job…

 

The final race of the series is the road relays on 12th March at Croft Circuit.

3 Comments

  • Andy Hayes

    Great series and my first taste of Cross Country since school at Acklam Grange where the course was the same only ran 4 times instead of once. Fantastic team management by Jerry and Liz did not go unnoticed very much appreciated, thanks

  • Liz Jordan

    thanks for the lovely comments. It has been great fun being team managers for this season & having an excuse to bake is always a treat. we have had a fantastic turn out for this season & I hope everyone’s enthusiasm encourages others to give it a go next year. All you need is a slightly masochistic love of mud, cold & occasionally wet running conditions + amazing encouragement from your fellow team mates for a grand afternoons running. My only question is to Liz Simpson: which cake do you want me to bring for the road relays ??

  • Katie Abel

    I vote brownies again please Liz! Always a yummy choice.. That was the motivation for getting round Richmond! ? Xxx

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