Author: Liz Simpson

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?? 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…

Striders had another brilliant team event at the NECAA Royal Signal Road Relays. 2 teams of 4 ladies and 6 men ran 2.2 miles each through Hetton Lyons Country Park in Hetton-le-Hole.  It was a lovely course with just one tricky hill and another, according to Sam and Cat, not a hill - certainly felt like one at the end of the second lap!   Jackie was dedicated to team Striders running on her trip home from Dubai. Michelle and Tom ran their first Striders team event… hope you’ll be back from more guys!   There was superb running from everyone and equally good team spirit. A cool wind picked up later in the afternoon giving the men’s teams an extra challenge to content with. Special mention has to go…

Summerhill lived up to its name with some long hills in the 6th race of the NYSD Cross Country series on Sunday 5th Feb. There were unusually mild conditions for one of the toughest but fun races of the series. With some tough climbs and streams to cross the super muddy and slippery course was certainly a testing one. Despite this, and some close calls, all Striders managed to stay on their feet to put in some excellent performances. The ladies team finishing in a fab 4th place Andrew Laverick, Michelle Livingstone and Sarah Winter ran their first XC for Striders and safe to say their shiny new spikes didn’t stay that way for long. Sprint finish race of the day goes to David Horton and his close call with…