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The Viking Striders’ annual Riverbank Challenge was run on Sunday in warm
but overcast conditions which may have been fine for spectators but probably far
too hot for most of the 200 competitors. The course is flat and not too long at
a third of a marathon distance, but riverbank running is deceptively difficult,
with short road sections along Hook Road and Westfield Banks providing the only
relief, and the word Challenge in the title is an indication of how hard this
event is.
The one runner not to find it a problem seems to be Pumlani Bangami of
Salford, whose comfortable victory was his third in succession. Most of the
Striders were assisting Race Director Dave Hanney with marshalling duties, but
of the ones who did run Simon Griffin and Andy Masterman stood out with great
performances in 6th and 13th positions respectively.
Beverley’s Carrie Milson won the ladies’ title, with Julie Masterman
fourth overall for the Striders and second in her age category.
The two and a half mile Fun Run, which preceded the main event, exceeded all
expectations in terms of turnout, with 135 mostly youthful finishers. The
winners were Joshua Rowe and Chelsea Walker, with Goole’s Alex Binnington the
leading local runner in an excellent fourth place. A large number of the newly
formed Striders’ junior section ran the race with an enthusiasm that is a
credit both to them and to organiser Andy Masterman.
Many thanks to everyone who made the event possible, in particular the
various sponsors including Boyes and Bonsor Recruitment, also the local
constabulary and the ever reliable St Johns Ambulance, neither of whom
fortunately had to deal with any emergencies.
First 3 men: Pumlani Bangami (Salford AC) 46.14, Paul Marchant (Rothwell)
47.45, David Meeson (Rothwell) 47.46.
First 3 ladies: Carrie Milson (Beverley) 58.21, Julie Barley (Leeds City
AC) 59.12, Lorna Young (Leeds City AC) 60.23.
Striders’ times: Simon Griffin 52.21, Andy Masterman 55.07, Mark
Thompson 61.28, Julie Masterman 62.23, Richard Anness 70.00, Keith Wilson 70.00,
Craig Taylor 71.19, Rob Oldridge 78.23, Mike Harvey 78.44.
Goole Youth AC times: Jeremy Price 60.40, Claire Leake 63.40, Steve Walsh
67.21, Adam Fawcett 75.01, Richard Mainprize 76.54, Liam Fawcett 77.06.
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