GOOLE VIKING STRIDERS
RACE REPORT       20^TH NOV 2005 

The Guy Fawkes Ten, run from Ripley Castle near Harrogate, is by no means an easy course, and so Martin Booth’s performance in leading the Viking Striders in at a shade over 65 minutes was even better than the time suggests.  The fact that he was 75^th out of 688 finishers gives a more accurate indication of the quality of his run.  Even so, Alison Hoggarth would dispute that he was the star of the day  --  her first time under 90 minutes sent her careering nearly to the pinnacle of the Striders’ Handicap League, possibly too late to dislodge Julie Masterman at the top, but a great finish to the season nevertheless. 

Striders’ times:  Martin Booth 65.25, Dave Ryan 77.55, Ray Smith 78.53, Kay Ryan 84.56, Alison Hoggarth 89.11, Julie Kaye 90.30, Debbie Andrew 90.49. 

It was also time for the second round of the East Yorkshire Cross Country League, from Drewton Woods near South Cave.  The race saw a record number of 153 runners, including the Striders’ best ever turn out of 25 members. 

Simon Griffin in 3^rd place ran powerfully once again, and with Martin Booth following up Guy Fawkes with an excellent 14^th, in addition to Martin Midgley and Dave Hanney’s top 20 positions, the mens team is well placed in overall 3^rd well ahead of Beverley in 4^th. 

The Ladies team, headed as always by Karen Bexon, finished 3^rd on the day, consolidating their overall 4^th place in the league, and are now within striking distance of Scarborough in 3^rd. Nina Hanney ran well again, not at all put off by her baptism of fire at Bishop Wilton last month, and making their cross country debuts this time were Alex Davies, Michaela Shepherd, Caroline Parkes and Carole Taylor. 

Striders’ positions and times:  Men:  3^rd Simon Griffin 40.21, 14^th Martin Booth 42.53, 16^th Martin Midgley 43.03, 17^th Dave Hanney 43.11, 25^th Neil Bentley 44.39, 34^th Alan Bexon 45.37, 52^nd Mark Thompson 48.04, 54^th Nigel Warner 48.21, 81^st Dave Ryan 53.05, 82^nd Ray Smith 53.13, 84^th Alex Davies 53.32, 99^th Mick Fenelon 56.54, 107^th Rob Oldridge 60.31, 108^th Richard Anness 60.45, 116^th Craig Taylor 74.59.

Ladies:  2^nd Karen Bexon 44.46, 14^th Julie Masterman 51.34, 19^th Kay Ryan 54.30, 22^nd Patsy Fenelon 56.51, 26^th Nina Hanney 60.57, 32^nd Sandy Clark 63.54, 33^rd Michaela Shepherd 67.59, 34^th Caroline Parkes 67.59, 35^th Karen Mitchell (first XC race for 4 years!) 69.03, 37^th Carole Taylor 74.58.