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WELCOME
John MacFadzean, President
TWO COURSE DINNER AT 7.30PM
PRESENTATIONS
Guest Speaker & Awards presented by
Stephen Binns
Awards will be announced by:
John McFadzean—President
John Ewart—Club Captain
Kath Farquhar—Club Endurance Coach
John Buckingham—Vice President
Phil Hobbs - Fell Secretary
Andrew Kerry—Triathlon Secretary
DISCO UNTIL MIDNIGHT
Steve Binns
Stephen “Steve” Binns is a Bingley Harrier from Keighley who rose to prominence in 1979 as a junior athlete. First he took the individual and team silver medals at the 1979 IAAF World Cross Country Championships junior race, then won the 5000 metres at the 1979 European Athletics Junior Championships. His winning time of 13:44.37 minutes remains the championship record as of 2014. He capped the season with a European junior record of 13:27.04 minutes in London, which still remains the record today.
As a senior athlete Steve was the UK National 10,000 metre champion in 1983, competed five times at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships between1981 and 1988 and competed twice for Great Britain at the World Athletics Championships in the 10,000 metres, 1983 Helsinki and Rome 1987.
He was the silver medallist in the 10,000 metres at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh (https://youtu.be/9D3g1GCKVlk) and competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea running the 10,000 metres. Steve’s PBs are: 1500m 3.49.9 Mile 4.03.1 3000m 7.51.84 5000m 13.23.71 10,000m 27.55.66 Marathon 2.13.32
2016 Track and Field Awards
Hallas Trophy for Best
Track & Field Championship Performance Naomi Harvey-Franklin Gold medal in Yorkshire T&F Senior
Women’s 400m Hurdles with a time of 69.92secs.
George Orton Gold medal in Yorkshire T&F Under 20 Men’s
110m Hurdles with a time of 16.08secs.
Top Points Scorer Points Age
Groups
Most Improved Athlete
(combined events)
Points
Added
1st Mollie Scaramuzza
2nd Olivia Evans
3rd Hollie Patel
191
180
160
U13
Girls
1st Mollie Scaramuzza
2nd Amelie Stewart
3rd Olivia Evans
49
12
6
1st Ben Siuda
2nd Jacob Foster
170
120
U13
Boys
1st Ben Siuda
2nd Jacob Foster
17
5
1st Lydia Throssell
2nd Ella McFarlane
3rd Laila Horn
219
175
61
U15
Girls
1st Lydia Throssell
(Dewhirst Shield)
2nd Ella McFarlane
3rd Laila Horn
39
12
6
1st George Hobbs
(Withins Shield)
2nd Jude Calvert-Green
3rd Sam Bedingfield
228
226
170
U15
Boys
1st Jude Calvert-Green
(Bowker-Hayes Shield)
2nd George Hobbs
3rd Sam Bedingfield
25
14
7
1st Zoe Oakes
2nd Genevieve Durrans
3rd Juliette Branford
178
173
161
U17
Girls
1st Zoe Oakes
2nd Juliette Brandford
3rd Ellie Sunman
35
17
8
1st Seth Calvert-Green
2nd Harry Hobbs
246
229
U17
Boys
1st Seth Calvert-Green
2nd Harry Hobbs
24
15
Best Performance
Summer 2016
Time/
Distance Points
Top Scorer in
Northern Track & Field
League
Points
Female 1st Ruby Sykes (800m)
(Val James Shield)
2nd Lauren Storr (100mH)
3rd Naomi Harvey-Franklin
(100m)
2:18.23
15.9
13.4
86
80
79
1st Zoe Storr
(Frank Gledhill Shield)
2nd Katie Zientek
3rd Lauren Storr
97
81
78
Male 1st Will Lander (400m)
(Winnie Roberts Shield)
2nd George Orton
(Long Jump)
3rd Craig Sheard (200m)
51:09
6.61m
23.8
102
101
96
1st Will Lander
(Frank Gledhill Shield)
2nd Craig Sheard
3rd Eddie Hinchliffe
76
72
70
Juniors
Seniors
Sprint Trophy Will Lander 400m 57.09s
Club Road Race Championship - Senior Men & Women
1st Damien McQueen (Road Race Cup) 1st Jane Stirling (Rock Inn Shield)
2nd Mark Catney 2nd Debbie McKenzie Beck
3rd Tim Cock 3rd Lorraine Smith
Mike Nunn Shield for Best Marathon Performance
Brandon Holroyd (London Marathon 2016)
Senior Club Summer & Winter Championship
Tinker Cup Point-to-Point Club “6” Winter
Championship
1st Craig Noble
(Tinker Cup)
2nd Robert Hinchliffe
3rd Liz Woodfield
Fastest Time:
Chris Law
(Ian Roberts Trophy)
Fastest Lady:
Katie Walshaw
(Norman Haigh
Memorial Trophy)
1st Kath Farquhar
(Haigh Cup)
2nd Simon Barrans
3rd Kev Yewlett
Fastest Time:
Julian Rank
(Jos Hinchliffe Trophy)
Fastest Lady:
Kath Farquhar
1st Sophie Cromwell
(Walter Greenwood
Trophy)
2nd Jane Stirling
3rd Brandon Holroyd
Fastest Time:
Phil Hewitt
(Past Members Cup)
Fastest Lady:
Sophie Cromwell
1st Craig Noble
(Major Sykes Cup)
2nd Richard McLeod
3rd Kev Yewlett
Club “5” Club “10” Club “15” Summer
Championship
1st Damien McQueen
(Tony Mellor Cup)
2nd Steve Hewitt
3rd Dan Ellis
Fastest Time:
Clark Hind
Fastest Lady:
Helen Berry
1st Brandon Holroyd
(Beaumont Rose
Bowl)
2nd Gareth Humphries
3rd Chris Beadle
Fastest Time:
Chris Law
Fastest Lady:
Helen Berry
1st Craig Noble
2nd Phil Hanson
3rd Logan Anderson
Fastest Time:
Brandon Holroyd
Fastest Lady:
Emma Wilkins
1st Brandon Holroyd
(Frank Beever
Memorial Cup)
2nd Chris Beadle
3rd Craig Noble
Paarlauf Final (2016) Winners
Aaron Kettlewell & Issac Travis
Junior Club Winter Championship Age
Groups
Christmas
Handicaps
Point-to-Point
Races
Winter
Road Races
U11
Girls
1st Alice Feetham
(Handicap Shield)
2nd Bea Ayres
3rd Libby Pringle
Fastest Time:
Libby Pringle
1st Imogen Wolf
2nd Alice Kaye
3rd Alice Bridge
Fastest Time:
Imogen Wolf
1st Masie Travis
(Croda Colours Cup)
2nd Bea Ayres
Fastest Time:
Masie Travis
U11
Boys
1st Callum McFarlane
(Handicap Shield)
2nd Declan Levay
3rd Tom Foster
Fastest Time:
Declan Levay
1st Issac Travis
(Point to Point Trophy)
2nd Jamie Steward
3rd Oscion Waterman
Fastest Time:
Declan Levay
1st Harry Baxter
(Croda Colours Cup)
2nd Issac Travis
3rd Declan Levay
Fastest Time:
Declan Levay
U13
Girls
1st Elena Inch
(British Gas Shield)
2nd Mollie Scaramuzza
3rd Isabel Crowe
Fastest Time:
Isabel Richardson
1st Isabel Richardson
(Point to Point Shield)
2nd Emily Wright
3rd Elena Inch
Fastest Time:
Isabel Richardson
1st Amelie Stewart
(Holliday Cup)
U13
Boys
1st Soljai Waterman
(Slaithwaite Cup)
2nd Kristian Green
3rd William Martland
Fastest Time:
Kristian Green
1st Christopher Martin
(Rachel Booth Trophy)
2nd William Martland
3rd
Fastest Time:
Christopher Martin
O13
Girls
1st Millie Yates
(Lawton Shield)
2nd Sophie Kettlewell
3rd Zara Tyas
Fastest Time:
Juliette Branford
1st Zara Tyas
(Hinchliffe Crossley Trophy)
2nd Zoe Oakes
3rd Cara Inch
Fastest Time:
Zara Tyas
1st Zara Tyas
(Hugh Lynch
Rosebowl)
O13
Boys
1st Nicky Farquhar
(Willie Firth Cup)
2nd Fionn Kerry
Fastest Time: Fionn Kerry
(Bailey Trophy)
1st Fionn Kerry
(Arthur Booth Trophy)
2nd Sam Brown
3rd Nicky Farquhar
Fastest Time:
Fionn Kerry
Winter Championship U11 Girls 1st Bea Ayres
U11 Boys 1st Declan Levay, 2nd Louis Stewart
U13 Girls 1st Amelie Stewart
O13 Girls 1st Zara Tyas
Summer
Road Races
Age
Groups
Summer
Cross Country
1st Matilda Turner
2nd Libby Pringle
3rd Ellie Lodge
Fastest Time: Matilda Turner
U11 Girls
1st Lucy Holland
2nd Alice Bridge
3rd Zara Earnshaw
Fastest Time: Alice Bridge
1st Harry Gilligan
2nd Jamie Stewart
3rd Gregory Wood
Fastest Time: Declan Levay
U11 Boys
1st Louis Stewart
2nd Rufus Helme
3rd Issac Travis
Fastest Time: Declan Levay
1st Elena Inch
2nd Amelie Stewart
3rd Lucy Lindley
Fastest Time: Elena Inch
U13 Girls
1st Isabel Richardson
2nd Amelie Stewart
3rd Anya Kukula
Fastest Time: Isabel Richardson
1st Lewis Pain
2nd Patrick Franklin
3rd Joshua Carter
Fastest Time: Kristian Green
U13 Boys
1st Lewis Pain
2nd William Martland
3rd Harry Elliot
Fastest Time: Lewis Pain
1st Emily Travis
2nd Zoe Oakes
3rd Sophie Kettlewell
Fastest Time: Millie Yates
O13 Girls
1st Cara Inch
2nd Millie Yates
3rd Zara Tyas
Fastest Time: Cara Inch
1st Fionn Kerry
Fastest Time: Fionn Kerry
O13 Boys
1st Fionn Kerry
2nd Nicky Farquhar
Fastest Time: Fionn Kerry
Junior Club Summer Championship
U11 Girls
1st Alice Bridge
2nd Libby Pringle
3rd Elizabeth Gilligan
U11 Boys
1st Rufus Helme
2nd Issac Travis
3rd Harry Gilligan
U13 Girls
1st Amelie Stewart
2nd Anya Kukula
3rd Ruby Yates
U13 Boys
1st Louis Pain
O13 girls
1st Millie Yates
(C&A Trophy)
2nd Zara Tyas
3rd Zoe Oates
013 Boys
1st Fionn Kerry
Summer Championship
Anthony Marsh Cup
Boys Cross Country Leagues 1st Kristian Green
2nd Aaron Kettlewell
2rd Harry Shelbourne
Trevor Ramsden Cup
Girls Cross Country Leagues 1st Erica Byram
2nd Sunnivah Waterman
3rd Sophie Kettlewell
Senior Ladies
Cross Country Leagues 1st Katie Walshaw
(Shaw Centenary Salver)
2nd Helen Berry
3rd Ruby Sykes
Senior Men's Cross Country Leagues 1st Jonathan Sykes (Phillip Bradley Rose Bowl)
2nd Mark Law
3rd Steve Green
Junior Club Fell Championship
1st Callum McFarlane
2nd Henry Parkin Under 12s
1st Isabel Richardson
2nd Amelie Stewart
1st George Hobbs Under 14s
1st Harry Shelbourne Under 16s 1st Annie Stone
1st Chris Law Under 18s
Senior Club Fell Championship
Men’s Fell Championship Cup Women’s Fell Championship Trophy
1st Phil Hewitt 1st Helen Berry
2nd Dan Stewart
3rd Phil Hobbs
‘All to Count’ Winner: Phil Hobbs
Local Race Winner: Helen Berry
Andy Bennett Trophy
for Best Long Distance
Fell Running Performance Clark Hind (Calderdale Way Ultra)
Triathlon Championship
1st Lewis Byram
2nd Seth Waterman Junior
1st Lucy Byram
2nd Lucy Farquhar
3rd Harmonie Waterman
1st Finn Kerry
2nd Craig Boggan
3rd Jonny McLean
Senior Club
Champs
1st Erica Byram
2nd Jen Wolstenholme
3rd Kath Farquhar
1st Oscion Waterman
2nd Jamie Stewart
3rd Harry Gilligan
Tristar 1
1st Zara Farrow
2nd Sophie Brown
3rd Ruby McLean
1st Oliver Akers
2nd Soljai Waterman Tristar 2
1st Isabel Richardson
2nd Isabel Crowe
3rd Aoife Kerry
1st Samuel Brown Tristar 3 1st Sophie Kettlewell
(Rowena France Memorial Trophy)
1st Fionn Kerry Youth 1st Sunnivah Waterman
Honours and Awards Examiner Community Awards
Sports Team of the Year 2017
Holmfirth Harriers U20 Ladies
Eighteen year old Olivia Sykes and 17 year-old twins
Lucy and Erica Byram joined Holmfirth Harriers nearly
ten years ago. They have grown up together through the
junior ranks to seniors and have enjoyed much success
both as a team and individually.
The trio have been a formidable team since they joined
Holmfirth Harriers, winning numerous team titles
including both the West Yorkshire Cross Country
Championships and the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships five times and the Northern
Cross Country Relays.
This year they make up the Under 20s Holmfirth Harriers women’s team and they had great
success. Winning the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships, Northern Cross Country
Championship and, as Greenhead College students, were part of the Greenhead College Cross
Country Team representing Yorkshire & Humberside winning gold at the National Colleges
Championships where Olivia also won individual bronze.
All three girls are also successful fell runners having represented England both at home
international and European mountain running championships where they have won team and
individual medals for their country. Most recently Lucy won the Yorkshire Fell Championships
with Erica in third. The girls have also previously qualified to represent Yorkshire at the Inter
Counties Cross Country Championships and the London Mini Marathon on the iconic marathon
course on several occasions.
As well as running Lucy and Erica are also successful triathletes and are part of the Yorkshire
Triathlon Academy. Lucy and Erica train every day, sometimes twice a day, because of the work
needed for the standard they are racing at in triathlon with the three disciplines of swimming,
biking and running
Olivia has won many individual titles at cross country and road running for the club and is also a
successful track athlete. Recently gaining a bronze medal at the Yorkshire County Athletics
Championships.
Their success is down to their hard work, dedication and the fantastic support they receive from
the club and coaches Alwyn Dewhirst and Kath Farquhar.
All three girls are very proud to represent their club, county and country at different disciplines
and being part of Holmfirth Harriers has given them great racing
opportunities and experiences around the country and further afield.
The girls were thrilled to have won the award from the Huddersfield
Examiner and to have been recognised for
their achievements away from the sporting
community.
Honours and Awards
Track & Field 2016
Yorkshire Track & Field Championships Gold: Naomi Harvey-Franklin in Senior Women 400mH (69.92secs)
Gold: George Orton in U20 Men 110mH (16.08secs)
Silver: Ruby Sykes in Senior Women 800m (2:18.23)
Silver: Ruby Sykes in Senior Women 1500m (4:55.81)
West Yorkshire League T & F
Championships
From the left: Eddie Hinchliffe, George Orton, Daisy
Smith and Will Lander
Gold - Daisy Smith in U20W 400m; George Orton in U20M Long Jump;
Eddie Hinchliffe in U20M 800m .
Silver - Lydia Throssell in U15 100m; Daisy Smith in U20W Javelin;
Will Lander in SM 200m; Will Lander in SM 400m.
Bronze - George Orton 3rd in U/20M 100m
West Yorkshire Schools T & F Championships Gold - George Orton in SB Long Jump (6.60m). Silver - Harvey Woodhead in SB 100m
(11.45); Aaron Kettlewell in SB 800m (2:07.06). Bronze - Niall O’Connell in SB 800m (2:08.87)
Douglas Bedford Memorial Open Meeting, Wakefield Organised by the late John Newsome
Silver - Eddie Hinchliffe in U/20 Javelin with 42.14m; Will Lander in SM 400m with 51.9secs
New Club Records; 16 club records set
Jude Calvert-Green - 8.49secs (I) in U15B 60m 2016, 20.54secs (I) in U15B 150m 2016
George Orton - 16.23secs in U20M 110mH 2016, 16.08secs in U20M 110mH 2016,
6.39m in U20M Long Jump 2016, SM Long Jump 2016, 6.58m in U20M Long Jump 2016,
SM Long Jump 2016, 6.60m in U20M Long Jump 2016, SM Long Jump 2016, 6.61m in U20M
Eddie Hinchliffe - 42.70m in U20M Javelin 2016, 44.05m in U20M Javelin 2016
Lauren Storr - 4.95m I SW Long Jump 2016
Naomi Harvey-Franklin - 69.3secs in SW 400mH 2016
Thank you to; Athletes, Coaches, Helpers for training sessions through the year,
Saturday Morning Club Coaches & Helpers, Star Track Coaches & Helpers.
Track & Field Judges and Officials.
Honours and Awards
Cross Country
BMAF Cross Country Championships, Wavetree, Liverpool FV40 – Helen Berry (1st)
National Colleges Cross Country, Wollaton Park, Nottingham
Representing Greenhead College Senior Women – Olivia Sykes (3rd)
(1st Team including Olivia Sykes, Erica Byram, Lucy Byram, Amy Kettlewell)
Yorkshire Cross Country Championships Senior Women – Katie Walshaw (2nd)
Yorkshire Vets Cross Country Championships W40 – Helen Berry (1st) W45 – Margaret Sykes (1st), Kath Farquhar (3rd)
W50 – Jean Shotter (3rd) W60 – Lesley Ewart (3rd)
M35 – Dan Shaw (3rd) M45 – Dave Watson (1st)
M75 – Bill Wade (2nd), Tim Cock (3rd)
West Yorkshire Cross Country League Series
U17 Women – Juliette Branford (1st)
Sen Women – Katie Walshaw (1st), Ruby Sykes (3rd)
W40 – Helen Berry (1st)
W45 – Margaret Sykes (1st), Kath Farquhar (2nd)
U17 Women Team – (1st) Sen Women Team – (1st)
West Yorkshire Schools Cross Country Championships Y7 Girls – Elena Inch (1st) Y7 Boys – Kristian Green (1st)
Sen Women – Olivia Sykes (1st) Sen Men – Niall O’Connell (3rd)
Honours and Awards
Cross Country
Northern Cross Country Championships U20 Women – 1st Team Olivia Sykes, Lucy Byram & Erica Byram
U20 Men – 2nd Team Aaron Kettlewell, Lewis Byram, Kai Sunman & Alex Robinson
Northern Vets Cross Country Championships W40 – Helen Berry (1st)
Yorkshire County Vests Competing in the UK Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships
U15s Isabel Richardson, U17s Juliette Branford,
U20s Olivia Sykes, Lucy Byram (Team Bronze)
Erica Byram, Aaron Kettlewell,
Senior Helen Berry
Yorkshire Vets Cross Country Champs F45-54 – 1st Team (Kath Farquhar, Margaret Sykes & Jean Shotter)
F55+ – 1st Team (Lesley Ewart, Val Battye & Rosemary Baker)
M40-49 1st Team (Dave Watson, Steve Green & Mike Fanning)
Yorkshire Cross Country Championships
U17 Women – 2nd Team (Juliette Branford, Cara Inch & Amy Kettlewell)
U20 Women – 1st Team (Olivia Sykes, Erica Byram & Lucy Byram)
Senior Women – 3rd Team (Katie Walshaw, Helen Berry, Ruby Sykes & Margaret Sykes)
West Yorkshire Schools Vests Competing in the English Schools Cross Country Championships
Isabel Richardson, Elena Inch, Juliette Branford, Cara Inch, Olivia Sykes,
Erica Byram, Lucy Byram, Kristian Green, Fionn Kerry,
Harry Shelbourne, Niall O’Connell
Honours and Awards
YVAA Championships
Individuals Andy Hauser 2nd M60 Fell, Andy Shaw 2nd M55 Fell, Barbara Hinchliffe 1st F60 Fell
Bill Hunter 3rd M65 Half Marathon
Bill Wade 3rd M75 5K, 2nd M75 2017 CC
Brandon Holroyd 2nd M40 15 miles, Craig Noble 3rd M35 15 miles
Darren Hanson 1st M50 15 miles, 2nd M50 2016 CC
Dave Cowgill 1st M75 400m, 1st M75 800m, 1st M75 1500m,
Dave Watson 1st M45 5000m, 1st M45 2017 CC
Debbie Beck 1st F45 15 miles
Debbie Hall 2nd F40 Fell, Gareth Humphries 3rd M40 Fell
Helen Berry 1st F40 Fell, 1st F40 2017 CC,
Jean Shotter 1st F50 Fell, 3rd F50 2017 CC, John Levick 3rd M50 15 miles
Kat Farquhar 3rd F45, Lesley Ewart 3rd F60, Margaret Sykes 1st F45 2017 CC
Michael Pennington 1st M60 15 miles, Phil Hanson 2nd M60 15 miles
Neil Midgley 3rd M65 Fell, 3rd M65 overall Multi-terrain Championships
Rob Ellis 3rd M50 3000m, 3rd M50 5000m
Rob Kersey 1st M65 5K, 2nd 5miles, 3rd 2016 CC, 1st M65 Fell,
2nd M65 Overall Multi-terrain Championships
Rosemary Baker 1st F55 Overall Multi-terrain Championships
Simon Barrans 2nd M50 Fell
Tim Cock 3rd M70 5k, 3rd M70 5 miles, 2nd M75 2016 CC, 2nd M75 3000m, 2nd M75,
3rd5000m, 3rd M75, 3rd M70 Overall Multi-terrain Championships
Teams 2016 CC
2nd M75+ Team (Richard Smith, Roger Bradley, Tim Cock)
2nd M60 – 69 Team (Rob Kersey, Martin Seddon, Neil Midgley)
2017 CC
2nd F35 – 44 Team (Helen Berry, Nicola Brown, Debbie Hall)
1st F45 – 54 Team (Margaret Sykes, Kath Farquhar, Jean Shotter)
1st F55+ Team (Lesley Ewart, Val Battye, Rosemary Baker)
2nd M70+ Team (Bill Wade, Roger Bradley, Norman Berry)
1st M40 – 49 Team (Dave Watson, Steve Green, Mike Fanning)
Honours and Awards
Fell Running 2016
World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships, Slovenia Helen Berry - Representing GB Team Bronze
British Championships English Championships Helen Berry 3rd FV40 Helen Berry 2nd FV40
Senior Yorkshire Championships 3 Peaks Helen Berry Silver Medal
Team Silver at the British Fell Inter-Counties Katie Walshaw (Representing Yorkshire)
British & Irish Junior Mountain
Running Championships
& Home International Representing England
Chris Law, Erica & Lucy Byram
England overall Team Gold
International Mountain Running
Youth Cup in the Czech Republic Lucy Byram & Alice Moore represent England
Inter-Counties Chris Law (1st U18), Lucy Byram (1st GU18) & Erica Byram (4th GU18) representing Yorkshire
Team Gold in both the men's & ladies events
English Junior Championships Chris Law was the U18’s Champion
Isabel Richardson, Alice Moore, Juliette Branford, Lucy Byram & Erica Byram
all had top 5 race finishes
Yorkshire Championships
Isabel Richardson 1st GU12, Alice Moore 2nd GU16, Chris Law 1st U18
English Schools Fell Running Championships Isabel Richardson 1st Year 7 Girls
Calderdale Way Ultra (50 miles)
Clark Hind 1st in 8 hours 33 minutes
Honours and Awards
Triathlon
British Elite Duathlon Championships 2017 Mark Buckingham — Senior Men (Silver) Richard McLeod — PT3 (Silver)
ETU European Duathlon Championships 2017, representing GB Mark Buckingham 4th
70.3 Gran Canaria, Challenge Series 2017 Mark Buckingham 3rd
National Inter-Regional Yorkshire & Humberside Triathlon
Championships 2016 Series 2016
Isabel Richardson Representing Yorkshire Youth - Fionn Kerry 1st
Tristar 1 - Isabel Richardson 3rd
2016 Alanya ETU Triathlon
Junior European Cup
Lucy Farquhar 2nd
Dublin City Triathlon 2016 Lewis Byram 3rd
Road
Yorkshire Road Relays
U17s Women - Silver Medals
Juliette Branford, Lizzie Deacon, Amy Kettlewell
Senior Women - Bronze Medals Katie, Walshaw,
Helen Berry, Erica Byram, Lucy Byram
Senior Men –Silver Medals Alex Robinson,
Aaron Kettlewell, Lewis Byram, Chris Law
Keep on Running!
Chris Hobson has been a member of Holmfirth Harriers for a number of years and many of you will have
seen her pounding the streets around her home and surrounding areas. As well as an active member of the
Committee Chris set up single handedly the initiative to get people in, or back, to running with the club This
is her inspiring marathon story so far…..
April 11, 2014 saw me retire from my life long career in education. Two days later I started my new career of
Marathon Running. Thanks to Holmfirth Harriers I took up my place on the starting line of the 2014 London
Marathon, alongside my daughter and her husband.
I had run on and off for many years, albeit more off than on, due to work
commitments and injury after more injury. Retiring meant no more work
losses, so now I had to concentrate on stopping the injuries, giving me
the bonus of being “fit to be old”. Little did I know where this new career
was going to take me!
To me, there are two sides to running – speed and endurance. Speed
was simply not going to happen for me, at my age, so I started to look at
endurance. So what did I do? Lots of “out of the box” thinking.
I reasoned that, the marathon distance was indeed “ultra-long” for me,
and may, therefore, require me to use a different approach. I began by
committing the ultimate running heresy of run/walking all my long runs.
Next step was to get myself an internationally acclaimed coach. I searched the internet and found Jeff
Galloway, previous US Olympian track runner, and he now e-coaches me from his home in Atlanta, Georgia.
Yes coaching by the internet! His Run/Walk approach to distance running is massive in the US and he has
kept me injury free for the whole time.
I was starting to enjoy myself as I continued to build my marathon support team: husband sorts out my travel
and accommodation and of course carries my bag, I now see my chiropractor each week; I see my physio for
a massage before and after marathon; and work with my strength coach twice per week. This was really
becoming quite good fun and made my retirement career a full time occupation.
The final piece in the puzzle was another running heresy. I ditched the carbs and went ketogenic (fat burn-
ing). Initially, I found a local coach and later another great international trainer, Peter Defty, who also
e-coaches me in relation to nutrition. This particular switch really was a “Road to Damascus” experience!
No downing disgusting gels during races, no wall hitting and recovery times measured in hours not weeks.
Love it!
So where has this new career taken me? Well first of all Skiing (spending Kids’ Inheritance) and then being
fitter than I have ever been in my life.
My targets have changed somewhat since that first marathon. In 2014 I completed three marathons; in 2015
I completed eleven; and 2016 I completed seventeen. London this year takes me to 32 marathons in total.
I have completed six out of the seven continents and am currently looking at booking No. 7, Antarctica. This
winter, I completed marathons in Buenos Aires (South America), Niagara Falls (North America), Marrakech
(Africa) and Tel Aviv (Asia), that’s after doing New Plymouth (Australasia) in 2015: we are very much
marathon tourists in our retirement. During this time, I have improved my marathon time by 40 minutes,
including having three PB’s in 2016. I just got quicker and quicker, thanks to my support crew!
Also, my long term targets have shifted somewhat since I went “professional”. I am aiming to achieve
London Good for Age as I turn 65 (2018). I am currently only 13 minutes 47 seconds off achieving this,
despite running a marathon every three weeks, so with careful planning and focus this can be achieved. In
addition, I will be completing my 100 marathons and my final continent.
My “professional” aim is now to inspire others by showing that ordinary people can do extraordinary things,
whilst age should be no barrier to sporting achievement. You have to be “fit to be old” in this day and age.
If I can do it, anyone can.
Chris Hobson
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