Thirsk 10 Mile Road Race Sunday 12th March 2023.
Report by Ken Smith & Photos by Eileen Ingham
The Northern Athletics 10 Mile championship returned to Thirsk for 2023.
The event which starts and finishes on the race course was again well supported, with over 800 entries.
The cold conditions of the previous few days were replaced by cloud, a gentle breeze, and a temperature of 14 degrees, ideal race conditions for fast times.
The course starts on the far side of the race course, opposite the main stand and goes straight out west before turning left and heading straight back into Thirsk.
A sharp left turn off the road and into the race course, before crossing the finishing line which is in front of the main stand.
Men
The men’s race was not surprisingly dominated by Leeds City A.C Athletes, who had 3 finishers inside the first 7. That was the team winners sorted out straight away.
Graham Rush was the winner in 49.03, over 2 minutes ahead of 2nd place, with his Leeds City team mates Nick Hooker 6th and Matthew Lockyer 7th ALL 3 were hopeful of getting into one of the Leeds City teams for the Northern Athletics Road Relay at Redcar on Saturday April 1st.
Spenborough & District also had 2 athletes in the top 8 finishers, with Joe Sagar 2nd in 51.14 and Simon Bolland-Cage 3rd in 51.52 but they had to wait for their third counter in 43rd position to confirm the bronze team medals.
It was the Red vests of Richmond & Zetland who clinched the 2nd team position as they packed well finishing 5th 8th and 12th. Rob Scott, the younger brother of Mark, was 5th Charlie Stephenson 8th and Jake Stephenson 12th. The 4th team was Hartlepool Burn.
Women
In the women race the Northern Athletics 10 mile champion was Ruth Cole, North East Project, in a time of 1.03.02 . She also led her club to 3rd team spot.
In 2nd place was Kim Grimoldby, Gateshead Harriers, some 2 minutes behind Ruth in 1.04.05, and Kim was closely followed by Kay Neesam, New Marske Harriers, in 1.04.10 was 3rd.
The winning team was Graham Hall’s inspirational team from New Marske Harriers. These three women, all finished in the top ten, and showed they have little regard for age, and a great regard for team spirit.
The 2nd women’s team were North Shields Poly who packed well finishing 9th, 11th and 12th.
Northern Athletics 10 Mile Results.
Men
Individual
- Graham Rush Leeds City A.C 49.03
- Joe Sagar Spenborough & District 51.14
- Simon Bolland-Cage Spenborough & District 51.52
Teams
- Leeds City 14 points ( 1 6 7 )
- Richmond & Zetland 25 points ( 5 8 12 )
- Spenborough & District 48 points ( 2 3 43 )
- Hartlepool Burn 69 points
Women
Individual
- Ruth Cole North East Project 01.03.02
- Kim Grimoldby Gateshead Harriers 01.04.05
- Kay Neesam New Marske Harriers. 01.04.10
Teams
- New Marske 20 points (3 7 10 )
- North Shields Poly A.C. 32 points ( 9 11 12 )
- North East Project. 49 points (1 23 25 )
