Spring sprung...

A Busy Bank Holiday Weekend (29-4-06 : 1-5-06)

The good weather appears to have brought some great performances from Acorn's pool of talent.

Three members turned out at the Kirky Moorside 10km. Home in 32nd (2nd female), "fresh" from her marathon exploits, was Dawn Gibbs in 39m40s. The chaps were ably represented by "Marky" Mark Dowson (13th 37m29s) and "The Power" Pete Murray (203rd 50m10s). Good work.

In the West Yorkshire region, the Rothwell 10km saw "Tenacious" Tom Vale posted a 10km PB with 36m05s. Tremendous run & nice shades by the way!

At the Great Student Run in Leeds, Emma Willits (representing Fulford school) posted a fine chip-time of 42m43s coming home 1st Female. Nice one!

On the track, representing their University teams, Hywel Care and Becky Penty posted phenomenal efforts at the BUSA Championships. Becky grabbed 2nd place in the 10000m in 36m23s (a week after the London Marathon!!). Hywel narrowly missed out on the 5000m final but still cracked 15 mins with 14m59s. Swift!

Up in the North West of England Sarah Tunstall ran 43m14s to place 5th female at the Dallam Dash 10km. Good stuff!

In the same region, Andy Hilton stepped up in distance at the Keswick Half Marathon taking victory in 72m25s. Painful.

Well done to all those who competed this weekend. Hope everyone else managed to get out and enjoy the sunshine!


Acorn take the Carlton Challenge (25-04-06)

The North York Moors Summer Fell Series got off to a great start for Acorn on a remarkably mild Tuesday evening.

Sarah Tunstall opened this years account with a solid 2nd place in the womens race. With "a few more hills" in her legs Sarah T is looking have a another great season on the fells.

Andy Hilton continued to educate his legs in the art of fell running, managing to take 2nd place despite "decending like a ballet dancer". AH was followed in by Andy Burt (great to see this lad back in the fray) in 5th, Graham Birch (his first race as a veteran) in 10th & Andy Normandale (easing his way into shape) in 12th.

Mike Hetherton took the M60 prize and Jerry Orchard also made an appearance on the terrain which has made him an Acorn legend.

With 29 points Acorn just took the team prize which meant, when combined with the individual honours, Ian Wilcock (competitor and designated driver - top chap) had a car weighed down with wine, whiskey & lager.

Great run had by all. Full results and photos should appear on the North Yorkshire Moors AC website soon - http://www.nym.ac/ (copy & paste this text link).

London Marathon review (23-04-06)

26.2m - the classic distance. London - the classic destination. Everyone who finishes, class. Acorn's pitch side reporter was present to witness the action....

The weather conditions were reasonable, light rain combined with cool temperatures probably suiting more runners than the warm sunshine that had graced the capital the previous day. The crowds were present on most parts of the course, en masse at the key points - the Mall, the Highway - so the Acorn foghorn situated himself on the Embankment (24 miles) to soak up the atmosphere and give out "encouragement".

Elite performance of the day (probably in the history of Acorn) was by Dawn Gibbs. A superlative run saw Dawn come home first F50 lady in an astonishing (not to mention club record effort) of 2-58.04. Belying the obvious build up of fatigue, Dawn still looked strong in the closing stages.... genuinely inspirational, great work.

Our other entrants, all covering themselves in glory were:

Adam Leive - 2-42.57
Dave Chaplin - 2-58.31
Jo Ellerton - 3-13.26
Colin Utterson - 3-16.35
Dave Elliot - 3-28.41
Stephen Korobejko - 3-32.04
Becky Penty - 3-40.00
Nichola Timmins - 3-43.00
Matthew Lethem - 3-44.40
Suzie Grindly - 3-53.41
Stuart Thomas - 3-59.35
Angela Peace - 4-17.54
Ceri Owen - 4-41.46
Andy Heppell - 4-54.25

Rather than I give a second hand version of events, why not submit your recollections and i'll post them up? Overall though, everyone I saw looked great (for having run 20+ miles) and made their own contribution to a fabulous days running - same again next year? Nice one!!


Clubpeople awards announced for 2005/2006... (23-04-06)

The Acorn clubwomen/clubman is awarded to the member who performs most consistently over the course of the year at key club races (full details available from stat-man Mike Raynes).

This year the podium places are as follows:

Women
1st - Julie Lawn
2nd - Jo Ellerton
3rd - Claire Duck

1st Vet - Dawn Gibbs

Lads
1st - Andy Hilton
2nd - Paul Goble
3rd - Mike Raynes

1st Vet - Andrew Nesom

Well done to all - trophies will be awarded on 3rd May after the relay.


Extra results round up...

Good work on the part of Sarah Tunstall who won the "3 Bridges 10km" near Lancaster on April 9th in 38m31s. Nice.

Tom Vale also placed 31st at the tough Tyneside 10km on April 16th, in 38m15s. Good job!

Isle of Man Madness - record books rewritten (16-04-06)

Claire Duck formed part of the winning Leeds University side at the Isle of Man Easter athletics festival this weekend.

For the ladies, the festival sees a 10km on Good Friday, a hill race Easter Saturday and a 5km race on Easter Sunday.

Claire was 3rd in each of these races but most remarkably set two new club records in the 10km and the 5km!!!

Congratulations to Claire, her 10km time of 37m 14s and her 5km time of 17m 48s are now up there to beat!


Delivering the goods at the Guisley Gallop (16-04-06)

Gun-to-tape front running from Andy Hilton produced an emphatic victory on the multi terrain Guisley Gallop 10km as he defended his title. The time of 34m42s was a full 1m25s up on second place, most of which was opened in the first 3km as Hilton started "ridiculously" quickly.

Acorn also claimed victory in the M45 catagory through Andy Normandale (15th overall in 38m42s) who continues to sweep up in this vet catagory before he steps up to M50.

Other Acorn reps were:

Jerry Barnes - sporting his Rowntrees vest given his Acorn one is still "on a wall near Halifax" (51st in 42m12s).

Mike Tasker - enjoying a battle for 4th M60 spot (which he took) with a Holmfirth vet (202nd in 51m18s).

Pete Murray - noted to be "looking good" as he came in 317th with 57m57s.

A great way to spend a Sunday morning. Thanks for running in the Acorn colours.


Event update... (12-04-06)

Check out the future stuff for details of some upcoming races.

In particular pass the word on about the York Malaria Race-Walk on Saturday 13th May. Organised by Acorn's Adam Lieve it promises to be a worthwhile event.

Summer League stuff.. (12-04-06)

Acorn's allocation of Summer League numbers arrived through the post yesterday (practically cracking the floor boards).

A reminder that the series costs five quid to enter and entries should be secured before the first race at Pocklington if you're going to run it. It isn't much fun for us when 30 people turn up with half an hour until kick off expecting an entry... so help us out!

See John Tatt (back at the club on Weds 19th May) for an entry or contact me via the mail form.

Details and directions will appear in the future stuff section shortly.



Benchmark set at National 12 stage (08-04-06)

Bouyed by success at the Northern version of arguably the best club event of the year, a convoy of Acorn talent made their way to Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield.

Moved on the calendar to a pre-London marathon position, along with its central location, this year's event promised a high standard of club competition. The story (a bit briefer than the Northerns report):

Women's 6 stage

Claire Duck was the only member of the Acorn women's outfit to make an appearance this weekend. Nevertheless, on a quality first stage Claire ran an amazing leg, finishing 10th (one behind the UK team manager!!) in 17m10s.

Compare this to the lads times below for an indication of the sheer speed on display! Fantasy stuff...

Chap's 12 stage

The odd number legs were long (5.38M) and the even number legs were short (2.995M).

1st leg: Andy "Loves the road" Hilton: Andy had the honour of opening proceedings for the boys. Acting as a wind shield for at least five other lads, Acorn's best beanpole came in 22nd in 27m35s. Solid.

2nd leg: Dan "Loves to tri" Isherwood: Fully prepared (again) on Lucozade & Snickers, Ish handled the tough task of starting up the field with guts... some of which were witnessed near the finish. 36th in 17m10s. Same as Claire.

3rd leg: Adam "Loves the Brits" Leive: Another run out for our US import in his Marathon buildup. Solid stuff from the Big L moving us up to 32nd in 29m19s. Sick.

4th leg: Mike "Loves the stats" Raynes: Captain Raynes ran another concrete-in-consistency effort, looking every inch the leader as he posted 17m07s for 38th. Invariant.

5th leg: Paul "Loves a battle" Goble: We keep saying it, and we keep seeing it, Paul's form keeps improving. This summer expect great things. Two places gained to 36th in 29m12s. Crisp.

6th leg: Tom "Loves a night out" Vale: A half marathon the weekend before didn't seem to effect Vale of York with a canny 17m25s which had us at 39th at the half way stage. All-reet.

7th leg: Hywel "Loves a long, windy time trial" Care: In his last 12 stage in an Acorn vest, Hywel produced a great run. Steaming past nine (9) runners to put us on the edge of the 20's (at 30th), Care's 28m09s was one of the efforts of the day. Adderchog.

8th leg: Martin "Loves this sort of thing" Kirby: It is a tribute to the strength of the team that Martin posted the slowest of the short legs - despite his clocking 17m37s which had Acorn still mixing it in 31st. Special.

9th leg: Piren "Loves the red vest" White: New member Piren, who has run in the 27m-28m bracket back in the day, enjoyed his return to the fray with a solid 29m41s to hold 31st place. Welcome.

10th leg: Andy "Loves the lack of hills" Neesom: Enjoying his best run on this course, and again indicating this summer should see some good Acorn performances, Andy posted 17m31s and gained a place to 30th. Rolling.

11th leg: Steve "Loves the buzz" Simpson: Having been chomping at the bit for hours, Steve got his chance and ran a creditable 31m20s as conditions, which had been windy but pleasant, started to turn. This had us in 34th with one to go. Smooth.

12th leg: Andy "Loves a mass start" Normandale: Andy took full advantage of the mass start to race his way to our fastest short leg of the day - 16m54s. Super-vet Andy brought the lads home (in a hailstorm of glory - literally) to a record position of 32nd. Great.

Well done to all who ran - a tough target has been set for future York 12-stage teams.


Congratulations are in order.. (08-04-06)

Acorn has been in action all over the place recently....

Congratulations to those that hammered the Coniston 14 on April Fools Day:

Dawn Gibbs won the ladies race overall (62nd) - ready for London Dawn!! Martin Lawn was 88th and no doubt loved every mile.

Congratulations to Sarah Tunstall who placed 62nd overall and 4th lady at the Hartlepool Marina 5 on 2nd April. Sweet!

Congratulations to Tom Vale & Martin Kirby who seemed to have a mini battle going on for 102nd & 103rd at the Ackworth Half Marathon on 2nd April, Kirby coming out just in front with 84-27 to Vale's 84-35. Good lads. Colin Utterson was 2nd V60 with 92-36 - incredible. The team was 17th.

Congratulations to Colin Utterson (3rd M60 in 42-12) at Wakefield City Hospice 10km.

Records rewritten at Northern 12 stage... (25-3-06)

The 12-stage road relays are one of the biggest club events on the road running calendar. In recent years the Acorn vest has crept up the results table, last year setting a club record 17th at the North of England edition.

This years event returned to the same venue, Manchesters Heaton Park, although course changes meant that leg times are not directly comparable. The concensus opinion was that this time round the legs were subjectively tougher, objectively longer.

"The Mastermind" Mike Raynes had assembled a strong squad with the primary goal of getting in the top 25 to qualify for the National competition, but with half an eye on setting a new benchmark for York clubs... the story's below:

1st leg (Long) - "The Hare" Hywel Care
Mr Care is in rare form this year so far, as his fabulous run at the National XC proves. Handling the responsibility (and the pressure) of running the first leg with nerveless verve, Hywel catapulted the team to 8th. The highest position Acorn have ever been in a race of this kind, captain Raynes practically had a nose bleed... (30m07s)

2nd leg (Short) - "The Scream" Mark Dowson
With Hywel's start it was always going to bit difficult to hold position. Dowson showed great guts taking the baton at this stage knowing he's still returning to form. Coming in 29th Mark misinterpreted the "not far now" advice unleashing his reknowned sprint finish (and blood curdling warcry) a bit too early. Great spirit though.... (19m54s)

3rd leg (Short) - Andy "New shoes" Normandale
Sporting his Christmas shoes - Union Jack Nike Mayflys - Normandale belied his veteren years with an audacious fashion statement. Not only that, but Andy N also produced a superlative run as he gained 10 places to haul Acorn back into 19th place. Unbelieveable. (17m40s)

4th leg (Long) - Andy "Andy H" Hilton
Also in new shoes, Andy H recorded a painfully quick time to further lift the Acorn vest up the classification table. With the 6th fastest time on leg 4 and still in shock from his fell-hell experience of two weeks ago, Hilton moved us up to 11th... which was nice. (29m48s)

5th leg (Short) - "Mighty" Mike Raynes
Always count on something solid from Captain Raynes. Fresh from a pre-championship holiday camp and sporting the tan as proof, Mike returned to the change-over bay in 12th only overhauled by a whippet from Liverpool. Another regulation knock. (18m15s)

6th leg (Short) - Martin "Cool & Calm" Kirby
Navigating uncharted waters requires a steady hand. Acorn called on one of its stalwarts in Mr Kirby to provide the necessary sure footedness. Upon production of a solid run, Martin kept the team in the hunt in 14th. Rock-like. (18m36s)

7th leg (Long) - "Pompey's" Paul Goble
Being a Portsmouth supporter, and as a result born prepared for roller coaster sporting sagas, Paul has always taken to Acorn relay team events like a duck to water. The sheer consistency of the teams performance therefore had him slightly taken aback but this was in part thanks to his own pacey effort. Still 14th - tremendous. (31m39s)

8th leg (Short) - "One sock" Adam Levie (USA)
Acorn’s overseas import, tuned himself up for a marathon effort in April with a apple pie of a performance. A UK road relay newcomer, “the Big L” swept round the course to hold off would be rivals and retain 14th position. A shame that later that evening he couldn’t hold off a gaggle of Toon ladies with their “item of clothing” demands. Naive. (17m27s)

9th leg (Short) – “The Metronome” Martin Lawn
Another of the Acorn old guard who’ve still got it, Lawny produced a classic effort only dropping one place to 15th (to a young un’ from Leeds). With a warm up that took him to the far reaches of the course, Martin ensured the other lads received support where other clubs feared to tread. Timeless. (19m14s)

10th leg (Long) - "Silky" Steve Simpson
Still the smoothest stylist of the Acorn cohort, Steve continued his to build up his form with a rousing display. Battling to hold position, Steve was caught by two despite a fine personal effort. 17th and sound. (34m13s)

11th leg (Short) – Dan “33% runner” Isherwood
Taking a break from his Half-Ironman build up, Dan fuelled himself with a breakfast of Snickers and Lucozade (take note kids, this is how champs prepare) and barrelled round to maintain 17th place. Later claimed he’d have shaved a second or so off his time if he’d worn his full lycra body suit and helmet. Super. (18m46s)

12th leg (Short) - "Turbo" Tom Vale
Arguably the hardest looking amongst the “weathered” Acorn set, Vale (of York) had those just in front running scared from the offset. With metres of the race to run, Tom claimed the scalp of Morpeth (last years winners – somewhat weakened admittedly) to confirm 16th place as the place to be. Merciless. (18m53s)

A record breaking effort from the lads, which further establishes the Acorn vest on the rise in the running world. Great stuff!!



East Hull 20 - Acorn present and correct (19-3-06)

Members appear to love the 20 mile distance at the moment. This weekend the famous Acorn vest was in triplicate at the reknowned Marathon warm up (!), the East Hull Twenty.

Colin Utterson continues to bang out the miles, while Nicola Timmins & Angela Peace also indulged in the fun. The positions and times (10mile splits in brackets) are shown below:

Colin 65th 2-23.23 (70.54,72.29)
Nicola 128th 2-39.20 (77.30,81.50)
Angela 146th 2-44.00 (77.30,86.30)

Nice work.

Chaplin's Back... at the Redcar Half (12-3-06)

Great to see Dave Chaplin emerge for spring with a run at the Redcar Half Marathon. Storming round the course in 77m 35s, I imagine Dave himself would have described this effort as "a bit of a belter". The lad takes 26th place to boot....

More Medals - Yorkshire 20 mile champs @ Spen 20 (12-3-06)

Having braved Spenborough in summer i can only say i'm stuffed with admiration for any runner that spends 20 miles of their time haring round the same area in the arctic conditions seen on Sunday....

Therefore, a big "good effort" to marathon-minded Jo Ellerton for not only laughing in the face of Jack Frost and friends, but also finishing 3rd female (in 2-25.57) and taking home silver in the Yorkshire championships. In addition, Dave "I'll never do marathon again" Elliot prepared for the London Marathon with a creditable 2-42.09. You have the right to engage 'smug-mode'. Class.

Someone call the vets! - Yorks fell champs (12-3-06)

Andy Normandale's insatiable appetite for bling drove him to brave the inclemant weather and attend the Yorkshire Veterans Fell Champs at Marsden (nr Huddersfield) on Sunday.

In the event, the precautionary shovel thrown into the car at the last minute was unnecessary but Andy still required all his experience to overcome a tough 7 mile course and the driving sleet that threatened to wear down his eyeballs. Despite the best efforts of Knavesmire's Barry Atkinson, Normandale secured the gold in the V45 catagory and took 5th overall - legendary!

In the M55 catagory, Mike "Out on the pop til' 3am the night before" Hetherton kept his eye in with a creditable 31st (4th M55) - when younger men would have been nursing a sore head, Mike was mixing it on the marshes. Educational.

The overall victory was taken by Acorn's "Fell novice" Andy Hilton, who was "made up and cold".

Wollaton Parklife - Inter Counties news... (11-3-06)

I haven't got all the results for this event yet but here's my best guess so far...... (thanks to Mr Paver).

The Inter counties champs traditionally wrap up the domestic cross country season and it's usually the chance for the cream of British talent to strut their stuff.

Those Rowntrees runners who, by virtue of being class, earned the right to pitch themselves in with the best were:

Senior women
78th Clair Duck
92nd Sarah Tunstall

U17 girls
36th Vicky Needham
109th Vicky Graves

U15 girls
55th Laura Goodson

A seriously good effort just for obtaining the county vests - great work.

Acorn 2 take on the Norton 9! (6-3-06)

A bit slow on the uptake but the carrier pigeon has finally arrived from Norton (near Doncaster) with news that "Dynamite" Dave Lancaster & "Cruisin'" Colin Utterson put in appearances at the 9 miler held down that way on 6th March.

Well done to the boys - Dave posting 56-13 for 35th place and Colin taking 90th with 62-35.

Ladies first... x country etiquette in North Yorks (6-3-06)

The NYSD cross country season is proper long. Starting with relays in October and culminating in early March. Not one for the faint hearted and therefore no problem for our lasses sporting the distintive green of Rowntrees.

Sunday saw the finale, held in the historic market town of Richmond, N Yorks (est 1071). With a testing little course (featuring ample opportunities to fall over if i remember rightly) the NYSD weren't making the final challenge in their series a gimme.

For the first time in human history, Rowntrees' girls captured the overall title, winning five of a possible six events. We already know they're winners for putting in the effort but let's get their names in fuschia as a reward.... surely the icing on the cake!


Sarah Tunstall
Vicky Needham
Emma Willits
Dawn Gibbs
Jo Ellerton
Charlotte Maxted
Emma MacAlister-Hall
Julie Lawn
Melanie Goodson


Individual exceptionality was demonstrated by Sarah Tunstall and Vicky Needham who monstered the U20 & U17 catagories respectively, winning all 5 of their counting races and bringing extra silverware to their treasuries deep within the city walls. Classic.

Well done to all the ladies.... the club says "nice one".


Summer League dates announced!! (4-3-06)

For regulars of these events you've doubtless already figured out what Tuesday evenings the various races will be held. To paraphrase Ben Franklin's famous quote "The only things predictable in life are Death, Taxes & the Tadcaster 10km..."

For newcomers and addicts alike, the dates are confirmed in the Future stuff section. Remember your brolly for Selby!

Review of York Acorn AGM (1-3-06)

Club secretary Paul Richardson has taken copious minutes of the meeting that will be available soon.

In summary, the meeting was well attended - it was snug in the Snug - i counted nearly 30 members.

There was plenty of lively debate surrounding the club scene in York, the nature of the Acorn as the venue and issues surrounding supporting club races. Thanks for all your input.

The committee is always looking for feedback and ideas. If you have something to say please either use the mail form or contact any of the contacts in that section.