August was quite cold... remember?

Selby Half Marathon (24-09-06)

If ever a course was to be advertised as fast & flat this is it. A quintet of Acorn-ites represented:

35th Martin Kirby 1.24.41
48th John Booth 1.26.36
71st Jo Ellerton 1.29.24
156th Dave Elliot 1.39.01
207th Joanne Hunt 1.44.34

Special mention to John who was 2nd M55 and Jo who was 3rd F35, but these are all excellent times. Nice one.


North of England 6 stage Road Relays... so close (again) (23-09-06)

For the second year in succession Acorn's men were a whisker away from qualifying for the national 6 stage. Needing to make the top 25 A teams, our lads finished 26th A squad (wsame as last year). The story:

Leg 1 - Mark Metcalfe

He's only been a member for a few months but the improvement in Mark's running is marked. Once again producing a belter in the presence of some of the northern team's best, Mark M pulled out 17m 25s on this 5.5km (approx) course. 40th was a great start.

Leg 2 - Mike Raynes

Returning from a 4 week layoff, Captain Raynes stepped into the breach that recent injuries had created. Battling all the way on a featurelessly flat out and back course, Mike posted 19m 35s to bring us in 51st.

Leg 3 - Piren White

A rare road outing for Piren produced the desired results as the Acorn fight back gathered pace. Five places were regained as "the Doctor" posted 17m 48s. 46th

Leg 4 - Dan Isherwood

The coastal course was practically made with Isherwood in mind. Building up for the world half-Ironman champs in Florida-esque conditions, Dan ran hard (with the "usual" results) for 18m 30s and in the process took a further 5 places to place us 41st.

Leg 5 - Andy Hilton

Andy H fair shifted on leg 4 to get the lads within sniffing distance of a qulaifying spot. 16m 17s was the fourth fastest time on this leg and enough to capture 12 more places (despite the gaps in the field). 29th

Leg 6 - Steve Simpson

Steve ran well on the anchor leg but was up against some quality final leg runners Despite overtaking 3 teams, another 3 managed to squeeze past and for all his battle and an excellent 18m 36s, 29th was the final position for this years Acorn outfit.

With 3 B teams infront of us (Morpeth, Liverpool & Sale), this years race was another so close story. Nevertheless this was achieved despite fast absentees and with competition for places hotting up, the future looks bright.... Good job.


Ryedale Run - 10 miles in Malton (17-09-06)

Plenty of Acorn vests turned out for this scenic jaunt round Malton and environs. Congratulations to Becky Penty who was first women home and shattered the course record in the process. Nice.

Additonal great work executed by the following:
11th Mark Dowson 1.05.05
20th Mark Harney 1.09.27
23rd David Muckersie 1.10.49
48th David Paver 1.18.30
82nd Joanne Hunt 1.24.24
149th Katy Hutchinson 1.40.57
172nd Sally Hutchinson 1.46.10
182nd Jessica Evans 1.50.08

The course is actually 3/4 mile more than 10 miles making these times doubleplus good.


Yorkshire Road Relays (16-09-06)

Don Valley stadium hosted the Yorkshire Road Relays again this year. Acorn took a full mens A team, plus a two man B squad and one representative of the ladies outfit.

Becky Penty continued her build up to the Great North with a the fifth fastest two mile leg of the day which saw her place 3rd on the opening leg. This surely augers well for the National Road Relays in October when a full strength ladies unit is descending on Sutton Park.

The lads A team replicated the finshing position of the previous year with a creditable 9th place overall. Maybe not the strongest sextet possible but certainly a bunch of tough nuts:

Leg 1: Andy H - first home, good start (20-08)
Leg 2: Mark M - new to leading, fine front running (21-38)
Leg 3: Dan Ish - post-Helvelyn triathon, good work (23-10)
Leg 4: Tom V - solid as a Northern rock (23-11)
Leg 5: Steve S - marathon build up continues (22-53)
Leg 6: Martin K - held on to 9th, great battle (23-10)

The Acorn B team also ran well with the following performances:

Leg 1: Mark H - continues to improve (23-42)
Leg 2: Stuart T - took us past Skyrac Ac (28-51)

Good effort by everybody, great afternoon out. Congratulations to Otley AC on winning the event overall.


Rowntree's T&F Promoted!! (13-09-06)

Good news for all those that follow (or are part of) the fortunes the Nestle Rowntree track & field team - the team has been promoted to North of England Division 1.

This is a great result for the club whose consistently high quality performances over the season clinched promotion via a paper match held when rain cancelled the actual play-off earlier in the month. Well done girls & boys!!


Sunday at the Sutton Seven (10-09-06)

Three mighty Acorn-ites turned out for this local favourite.

Jo Ellerton produced another victory for Acorn with a convincing 2min gap behind her. This has been great year for one of the clubs most consistent performers. Nice work.

Continuing his rapid rise up the performance rankings, Mark Metcalfe produced another great run for 3rd. Mixing it early with some local big guns, Mark's no fear attitude produced results.

One of the most consistent of the Acorn veteren element, Mike Tasker, once again produced a fine run to place 2nd in the M60 catagory. Great job!


Lincolnshire Wolds 10 - Rothwell running... (09-09-06)

The triumvirate of "Chairman" John Tatt, "Secretary" Paul Richardson & "Big" Phil Paxman travelled to Rothwell to take on this tough 10 miler.

Results:
36 Philip Paxman 01:12:38
68 Paul Richardson 01:25:46
71 John Tattershall 01:26:59


Rumours that each had to travel separatly due to their strategic importance to the club are maybe exaggerated, but there can be no doubting we sent some our our best ambassadors to this event. Good show chaps!!

Castleton Cracker - Hilton maintains form... (09-09-06)

Andy Hilton set his second course record in four days with a dominant display of front running over a tough 10km course in the North York Moors. Recording 32m 42s, Andy took victory with 2 1/2 mins to spare and in the process wrapped up the North York Moors Summer Series title.

Also representing Acorn was Suzy Grindley who performed excellently to finish in 49m 10s for 5th female position.

Also completing this Fell Series (min 6 races) for Acorn were Mike Hetherton who won the V60 category, Andy Normandale who was 3rd in the V40 section.


A step up: Club Record falls at Hyde Park 5km (06-09-06)

Andy Hilton delivered on his promise to improve on the previous month's performance at the Leeds City promoted Hyde Park 5km.

In taking victory by 7secs from Leed's Darren Bilton, Hilton reduces the Acorn 5km record to a swift 14m 52secs (a new course record). Thanks in the main to the Leed's marathon man's incredible front running abilities, Hilton used his kick to take the lead 600m from the finish.

Also running on a great evening for racing were Becky Penty (3rd lady in 18-32), Emma Willits (7th lady in 19-10) and Vicky Needham (8th lady in 19-50). Great performances being enough to take the team prize.

The lads representing the vest were Mark Metcalfe (14th in 16-38), Andy Normandale (17th in 16-47), Mark Harney (46th in 18-54) and Dave Paver (result not known yet!).

A great nights work guys & girls - thanks!!


Multi: Leeds Country Way - one of those days! (03-09-06)

Well done to the Acorn team who recovered from a mid-race mishap to post a 3rd place finish. The story:

Leg1 - Normandale & White gave the chaps the best possible start coming home 1st. Two fell legends making the Garforth environs their playground - respectable.

Leg2 - Goble & Hilton took full advantage of the extra days rest a cancelled T&F meeting the previous day afforded them. The fastest pairing opened an 8 min gap on second, and 11 mins over Leeds. Still 1st.

Leg3 - Chaplin & Isherwood decided a trip to Ikea and Toys R Us was in order on their leg. Apparently having got halfway up the A650 they realised that they'd have to queue so turned round to complete the leg. Taking a number of pointers from (a very helpful) Abbey Runners duo the lads eventually stumbled on the finish to hand over to an "anxious" Captain Raynes. Now in 4th.

Leg4 - Raynes & Simpson provided the steadying influence where other heads would have spun. "Captain" & "Smooth" produced a solid run to bring us home in 4th.

Leg5 - Dowson & Nesom had a great time as they overtook a rival pair to take us to 3rd. A finely matched unit!

Leg6 - Barnes & Vale anchored us home with a leg of quality. Once again "the Daddy" and "...of York" demonstrated the value of running guts over good looks..... (only joking Jerry..... (only joking Tom)).

"Good work" to Captain Raynes for organising and all those that ran!


Road: Tholthorpe 10km (03-09-06)

A good local 10km which this year was graced by Jo Ellerton. Jo's clocking of 44-16 is another excellent effort given the course has a rolling nature. Good job!!


Fell : Pinchinthorpe Plod (03-09-06)

Once again uber-veteren Mike Hetherton took to the North Yorkshire Moors hills for this 6.3m 1200ft jaunt. Taking the treble-V race win (more whisky then Mike) and a excellent 25th place, this was another successful venture for the lad.... nice one.


Road : Major Stone Half Marathon (03-09-06)

Another couple of Acorn's finest in the shape of Mark Harney and Howard Winzar found themselves competing in East Hull this weekend. Both producing respectable efforts, Mark with 1-31-30 and Howard with 1-39-14, in hot and blustery conditions. Good work chaps!!


Mizuno night... (23-08-06)

Just a quick thanks to all who turned out at the Acorn for the Mizuno club night. This despite the weather being a bit stormy...

Cheers to Janet from Up & Running and Julian from Mizuno for the effort and the advice. Thanks for sticking around for a bit afterwards, the chaps appreciated it!

Good effort also to Paul for arranging the Pie & Peas and John "everyone's a winner (except Mark M)" Tatt for the raffle. Twas fun.


Penty cleans up in Spofforth mud (28-08-06)

Word from Harrogate was that the recent rain had made the Spofforth 10km trail race a bit muddy. A few of Acorn's finest couldn't wait to get stuck in.

It was Becky Penty who made the biggest splash (or should that be squelch) with a fine run for victory (and 22nd overall). Class act - nice one.

Joining in on the fun were recent recruit Mark Harney who ran well for 27th, Mike Tasker who took the MV60 title finishing 107th and Y Ayalew who came home in 180th.

Good effort to all those who indulged.


Ossy Oiks Fell Fun (21-08-06)

Our friends at North York Moors AC managed to pick one of the few hours of the week when the weather was as you'd expect it in August, so it was a belter of an evening on the western edge of the moors. This drew out a plethora of Acorn talent!!

It was Acorn's Andy Hilton who took victory and in doing so reduced the course record by over 2 minutes. Well done fella [...why thankyou - AH]. Hilton now looks favourite to take the Summer Series title is his first full fell season.

The lads also took the team title as Piran White made a welcome return to competition placing 6th, Graham Birch turned bike miles into running results with 10th and Captain Raynes ground it out on his least favoured terrain for 13th. Just out of the team points Martin Kirby pushed Mike all the way eventually placing 16th. The only low point was the choice of Stella for the team prize... still so much to learn!!

And it wasn't just chaps who turned out performances. The girls also ran admirably with Angela Peace getting 4th lady, Jo Ellerton coming home 9th only days after Burnsall (hardcore) and Sussana Dale rounding out the team with 13th.

Usually just completing a team puts the ladies in the hunt but in a highly competitive field Acorn had to settle for 3rd team. Tremendous work nevertheless.

Burnsall Burn up - fell &
road!! (19-08-06)

Burnsall played host to a 10 mile road race and a "short, sharp, shocker" of a fell race this Sunday.

In the 10 miler, three Acorn vests were present. Donning the appropriate attire were:
* Jo Ellerton - 6th lady in 73m18s
* Angela Peace - 9th lady in 78m22s
* Dave Paver - 8th V50 in 78m23s

Good work guys on a course with a "rep".

In the junior fell race, Jeany Parker was the first L14 girl to finish. Good to see them getting into the tough stuff early doors. Nice one!!

Arncliffe hanger... (12-08-06)

Not just an excuse to experiment with a few headlines I've had up my sleeve for some time.... "Good effort" to Mark Harney who posted an excellent 24-42 for 15th at the Arncliffe Fete 4 miler.

Keep the results coming guys!!!

A big thankyou for the Millenium Bridge marshalls!!
(08-08-06)

Thanks to everyone who lent a hand at the Millenium Bridge races on Tuesday evening. The races themselves, incredibly well attended as those watching & racing will have noticed, all went excellently.

A good chunk of this success was down to Andy Normandale's sterling organisational efforts. Good work.

All the marshalls, and there were roughly twenty all in all, can take a great deal of pride in the smooth running of the races. Initial feedback from the runners mentioned the quality of support from all the helpers along the course.

A special mention to Andy & Stuart, our relay runners, who had the responsibility of delivering the watch from the start to the finish for the fun run - all that speed work finally comes good!! Additionally, well done to the lead bike Mike Raynes, who just about managed to cycle fast enough to stay in front of the lead men in the first race - looked a bit knackered at the end though...

Genuine thanks for everybody's hard work!!!

Hyde Park 5km (02-08-06)

On an unseasonably damp evening in Leeds, Acorn's girls and boys produced a good show for the travelling support(??)..

Andy Hilton had a "private battle" with Tipton's Ian Mitchell at the sharp end, coming off 2nd best but in a creditable 15-21. AH promises a better effort in a month's time...

Also taking 2nd place, this time in the women's race, Becky Penty clocked an excellent 18-32. How long until the 18m barrier is breached??

Providing excellent team support we also had:

10th - 16:51 - Mark Metcalfe - another bit out of the PB!
16th - 17:30 - Martin Kirby - keeps on banging out the times, great runnin'.
20th - 17:36 - Mike Raynes - felt rubbish, but loves runnin', fair play!
77th - 21:47 - Dave Paver - taking time out from organising everything to have a go, good lad.
79th - 21:50 - Angela Peace - Had a great time!
93rd - 23:53 - Susanna Dale - Excellent work!

Well done to all, remember the final run of this series is Wednesday 6th September, let's have a good turnout!!!! Andy H