Beverley Athletics Club: 17th December 2022
December saw Club members end 2022 with a choice of festive fun and activities. Wednesday 4th December saw Father Christmas get a festive fit taking part in the Club’s annual Santa Run, accompanying 120 Club members as they enjoyed a socially festive run around Beverley before enjoying mid-run refreshments at The Beaver pub before returning to the Beverley Cricket Club for food and musical entertainment. The event also raised funds for Dove House Hospice, and a total of £75 was collected. Many local residents and passing drivers supported the running Santas and their cheers and waves were much appreciated.
Adding to the Christmas festivities in Beverley, the Club sponsored its very own tree in the Christmas tree festival in the Minster, where a Bertie the Beaver dressed in the Club’s colours of blue and yellow was placed on the top of the tree and ornaments in the form of event medals and photos of members in their events of 2022 were hung on its branches.
More seasonal fun was had at the Sprout Scuttle 10 kms at Normanby Hall where 12 runners donned festive fancy dress and completed the 10 kms cross country trail course. Another local race, the Long Distance Walkers Association’s (LDWA) Rudolph’s Romp, a popular local event over 25 miles of hills and Yorkshire Wolds, starting and finishing at Brantingham, saw David Meilhan the first Beverley runner home in 3:25:00, followed by Simon Pick – 4:12:00; Linda Wright – 4:47:00; Jackie Hardman – 4:48:00 and Rebecca Meilhan – 5:00:00.
December also saw the 3rd race of the East Yorkshire League at Bishop Wilton, with a great win by James Johnson, leading the men’s team home in 2nd place. The ladies team also ran well and remained in 2nd place in the league so far in the series. The next race takes place on 8th January 2023 at Sledmere.
Meanwhile, the Juniors had a busy end-of-year racing at the final West Yorkshire Cross Country race at Rothwell. In bitterly cold but very good running conditions once warmed up, the standout group this year was the Under 13 girls who took the First team prize in what is a very competitive league. Very well done to Lois, Indie, Poppy and Orlaith, and also to Lois on her individual 6th place prize in the league. The Juniors were well represented in all other age groups too.
Lewis Holloway, the Club’s Juniors Head Coach said: “The coaching team is very proud of all our runners taking part in this tough league and seeing all their training pay off. Their next big event is the Humberside Cross Country Championships taking place in Grimsby on 7th January 2023.”
For anyone feeling the excesses of Christmas and wanting to adopt a healthier and fitter lifestyle in the New Year, the Club is once again offering its’ popular Couch to 5k programme. Starting on 30th January 2023, this popular running programme takes people from being non-runners to completing their first 5 kms event in a few months of training and will culminate in a graduation run at Beverley Westwood Parkrun on Saturday 6th or 13th May 2023. The cost of the course in £15 and includes a memento t-shirt and a discounted Beverley AC club membership. For more details and to sign up, please go to the Club’s website found at the end of this article.
And finally, some more important dates for your diaries. Beverley’s iconic 10kms race takes place Sunday 14th May 2023 and details of the event and registration will be circulated in the New Year, whilst Walkington 10 kms will take place on Friday 14th July 2023.
New members, whatever your age and fitness level, are always welcome and further details about the membership and what the Club has to offer to its members can be found on the Club’s website: www.beverleyathleticclub.co.uk.
Happy New Year to you all!
