James Herriot Run was the race today which is 14km's of fell come trail running. On the start line this year th
ere was three past winners myself plus last years winner who also holds the course record and Lewis Banton from Clowne AC. After running well last weekend I was after the course record but knew just winning the race itself was going to be a tall order. I took the lead from the start and started the long ascent it must be a couple of km's to get to the top of the steep section before gradually climbing another 3km or so to the highest point. There was a very strong head wind between the 2km and 5km which I worked hard into to help my attempt on the record so by the time it was to head down hill I eased back slightly to get my breath back. The 2nd place runner at this point (Last years winner) closed the gap to around 50 metres I would say at a guess seeing as I never look back. Along the flat and up the next climb I continued with my 
hard effort but yet again as last week I just couldn't gain any extra ground on the runner from behind. The last 3km is more like a cross country course and I still felt good and if anything I would say I was speeding up but the runner behind was at 50 metres I was informed by good work mate Keith Richardson ex swaledale runner. Just the news I wanted to hear and yet again I upped my effort to maximum, if I was going to loose the lead now it wasn't going to be through not giving it all. As the finish line came into view I kept with the speed which was enough to see me win by around 8 seconds in a time of 53 minutes 45 seconds.
So 46 seconds off
the course record but in those conditions and beating the other past winners was absolutely fantastic. Thankfully six weeks of no racing now as I recharge my batteries so I will be ready and raring to continue my Blacksheep Series Championship and the start of the cross country season. My over all victory tally will just have to as it is for a while. 64 wins altogether now.
ere was three past winners myself plus last years winner who also holds the course record and Lewis Banton from Clowne AC. After running well last weekend I was after the course record but knew just winning the race itself was going to be a tall order. I took the lead from the start and started the long ascent it must be a couple of km's to get to the top of the steep section before gradually climbing another 3km or so to the highest point. There was a very strong head wind between the 2km and 5km which I worked hard into to help my attempt on the record so by the time it was to head down hill I eased back slightly to get my breath back. The 2nd place runner at this point (Last years winner) closed the gap to around 50 metres I would say at a guess seeing as I never look back. Along the flat and up the next climb I continued with my 
hard effort but yet again as last week I just couldn't gain any extra ground on the runner from behind. The last 3km is more like a cross country course and I still felt good and if anything I would say I was speeding up but the runner behind was at 50 metres I was informed by good work mate Keith Richardson ex swaledale runner. Just the news I wanted to hear and yet again I upped my effort to maximum, if I was going to loose the lead now it wasn't going to be through not giving it all. As the finish line came into view I kept with the speed which was enough to see me win by around 8 seconds in a time of 53 minutes 45 seconds.So 46 seconds off
the course record but in those conditions and beating the other past winners was absolutely fantastic. Thankfully six weeks of no racing now as I recharge my batteries so I will be ready and raring to continue my Blacksheep Series Championship and the start of the cross country season. My over all victory tally will just have to as it is for a while. 64 wins altogether now.
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