Kirbymoorside 10k 2008
Race report by Howard Cross

4 May 2008

On the first warm Sunday afternoon of 2008 seven of our runners stepped up to the challenge of the Kirbymoorside 10k road race. Brass bands were playing and the local crowds were in good voice as the race got underway.  

Four hundred athletes set off up the fairly tough uphill start, to run over the rolling course through the well-supported villages of Gillymore and Fadmore; a snap of a hill at five miles, then a really fast downhill final mile and a half back through the town centre to the finishing line.

The race was won comprehensively by Graham Dunn of Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers in a time of 32:53. The first man to cross the line for Pock Runners was Dennis Speck who through a fantastic effort rocketed around to seal third place overall in a time of   36:43.  A fantastic effort Dennis.

Helen Cross ran a really good race too, after her epic win last weekend at the Cottingham 10k, Helen made it all look very easy, winning the ladies title for a second time on this course.  Helen’s time was 39:40.

Third home for Pocklington -  just managing to fend off the challenge from Stuart Evans and Paul Holmes was myself (Howard Cross) in a time of 44:03.  Stuart Evans ran in a time of 44.10, just coming back to form, and good to see Jackie showing her support too.  Paul “Hitman” Holmes was chasing hard and managed a time of 44:13 -  well done Paul.

It was the Pocklington Runners’ girls next to woo the Kirby crowds and supporting families, with Louise Warren bobbing home in 49:55 - well done, a fantastic effort. Just behind her came Sue Vicary showing everyone how it should be done in 51:50. Next in rocketing down the finishing straight was Helen Reevell to clinch a well deserved time of 62:54.  The final Pocklington lady to cross the line was Julie Dunn in a time of 65:26.

Congratulations to all our team who ran at this event for Pocklington Runners. The rewards were high, Pocklington taking 3rd male and first lady, to get their hands on the local pottery prizes and keeping our club at the sharp end of the 2008 road running calendar.