Kirkby Runners Do It Again!
09 Oct 2022
Ripon Rowel Relay Champs 2022 - At Their First Attempt!!
Big shout out to Kirkby Runners RRRelay Champions 2022! Superb effort from captain/mentor Harvey Jones, and team heroes Ed Forsythe, Craig Michael, Mark Simpson and Ewan Walker - beating nearest rivals Ripon Runners and Redcar A’ by some nineteen minutes! The tough multi terrain course following the famed and ancient Ripon Cathedral sanctuary bounds is now a firmly established race for teams and individuals. Other locals including endurance athlete Andrew Risbey took on the route solo - and lived to tell the tale (we believe!?)
‘This is something that so many of us are into now around Kirkby, it shows the local talent here - there are so many other people that could have done well here; we’re already planning for next year, more teams - and for plenty more races in between!’
This is just the latest in Kirkby running success - with Kirkby/Laverton/Dallowgill now boasting a club strength of over thirty runners of all ages and abilities. Started during Lockdown and harnessing the local passion for outdoor activities generally Harvey and others opened up all sorts of footpaths and pathways linking some of the incredibly beautiful countryside around us. Informal routes and races were developed encompassing Hackfall Woods/Gorge, Dallowgill moorland and Crackpots trail as well as extending out to Nutwith and Grewelthorpe to take in parts of the excellent multi terrain courses there.
Richard Hughes, Kirkby runner and Parish Councillor, was full of praise for the team, and excited about the future here, ‘this is just the beginning for me - Harvey and the guys have done a superb job. This is a fantastic new club that typifies the new spirit in this brilliant community. We are becoming a venue and a destination for all sorts now, a true hub community. Running and cycling have never been bigger locally, these routes are also opening up for tourists and the increasing numbers of visitors to the area; great for local services and the local economy!’
Following on from the success of the jubilee celebrations and the establishment of ever stronger Parish Council/Community/Business links a central community planning forum is being established. The community bonfire is a symbol of this new cooperation as is the volunteer network, rapidly growing, and plans for the biennial Kirkby Show/Gala/KFest (though this may move from a two day to a four day event, according to the Palace’s Coronation plans!? ‘We did put our preferred dates in to Buck House, but have yet to receive a reply!?’ Quipped Mr Hughes.
*Stop-press: Plans are underway for incorporating a ten kilometre off-road run into next summer's Gala/Show along with possible street party, arts/artisan fair and commercial stalls amongst many other ideas. Do watch this space - and keep signing up to the volunteers list - any contribution to these brilliant events is welcome!!
