HPH Chair’s Update and Harrier of the Month for December

December was a crazy busy month with running, socials, Christmas lights and even some Spanish marathon running for Hyde Park Harriers. The same and has been true for HOTM nominations. Well done to everyone for some fantastic cross country results, including our first ever PECO race win, running at the return of the Chevin Chase in snowy conditions, and for getting out to Christmas parties across Leeds. A lot happens behind the scenes to make all these things happen – so it’s so fantastic to see so many people being recognised for all their hard work to help our club’s wheels keep turning.

The HPH Annual Family Christmas Photo
HPH out and about at the Snowy Chevin Chase on Boxing Day

In January we look forward to another round of PECO on the 23rd January, and the return of one of our favourite races: Temple Newsam Ten on Sunday 9th Jan. We will also have HPH out running at the Brass Monkey half marathon in York and training for the fast and flat Dewsbury 10km, which is on the first weekend of February.

Our harriers of the month for December are: Ben Douglas and Caroline Sanders.

Caroline Sanders was nominated this month, for defying the doctors, when they said she might never run again, and run/walking parkrun just one year after her accident. She is an inspiration and shows what can be achieved with such a strong positive mental attitude.

Caroline, our winner this month, smashing out a little run at WHM parkrun in December!

Ben Douglas was nominated by several people for HPH Harrier of the Month for the month of December. Ben delivered an outstanding and majestic performance at Temple Newsam on 5th December by becoming the first male HPH to win a PECO XC race. The course was challenging in nature with five miles of climbs, descents, a water jump and plenty of mud. Ben rose to the occasion sublimely and completely dominated the race from the off with the second-place runner a good 25 seconds behind. Ben’s winning performance contributed favourably to the men finishing first in the team competition. Well done Ben – thanks for helping make HPH history!

Ben managing to grin as he crossed the finish line in first place at Temple Newsam PECO

Our other nominees in a very busy month, this month were:

  • Clare Evans: For working tirelessly to try and get all these new members signed up in time for PECO.  I know she has been very busy with it all and we really appreciate it
  • Naomi Adkins: Possible bias given she’s my wife but Nomie absolutely smashed Valencia Marathon and I’m so proud of her. Amazing achievement that was built on a lot of hard work.
  • Sarah Underwood: Sarah broke her PB at Valencia in tough conditions and looked super strong all the way!
  • Jonathan Spain: For organising loads of ace Harriers stuff, some of which probably goes a bit under the radar: PECO volunteers, north running club, as well as the usual committee duties.
  • Danny Clayton: Danny’s been a really enthusiastic member of the club since joining in the summer, always willing to get involved and help out. He’s been injured recently but has still been coming along to events to be support – great club spirit!
  • Kay Jefferies: for working HARD lately! Kay has been putting so much into her running the past several months, and seeing her complete 350 parkruns was also a great achievement. She’s also been leading most weeks, and is the first to encourage members in their own goals.
  • For winning a Peco race
  • Romina, Jay and Grace: for organising the Xmas Parties
  • Anne Akers, Laura Garratt & Mike Vargas: for all their work with organising the clubs PECO XC participants as well as engaging new and returning runners to compete. This has shown in the clubs overall success so far across all age groups and both gender categories.
  • Anna Stocks: For some outstanding running and results recently. Notably at PECO and parkrun!

As always, keep an eye out on the weekly bulletin emails and in the Facebook group for more information about races, discounts, sessions and club activity. If you have any ideas for sessions, any feedback or want to organise a social or event, please get in touch with the committee by emailing hello@hydeparkharriers.co.uk or messaging one of us directly on Facebook. You know who we are. But if you don’t, you can find out here. Our next meeting is January 9th at 6pm – make sure you send us anything for discussion before then.

Don’t forget you can submit any future HPH of the Month nominations at any time of the month/year at this link.