Peco Wrapped – Hyde Park Harriers

Another (not so) muddy XC season comes to an end and your captains would like to thank you all for turning out in such great numbers to run, cheer, photograph and generally contribute to the great atmosphere at each event. Now, I don’t quite have the encyclopaedic knowledge that a certain Mr. Vargas possesses, but I can try pull out some statistical fancies from the season just gone…

It’s been quite the few months, with record breaking numbers and successes. 7 different runners finished in the top 10 at least once during the season, well done to: Ben Douglas, Oli Dighton, George Anderson, Danny Clayton, Flick Burton, Amy Ramsden-Young and Sam Tecwyn for some fantastic individual performances. Ben managed to finish in the top 10 in every race this season, and (as far as we are aware) Sam Tecwyn became the first ever HPH women to win an event with her amazing performance at Roundhay.

But it’s not all about who ran the quickest, reflected by the record number of runners who turned up. An eye-watering 139 different runners donned their offset-white-stripe-on-red, with a total turnout of 419 across the 5 races. Middleton saw the highest number of runners from HPH with 107, where we made up almost 13% of the entire field! Over the course of the season, 53 different clubs were represented at least once…and yet HPH were an incredible 11% of ALL RUNNERS. Individually, 29 of you ran all 5 races! Hyde Park Harriers turn up whatever the weather.

On a team performance basis, it’s been another successful campaign. The Men’s team managed to hold their nerve at Roundhay to narrowly beat Valley Striders to the title in the Premier Division for a second successive season. The Men’s Vets also had a fantastic season finishing 5th in their Premier Division, which we believe is their highest ever position!

The Women’s team managed to finish 3rd in the Premier Division, unfortunately just narrowly missing out on 2nd on countback to Roundhay Runners. Despite a second-place finish on Sunday for HPH, Roundhay managed to win on their home turf to just pip the women to the silver medal. The Women’s Vets were unlucky to slip into the final relegation spot in the Premier Division in a close finish towards the bottom of the table. Fingers crossed they can come back stronger next year and push for a second promotion in 3 years.

It’s important to note that these team successes aren’t down to any individuals, and the collective performance of everyone who ran contributed towards the club’s achievements. Well done to all who ran a PECO race this year, we hope you enjoyed them, and if you were new to it that you’ll continue again next season.

Unfortunately, my pivot table doesn’t expand to the more obscure facts and figures, otherwise I’d be covering the important statistics like number of dog supporters, kilograms of baked goods consumed, and number of people who turned up to work on Monday still with red and white facepaint on.

A quick reminder that for you who really enjoyed yourselves, the fun isn’t over just yet. The PECO
relays are on the 26th March, and there will be a follow up post with further details shortly.

Thanks again for everyone who made our life easier. There are too many people to thank individually, so apologies for missing anyone off, but:

A big thanks to everyone who turned up and ran/cheer to make it all worthwhile.
Ed, Caitlin and the scores of marshals who gave up their time to host Middleton.
Last year’s captains Michael, Laura and Anne for handover tips and information.
Sarah and Ally who helped facilitate the course recces.
Amy who helped book and organise the socials.
And last but most importantly, every person who helped me carry that gazebo to and from my car…

So hang up those Mudclaws for another 6 months, and give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. Here’s to next season!