YVAA Grand Prix Race 2 – Kirkstall

There was a good turnout by the Hyde Park Harriers men at the second Yorkshire Veterans’ Athletic Association Grand Prix Race of the season at Kirkstall. Chris Smith, Charlie Jackett, David Womersley, Chris Jones, Michael Mason, Andrew Maddock, Richard Edwards and me (Ken Fox) all had fun racing around the six mile multi-terrain course. It was a quick lap around Kirkstall Abbey to spread out the field before heading off up the A65. It followed the Kirkstall 7 mile course for a bit – cutting through the woods to the river, then crossing the river to do a hilly circuit of Bramley Fall Woods before retracing the route to head back to the finish at the Abbey.

Chris Smith was first Hyde Park Harrier home, followed by Charlie Jackett with his best performance since coming back from injury. David Womersley was once again in the prizes picking up one for 3rd place M60. I was lucky enough to win my first ever YVAA Grand Prix prize (a bottle of Pinot Grigio) for being 3rd placed M55.

No HPH ladies again, so they missed out celebrating with the HPH men with their bottles of wine!

Wonderful marshalling by our friends from Kirkstall Harriers who put on the race for the YVAA. I think I got a cheer and a name call from just about every one. Apart from the first one who sent all the runners out onto the A65 instead of the path around the Abbey! Great spread of rolls and cake afterwards as well.

Here’s how the HPH men did. Their race was won by Gavin Mulholland of Stainland in 33:26. There were 154 veteran finishers in the men’s race.

Full details on the YVAA web site: http://www.yvaa.org/