Mud, mud glorious mud

Published on 14th December 2006 in Sport

It seems to be the norm, every year without fail, that Scarborough AC, who organise the Langdale End leg of the East Yorkshire Cross Country League, arranges for millions of gallons of mud to be piped in to obscure much of a course already difficult because of the steep gradients common to that area.

Because of the mud, and in certain places the foot goes down not knowing whether it is hard rock or up to the knees, running with any sort of rhythm becomes impossible.

Having said that, no one ever says it is not enjoyable, certainly not amongst the Viking Striders gathered in the warmth and conviviality of the Moorcock Inn afterwards. Some performances suggested the Striders thrived in the tough conditions, with Simon Griffin leading the way for the club as always, Martin Midgley having his best race of the season in an excellent eighth place, and Neil Bentley at last showing some form to come through for the final team scoring position.

The league continues to be dominated by City of Hull and Scarborough, but the Men's team consolidated their very creditable third place overall. On the ladies' side, however, because of injuries and unauthorised absences Kay Ryan was left alone to fly the flag, which she did magnificently, but on her own Kay could do little to prevent the team slipping to last but one on the day, and that only because Selby Striders failed to field anybody at all.

Of course, some legs were still tired from the previous week's Rudolph's Romp, a small matter of 24 cross-country miles organised by the Long Distance Walkers' Association and centred on Brantingham, near South Cave. Although Martin and Simon led the way here as well with very quick times, Marina Booth on her debut at the event coped brilliantly with a far from easy course, and Collette Leetham provided further evidence of her return to fitness.

Langdale End positions and times:

4th Simon Griffin 45.56, 8th Martin Midgley 48.27, 13th Giles Harris 49.07, 21st Alan Bexon 51.05, Dave Hanney 51.06, 35th Neil Bentley 53.30, 52nd Mark Thompson 57.20, 54th Nigel Warner 57.54, 67th Ray Smith 60.03, 78th Richard Anness 64.36.

Ladies (or rather Lady) 13th Kay Ryan 62.15.

Rudolph's Romp times:

Martin Midgley 3 hours 15 minutes, Simon Griffin 3.16, Nigel Warner 4.08, Craig Taylor 4.30, Richard Anness 5.00, Collette Leetham and Ray Smith both 6.07, Dot Pullman, Karen Mitchell, Sandy Midgley and Marina Booth all 6.10.