More virtual success for runners

WHILST formal athletic competition remains suspended due to the Covid-19 outbreak, resourceful members of Penistone Footpath Runners continue to organise virtual socially-distanced events to help to maintain club camaraderie.

The latest iteration of virtual competition came in the form of a mile challenge, designed to culminate on May 6, the 66th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s running of the historic first sub-four minute mile.

Each club member was challenged to run a timed mile at a time and place of their choosing, whilst observing current government guidelines.

The fastest 26, with the addition of .21 of a mile, would then be added together to give a virtual club marathon time.

Average times across all age categories were also calculated to give a projected marathon time based on those who took part.

The combined time of the fastest 26.2 Penistone Footpath Runners was 2-25.49, whilst the fastest 26.2 women came home in 3:01.16. Fastest male runner was Gareth Cooke in 4-52, closely followed by junior athlete Hugh Mackie in 4-54.

Jon Waller ran a valiant 5-01 in third. The fastest female runners was U13 athlete Graihagh Turner in 5-52. Nichola McNally (6-02) and Rachael Mayston (6-03) were also on the virtual podium.

A splendid 88 Penistone Footpath runners took part in the challenge, which proved such a grand idea that 15 other clubs across South, West and East Yorkshire region took up the gauntlet of making it an interclub challenge, with Wakefield Harriers running the fastest combined time of 2-12.27.

Across Yorkshire, over 600 runners were part of the competition, running the equivalent of the distance from Penistone to Berlin.

In addition, six Penistone Footpath Runners took part in the national one mile competition, organised by the British Milers’ Club.

The results, with category positions and age graded results were as follows: Paul Fryers 6-10 (45th M50 – 69.91%), James Fryers 5-50 (50th U17 – 68.64%). Tom Fryers 5-40 (38th U20 67.70%), Jon Waller 5-02 (39th M40 – 77.98%) Nichola McNally 6-01 (2nd F50 – 83.88%) Dawn Broom 6:19 (4th F55 – 85.39%)