Paul Caswell Cleans Up at Almscliffe

25/10/2011

The 37th annual runners versus cyclist event took place on a fine October morning between runners from Harrogate Harriers and Cyclists from Harrogate Nova. The Nova ranks were decimated by injury and illness but they still managed to field a strong team of fourteen time winner and holder Greg Ketteringham, five time winner Paul Caswell, 2009 winner Simon Ketteringham and rookie Rob Senior. The cyclists set off at minute intervals and time trial from Whinney Lane to Beckwithshaw and the hilly route to North Rigton before leaving their bikes and running to the crag and back and then time trialling back. Simon Ketteringham set the early pace, but his time at the end of the run was equalled by brother Greg Ketteringham. Paul Caswell was setting the pace though with a lead of 35 seconds. Any doubts that he’d pushed too hard on the outward leg were dispelled when he crossed the line in a new course record time of 34:55, 51 seconds ahead of previous record holder Greg Ketteringham and 2 minutes 13 ahead of the fading Simon Ketteringham and Ron Senior with a fantastic debut a further 2:10 back. Not only did Caswell take the Almscliffe Tankard for winning and a new course record but he also took the Stephan Forge Trophy for most improved time from the previous year. Also competing were Nova’s Father and Son tandem team Martin and ten year old Ben Shaw who completed the course in 46:57. Each year The Almscliffe Trophy is presented to the club who wins on a handicap system calculated from the difference between the teams the previous year, Nova were the holders but this year it was the runners from Harrogate Harriers who took Almscliffe Trophy. MArtin and Ben Shaw pictured beginning their run. Further pictures on the Photo link.

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