MORE than 1,000 runners took part in the all-new Barnsley 10k on Sunday, with people from Barugh Green winning both the men’s and women’s races.
The race, which has been set-up this year in homage to the town’s history as a hub of road running in the UK, went through Barnsley town centre, Wilthorpe and Redbrook, before looping back around at the Claycliffe road area.
Barnsley AC’s Eleanor Baker – a 19-year-old with hopes of competing in the Olympics in the future – won the female race in a time of 34-58.
She said: “It was one of the best races I’ve ever done. I absolutely loved it.
“I knew the route quite well because my house is at the top of Barugh Green. I do that run probably twice a week.
“All the streets were lined from start to finish, with a lot of people I knew there.
“It was a lovely race, and really well-organised by Gareth Cooke and Barnsley Council.
“There were a lot of people running for charities like Eyup and The Exchange Recovery College Barnsley who myself and my family have used in the past.
“What they do for people with mental health issues is brilliant and that’s what it is all about.”
Barnsley AC’s Scott Hinchcliffe, also from Barugh Green, won the overall race with a time of 32-34. The 39-year-old former Barnsley RUFC player works for Barratt David Wilson Homes in Sheffield. Scott said: “I won the Leeds 10k and the Sheffield 10k but this probably tops it. It’s my hometown and the course goes down to where I live.
“I know Eleanor is from Barugh Green as well and I see her out running.
“I suppose we should know every hill and climb on the route.
“It was a very undulating course, more than I thought even though I do a lot of training on those roads.
“I have had a few injuries so not done as much training as I would have liked. The crowd got me over the line.
“The support was fantastic all the way to Barugh Green and back. It spurs you on to keep going and win.
“It was nice seeing the 10k back in town centre.
“There was a great turn-out of people and it was a great event.
“The atmosphere on the day was fantastic and local businesses seemed to be thriving. Hopefully it can carry on for many years and maybe extend to a marathon or half marathon.”
Scott was 25 seconds clear of professional cyclist Jenson Young from Hemingfield with Barnsley AC’s Josh Bird five seconds further back in third.
Naomi Drakeford set a new PB of 36-00 to finish as second woman.
Barnsley AC’s Tommy Fidler (38-23), Reece Hollingworth (40-12), Kris Brown (44-13) and Laura Mills (56-34) also set PBs.
Barnsley AC’s category winners included Dave Brooksbank who set a new over65 record of 40-13 while Lydia Race was first over40 woman with 42-37 and Roy Hart finished in 48-50 so was first over70 man.
There were second places for Joe Restell (over50 man), Keith Littlewood (over55 man), Chris McNicholas (over60 man) and Dean Wallace (over65 man).
Kingstone Runners’ Zoe Goddard finished second as over60 woman.
Thirty-five Penistone Footpath Runners took part.
There were age category wins for Andrew Pearson (first man over60 with a time of 39-05), Suzanne McGill (first woman over45 in 40-39) and Bill Phillips (first man over75 with 51-28).
There were age category podium places for Sue Hall (second woman over65 in 55-28), Keith Gordon (second man over75 in 52-19) and Lois Lopez (third woman over50 with 47-44).
More than 60 Barnsley Harriers took part, with four on the podium for their respective age categories.
Adam Chambers was second over35 man, Richard Spooner third over40 man, David Hanks second over45 man and Steve Frith second over70 man.
