WHILE the athletics action has started in the Paris Olympics this week, a Barnsley woman with ambitions of representing Team GB in the next games registered another victory and personal best.
Eleanor Baker was first woman at the York 10k with 34-31 which took seven seconds off her previous best.
The 19-year-old student from Barugh Green is hoping to compete for Great Britain in the future and has previously targeted the Los Angeles Olympics in four years.
Also in York, Barnsley AC’s Gary Briscoe finished tenth overall in 33-23 while Alan Nutton ran his second fastest 10k time with 37-25.
Barnsley AC’s Ruby Sunman finished as second woman at the Sale Sizzler 5k with a time of 17-17.
There were five-mile PBs for Barnsley AC’s Gareth Cooke, Josh Bird and Naomi Drakeford at the Bassingham Bash 5.
Naomi was also third woman in a time of 29-27. Gareth’s time of 25-58 saw him run under 26 minutes for the first time while Josh knocked 17 seconds off to finish in 26-31.
Barnsley AC’s Keith Littlewood finished as first over55 man at the No Walk in the Park 5k held in Chesterfield’s Queens Park by North Derbyshire Running Club.
He finished in a time of 19-22.
Barnsley AC’s Tayla Brons ran a marathon PB at Bedford Autodrome Marathon to finish as third woman and gain a ‘good for age’ qualifying time for London Marathon. Her time was 3-29-40.
Penistone runners Lois Lopez and Peter Beever competed at the first ever Judy Jaunt five, a multi-terrain course in Judy Woods of Bradford.
Lopez dominated the women’s race in 50-28, a minute ahead of her next rival.
Beever was tenth overall in a time of 48-16.
Several of Penistone’s fell runners travelled over the peaks to take part in the Stoney Middleton fell race, a five-mile route with over 600 feet of climbing involving a tough ascent at the start.
There was a category win for Steve Storey who was first over65 in 49-27.
Damian Kilpin was first back for the club overall in 41-43, enough for third in the over40 category.
Meanwhile, first woman back was Sarah Walch in 51-03, finishing second in the over40 women’s category.
Friday evening saw this year’s running of the Salt Cellar fell race, a seven-mile route with almost 1600ft of ascent.
Matching his result from last year, Penistone’s George Parr ran a strong second half to finish fourth in 58-16.
In North Yorkshire, Penistone’s Damian Kilpin and Sarah Walch both completed the five-mile Osmotherly Show fell race, including 1000 feet of ascent.
Kilpin finished sixth overall and second over45, while Sarah came home in 45th and second over40.
There were some big milestones for Penistone runners at the weekend’s ParkRun events, as Michael Walsh completed his 250th and Kelvin Bowskill completed his 350th.
Keith Gordon set a record in the over75 category at Withernsea Prom.
Barnsley AC’s Gail Colville set a new over55 women’s course record at the Normanby Hall ParkRun with a time of 21-05.
At Clumber Park ParkRun, Kris Brown set a ParkRun PB of 20-03.
