SOME popular local series got underway for 2025 with Barnsley club runners enjoying success.
The first of the four five-mile South Yorkshire Road League races took place in Elsecar.
A revised route due to roadworks meant it measured slightly longer than five miles. The route climbed up to and through Wentworth before returning down to Elsecar.
Barnsley AC’s Naomi Drakeford finished as first woman in a time of 31-07. There were second places in age categories for over40 man Wayne Singleton (28-19), over50 man Joe Restell (30-27) and over50 woman Beth Massey (39-10).
First back for Penistone Footpath Runners was James Mumford in a time of 29-38. First woman back for them was Suzanne McGill in 34-11.
There were age group top three finishes for Ray Brown (first over80 man), Barbara Haigh (first over75 woman), Keith Gordon (first over70 man), Julia Johnson (first over60 woman), Suzanne McGill (first over45 woman), Jonathan Bentley (first over55 man), James Mumford (third over40 man), Martin Ball (third over50 man) and Lois Lopez (third over50 woman).
There were 23 Barnsley Harriers competing. Rich Spooner was first Harrier back and fifth over40 man. Katie Roberts was third over40 woman, Vikki Skipper first over65 woman and John Hewitt second over80 man. There was a five-mile PB for Deborah Carrington who ran in her first road league race.
Penistone runner Mark Crossley completed the gruelling Runthrough Trails Lake District 50k which includes 9,100 feet of climbing.
He got round in 13 hours and the route included famous summits such as Scafell Pike and Great Gable.
Harrier Angie Slater finished the Monsal Trail Race with a time of 64-09.
Harrier Kelly Ford ran the 5 Trig Points fell race in windy conditions.
The 18-mile route, including parts of the Pennine Way, is not marked and participants must navigate to each checkpoint in the correct ascending order.
Kelly finished 100th in a time of four hours, 33 minutes and 34 seconds.
Harriers Jeff and Bev Clark completed the Vienna Half Marathon.
They finished in 2-00-02 and 2-07-23 respectively.
Catherine Stone and David Hanks took on the Krakow Marathon.
Catherine finished under the four-hour mark on her marathon debut.
Four Harriers took on the GUNR Let’s Motor on The Towpath 20-mile race in Leeds. Jessica Gadsby, Darcey Holt and Stephen Burnley all gained a 20-mile PB, with Stephen completing the distance for the first time. John Moss finished under the four-hour mark.
Two Penistone runners took part in the Baildon Boundary Way Half Marathon. Peter Beever finished in a time of 2-15-52 followed by Kelvin Bowskill in 2-22-05.
Penistone’s Tom Fryers finished fifth in the Alan Kirk Memorial Lad’s Leap which takes place at Crowden just off the Woodhead Pass. Tom’s time was 53-40. Others competing from Penistone were Andrew Shiel (72-29) and Paul Fryers (74-22).
Barnsley AC’s James Roberts travelled to Spain to run the Madrid Half Marathon in 1-26-47.
New Barnsley AC member Jodie Thompson completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon with a time of 2-51-29.
Barnsley AC’s Chris Gillott opened his outdoor track season with an 800m time of 2-01-31 at the Doncaster Open Meeting.
Under 15 girl Jessica Love ran her first competitive race, also in the 800m, and finished in 3-03.37.
Under 17 woman Amelie Spicer ran 13.49 in the 100m and posted the second fastest time over 200m with 26.92.
Under 17 woman Evie Donaldson ran 13.6 for 100m and 27.22 in the 200m.
The first of nine Oxspring Trunce races took place last week.
A total of 370 runners took part.
First back for Penistone was Simon Pike in a time of 30-53.
First woman back for Penistone was Hannah Shaw in 35-36.
There were age category podiums for Barbara Haigh (first over70 woman) and Lesley Parker (second over50 woman).
Eleven Harriers took part in the Trunce with Simon Newton first back for the club and Lisa Clarkson finishing as tenth woman.
Sarah Worrliow finished her first Trunce.
In the junior race, Penistone’s Flynn Rogers was second in a time of 14-49.
