Race report from Nick Charlesworth – The Charlesworth Chase (Simon’s Seat) race now in its 2nd year and celebrating the anniversary of Sarah and Nick Charlesworth wedding, took place on a wet and cloudy Saturday morning.
Turnout was a lot lower than last year despite being a Wharfedale Champs race however with a Junior champs on the same day and the Calderdale Way relay and Inter Counties race the next day a large field of runners was never expected. 47 runners entered the race which made it a very enjoyable low key event with a super atmosphere.
First runner home for the second year running was Ian Holmes, however no course record this year following a couple of stops to allow 3 bullocks from taking the first three places as they raced to the front across Ted’s fields and into the woods at the start of the race.
Second man home as last year was Ted Mason getting away from third man Nick Charlesworth on the descent of Simon’s Seat, fourth man home was Spencer Riley which meant Wharfedale took the men’s team prize. First vet after the top three was Dave McGuire from Hyde Park who will eventually join Wharfedale when he sees the light!!!
First Vet 50 was Alan Davidson of Nidd Valley, first vet 60 was Geoffrey Howard of Ilkley with Tony Ledwaba-Chapman of Nidd Valley as first vet 70.
First lady was Carol Morgan of Nidd Valley with Anne Handley of Wharfedale first vet40 and Anne Middleton of Denby Dale first vet 50.
John Egan showed that all his training in the pub was paying off and was deemed the fastest to down his pint prior to the end of the race with Rosalind Bedford of Denby Dale taking the ladies prize.
See you all next year same format with maybe a slight change to the route???
The results of the Wharfedalers are as follows:
2 Ted Mason 39.49
3 Nick Charlesworth 40.39
4 Spencer Riley 41.07
Chris Newman 45.11
19 John Egan 50.44
25 Mickey Griffin 54.24
36 Rob Myers 1.01.26
42 Anne Handley 1.09.05
3