Classy Humphries warms to icy conditions

While some members of the club, including the newly associated Scotter Hares, hit the roads and trails in the local area, others were left disappointed when events such as the Dewsbury 10k fell prey to the weather.

Leading female runner Emma Humphries and established veteran Norman Hindley managed to find an event that was still on and they travelled to the Sleaford Town Runners’ multi-terrain Rauceby Ripper with expectations of a bracing race.

Starting within the grounds of Rauceby Hall, The Ripper is an eight-and-a-half mile course over a multitude of surfaces, including trail, edges of fields and some road sections, taking competitors through one of the most beautiful estates in the county before finishing back in the village of South Rauceby.

With 300 runners in the field, Humphries and Hindley pushed themselves hard over the frozen course and, despite many parts being treacherous underfoot, both runners talk of a thoroughly enjoyable race.

Norman will be pleased with a 69-02 finish, but the real star of the show was clearly Emma who finished just ahead on 68-42 which proved to be enough to win the race’s Senior Female title and third fastest lady overall.

The next fixture in the race calendar is likely to be the Sleaford Half-Marathon on 19th February with a number of Striders taking part.

Sunday 4th March sees the club’s Gainsborough and Morton 10k take place. Open to everyone, the race is only £10/£12 to enter. With a limit of 500 runners close to being filled, prospective competitors should enter quickly to avoid disappointment.

If you’d like to join The Striders for a training run these cater for every runner from the novice onwards and take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, including a ladies–only session.

For more details on these or the Gainsborough 10k visit www.gainsboroughrunningclub.co.uk, join on Facebook or follow @GainsboroughRun on Twitter.