Ice Cold in York
The Brass Monkey Half Marathon has a reputation as a fast-paced club race popular with those seeking PB’s. This year’s race on Sunday 19th January did not disappoint as the JJ’s racked up a string of impressive PB’s and club records tumbled rapidly.
As other JJ’s successfully battled the cold at the NEHL XC at Wrekenton a total of 18 JJ’s made the early morning journey to York Knavesmire Racecourse for the start of the race. After gratefully enjoying the warmth of the racecourse facilities it was time to line up in the bitterly cold conditions for the race start. Undeterred by the freezing conditions runners were soon sprinting around the pan flat closed road course which provided great conditions for running. As ever it was well marshalled with great support from the roadside crowds. A good number of JJ’s past and present cheered the runners on their way. The winds were light and it stayed dry as the route headed southward through the Yorkshire countryside before turning back towards the racecourse.
First JJ across the line was Jonny Greenwell pushing the limits in a brilliant time of 1:23.37 and a PB by 90 seconds. Joe Inns was close behind in another PB performance of 1:23.44 Laura Chapman was the fastest female JJ and stormed home in a PB time of 1:24.23, breaking her own club record in the process. Next female JJ across the line was Hannah Bethany Wilson smashing it in 128.26. Floor Christie De-Jong was the third female and another PB in 1:34.51 showing her dedicated training is paying off. The number of JJ’s across the line increased rapidly with most smashing their previous PB’s. Rich Carter and Sam Prior were both under the 90 minutes mark. Cliff Veitch was 1:31.33. Sarah Wann and Michael Crowe incredibly both managed to knock over 30 minutes off their previous best times. Kisi Hardman making her debut race as a second claim JJ member finished in 1.42.10. Rowan Beach ran his first ever half marathon in great time of 1:46.09. Martha “the motivator” Radley ran with her mother and successfully paced her around to another PB. In a nod to York’s long chocolate heritage, finishers were rewarded with a chocolate Freddo on crossing the line and (if ordered on entry) an excellent long sleeve T-shirt before returning to the warmth of the racecourse facilities.