Reports on RRR 2017

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Rotherham Advertiser

Note: pictures are from the Kimberworth Striders member Pete Lowndes, hence a lot of yellow vests!  The official photographer was otherwise engaged, I believe.

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Wrong turn ... but Ken still races to victory in grueller

ULTRA distance runner Ken Sutor took the top prize in the 35th Rowbotham's Round Rotherham Run - despite taking a wrong turn!

Cheshire Hash House Harrier Sutor sped to victory 20 minutes ahead of his nearest rival, Calder Valley's Kevin Hoult, who was chasing a third victory in the event. Sutor timed 7:1.13 over the 50 mile course which weaved throughout the borough and started and finished at Dearne Valley leisure' Centre.

Sutor took an early lead, pursued by Hoult and Doyle but not far after the 30 mile checkpoint at Woodsetts, he took a wrong turn - adding 1.5km to his race - which left him in third place when he returned to the proper circuit. By the time all three reached the next checkpoint at Firbeck, Sutor had drawn level with Hoult and then continued to run strongly, eventually claiming victory. The win was even sweeter as, despite his error, he ran faster than his 8 hours 7 mins when he finished eighth last year - and afterwards he stated that he had unfinished business and would return to hopefully break the seven-hour barrier next year! Kimberworth Striders took the men's team trophy with Kevin Doyle in third, Mark Smith fourth and Lee Rawson fifth.

In the ladies race, last year's Victor Karen Nash looked a strong contender but Sharon Gayter, also a previous winner, was also chasing the title. But an unknown ultra runner, Elly Woodhead from Kimberworth Striders, sped into a four-minute lead over Nash, whose Achilles inury had started to take it's toll with Gayter close behind. The three held their positions to the finish with Woodhead victorious in 17th overall, timing 9:18.38. Nash was second (9:21.00) and North York Moors' runner Gayter third (9:25.02).

The first Rotherham Harrier home to collect the Ralph Rowbotham Trophy was David Asbridge in his first year of attempting the race, he finished in an impressive 8:05.12 to take sixth. David, who is the brother of Mathew, also a Harrier, currently lives in Switzerland.

The event again went like clockwork, making it one of the premier events of its kind, and thanks go to all the volunteers and officials at the seven checkpoints around the course with the last checkpoint at Old Denabv staying open late into the night. Said a spokesman from the organising Harriers: "These people do a great job and without them this event wouldn't take place or be the success that it IS. long may it continue."

Leading results: 1. K. Sutor (Cheshire Hash House) 7:01.13, 2. K. Hoult (Calder Valley) 7:20.35,3. K. Doyle (Kimberworth) 7:32.22), 4. M. Smith (Kimberworth) 7:39.42, 5. L. Rawson (Kimberworth) 7:55.13, 6. D. Asbridge (Rotherham H) 8:05.12, 7. S. Bayliss (Steel City Str) 8:09.28, 8. S. Davies (unatt) 8:23.10, 9. I. Rawson (Kimberworth) 8:39.28, 10. R. Rushton (unatt) 8:47.14, 11. R. Alexander (unatt) 8:51.11, 12. J. Brown (Macclesfield) 8:52.10, 13. A. Parkin (unatt) 9:04.45, =14, N. Jones (unatt) 9:10.37, =14. D. Stevens (Dark Peak) 9:10.37, 16. L. David (unatt) 9:16.14, 17. E. Woodhead (Kimberworth) 9:18.38 -1st lady, 18. P. Casson (Kimberworth) 9:18.42, 19. M. Hunt (Kimberworth) 9:19.11, 20. K. Nash (unatt) 9:21.00,  21. S. Tansley (unatt) 9:23.34, 22. S. Gayter (NY Moors) 9:25.02, 23. l. Vaudrey (unatt) 9:30.43, 24. S. Hall (Skipton) 9:31.48, 25. J. Saxelby (unatt) 9:32.31, 26. R. Taylor (Stone Master) 9:32.32, 27. A. Roscamp (Rotherham H) 9:40.29, 28. M. Martin (Clowne Runners) 9:43.39, 29. N. Aston (unatt) 9:44.58, 30. S. Garlick (Vocalink RC) 9:45.45. Other leading local finishers: 34. Gary Groves (Kimberworth) 10:05.58, 37. R. Platts (Rotherham H) 10:07.56, =41. M. Gaynor (Kimberworth) 10~24.20, 48. S. Cotter (Rotherham H) 10:38.14, 53. L. Carratt (Rotherham H) 10:51.02, 64. S. Beckitt (Kimberworth) 11:24.18, 65. V. Beckitt (Kimberworth) 11:24.21, 81. M. Harle (Rotherham H) 11:48.42, 82. N. Hoffman (Kimberworth) 11:48.43, 96. R. Millns (Kimberworth) 12:51.07, E. Lever (Kimberworth) 12:51.13.

Harriers' relay win

A TEAM of Harriers took the relay section of the Round Rotherham Run as the Maltby Four and Friends finished nearly 20 minutes ahead of the second placed team.

Harrier Steve Marshall took an early lead to reach the first checkpoint at Grange six minutes ahead of Kimberworth's Tom Hardman.

They continued to stay in front, eventually finishing in 5:40.33 which was 24 minutes slower than 2016, but considering they were a team of six with Marshall and Ian Whyman covering two stages each, it was pretty remarkable. Kimberworth were second (5:59.46) and Handsworth Roadhogs third (6:12.40).  Manvers Dream Team were fourth. (6.17.02) with the first ladies home being Striders' Kimmy Y team in 6:38.08.

BELOW: the winning men's relay team of Chris Griffiths, Steve Marshall, Martin and Ian Whyman with Pat Rowbotham with other action from the run, left and right.

Mark Smith (4th place) on left

Pictures by Pete Lowndes

GIRL POWER ... The Kimberworth Ladies' winning team. On the right, Pat Rowbotham with third placed Kevin Doyle.

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