Race date: 18 June 2023

Race distance: 10km

Race report by Helen Royles-Jones

On 18 June I hitched a ride 8 miles in the direction of Huddersfield and ended up at Penistone Church Football Club for the 2023 Norman Cole Penistone 10k.

Looking at the website, the race has been going since at least 1985. It used to be part of the Penistone Show but at some stage they had a change of plan. Something about a fall out!

Since last year, the race has been named after Norman Cole, one of the founding members of Penistone Footpath Runners who passed away in 2019.

The course was described as undulating and a mixture of tarmac and the Trans-Pennine Trail – smooth relief from all the recent trail races!

The race took place on a busy weekend of running which may have explained why, for the first time that I can ever recall, I was the only runner there in green and gold 😲

Despite the relatively early start time of 9:30, the weather was already warming up. After a short loop of the nearby estate we’re off into the countryside, taking in some of the route from the SY 5 mile road league.

Some would describe the course as undulating, others may say it’s downright hilly, especially the first half. After getting a 46 minute 10k PB at the start of the year in Dewsbury, I was hoping for sub-50 on this ‘undulating’ course in the middle of June. After a few uphill sections I reached halfway in around 25 minutes, rather behind where I wanted to be. A quick stop to drink a cup of water and to pour another on my head and I set off in a fast walk on a steep hill before going at full speed to try and make up some time.

The second half of the course was easier with a long downhill sprint section before turning onto the trail to head back towards the football ground, taking in part of the Parkrun route.

Despite my sluggishness in the first half I hadn’t seen many women around and in the knowledge that there were generous prizes in all age categories, I started to think that I might be able to bag 3rd place in the senior women. I pushed on for the rest of the flat trail section before turning with 400m to go and sprinting in what was by now rather harsh heat back into the football ground.

Despite my efforts, this turned out to be a harder 10k than I had expected and the clock ticked just over 51 minutes.

Back at race HQ a goodie bag was waiting, containing some interesting items including a torch, a micro fibre towel, a hooded poncho and an entire cake. The race was well organised, well marshalled and chip timed – good value at £18!

In the end I came 4th in my age category, just missing out on a cash prize. In all honesty I didn’t feel I’d ran well enough for any sort of prize.

We stayed until the end of the prize giving, which was lucky because my trusted chauffeur Bernadette Edge of HRRC won a spot prize of £20!

Being the only Strider in what felt like a 30 mile radius I don’t have any race photographs, so here’s one of Emley Moor which could be seen out on the course.

The race was won by Scott Hinchcliffe of Barnsley AC, in 33:30, and by Julie Briscoe of Wakefield District Harriers & AC.

Striders result