Race Date: Friday 13th October 2023

On a crisp Autumnal evening, three adventurous Striders gave up a Friday night in front of the telly and made the trip over to The University of York cycle track in Heslington for the Race Best York 5k.  A race series held monthly from February to November, the October edition incorporated the Yorkshire Veterans 5k Championship.

The race blurb promised a flat and fast circuit ‘offering the opportunity for you to achieve your 5k personal best’, an enticing prospect indeed! The track was flat alright but also quite exposed and a strong breeze in my face on the warm-up didn’t do much to help the pre-race nerves!

At 7:30 we were ready for the off. 5 laps around a 1k course shaped like a squished sausage might be some people’s idea of a nightmare, but for me it was one less thing to think about and the regularity proved quite comforting, allowing me to just focus on achieving that promised PB!

Shout out here goes to my support crew of husband and daughter, who had stood in the cold all evening with only the enticement of a Maccy D’s on the way home as reward. Thanks also go to Tim Holt for his timely shouts of encouragement from the middle of the track. Race over and I think we all enjoyed it.

Fastest male of the night was Scott Armstrong of Sunderland Harriers in 15.17. Fastest female was Leonora Lynn of Belgrave Harriers in 18.33

Well done to the three Striders who took part. Nick Booker  2^nd MV55 in 18:33; Carol Beattie 3^rd  FV65 in 26:44; Sarah Moss 1^st FV45 in 18:51. Nick Booker was even heard to say that he might be back in November for a repeat performance!

Striders results;