Race Date: Sunday 4^th August 2024

How long before the gun goes do you arrive at a race? A common rule of thumb is about an hour leaving long enough to relax then do a good warm up and perhaps longer if it’s a long drive. Sometimes however things can go wrong despite planning ahead as we read below in this report from Neil Schofield.

Neil and Nada camped at Pocklington, hoping to be on the right side of York to avoid the traffic, but even though they set off in good time (ETA 8.30 for a 9.30 start) they were getting out of the car at 9.25, with a run across the expansive racecourse car park to the toilets before starting the race. Neil managed to join the throng around the 50 min pacer mark, so he had a bit of weaving to do which helped him stay well within his means for the first mile. With large numbers to contend with Neil latched onto a runner from Halifax Harriers who was adept at the slalom and was contesting her club’s road championships finishing a few seconds before him. The company was good as they kept each other going following the hectic start. Neil’s 41:00 was a good deal slower than his pb, but considering events it felt like a triumph.

Afterwards Neil went to cheer on the other racers and noticed Jacqui Herring powering past other runners. She too had been late, and has since vowed never to do York again, as she had a similar experience last year. Not a one off problem with traffic management it would seem.

This is such a pity as it’s an inspirational route, going through the city walls, along cobbled streets, past the Minster and then a stretch down by the Ouse, crossing the Millennium bridge into Rowntree Park before a few out and back sections and the finish at the Knavesmire Racecourse.