May 2020. Yorkshire Marathon Miles Challenge
Following on from last weeks Virtual Half Marathon Relay event the athletes of Wakefield Harriers have this week been taking part in another virtual event, the Yorkshire Marathon Miles Challenge. This idea was for each runner to attempt to run 1 mile as fast as they can, the fastest 26 runners times are then brought together, with one adding completing the extra 0.21miles, to complete the marathon distance of 26.21miles. This challenge was open to athletics clubs all over Yorkshire and 16 of the best teams signed up. Once again, our athletes turned out in big numbers to represent their club. As the results started to filter in it became clear that Wakefield were intent on putting in a good performance. Such was the level of commitment, we had members taking part from as far away as London and Dundee. The outcome of this effort was an incredible time of 2.12.27 for the marathon, which was an average of 5m03 for each mile. This was enough to take the overall victory from East Hull Harriers, who completed their marathon in 2.13.53. Mark Bostock was our leading runner, with a fantastic 4m20sec for the mile. Incidentally, out of the 650 runners taking part this was the 2nd fastest time. He was closely followed by James Saxton in 4m24sec and Daniel Franks in 4m26. Such is the depth of the current Wakefield squad we had a further 9 runners break the 5 minute barrier. Gary Midwood 00:04:50 Ian Richardson 00:05:21 Joe Howard 00:05:17 Danny Franks 00:04:26 Daz Hewitt 00:05:56 Ben Khan 00:04:47 Helen Beck 00:05:52 Mark Mills 00:04:57 Nick Mannion 00:05:40 Ian Shipley 00:06:02 Tom Coney 00:04:52 Chris Snowball 00:05:01 Chris Ward 00:05:15 Martin Holding 00:06:21 Stew Knowles 00:05:13 Suzie Brooke 00:05:49 Abbey Brooke 00:05:14 Rob Parfrey 00:05:55 Tony Smith 00:06:05 Chris Rippon 00:05:42 Dale Worton 00:06:38 Chris Hunter 00:05:06 Mark Bostock 00:04:20 James Saxton 00:04:24 Ben Butler 00:04:41 Clare Wright 00:07:06 Craig Davidson 00:05:14 Matt O'Connor 00:04:37 Matty Hill 00:04:59 Brendon Wain 00:04:44 Liam O'Flaherty 00:05:26 Adam Peers 00:04:42 Tristan Wright 00:05:57 Tony Wright 00:06:35 Ross Penny 00:05:05 Chris Mitchell 00:06:14

May 2020. Virtual Half Marathon Relay

Laid on excellently by Chris Ward.

May 2020. BMC Bannister Mile TT
A time trial billed as a tribute to breaking the four minute mile was laid on by the British Miler's Club virtually and 1954 runners from across the middle distance globe competed between the 4th & 6th of May. Mark Bostock (29th 4.21) & Danny Frank's (47th 4.28) running exceptionally to make top 50 in a top class field that saw the road mile ran in 4.02 by race winner Piers Copeland. Tom Coney (119th 4.41) managing a sub five followed by Abbey Brooke (410th 5.14), Liam O'Flaherty (535th 5.27) & Suzie Brooke (761st 5.49) all running fantastic miles during the lockdown period. Results

April 2020. Virtual National Road Relays
With the impact of the coronavirus clear, the first major event to go virtual was the traditionally Birmingham held National Road Relays.
Results and AW Report