Woodland Challenge 2008: The Second Woodland Challenge.

Were you there?

Some 2008 Woodland Challenge Runners enjoying their goody-bags!

Kieron Crabb during the 2008 Woodland Challenge: Courtesy of Flaming Photography

Some 2008 Woodland Challenge Runners: Courtesy of Flaming Photography

Runners travelled from as far as London for the second Stadium Runners’ Woodland Challenge on Sunday 12th October. The multi-terrain event based around the Storthes Hall estate near Kirkburton required runners to complete two laps of a testing 3 mile off-road circuit involving tracks, woodland paths, numerous hills, a water jump, stile crossings and a run along a river bank. The Sellers Youth Brass Band provided encouragement for the runners and entertainment for the spectators by playing "Chariots of Fire" and other motivational tunes before and during the race

The sunny conditions saw Holmfirth Harrier runner David Watson take an early lead, closely followed by last year’s winner, Shaun Dimelow. By the second lap David had increased his lead to win the event in a course record of 35 minutes 42 seconds. Shaun held his second position to finish in 36 minutes and 31 seconds, followed by unattached runner Paul Ward 38 seconds later. Andy Whitworth from Meltham AC finished strongly in fourth

Karen Pickles (unattached) dominated the women’s race, setting a new course record of 41 minutes 12 seconds, over two minutes ahead of Julie Buckley (Penistone Footpath Runners) who finished in 43 minutes 38 seconds. Stainland Lions’ Mags Beever and Jessica Riley were third and fourth respectively

The Woodland Challenge also included a team competition this year, with many local clubs strongly represented. Competition was tight, with Penistone Footpath Runners (Shaun Dimelow, Steve Roebuck, Mike Egner) and Stainland Lions (Mags Beever, Jessica Riley, Aileen Baldwin) eventually emerging as winners in the men’s and ladies team categories.

Olympic medallist and former runner Derek Ibbotson was the guest of honour, and he awarded prizes to the top three runners in the Senior event and the top placed runner in each Veteran age category. In addition to Woodland Challenge plaques, winners received Ikea food hampers. A range of spot prizes were also awarded to runners through the field who may not have featured in the top places but put in an equal amount of effort over the challenging course. Many of the spot prize winners expressed surprise and delight at being recipients of items as varied as a hamper of Innocent Smoothies, an Xbox 360 console, an iPod and meals at local restaurants.

All runners took home a goody bag full of food, vouchers and a technical t-shirt.

Prior to the main event over 80 children, parents and the Fruitypot Fairy took part in the Fruitypot fun run consisting of a circuit of just less than 1 mile around the perimeter road of the former Storthes Hall Hospital. Each child was given a goody bag containing a Fruitypot, chocolate bar and a medal to take home.

Summary of Winners from the 2008 Woodland Challenge
Male Category	Position	Name	Club	Time
Male Senior	1	David Watson	Holmfirth Harriers	35.42
Male Senior	2	Shaun Dimelow	Penistone Footpath Runners	36:31
Male Senior	3	Paul Ward	Dewsbury Road Runners	37:09
Vet 40	4	Andy Whitworth	Meltham AC	37:51
Male Senior	5	David Thompson	Barnsley AC	38:40
Male Senior	6	Steve Roebuck	Penistone Footpath Runners	38:44
Vet 50	7	Mike Egner	Penistone Footpath Runners	38:47
Male Senior	8	Hardy Matamala	St Bede's AC	38:57
Vet 40	9	Mark Oldroyd	Dewsbury Road Runners	39:56
Vet 45	10	Kevin Oates	Dewsbury Road Runners	40:05
Female Category	Position	Name	Club	Time
Vet 35	1	Karen Pickles	Unattached	41:12
Vet 50	2	Julie Buckley	Penistone Footpath Runners	43:38
Female Senior	3	Mags Beever	Stainland Lions	45:13
Female Senior	4	Jessica Riley	Stainland Lions	46:50
Vet 45	5	Flora Skidmore	Dewsbury Road Runners	47:35
Vet 35	6	Maxine Worden	Dewsbury Road Runners	47:52
Female Senior	7	Kim Baxter	Unattached	48:42
Female Senior	8	Claire Elener	Eccleshill Road Runners	49:05
Vet 35	9	Fran Whitworth	Meltham AC	49:27
Vet 35	10	Marisol Carrera Vivar	Bingley Harriers	49:38
Vet Category	Position	Name	Club	Time
Male Vet 40	1	Andy Whitworth	Meltham AC	37:51
Male Vet 45	1	Kevin Oates	Dewsbury Road Runners	40:05
Male Vet 50	1	Mike Egner	Penistone Footpath Runners	38:47
Male Vet 55	1	Keith Davis	Unattached	43:02
Male Vet 60	1	Keith Gordon	Penistone Footpath Runners	50:43
Male Vet 65	1	Michael Wood	Dewsbury Road Runners	53:10
Male Vet 70	1	Jeffrey Taylor	Meltham AC	54:31
Female Vet 35	1	Karen Pickles	Unattached	41:12
Female Vet 40	1	Joanne Bolton	Unattached	51:07
Female Vet 45	1	Flora Skidmore	Dewsbury Road Runners	47:35
Female Vet 50	1	Julie Buckley	Penistone Footpath Runners	43:28
Female Vet 55	1	Aileen Baldwin	Stainland Lions	51.26
Female Vet 60	1	Barbara Haigh	Penistone Footpath Runners	54:47
Team Prize	Position	Club	Name	Time
Male	1	Penistone Footpath Runners	Shaun Dimelow	36:31
Male		Penistone Footpath Runners	Steve Roebuck	38:44
Male		Penistone Footpath Runners	Mike Egner	38:47
Female	1	Stainland Lions	Mags Beever	45:13
Female		Stainland Lions	Jessica Riley	46:50
Female		Stainland Lions	Aileen Baldwin	51:26

"The encouragement of all runners though was second to none and the marshalling and organisation absolutely brilliant"

"Excellent first time event which many other clubs and organisations would do well to emulate”

"Hard course but great fun, well done to all involved at Stadium Runners”

"Nice atmosphere and really good organisation made it a good all round race. All marshals were efficient, friendly and supportive, many thanks"

"A very well organised scenic race, quite well attended, with good prizes, in an easy to find location. I will be recommending the event to my fellow club members for next year"

"Excellent race. Well organised, good facilities and a nice goody bag I loved the Brass Band and the announcer calling out my name as I passed/finished. Great marshals too, thanks to all involved"