Race Report, Harrock Hill Race Wednesday 28 May 2025

Team SBH ready to go 🖤💛

Wednesday 28 May was the first of the Harrock Hill series of races, organised by Newburgh Nomads. This is a popular race series with many local clubs attending and a total of 249 runners at this first one.

The weather was sunny and warm as everyone queued up outside the Farmers Arms to register and have a quick catch up before heading to the start of the race, at the bottom of the appropriately named ‘Hillside Avenue’. The first kilometre of the race climbs a hill that feels like it will never end. It is quite narrow in parts, so the speedier runners make sure they are at the front, because if someone decides they need to walk, everyone behind gets a rest too! The weather stayed dry but clouded over which made the running conditions just right. There wasn’t a lot of mud, despite the recent rain.

It’s not all uphill though (although a lot of it is). The 5.2 mile course travels through the lush green countryside of Parbold and the Harrock estate, past Bow Woods and Butteries Woods. There are some pleasing downhill stretches in some farmers fields, and we were lucky that the cows stayed out of the way for us. There is a sneaky uphill at the very end when it might be tempting to have a cheeky walk, but previous finishers are on hand to cheer you on up the last stretch, and embarrassment keeps you going when everything else has given up.

💛🖤

There was plenty of support out on the well marshalled course, with locals out to shout encouragement and it was lovely to see club members Casey, Oggy, Jane, Mike and Ash on the way round shouting for their club mates.

There was a good crowd of Harriers at the race, with impressive performances from everyone.

James was first home for the club and fifth in his age group, with Jack, Ray (sixth in his age group), Ste and Graham also representing the men. This was Ste’s first race in over three years, and he made it round in a great time even with a dodgy ankle he picked up on the same course a few days before. Mia stormed home first for the ladies, with Nicola (fourth in her age group), Bernice (second in her age group), Su, Heather, Sally (fifth in her age group), Andrea and Katie running in Amber and Black.

Well done everyone! This was the first time many of the SBH runners had run this race – the question is, how many will be back for the rest of the series?

The SBH Blogger