On Saturday 28th October, eleven of team TAC prised themselves out of bed and into a mini bus (paid for by club funds) on an early start for the journey from Barney to Ripon for Fountains Abbey Parkrun. We arrived to a typical Autumn morning (cool, dull and dank but thankfully dry) with the tree leaves above us resembling a multi-coloured quilt of green, brown, gold and orange. A short walk led us to the famous abbey ruins which peered out of the mist to reveal their commanding majestic shapes.
The 5k run comprised a short and long lap around the stunning Studley Royal grounds with its autumnal woods, peaceful paths, lush lakes, wonderful waterfalls and the river Skell tumbling through the middle.
A good field of 408 entrants participated with the following results from the TAC team:
Nigel Mawer 39th (21.07), Ellie Cox 81st (23.22), Michael Dolderson 113th (24.38), Erica Dixon 143rd (25.51), Jack Wheeler 176th (26.56), Andrew Stainthorpe 204th (28.13), Olivia Hall 206th (28.17), Carrie Wheeler 230th (29.11), David Raymond 269th (30.39), Gail Foster 329th (33.52) and Karen Dolderson 332nd (34.10)
Everyone enjoyed the run followed by well-earned refreshments in The Unicorn, a magical mysterious creature, but this one provided cooked breakfasts, muffins and bacon butties washed down by bottomless mugs of tea & coffee. Once we were all revitalised, there was still time left to explore the city of Ripon with its’ central market square, alleyways and cathedral. Tired out, we returned to Barney having agreed it a wonderful morning and vowing to make it a regular event. Now where’s the next Parkrun with a ‘spoons nearby?😂😂
