THE FINAL ever running of the Spencer’s Dash took place at the end of August.
The Barnsley AC race, which is based in Barugh Green and Kexborough, has been a regular fixture on the Barnsley running scene since 1989.
It was set up as a charity series of six races after the landlord of the Spencers Arms in Barugh Green approached Frank Hollingworth, Gerald Goldthorpe, George Broomhead and John Finn – who met in the pub on a Friday – about organising a race for charity.
There have been 192 races with a break during the Covid-19 crisis after which there were three per year.
A total of 131 runners completed the final race with Barnsley AC’s Lennon Hughes winning in 21-20 and taking the series prize with 1-06-01.
Other age category series winners for the club were Vicky Shaw (over40 women, 1-13-41), Chris McNicholas (over60 man, 1-14-20) and Helen Morgan (over55 woman, 1-15-48). Lee Yoxall was second over40 man in 1-17-40.
In third place in their categories were senior man Tristan Davies-Bennett (1-07-52) and over65 man Dave Allemby (1-46-05). Dave finished third overall in the first series in 1989.
Penistone’s Suzanne McGill won the women’s over45 category with 24-26, while Ian Neville finished second in the men’s over55 in 24-13 ahead of club-mate Shaun Swallow in third with 25-54.
Loida Lopez claimed second in the women’s over50 age group with 28-23 while, in the men’s over65 race, Stuart Woodhead was runner-up in 31-43.
McGill was crowned overall women’s over45 champion for the series, Neville second in the men’s over55, Woodhead first in the men’s over65, Stu Smith second in the men’s over65, Lopez second in the women’s over50 and Hall second in the women’s over60.
Fiona Davies was the first Barnsley Harrier home and first over50 woman while Phillip Tyas was third over40 man, Paula Mills second over55 woman and Angie Slater over45 woman.
The Longshaw Sheepdog Trials Fell Race saw a strong Penistone entry.
Junior international Graihagh Turner impressed with 22nd place in 37-37, taking the prize for first under 19, while Ian Neville also claimed victory in the men’s over60 with 38-03.
Penistone’s John and Dawn Broom took part in the Mid Cheshire 5k.
John finished in 19-33 to place 18th in the men’s over55 category, while Dawn recorded 21-42 for fifth in the women’s over60. Barnsley AC’s Morgan Thompson ran a PB of 15-30.
The Crowden Horseshoe, a classic 8.5-mile fell race in the Peak District with more than 1,700 feet of climb, saw a strong Penistone turn-out.
Daniel Limb led the club home in 1-30-49, followed by Shaun Swallow in 1-36-24. Jill Scrivens took victory in the women’s over55 category, finishing in 1-47-29.
Neil Murphy led back the 16 Barnsley Harriers at the Bank Holiday Denby Dash. Jay West and Angie Slater claimed course PBs while Deborah Wilson was first over60 woman and John Hewitt first over80 man.
Two of Penistone’s younger members also flew the flag at the Denby Dash Pirate Race, the junior counterpart to the senior event. Heidi and Harrison Morley took part, with Harrison completing his very first race in Penistone colours.
It’s Grim Up North held their ‘Hip Hip Hooray it’s Hornsea’ weekend of events. In Saturday’s ten-mile race, Barnsley AC’s James Roberts finished first in a time of 1-07-33.
Rotherham Harriers hosted the Wickersley Chase which is the ninth race in the KMR series. Barnsley AC’s Philip Morgan finished as first over55 man in the 7km off-road race.
Barnsley AC held their annual club Worsbrough Relays.
Adam Lavelle and Ruby Sunman were the fastest man and woman with times of 8-48 and 9-31 respectively. Fastest veteran man was Chris McNicholas in 9-36.
The fastest team of three comprised Dave Allemby, Mark Wood and Adam Lavelle with a combined time of 32-10.
