(Brian Harney)1976, 1995

Rotherham Harriers & AC Challenge Cup race, Christmas Day 2015

Once again the race was held over the distance of 5 miles, the course being three laps around Herringthorpe Playing Fields on the pavements. The conditions for this years race were not particularly inspiring, with steady drizzle throughout. There were 18 starters, 3 more than in 2014. Last year's race had seen Billie Burns and Malcolm Rhodes record of three wins in the event being equalled by Brian Harney. Both Malcolm and Brian were starters this year, and hoping for a record breaking fourth victory. However there were plenty of other previous winners in the field, including Pete Shaw, Kerry Booth, Phil Smales, and Gill Taylor.

One interesting entry in this years event was that of 43 year old Toni Santisteban from Barcelona, Spain. Tony, who had joined Rotherham Harriers this year, is currently writing a book on the worlds oldest races which are still being contested, and he informed us that our event ranks as third oldest in the world.

First runner off this year, as in 2014, was Brian Harney. One by one the runners set off in hot pursuit, until finally the scratch runner, 20 year old Luke Cotter, started. After the first of the three laps on the pavements around Herringthorpe Playing Fields club chairman Steve Cotter had managed to take the lead followed by Ray Howarth and Olivia Neal. Further down the field the runners were giving serious chase, with Luke Cotter covering the first lap in a scorching 18 minutes and 29 seconds. By the end of the second lap Steve Cotter was still in the lead closely pursued by Olivia Neal, with Mathew Asbridge now third and looking very determined.

And so to the final lap. The gaps were rapidly closing throughout the field. The closeness of the overall finish showed the excellence of Pete Shaw's handicapping. First to cross the line was 32 year old James Gallacher, whose father Jim had previously himself won the event twice. Olivia Neal held on strongly to pip Steve Cotter to second place, with Toni Santisteban running solidly for fourth.

Awards were made to James Gallacher (Challenge Cup), Olivia Neal (Bill Burns trophy for runner up), LukeCotter (Sam Howis trophy as first under 23 athlete to finish, and trophy for fastest men's time), and Catherine Eddison with the fastest ladies' time trophy.

Full Result

Position	Name	Time
1	James Gallacher	33:50
2	Olivia Neal	37:17
3	Steve Cotter	37:04
4	Toni Santisteban	32:30
5	Mathew Asbridge	36:39
6	Luke Cotter	26:30
7	Elliott Smales	26:55
8	Catherine Eddison	35:07
9	Pete Shaw	33:38
10	Mick Marsters	34:02
11	Paula Fisher	38:25
12	Ray Howarth	40:16
13	Gill Taylor	41:17
14	Malcolm Rhodes	44:11
15	Henry Marston	44:21
17	Brian Harney	45:54
17	Kerry Booth	44:33
18	Phil Smales	42:23

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Steve Cotter