Yorkshire Wildlife Park Run for Wildlife 5K

On Sunday 13^th October a small pack of Grantham Running Club members made the hour or so trip up north to take part in the Yorkshire Wildlife Park Run for Wildlife 5K. The Wildlife Park just outside Doncaster hosted a multi terrain course that showcased the many exotic animals held there. The race even took runners through through the camel paddock before finishing (thankfully) next to the lion enclosure. Many runners took part in fancy dress and made the most of the free entry to the park afterwards which was included in the race entry.

The first GRC female finishers were recent recruits Katie Limmer and Angela Konteas who ran the race together. For Katie it was her first officially measured 5km and they both posted a highly respectable 35:00.  For Angela (who recently ran a parkrun pb just a few weeks ago) the day was about enjoying the animals and the event itself before running alongside her son in the kids 1km race.

Also running was Katie’s husband Chris Limmer who, despite having raced in the North Midlands XC race the previous afternoon, attempted to run with the faster runners that went through the first mile in under five and half minutes. Despite running as high as second he faded as the route twisted and turned past the Lemurs and the meerkats. Eventually crossing the line fourth in 18:27 he wasn’t too bothered to miss out on a podium and was more interested in cheering his previously non-runner of a wife across the line.

Two runners whom embraced the fun element of the event were another couple, Samantha French and Dale Towning. Sam ran the whole thing in a monkey onesie and loved the fun atmosphere. They crossed the finish line together in 48:24.

All were full of praise for the event and would recommend it as a fun family race. There is also a spring version taking place in April 2020 which will hopefully feature more favourable conditions than the cold, wet weather that the 1017 finishers in this race endured.

The race was won by Elliott Stones in 17:49 with Amy Ross the winning woman in 23:09.