Rowbotham’s Round Rotherham by Alan Coupe
The Round Rotherham is an 82 km (50+ mile) challenge race set up by Ralph Rowbotham in 1983 and staged each year following the boundary of the town. This was the 29th running and the 3rd since it was moved from its traditional December date into October due to terrible weather conditions making the race too dangerous for several years running.
In the last three years the entry has increased steadily making this one of the biggest challenge races in the country. This year entries were up again with 350 individuals, including one each from Sweden, Norway and Poland, and 20 relay teams of 8 tackling the testing hills of South Yorkshire.
In bracing conditions 121 walkers set out at 6 am from Dearne Valley College followed by the individual runners at 7 am and the relay team first leg runners at 8 am. The last finishers finally made it back to Dearne Valley at 10.20pm. A long day for the organisers but manfully staffed by a great bunch of willing volunteers and the culmination of a full year’s planning by Sharon Burton – race organiser.
Kimberworth Striders had a great day out, winning both Men’s and Women’s relay races and Kevin Doyle placing third in the individual race.
Individual Race results: Males 1st Ian Symington of Macclesfield Harriers 6 hrs 47 m, 2nd Ian Bishop of Royton Road Runners 6 h 50 m 3rd Kevin Doyle Kimberworth Striders 6 h 53 m Females 1st Helen Skelton of Mercia Fell Runners 8 h 0 m 2nd Victoria Mousley of Accrington Road Runners 8 h 25 m 3rd Karen Nash of Preston Harriers 8 h 30 m Relay teams 1st Female – Kimberworth Striders 4th place overall in 6 h 21 m 1st Male – Kimberworth Striders 5 h 23 m 1st Mixed Wildhogs 6th place overall in 6 h 32 m
Sadly Ralph Rowbotham passed away suddenly just over a year ago but he is commemorated by a trophy to the first Rotherham Harrier home and the trophy was won, this year, by Richard Howcroft in 41st place overall (8 h 51m)
The Rowbotham family entered a team in tribute to Ralph with two members (daughter Kim and her friend Mary) flying in from Chicago to make up the squad of 4 (Ralph’s son Steve and daughter in law Alana were the others). Unfortunately the team got lost in Firbeck and, having completed an extra 3 miles, finished up in 20th place in 8h 56m.
Rotherham Harriers entered 5 teams (although the senior runners were competing in the road relay finals) with the Rotherham ex-Snails the pick in 7th place (6h 42m)
Husband and wife team Chris and Shirley Hulme flew back from Mexico, after completing a 2000 mile bike trip from Canada in celebration of their retirement, to take their regular place in the race and finished in 11h 19m.
The oldest entry was 70 year old grandmother of 4 from Brinsworth, Margaret Littledyke who, aided and encouraged throughout by friends and fellow Rotherham ramblers Sharon Ellis and Ivor Wilson, successfully completed the 50 mile course in 15 h 20m.
