BARNSLEY AC runner Eleanor Baker broke the women’s course record at the Heaton Park half marathon in Manchester as she was first woman by more than six minutes.
The 19-year-old, who grew up in Thurnscoe but now lives in Barugh Green, was fifth overall in a time of 1-20-52 which is the third fastest ever by a UK women in the under 20 age group.
The history and politics student at Sheffield University is hoping to compete for Great Britain in the future.
Eleanor, who is also a qualified personal trainer, has won the junior Great North Run in the past and set the women’s course record at the Sheffield 10k last year.
The former Darton Academy and Penistone Grammar School pupil had always trained on her own or with friends until joining Barnsley AC four months ago. She said: “I signed up for that race thinking it was a flat course but it was much hillier than I expected.
“With that in mind I was pleased with the time and it was brilliant to win.
“I am hoping to break records in some other big races this year like the York Marathon and then hopefully race at the London Marathon next year where I could qualify for the World Championships.
“My ultimate goal would be to represent GB in the marathon at the Olympics.
“I would love to train for that for the next ten years and peak when I am in my mid to late 20s.”
Barnsley Harrier Dean Goodwin took on the Rasselboc Backyard Ultra. Runners must complete a 4.19-mile lap in an hour and, if they do, they have the rest of the hour to recover before running the lap again. The winner is whoever completes the most laps. Dean completed nine laps and finished 11th in five hours, 21 minutes and ten seconds – with the winner completing 11.
The 2024 Trigger race took place on Sunday, a 20.5-mile race across the moors from Marsden to Edale involving over 5400 feet of elevation.
First back for Penistone Footpath Runners was Richard Cottam in a time of 4-02-50, finishing in 29th place.
Former Penistone runner Phil Montgomery, who is now a Barnsley AC member, had a strong run to finish fourth overall in a time of 3-28-09.
Eight Harriers made their way to Leeds for the Temple Newsam Ten on Sunday. Stephen Burnley was first male back for the club in 452nd place, with Kay Conway first woman back in 627th.
