HOOKY CHRISTMAS CANTER “7”
Tory Mobley presented herself with the ideal gift for Christmas
with a cracker of a run in Sunday’s Hook Norton Harriers Christmas Canter multi-terrain race. Seventeen year old Mobley a former UK and Midland 800metre indoor medal winner, showed the way home to take first place in the female section in a record breaking numbers field. Mobley crossed the line in 21st place, followed by Ros Kelling in 23rd place and Michelle Bartlett in 30th place, giving a clean sweep for Banbury Harriers
The race was not all about winners, as at least a third of the near 180 starters competed in fancy dress. Her fellow Banbury Harriers all dressed has pirates 
and others in fairy costumes and furry animals. The pirate attire easily claimed the best fancy dress prize, with seven of them crossing the finishing line in a row.
This the seventh “Canter” and certainly the best yet, also the toughest weather wise, with excessive mud on the non- road areas and wind and rain in general.
The race was won by Bedford & County’s Steve Naylor who been close to a UK vest in recent years. Naylor despite the conditions decimated the field and 
the race record with a time of 38miutes 11seconds.
Dan Pebody of Cherwell Runners finished second, with Adderbury’s Paddy Haynes in third place.
Other local finishers were as follows Ian Thomas of Cherwell 10th, Tim McCrow of Harriers 15th and Simon Emmerson of Adderbury 18th.
The real winner was really the pleasure and fun people had running and the large number of supporters on route.
Mike
We had a good group of pirates and other motley crew taking part in the 
Hooky Canter. Well done to everyone who took part and dressed up. Even with the dressing up, congratulations to Tory, Ros & Michelle for taking the 1st 3 ladies places. I think we must claim the record for the most people crossing the line with the same time (7). Must have given the time keepers a headache. Thank you to Ken for being a great sport & wearing the parrot costume the whole time (though he didn't run). He did try to sit on Andy's and Tony's shoulders but didn't last long. We also won team prize (best costume)
Results were 4th S Pritchard 45.22 (1st M40), 15th T McCrow 48.44, 21st T Mobley 50.14 ( 1st snr lady), 23rd R Kelling 50.42 (1st W45), 30th M Bartlett 52.42 (1st W35), 43rd K Smith 55.33, 53rd G Pritchard 56.49, 61st P Coy 58.18, 62nd N Wallis 58.24, 65th N Frape 58.30, 76th N Forbes 1.00.04, 124 E Simkin 1.07.11, 125 L Ansell 1.07.36, 126 K Clarke 1.07.36, 127 R Biegel 1.07.36, 128 T Petruso 1.07.36, 129 C Edington 1.07.36, 130 P Newell 1.07.36, 131 B Hendrie 107.36. 168 E Ball 1.24.39.
Full results are here
Phil
