The Black Sheep Brewery Races

The races

During May to July each year, six separate races are organised by towns and villages of North Yorkshire. They are called the "Black Sheep Brewery Races". In 2005, the races will take place on the following dates:

Sun May 15th: Ripon 10M
Sun May 29th: Melmerby 10K
Sat Jun  4th: Kirkby Malzeard 10K
Sun Jun 26th: Rainton 10K
Sat Jul  2nd: Burn Valley Run (half marathon)
Sun Jul 24th: Burton Leonard 10K

Note: in 2005 the Ripon 10M replaces the Fountains 10M (Grantley) that was run in 2004 and 2003.
Note: although the Ripon 10M was originally advertised as being on May 8th, it will now be on May 15th.
Note: on May 8th there is a Fountains 10K (at Grantley) but this is not part of the BSBR.

You can enter one or more of these races by getting an entry form (from the organisers of the race) and sending it off in the usual way. Note: some of the races may not permit entries on the day.

The Ripon Runners web site is a good place to get entry forms for these races. It also usually has the results of each race.

A separate competition

If you are thinking of entering at least four of these races, you may also want to enter a separate competition called the "Black Sheep Brewery Race Series" (BSBRS). Official information about the BSBRS is at www.blacksheeprunners.co.uk.

Entry into the BSBRS is 10 pounds. The closing date for entry into the BSBRS was April 11th 2005 ("or when we have reached our limit of 350 entries"). This year the limit was reached by April 7th.

"Your objective is to complete 4 out of 6 races, 3 x 10K's plus either the 10 mile or 1/2 marathon." "Runners who complete 4 out of 6 races will be awarded a Silver Plaque, runners who complete all 6 races will be awarded a Gold Plaque."

"Age category winner will be determined by points gained in each race, and are based on your 3 best 10K's plus your best long race. Points will be awarded to the first 10 in each age category."

"Prizes and plaques will be awarded to the first three Male/Female runners overall, plus the first 3 in the following age groups:- MO/40, MO/45, MO/50, MO/55, MO/60, MO/65, FO/35, FO/40, FO/45, FO/50, FO/55, FO/60, FO/65."

Even if you enter the BSBRS, you also have to enter each race separately and pay the fee for each race. The closing date for entry into each race will be whatever is given on the race's entry form. In previous years, some of the races did not permit entries on the day.

If you enter the BSBRS, you "will receive a race pack which includes the following:- Entry forms for the first 3 races, Race Series Newsletter and Race Series points table, Your Race Series memento voucher, which is to be redeemed at your first race".

In 2004, the race pack included a T-shirt. In 2005, the memento will be "a Kit Bag with this years Race Series logo": this should "be collected at either Ripon or Melmerby".

Barry Cornelius, 28th November 2004
(with amendments on 7th January 2005, 28th February 2005, 5th March 2005, 12th April 2005 and 2nd July 2005)