by Nadia Raza
This year, 41 runners from Totley AC took part in the South Yorkshire Road League, also known as the “five milers.” This is a race series for running clubs across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire and is one of my favourite events over the spring. There are four events, and this year they took place in Elsecar (near Barnsley), Ingbirchworth (near Barnsley), Worsbrough (near Barnsley!) and Lodge Moor (near Sheffield). All of these races are undulating, with Lodge Moor having the steepest climbs and fastest descents, and also the best views. The weather was generally kind to us this year and we managed to dodge hail, rain and heavy winds at the final race on 13th May.
It is true that some of the fastest runners in the region are at this event, but it is also very friendly and inclusive. I ran more slowly than I had in previous years due to an injury I picked up in February, but I wasn’t running alone and there was a lot of camaraderie between the runners further towards the back end of the race. This year there was a newly introduced divisional structure, with the top six men and top four women at each race contributing to the divisional standings.
Totley Women won the womens’ championship, or first division, beating Steel City Striders into second place by a huge margin (15 points). Despite a late surge, Totley men were relegated to the second division and next year will be contesting the Mens’ Plate.
There are so many good reasons to enter this series. Prizes are on offer to each age category, and to be eligible for an individual prize, you need to run three races including the final race. It’s a good way to get some midweek speed or hill training done. The races are very scenic and often finish at a good pub. If you haven’t entered before, please think about giving it a go in 2027!
The following Totley runners won individual prizes this year:
Vicky Brotherton: first V40
Jen Applegate: second V40
Vicky Penn: second V45
Caz Kay: third V45
Rachel Biggin: third V50
Paul Grayson: third V55
| 1 | Hillsborough and Rivelin RC | 134 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Clowne Road Runners | 124 |
| 3 | Barnsley AC | 120 |
| 4 | Sheffield RC | 116 |
| 5 | Steel City Striders | 112 |
| 6 | Penistone Footpath Runners | 112 |
| 7 | Kimberworth Striders | 98 |
| 8 | Rotherham RC | 93 |
| 9 | Dronfield RC | 92 |
| 10 | Totley AC | 84 |
| 1 | Totley AC | 137 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Steel City Striders | 122 |
| 3 | Dronfield RC | 122 |
| 4 | Hillsborough and Rivelin RC | 117 |
| 5 | Barnsley AC | 116 |
| 6 | Penistone Footpath Runners | 109 |
| 7 | Barnsley Harriers | 103 |
| 8 | Rotherham RC | 102 |
| 9 | Sheffield RC | 94 |
| 10 | Team Manvers | 90 |
| 1 | Hallamshire Harriers | 101 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Barnsley Harriers | 99 |
| 3 | Danum Harriers RC | 83 |
| 4 | Doncaster AC | 82 |
| 5 | Team Manvers | 80 |
| 6 | Valley Hill Runners | 80 |
| 7 | Handsworth Roadhogs | 75 |
| 8 | Denby Dale | 62 |
| 9 | Ackworth Road Runners | 57 |
| 10 | Kingstone Runners | 57 |
| 11 | Stocksbridge RC | 53 |
| 12 | Doncaster Triathlon Club | 48 |
| 13 | City of Sheffield & Dearne AC | 42 |
| 14 | Rother Valley Swallows | 38 |
| 15 | Killamarsh Kestrels | 37 |
| 16 | Sheffield Triathlon Club | 32 |
| 17 | South Yorkshire Police | 8 |
| 18 | Rotherham Harriers & AC | 7 |
| 1 | Kimberworth Striders | 101 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Clowne Road Runners | 93 |
| 3 | Kingstone Runners | 91 |
| 4 | Danum Harriers RC | 86 |
| 5 | Valley Hill Runners | 80 |
| 6 | Doncaster Triathlon Club | 73 |
| 7 | Doncaster AC | 65 |
| 8 | Sheffield Triathlon Club | 54 |
| 9 | Denby Dale | 51 |
| 10 | Ackworth Road Runners | 51 |
| 11 | Handsworth Roadhogs | 49 |
| 12 | City of Sheffield & Dearne AC | 46 |
| 13 | South Yorkshire Police | 46 |
| 14 | Rotherham Harriers & AC | 42 |
| 15 | Stocksbridge RC | 41 |