Two Harrogate teachers battle snowstorm to complete gruelling Hardmoors 15 running challenge

Nicola Shillam and Anita Oldham – Year 1 and Year 2 teachers at Belmont Grosvenor School – signed up to compete in the Hardmoors 15, a 17.5-mile trail run, part of the Hardmoors Ultramarathon series, earlier this month.

But they almost didn’t make it to the starting line in Robin Hood’s Bay when the pair hit a snowstorm a few miles out of the town and were forced to abandon their car.

After catching a lift with a tractor snow plough, the pair made it to the start – but many participants and marshals couldn’t get through the blizzard so the race, while still went ahead, had to be modified to just 10.5 miles rather than the full 17.5 miles.

Mrs Oldham said: “What should have been a picturesque 17.5 mile route along the Cinder track through Runswick Bay to Hayburn Wyke, joining the Cleveland Way and returning to Robin Hood’s Bay, was anything but – the snow had other plans.”

The Belmont Grosvenor School teachers, both members of Ripon Runners, have been friends and running partners for the past 20 years and have completed dozens of marathons and half marathons together – but this was one of their most challenging to date.

Mrs Oldham added: “The decision was made to adjust the route to make it safe, so we actually ran about 10.5 miles, rather than the 17.5 miles that the Hardmoors 15 is, but it was stunning.

"The snow was deep and thick and soft running out to Ravenscar, although we then returned in driving hail, which was challenging, but seeing the coast blanketed in snow was quite a rare and beautiful sight."

Mrs Shillam said the pair decided early on that they would run and walk in the snowy conditions rather than try to break any race records.

“The hardest mile for us was after we had finished the race, and involved walking out of Robin Hood’s Bay back to the abandoned car.

"It was always going to be a challenge - Hardmoors routes always are - but the weather turned the whole event into a real adventure.”

Next month Mrs Shillam is heading off to Spain to compete in the Torremolinos Half Marathon for the third year running, and in April, the duo have signed up for the Dubrovnik Half Marathon in Croatia.

Peter Baird, Director of Sport at Belmont Grosvenor School, said the two Pre-Prep teachers’ latest running adventure was the embodiment of two of the school’s core values – showing both ambition and resilience.

He said: “Not to be beaten by the weather, and determined to compete, Mrs Shillam and Mrs Oldham displayed real resilience and ambition to finish what they had set out to do and complete the Hardmoors 15.

“We are extremely proud of their achievements and they are a real inspiration to our pupils."