The winter season, as usual, brought many opportunities for training, exploring and racing. Great regulars on the Newburgh calender included: 

The OMM. Andy and Matt took a trip up to Glen Artney for the Short Score event, finishing a very respectable 7th Vet pair and 38th out of 100 finishers.

Tour of Pendle. Ten of us enjoyed a fine day on Pendle for this autumn classic. Some strong performances across the range of age categories, particularly from Mike Smith, Peter Fishwick, and from veterans Wally, Tony and Jim who all finished inside 4 hours. Well done Jim for winning 1st V70.

The Hebden 22 and Wadsworth Trog. Two neighbouring events only weeks apart that feel so different to run.
The Hebden is a popular laid back event attracting runners and walkers. It's a test of winter fitness or a good long training run, but always a challenge to navigate with local knowledge being a big  benefit. Chris Usher finished 21st and managed a personal best after running alone for most of the race in a strung out field. Mike Smith, unfortunate to miss a control, would have placed even higher. Solid running from David Richards and Tony Jackson, with Jim and Wally also enjoying putting in the miles. Fred Duenbier really pushed hard to do the full course on little training with experience, muscle memory and determination carrying him through. Well done Fred! The catering on route and afterwards helps make this a great event too.
The Trog, or "The Beast" as it is known, was also blessed with dry and calm weather. Peter Fishwick and Mike Smith in great form were quick over the ground, with Chris Usher not far behind.  A great run too from Kathy, Dave, Wally, Tony and Fred. That uphill finish is indeed a beast!  The soup and cakes afterwards were perfect.

Dave Ralphs "Fell racing is not just for summer" series led some of us on wild follies in the wind, rain, snow and hail over moorland and bogs, with Hoofstones having all weathers in one short race. Great camerarderie a pint and a chip butty in front of a glowing fire helps to get me out time and again.  At the local great Parbold Hill Race many of us donned club vests to do battle with each other and friends/foes at other local clubs.  
Richard Harris, Darryl Mullen and Tony Jackson also took on Standish Hall trail race on a sunny spring-like day in February.
Kathy and Dave enjoyed the post-race chilli after Flower Scar, and the running wasn't bad either. 
The crazy steep Beater Clough and wild Windy Hill tempted out Ollie, Dave and Tony, to one other or both.  

Stan Bradshaw Pendle round and Heptonstall are great races that round off the winter and take us into the milder days of spring. Newburgh Nomads had a good turnout again for these very accessible races. Jim Maxfield and Nick Usher coming away with prizes at Stan Bradshaw.

The Howarth Hobble was a tough one this year due to the heat! A sunny day had several of us seeking shade and a cool drink after an arduous 31 miles of moorland tracks and trails.

Neil Goulding racked up more miles at the Grizedale Forest Marathon too, part of his training for the Lakeland 50/100 where he'll be joined by Jim, Tony, Jamie, Peter and Mike in July.

There's more been going on than I can recall, but these were just some of the highlights.