Can you do it? The challenge was there for all to see on the roads into Helmsley, and on Easter Day morning,  259 runners of all abilities proved that they could do it as they took part in the Black Swan Helmsley 10k . .

When I arrived at Race HQ at the Sports and Recreation Ground, there were already loads of people busy making sure that everything was ready for the second Helmsley 10k - the first to be sponsored by the Black Swan Hotel . .

and I was most impressed by the presentation of the water bottles, the commemorative mugs and the Easter Eggs, all ready and waiting to be presented to the runners as they completed their races . .

the race started in Carlton Lane outside the cemetery (I always think it's more of a worry when a race finishes there) . . and so we all found our way down from the pavilion, across the lovely cricket field (sorry, groundsman), to the start area, where there was soon quite a crowd of onlookers and supporters ready to send the runners off on their way with a cheer . .

 it didn't take long for all the runners to be on their way . .

 and they were soon winding their way up and around the hills to Carlton . .

whilst I made my way the wrong way round the course, to look for a pleasant spot to take photos of the runners in the latter stages of the race . .

and I decided that this descent towards the 9k marker would be a good place - I didn't want to walk too
far in case I bumped into the runners coming towards me . . plus of course I would have to return to Race HQ afterwards . .

It wasn't long before the lead cyclist came bouncing down the hill ahead of the race leader . . and it didn't seem very long before he came around a second time - showing off now - to tell us that the runner who'd just gone by was the final one . . and I joined the rush back to Helmsley . .

arriving just in time to watch Andrew Jamieson, General Manager of race sponsor the Black Swan Hotel, hand out the prizes and congratulate all the runners on their achievements that morning . . 

Back in January 1916 my Great-Uncle Walter thought it was a fine idea to "borrow" a chamber pot from the Feathers pub in Helmsley, climb up the Feversham Memorial in the Market Square and leave it on the top of the cross . .

Inevitably he and his friends - including my Grandad - were told by the MP's that they would be charged the following day, causing Grandad to fear that he would lose his recently attained rank of Sergeant. The very next morning, however, the King's Royal Rifle Corps were sent to Aldershot where they received their final training before going off to war in France. Grandad went on to become Anthony Eden's batman, and together with his brother Wally saw service in Italy as well as France, and fortunately both survived to tell the tale of the chamber pot, and to attend numerous annual reunions back in Helmsley . .