Two teachers from a Harrogate independent prep school have completed their latest running challenge – exactly 12 months after they tackled an iconic half marathon in Norway.
Belmont Grosvenor School teachers Nicola Shillam and Anita Oldham 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.
While their Polar Night half marathon in Tromso was tough due to extreme cold, icy trails and darkness, their Hardmoors 15 in Whitby – much closer to home - brought its own challenges, as the pair got caught up in a blizzard and had to abandon their car and hitch a lift with a snowplough.
The pair made it to the start – but many participants and marshals couldn’t get through the blizzard, meaning the race 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 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/walk in the snowy conditions rather than try to break any race records.
She said:
“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.”
Belmont Grosvenor School, based at Swarcliffe Hall in Birstwith, is an independent prep school and nursery that welcomes children from three months to 11 years.
Children enjoy a wide range of sports on their 20-acre site and compete in weekly sporting fixtures with other schools across the region, as well as enjoying opportunities to take part in regional and national sporting events.
BGS hosts an annual cross-country inter-schools race every March.
The next whole school and nursery Open Day is taking place on Friday 30th January 2026 – book a tour here.
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