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Latest News and Results ...

Please send any Harriers news or results to news@ilkleyharriers.org.uk for this web site and for the Ilkley Gazette.

From the club newsletter, evening, Sat 28 Mar

We very much hope all Harriers are staying safe and healthy following another unprecedented week for the UK.

The good news is that one form of exercise a day from home is encouraged - such as a run, walk or cycle - alone or with members of your household. You should avoid busy areas and keep more than 2m away from others.

The introduction of the lockdown saw Dan McKeown put the solo time trial competition on pause until the restrictions are eased. Strava segments close to home - which you can also set up yourself - are a good alternative for now. More details on that, plus how to get in touch with Dan via this link.

Meanwhile Steve Coy has started the weekly home turbo sessions, which are posted on the Harriers Facebook page.

Helen Waddington has created two alternative 1k Strava segments to widen the scope for 5x1k efforts. So as well as the two down on the Nesfield Road in Ilkley, there are now ones in Addingham (Ilkley Old Road) and Burley (Hag Farm Road) for anyone who lives in those areas.

And Malcolm Pickering continues to post weekly advice and suggestions on the WhatsApp track group, advocating easy, enjoyable running from home to keep things ticking over and immune systems strong.

To be added to any of the Harriers WhatsApp groups just email Hilda or Petra.

It means there are still plenty of ways to continue training and stay in touch and we'll send this newsletter every week to highlight them.

England Athletics also have a range of helpful initiatives on their Athletics at home hub.

And just in case anyone missed their announcement earlier this week, EA has extended the suspension of all activities (including races and club sessions) until the end of May.

Unfortunately, this means that the Harriers-organised Ilkley Trail Race (scheduled for 25th May) has been cancelled - as has the Calderdale Way Relay, for which two teams had been entered.

Newsletter, PDF download

From the club newsletter, evening, Mon 23 Mar

Following the e-newsletter which was sent yesterday we would like to update our advice to all members in line with the statement which has tonight been made by the Prime Minister.

From tonight, people in Britain will be allowed to leave their homes for only "very limited purposes" - shopping for basic necessities; for one form of exercise a day; for any medical need; and to travel to and from work when "absolutely necessary".
Hence we cannot encourage any meet ups and we urge all members to be responsible with the exercise route they take.

We have not been able to find a more precise definition yet with regards to the distance and locality allowed of the 'one form of exercise a day'. Further updates will be provided by the club as more government guidance is received.

From the club newsletter, Mon 23 Mar

As we all adjust to the current COVID-19 situation - and while always following the latest government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments - we've taken the first steps in generating a virtual Harriers community.
The aim is to help everyone to continue to train, keep in touch, and maintain morale and fitness in these testing times whilst the government continues to advise it.

Several virtual club sessions will now be posted on both the Harriers Facebook page and on WhatsApp.
If you're not part of the Facebook community - then click here to join.
To be added to a WhatsApp group - just email secretary@ilkleyharriers.org.uk or mship@ilkleyharriers.org.uk
And to join the Strava club click here.

The virtual - and solo - sessions are as follows:
1/ Wednesday track efforts - Malcolm Pickering will post the plan for each week so that you can do it in your own time, close to home. And any questions or advice, just get in touch via the WhatsApp group.
2/ Saturday morning 5x1k efforts. Helen Waddington is going to update on Facebook on the Thursday or Friday beforehand. Again, just ask any questions on there or via WhatsApp.
3/ Dan McKeown has created a solo time trial competition on Strava which allows an element of racing, while running alone. It will adapt and evolve according to the latest government advice, as will all of these options. And it is absolutely aimed at all levels - age/gender adjusted and improver prizes. Full details here.
4/ Turbo session (and maybe also strength and conditioning). This one's a work in progress - but chairman Steve Coy is a level 3 Tri coach and will be creating a range of sessions for Leeds Bradford Tri and is more than happy to do at least one turbo session a week for the Harriers as well as answer any questions via social media. It could be a great time to try something different and mix it up a bit, especially if we're limited in where we can run.

There is clearly a strong chance things will get worse before they get better. So if you have a lovely run and see anything from daffodils to spring lambs, a photo on Strava or the Harriers Facebook page could be uplifting for everyone.
Indeed, posting pics and evidence from any of the sessions above is also a great way to keep the interaction going. We'll be updating everyone each week via the website and Harriers newsletter so please let us have any ideas or suggestions you'd like including.

Notice to all fellow Harriers

England Athletics has today advised that all face-to-face activity such as club training sessions, events, competitions, meetings, athlete camps, running groups and social events should be suspended until at least the end of April.

The full statement is here.

This follows yesterday's government announcement that everyone in the UK should avoid "non-essential" contact with others to fight coronavirus.

And, like everyone, our club has a responsibility to play our part and help the wider community. We had already called off tonight's social runs and now all Harriers activities have been cancelled until further notice.

And though running may seem relatively unimportant in the bigger picture, we all know what a key part it is in many people's lives - as well as the benefits of maintaining personal fitness and keeping active.

So, while always following the latest government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments, we hope to be able to generate a virtual Harriers community as people train alone or in much smaller groups to help keep up morale, fitness and mental health in these unprecedented and rapidly-evolving times.

Please keep an eye on the Harriers website here, Facebook page and WhatsApp group - as well as the Ilkley Harriers club section on Strava which is now 170-runners strong.

We're all in this together and we very much look forward to being able to run together again in the not-too-distant future.

In the meantime stay safe and stay strong.

From Steve Coy and the Harriers' Committee.

Outstanding Achievements, February

From the Committee ...

Racing:
Oli Murphy, for a phenomenal 74-minute half marathon in windy Brighton
Dave Foyston for a big 5k PB (17:29) at the first EvenSplits 5k
Jo-Ann Pattinson for knocking 6 mins off her PB at the Barcelona half marathon
Cameron Reilly, setting a new club 5km record at Armagh 5km road race
David Singleton, Matthew Snow, Geoffrey White and Roar Leijssen, who ran in the final race of the PECO league at West Park. By turning up, in difficult race conditions, this led to Ilkley Harriers men winning 1st place in the 2nd division
Lucy Williamson, 1st lady, Anglesey half marathon

Volunteering:
Jonathan Turner, newspaper reports
Helen Waddington for setting up the 'efforts lite' group at 7.45am on a Saturday morning

Thirsk 10, Sun 15 Mar

From Caroline Howe... Nathan's time of 52:17 is only 28 seconds outside the club record which has stood since 1990 ...
and Sally's time is just 2s outside the LV55 club record set in 2010
Results ...

(1  51:44 Graham Rush, Leeds City)	
3   52:17 Nathan Edmondson
198 69:01 Brit Tate
285 74:00 Sally Malir
961 finishers

Bradford Sports Awards

Well done to Dom Coy, winner of the Young Male Sportsperson category.

Liverpool Half Marathon, Sun 15 Mar

From Jane McCarthy... Feeling as though it might be a last chance at a city road race for a while I took advantage of an entry to Liverpool Half Marathon, after Dentdale 14 was cancelled on Saturday. A slightly frantic journey there caused by a 20 mile detour due to overnight M62 closures not having reopened by 8am meant parking up with 15 minutes to spare. No problem - with multi-storey parking 200m from the start line and masses of portaloos I was a little short of a decent warm up but otherwise good to go. The course is pretty much flat after a kilometre long hill in mile 2, does a nice figure of 8 in Sefton Park, and finishes with a 4-mile run in Dockside of the River Mersey in front of the Liver Building. It is a well organised, fast Course, not too big a field and well marshalled again this year. I couldn't find any other Harriers in the results. Perfect conditions for running, I found myself early on with the 1hr 30min pacers and was extremely happy to be feeling comfortable at the halfway point. I pushed on and finished in my best time for 5 years at this distance. Or maybe it was my new Nike Zoom Fly 3's ... either way, a great morning out. There is also a 10-mile option.
Results ...

(1  1:09:50 Alistair Rutherford)	
140 1:28:04 Jane McCarthy	
2192 finishers

Podium 5k, Sat 14 Mar

From Sally Armitage ... 5 harriers made the trip over for Podium 5k in Barrowford. This 'no frills' race is 4 and 3/4 laps of a totally flat cycle track with £5 pay on the day entry. Well known for being a 'PB' course it attracts the fastest runners, the first male finishing in 14:30 and first female (Charlotte Arter) finishing in 15:53. The final finisher of the B race crossed the line in 23:10. Conditions were good, there was a bit of a breeze however which may have affected times slightly.

A race
(1 14:30 Jake Wightman, Edinburgh AC)
59 16:46 Jemima Elgood 
80 ran

B race
(1 16:45 Jack Wilkinson, Trafford AC) 
10 17:50 David Foyston 
15 18:27 Mike Abrams-Cohen 
18 18:52 Sally Armitage 
28 20:28 Mark Iley 
36 ran

From Petra ... Jemima's time is a new club record : she held the record already with 16:54 in Cardiff last year.

Howarth Hobble, Sat 14 Mar

From Mark Judkowski ... 32 miles. This was meant to be a long distance training run for the 3 Peaks. In the event it was just a long distance run! The early signs of rain were unwelcome but it dried up by the time of the start from the bottom of the Haworth cobbles. The first third of the run was in low cloud limiting what you could see but making Top Withens very atmospheric. After that the weather cleared giving cracking views from all the peaks. The opportunities for taking in the scenery increased as my pace slowed but I made it.

From Ben Sheppard... Classed as a short race in the Runfurther series, the Haworth Hobble is nearly 32 miles with 5,350 ft of climbing on trails and tracks from Haworth over the moors to Calderdale, up Stoodley Pike and back to Haworth via Heptonstall and Crimsworth Dean. One of few races not to be cancelled this weekend, it is the second counter in the Runfurther championships - but let's hope it's not the last one this season with the Fellsman already cancelled and other cancellations likely. The Hobble has many charms. It has runnable trails, which tempt you to run too fast, and just enough distance and climb to punish you severely for having earlier run too fast. It's local, friendly and reasonably priced, the scenery is not too bad, and you get a delicious meal at the end. Thanks to organisers Brett and Sue and helpers from KCAC for another enjoyable race.
Results ...

(1 4:16:57 Kevin Hoult, CVFR)
7  4:48:56 Ben Sheppard
99 6:23:14 Mark Judkowski
236 finished

parkruns, Sat 14 Mar

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Results ...

Woodhouse Moor
(1  17:32 Bobby Ingham, U/A)
61  21:52 Tom Lambe
528 ran

Fountains Abbey
(1  15:48 Daniel Cheeseman, York Acorn RC)
7   18:56 Jim Ryder
29  20:47 John Hayes
163 27:14 Sarah Hayes
418 ran

Horton Park
(1  20:34 Michael Coe, Queensbury RC)
7   22:16 Geoff Howard
67 ran

Trelai Park
(1  19:04 Edward Donovan, U/A)
2   19:38 Alex Hirst
119 ran

Brian Sweet Predictor 10k, Tue 10 Mar

From Vince Gibbons ... the 2020 Brian Sweet Predictor was run on a beautiful moonlit evening. The event attracted 39 cheerful Harriers for an undulating 10k course through the streets of Ilkley. Bottles of wine go to Catherine Gibbons, Peter Tapper, Elizabeth Gribbin and Tom Lambe whose finishing times were closest to their predictions. The event took place for the second time in memory of long-standing club member Brian Sweet who died in 2017. He led club runs every week for over two decades until reaching the age of 80. He introduced hundreds of runners to the sport. Many thanks to Race Organiser Bernie Gibbons, Neil Chapman for coordinating the timing, Jonathan Turner for producing the course map, sweeper Jayne Norman and marshals Pauline Watts, Heather Duke, Sue Williamson and Vince Gibbons. Prizes will be presented at club night on Tuesday 17 March.
Results.

HDSRL 2020

From Paul Stephens ... Entries are now open for the 2020 Harrogate and District Summer Race League. Enter on racebest, further details on the HDSRL web-site.

Yorkshire Veterans AA XC, Sun 8 Mar

From Daniel McKeown... The 42nd Yorkshire Veterans AA Cross Country Championship was held in fine conditions at Longley Park in Sheffield, on a 4-lap 10k course with a series of sharp punishing hills, ideal for spectators and for exposing runners who get their pacing wrong.
It swiftly became apparent that I was in this category as, after a breathless first 2k, Steve and Istvan calmly made mincemeat of me. Steve finished 8th overall in the 60-man field, scooping the V40 silver medal, with Istvan a couple of places back, bagging the V40 bronze.
Happily, this didn't spell doom for the McKeown medal mission: by dint of staying upright and avoiding disqualification (neither of which was a given) I rounded out the winning men's V40 team. We were treated to a decent haul of medals, plus the familiar amusement of the announcer making a complete hash of Istvan's name.

(1 35:48 Will Smith, Halifax Harriers)
8  37:19 Steve Gott (#2 M40)
11 37:51 Istvan Jacso (#3 M40)
14 38:56 Dan McKeown
60 ran

Black Combe fell race, Sun 8 Mar

From Alison Weston... A tough race in southwest corner of the lakes - 8 miles with 3400 ft climbing on lovely grassy terrain but sadly no views this year! 3rd LV50 1:51 (No published results yet)

Inter Counties XC, Sat 7 Mar

From Gaenor Coy ... Well done Cam Reilly and Dom Coy representing Yorkshire at the Intercounty cross country champs at Loughborough this morning. 16th for Dom, 37th for Cam and both contributing to team bronze medals.

In the senior race, Tom Adams was third counter for Yorkshire and an overall team silver.

Welcome Ultra, Sat 7 Mar

From Nick Kealey ... The Welcome Ultra is the first this year in a series of ultras hosted by Punk Panther. The Welcome Ultra follows, for a large proportion, the Welcome Way with a 51km or 65km option for runners. Starting in Otley the route initially looped north of the river before crossing the iron bridge at Ben Rhydding. Then following footpaths to Burley, over the moor towards Shipley Glen, across to Guiseley, up the Chevin and finishing in Poole. A challenging route, not helped by the mud, but a rewarding one with some amazing views.
I ran the 51km, classic course, and managed to secure 1st place in 4:43:34 which was a huge surprise testing my navigation skills given there was no one to follow!
A bowl of chilli and a friendly welcome at the end were amazing as were all the volunteers throughout who encouraged and cajoled as we shuffled along.
Would definitely recommend and plan to do more in the series in coming months.

parkruns, Sat 7 Mar

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Results ...

Cardiff
(1  15:44 David Eagon, Bristol and West)
21  18:18 Alex Hirst
805 ran

Bradford
(1  16:43 Alexander Thompson, Wharfedale Harriers)
56  22:53 Geoffrey Howard
165 27:20 Melanie Edwards
545 ran

Crichton
(1  17:22 Callum Waugh, U/A)
9   20:21 Robert Budding
36  24:43 Nicola Budding
151 ran

Skipton
(1  16:44 Chris Ovenden, Skipton AC)
18  22:14 Catherine Gibbons 1st F
124 29:28 Bernie Gibbons
220 ran

Ilkley Moor Fell Race, Sun 1 March

lkley Moor Fell Race men's team winners Ilkley Harriers - 8th Oliver Murphy, 2nd Jack Cummings & 5th Nathan Edmondson. Photo: Woodentops

From Jayne Norman ... What an event. My first year running the fell race, and boy was it hard work. Every section uphill seemed to be in the 45MPH winds. It really did take your breath away, and is all the recent wet weather- the whole course was saturated.
A super organised event and made all the better for the super marshalls encouragement all the way around, they must have been cold.
Despite me doing slightly slower than expected - I thoroughly enjoyed the race - hopefully next year will be drier! Definitely one I would recommend.
Results (v3)

Woodentops photos

Harriers results ...

(1  40:51 Robin Howie, Wharfedale)
2   42:17 Jack Cummings
5   42:36 Nathan Edmondson
8   43:50 Oliver Murphy
14  46:11 Steven Gott
16  46:47 Oscar Stapleton
36  49:52 Jim Ryder
40  50:19 Dave Robson
61  51:43 Paul Carman
65  52:08 Robin Nicholson
79  54:38 John Marsham
87  55:55 Richard Joel
101 57:19 David Westhead
103 57:28 Alistair Barlow
111 58:06 Peter Shelley
136 60:48 John Hayes
142 61:18 Matthew Sunley
154 62:10 Colin Williams
164 62:50 Alison Weston
187 64:31 Paddy Hagan
188 64:34 Jann Smith
199 65:41 Catherine Crawley
204 67:05 Tim Buckingham
208 67:43 Michael Waterhouse
218 68:52 Chris Oxlade
234 70:21 Alison Bennett
258 73:19 Anna Nolan
272 75:23 Benjamin Fenton
292 79:3 Jayne Norman
306 91:00 Amanda Newham
318 finished
Ilkley 1st men's team

Trafford 10k, Sun 1 March

From Sally Armitage... Trafford 10k, well known for being fast and flat, didn't feel either today! The wind perhaps didn't help my perception of the course but it truly felt all uphill for me today! A relatively small field, run entirely on closed country roads, with a lot of very fast runners.
Results ...

(1  29:45 James Hunt, Cardiff Athletics) 
126 35:27 Jemima Elgood (9th lady)
230 39:45 Sally Armitage (32nd lady)
840 ran

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Jemima Elgood's time at Trafford broke her own club record from last April's Salford 10k by 6 seconds.

Anglesey half marathon and 10k, Sun 1 March

From Sue Williamson... Kate Lofthouse and myself made our way to Anglesey for this 10k while Lucy took part in the half marathon.
The scenic race couldn't be started on the Menai bridge due to the high winds, so changes were made and the start took place in the High Street.
The storm also caused damage on the half marathon route late on Saturday night, when a tree fell onto the route meaning this route had to be changed again. The route now involved some testing hill climbs and was a slightly longer route.
The organisers did a great job making sure the race went ahead safely, as before the atmosphere is great and of course the lovely views.

Half marathon results
(1 1.21.08 Martin Green, North Wales Road Runners)
   1.32.56 Lucy Williamson 1st female 
1198 ran

10k results
(1   34.18 Ryan Davis, Wrexham) 
   1.01.01 Sue Williamson
   1.01.47 Kate Lofthouse
641 ran

parkruns, Sat 29 Feb

From Petra Bijsterveld ... This was the first ever leap year Saturday to witness parkruns, and with the next possible leap-parkrun being 2048 it felt important to get this one in! I went to Bowling Park in Bradford which started parkrunning only 6 weeks ago. A park made for parkrun I would say, large enough to require only 2 and a half laps, with very wide all tarmac paths so no congestion and a good running surface. A cafe with toilets at the park entrance. Lovely friendly volunteers. What's not to like? Oh, hills, did I mention hills? Yes well, it makes Lister Park's 'Teeny Tiny Hill' look teeny tiny indeed. Bowling has an uphill start, that same substantial hill has to be negotiated a further two times, and then just to add to the joy there is an uphill finish. For me it was part of the Leeds & Bradford Tri club's 2020 parkrun league, I gave it my all and battled hard all the way with a fellow woman LBT'er who looked to be of a similar age to me, I finished 4 seconds ahead but lost on age-grading. Could be a tough year ahead:)
Results ...

Woodhouse Moor
(1  15:40 Marcos Angel Valero Palacios, Roundhay Runners)
77  22:43 Tom Lambe
640 ran

Bradford
(1  17:03 Andrew Humphries, Airecentre Pacers)
11  19:37 Michael Abrams-Cohen
184 27:19 Stephanie Fox
187 27:22 Melanie Edwards
199 27:44 Paula Reynier
533 ran

Skipton
(1  17:03 Chris Ovenden, Skipton AC)
16  22:13 Catherine Gibbons
231 ran

Coldham's Common
(1  15:57 Joseph Smith, Cambridge and Coleridge)
74  26:01 Diane Kitchen
225 ran

Centre Vale
(1  18:08 James Jordan, Rochdale Harriers)
34  25:41 Will Worboys
115 ran

Bowling Park
(1  16:25 Tom Collinge, Queensbury RC)
117 27:33 Petra Bijsterveld
261 ran

PECO XC league final individual & team positions

From Daniel McKeown ... It may have passed unremarked over the weekend, but the cancellation of the final PECO XC fixture (Roundhay Park having unfortunately not recovered from the rigours of hosting an Ed Sheeran concert, I ask you) meant a couple of prizes were confirmed for Harriers.
Nathan Edmondson, with a perfect record of three wins from three races attended, was crowned league champion without even having to get out of bed on Sunday (although to give him due credit, he did do the Ilkley Moor Fell Race instead).
Meanwhile the men's team, which would probably have been *stuffed* by the fixture clash with the Fell Race, were instead left with first place and promotion in the league's second division. A big well done to everyone who showed up through the season and especially for the frankly horrible conditions at West Park in race 4. The PECO men's league boasted 704 competitors this year and, behind Nathan, we had three others in the top 100.
The ladies' team finished fifth overall in the second division, spearheaded by Alison Bennett (72nd overall out of 592 league competitors) and ever-present Diane Kitchen (103rd, second F60). Both vet teams finished fourth in the first* division (the PECO follows the risible trend of having a 'premier' division, above the first division) and the club finished fourth in the League's Colin Morath trophy for most improved club.
The league officially concludes with the PECO relays, which should be on 29 March, presuming Middleton Park doesn't get trashed by a Rita Ora concert in the meantime.

League position (out of 704)  
                     Races run	Cat pos	  Overall points
1	Nathan	Edmondson 3	(#1 MSEN)	1500
19	Daniel	Mckeown	4	(#4 M40)	1427.8
21	Steven	Gott	4	(#5 M40)	1419.1
67	Jaysson	Sawyer	3	(#12 M40)	1255.2
174	Robert	Budding	3	(#16 M50)	870
267	Simon	Richardson 2	(#51 M40)	629.8
300	David	Singleton 3	(#54 M45)	568.3
345	Matt	Cox	1	(#62 M45)	477.9
353	Matthew	Snow	3	(#67 M40)	462.6
383	Geoffrey White	3	(#65 M35)	417.2
394	Steve	Murray	1	(#40 M50)	403.8
406	David	Westhead 1	(#41 M50)	379.8
547	Malcolm	Pickering 1	(#10 M65)	195.2
612	Roar	Leijssen 1	(#96 M45)	112.9

League pos (out of 592)
72	Alison	Bennett	3	(#5 F55)	1067.4
103	Diane	Kitchen	4	(#2 F60)	940.9
141	Nicola	Budding	3	(#10 F50)	793.6
202	Ros	Brown	2	(#26 F45)	597.9
251	Rachel	Carter	1	(#39 F40)	483
278	Anna Pickering	2	(#91 FSEN)	441.7
290	Caroline Howe	1	(#46 F35)	421
311	Anna	Nolan	1	(#42 F45)	400.7
312	Jane	Bryant	1	(#35 F50)	399.5
340	Helen Waddington 1	(#41 F50)	343.1
371	Adela Reperecki	1	(#33 F55)	311.5
374	Helen	Horton	1	(#34 F55)	304.7
395	Sue Williamson	3	(#37 F55)	270.5
463	Jacqui	Weston	1	(#70 F50)	174.9
482	Kate Lofthouse	2	(#52 F55)	149.7
529	Sally	Wright	1	(#57 F55)	89.2

Leeds Evensplits 5k, Wed 26 Feb

From Hilda Coulsey ... 15 minutes is beaten at the Brownlee Centre in Leeds for the first time and hence Liam Rabjohn sets a new course record. It was wintery chilly and the attendance wasn't great for this first of the 2020 series of 10 monthly 5ks. I'm sure that will change as the year progresses. The juniors provided good competition with Alexander arriving first. I was pleased to clip a couple of seconds of my 2018 Harriers v65 record - an endorsement perhaps of the benefits of the Wednesday track session and the Saturday 7:45am 'lite'!
Results ...

(1  14:53 Liam Rabjohn Richmond and Zetland)
11  17:29 David Foyston 
22  18:19 David Westhead 
27  18:29 Alexander Wolfenden (junior)
33  18:49 Alistair Mcinnes 
37  19:05 Archie Budding  (junior)
40  19:21 Harry Stead  (junior)
63  20:14 Robert Budding 
81  21:23 Catherine Gibbons 
85  21:26 Claire Mcloughlin 
126 24:08 Hilda Coulsey 
127 24:17 Nicola Budding
184 finished

From David Westhead... A cold night but the lack of rain, snow and wind gave good running conditions and brought some fast times over the flat 5k course, notably a course record for Liam Rabjohn from RZH, which seriously scaled down the Harriers league points for anyone who wanted to use this as a wildcard! Good performances all round from Ilkley (Dave Foyston 2nd MV40; Dave Westhead 1st MV50; Alexander, Alistair and Archie 1,2 and 3 MJUN, Hilda 1st FV65 and Nicola 1st FV50).

League Update

From Jane McCarthy... We're three races in to the 2020 Harriers League - after some superb performances at Harewood 10K on Sunday - we've had one Fell, one Road and one Trail race. By virtue of completing all three, Jane McCarthy has the current highest total tally with 279 points, but Hilda Coulsey sits behind with a spectacular near 206 points from 2 races, 108 points from Harewood 10K and 98 points from her wildcard. Higher average point scores also for Jonathan Turner (2 races), Steve Gott (2 races) and Dan McKeown (1 race - winning at Harewood). Also great performances over 2 races from Jann Smith, Paul Carman, Dawn Turner, Jayne Norman and Sue Williamson, making up the Top Ten places. Next League Race is Ilkley Fell Race this Sunday .. Good Luck Everyone!
Please Note: There is a clash between the Beamsley Beacon Fell Race on 18th June and Ilkley Harriers hosting the HDSRL Road Race, so we will be announcing an alternative fell race shortly ...
2020 results tables as at 24 Feb

Harewood 10k, Sun 23 Feb

From Hilda Coulsey... A text somewhat late in the morning told us the race was delayed 3.5 hours due to the estate not using the grass for parking and letting the half marathoners mostly complete and get away before we arrived. I watched them returning covered in mud and on asking what the terrain was like I'm told the views were great. However it wasn't so bad, certainly nothing like the pictures of the national cross country yesterday. Nevertheless our winner managed to head plant and looks like he's been a few rounds with Tyson Fury, this after racing in Nottingham yesterday! The starting pen was churned up and in trying to jump to keep warm I struggled to lift my feet. Rather than do that I retied my shoe laces tighter. I started with Jayne and went ahead on the initial few kilometres downhill before she overtook me and relentlessly plodded on up hills, straight through puddles and across muddy fields always in my sight but I was unable to catch her, my shoe coming off in the final field didn't help. So much for pre-race prep! It was a tough day for the organisers: I did feel for the marshals etc who'd had a very long day, the coffee van found some hard standing by the toilets and did a roaring trade once their generator was fixed, the pizza van got stuck in the mud and that was it for food. We were grumpy at the entry cost but afterwards the happy chatting of finishers retelling the tales of their mishaps and struggles was quite fun. (Apologies if I've missed any Harriers running)
Results ...

1  38:24 Dan McKeown
2  40:26 Jonathan Turner
10 45:19 Jane McCarthy 1st female
28 48:38 Colin Williams 1st v50
83 53:31 Jayne Norman
89 53:54 Hilda Coulsey 1st v60
153 58:25 Dawn Turner 
224 63:57 Sue Verspyck
260 65:23 Sue Williamson
264 65:35 Katherine Lofthouse
399 completed

Brighton Half Marathon, Sun 23 Feb

(1   1:09:05 Kevin Moore, Brighton & Hove AC)
11   1:14:01 Oli Murphy
2123 1:51:27 Zoe Donnely
7618 finished

Huddersfield 10k, Sun 23 Feb

From Sally Armitage... Today I ventured over to Huddersfield 10k. A hilly course, I decided, would do me good and make a change from all the fast flat ones I usually enter! A small field, all road, 240 metres climb, chip timed. I was rather pleased that the fastest woman on the entry list didn't turn up allowing me to take the win!

(1 34:32 Joe Sweetnam-Powell, Steel City Striders) 
33 42:02 Sally Armitage (1st lady)
568 ran

Canalathon 20, Sun 23 Feb

From Nick Kealey ... Fancying some long but not too challenging miles, I raced the Canalathon 20 today. It is a point to point starting in Rochdale and finishing in Sowerby Bridge. The start time allows for travel on the first train from Sowerby Bridge to Rochdale meaning your car is waiting for you at the end. The majority of the route is along the canal, which is relatively flat albeit a bit wet and muddy after the recent bad weather. You would have expected navigation to be simple but, in my opinion, a shortage of signs and marshals made it more difficult than it needed to be, resulting in some unnecessary extra yards! I was pleased with a podium finish (3rd) and the warm soup on completion was very welcoming. All in all I would recommend to anyone needing some miles before the Spring marathon season.

National XC, Sat 22 Feb

From Petra Bijsterveld ... This was my 5th National XC event and my 2nd time in Wollaton Park in Nottingham. Whilst in 2017 it was moderately muddy, for 2020 the wet weather in the preceding few weeks had ensured a venerable mud bath, with several deep dips which could be described as 'water features'. Running at some speed through knee high smelly muddy water ensured that everyone was splattered from head to toe with the stuff. In fact despite a thorough shower yesterday (obviously) I still found a streak of mud in my ear this morning!! As if the water wasn't enough the organisers had also placed a couple of large trees across the course which needed to be jumped, or in my case stepped across in old-lady fashion. As I couldn't even leap over solid obstacles in my younger years I certainly wasn't going to try now!
The day did not start well for many of us as there was considerable parking havoc which I believe was not the fault of the race organisers, as Nottingham CC was in charge of parking. The addition of off-site parking on a disused supermarket site was a good call due to the grass parking at the park being very wet, but signposting and direction was poor leading to chaotic queues near the venue and stress for runners. It put me in a bad mood, especially being shouted at by an unhelpful parking marshal, but I was soon back on an even keel once I reached the club tent. I love the atmosphere of the Nationals with hundreds of tents and thousands of runners all squeezed onto a patch of mud, I love the feeling of 'being in it together' and running with (or rather, behind) the best in the country. In which other sport can you enter National Championships at any level of ability?
Considering the weather we have recently had conditions on the day were quite good. No rain to speak of and whilst it was blowy, it was more a stiff breeze than a gale. I actually loved my run (and the mud!) even though at 5.5 miles it went on a bit. Strava tells me I was considerably slower than in 2017, but I seemed to be battling it out with women I recognised from the Northerns a few weeks ago and from previous years, so I am blaming the underfoot conditions rather than being 3 years older!
Thanks must once again go to Steve and Gaenor Coy for organising another brilliant XC season and supporting all the runners.
Results ...

Under 17 Women
(1   21:49 Maya Todd-McIntyre, Rushcliffe AC) 
213  29:03 Poppy Anderson
257 ran

Junior Men
(1  36:27 Zakariya Mahamed, Southampton AC)
26  39:05 Dom Coy
195 ran

Senior Women
(1   32:59 Anna Moller, Aldershot, Farnham and District AC)
167  41:03 Rachel Carter
544  49:55 Sarah Edwards
765  57:03 Petra Bijsterveld
799  58:29 Anna Pickering
808  58:43 Sally Pickering
911 ran

Senior Men
(1   43:36 Calum Johnson, Gateshead Harriers)
432  53:47 Dan McKeown
1169 65:32 Steve Coy
1447 71:57 Malcolm Pickering
1710 ran

From Malcolm Pickering ... Well I ran my first English National in the Youth's race at Parliament fields back in 1968. Since then I have run many more but Nottingham 2020 must be near the top on the mud scale. It's a classic event with a long tradition which any club runner can toe the line with some the best distance runners in the country. So one for the bucket list......

parkruns, Sat 22 Feb

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Results ...

Woodhouse Moor
1   16:22 Nathan Edmondson
565 ran

Bradford
(1  17:36 Martin Soszka, Saltaire Striders)
26  22:23 David Singleton
31  22:47 Matthew Snow
370 ran

Skipton
(1  17:12 Chris Ovenden, Skipton AC)
17  22:28 Catherine Gibbons 2nd F
57  26:01 Geoff Howard
176 ran

Watergrove
(1  22:01 Jonathan Moon, Sowerby Bridge Snails)
22  28:34 Will Worboys
61 ran

Conwy
(1  18:32 Morgan Kendall, U/A)
3   19:01 Lucy Williamson 1st F
184 ran

Myrtle
(1  20:07 Christopher Loftus, KCAC)
5   21:42 Michael Abrams-Cohen
103 ran

Dalesway Adventure, Tue 18 feb

From Paul Calderbank ...How do you fancy the Dales Way Tuesday / Wednesdy? John asked on Sunday evening.
Achilles? mmm sure I can muddle through! Chantal wanted to join us Tuesday morning so we dropped a car at Kettlewell and had an eveing meal in the Dales.
8.00am Tuesday morning we were at the old bridge ready to go. Thank you for dropping us off Alison.
A pit stop at Bolton Abbey and a team of friendly faces of the Ilkley Tuesday morning run team.
A good cafe stop in Kettlewell we left a relieved Chantal, who had insisted on pushing the early pace.
As we climbed the Wharfe the weather closed in and the hail made frogsporn in the puddles. 45 miles later we rolled I into the old Youth Hostel at Dent Station like drowned rats. Thank goodness for the excellent drying facilities.
The plan was for the 6pm train from Windermere so we got away for 7am my very tender achilles. A perfect morning with only missing washed away foot bridges and poor signage to get in the way of a perfect morning. Then as we crossed the M6 the rain did its worst driving hard all the way till the end! As my right foot started complaining adjusting for my achilles I got my walking poles out to help get me home. Station reached 36 miles later with over an hour to spare before the train. (23&24 of 60).
Achilles just about held together and at the end it was 81 miles over all!
One of the most amazing things was looking at the flood levels in the different rivers we ran along from last weekend. 15 to 30 ft up on current high levels amazing!
Looking forward to the Dales Way relay at the beginning of August.

Barcelona Half, Sun 16 Feb

From Paul Sugden ... Results ...

(1      59:58 Victor Chuma, Kenya)
11708 1:57:52 Lisa Mcdonell 			
12276 1:59:19 Paul Sugden 			
13162 2:02:00 Sheena Pickersgill 		
13244 2:02:15 Peter Tapper 			
13525 2:03:12 Melanie Edwards 		
14953 2:08:39 Donna Jackson 		
16062 2:14:32 Jo Pattinson (PB 6 mins)
18572 ran

Great North West Half Marathon, Sun 16 Feb

From Andrew Merrick ... I normally like to do a half (at intended marathon pace) 2 or 3 weeks in advance of a marathon - in this case Tokyo on 1 March. Due to a number of adventures, this was about the only part of my marathon preparation which has been on schedule....
Three of us set off on a happily dry morning, arriving on the sea front in Blackpool - road parking was straightforward - with an hour to go before the 11am start. It had stayed dry but was very cold and windy at this point - registration, at an outside set of desks, took minutes giving us time to faff, get organised and then try to find a way to stay warm. I had already decided to wear the long sleeved running top, that I had planned to change into at the end, underneath my Harriers vest, and was regretting the absence of a hat, buff or gloves in my kit bag.
A well marshalled route, on the wide paths along the sea front took us out in a loop which brought us back to the start point in just over 2 miles, at which point I had visions of another 5 or so similar laps..... Happily that wasn't the case and we then had a relatively lengthy downwind section before turning into the wind for a couple of loops ending with a tough 3 mile into the wind finish. A distinct variation in mile times (about 1 ? mins in my case) reflected the challenging conditions. I was pleased with my on schedule finish in 1:44:15, within 45 seconds of my plan, albeit I probably had to work a little harder than intended..... at least it kept me warm.
An excellent pub lunch on the way home was probably the highlight.
Organised with no fuss, a relatively easily accessible, flat half marathon at the right time of the year for Spring marathon training.

parkruns, Sat 15 Feb

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Results ...

Woodhouse Moor
1   16:29 Nathan Edmondson
562 ran

Bradford
(1  16:59 Martin Soszka, Saltaire Striders)
92  25:42 Will Worboys
422 ran

Roundhay
(1  18:08 Chris Mullen, U/A)
12  19:23 Helen Thurston 1st F
403 ran

Skipton
(1  17:42 Chris Ovenden, Skipton AC)
6   19:49 Jim Ryder
7   19:53 Rachel Carter 1st F
29  22:40 Catherine Gibbons
37  23:41 Geoff Howard
218 ran

Horton Park
(1 18:29 Joe Baker, Stadium Runners)
2   19:26 Jonathan Turner
38  27:32 Dawn Turner
85 ran

Clapham Common
(1  16:06 Johnny van Deventer, Clapham Chasers)
20  19:52 Rob Cunningham
630 ran

Armagh road races men's 5k, Thu 13 Feb

From Hilda Coulsey... A new 5k club record for Cam Reilly (beating Euan Brennan's 14:58 from Barrowford last August) on a 5 lap course, "one of the fastest and most competitive races in the world", attracting world class athletes with 144 under 15 mins on a blustery evening.
Results ...

(1  13:41 Adam Clarke, Team Real Runners)
117 14:46 Cameron Reilly
237 ran

Rotselaar International XC, Sun 9 Feb

Well done to Tom Adams, 27th overall and a counter for the 'North' team - more on the club's Facebook page.

PECO XC, Sun 9 Feb

From Geoffrey White ... A very wet PECO at West Park, jointly hosted by Horsforth Harriers & Ackworth RR, on a slightly shortened course due to bad weather. After huddling like penguins on the start line in freezing rain, we warmed up somewhat during the race itself. Ground underfoot was very wet. Congratulations to Nathan Edmondson and all who braved the conditions, and a big thank you to the organizers and marshals.
Results ...

1   24:45 Nathan Edmondson
20  27:41 Daniel Mckeown
21  27:43 Steven Gott
49  37:34 Alison Bennett
72  39:46 Diane Kitchen
192 36:13 David Singleton
204 37:06 Matthew Snow
208 37:17 Geoffrey White
227 38:40 Roar Leijssen

parkruns, Sat 8 Feb

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Results ...

Woodhouse Moor
(1  17:15 George Ravenhall, LBT)
354 28:23 Gaenor Coy
711 ran

Riverside
1   16:19 Ruaridh Mon-Williams
520 ran

Skipton
(1  16:58 Chris Ovenden, Skipton AC)
35  23:21 Tom Lambe
37  23:32 Geoffrey Howard
77  26:44 Melanie Edwards
220 ran

Clapham Common
(1  16:56 Ben Parker, U/A)
28  19:38 Rob Cunningham
847 ran

Rothay Park
(1  18:37 Scout Adkin, Ambleside AC)
20  23:06 Catherine Gibbons
151 ran

International selection

Well done to Tom Adams, selected for the Rotselaar International XC in Belgium on 8/9 Feb

Montserrat Skyrace 25k, Sun 2 Feb

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Tom Adams won this race (16 miles and 4,295 ft of ascent) for the 4th time in an astounding 2:02:45 with 9 minutes elapsing before no.2 arrived!! Also a Yorkshire 1, 2, 3 with Ben Mounsey (Calder Valley) and Joe Baxter (P&B)
Results

Dewsbury 10k, Sun 2 Feb

From Jonathan Turner ... It was great to see a fantastic Ilkley turnout in Dewsbury on Sunday. If you're after a 10k PB then this is definitely one to consider. It's a closed-road, out-and-back route with the first half gently uphill - meaning it's perfect for a negative split. It's also good to maintain interest during the race, with plenty of encouraging shouts between Harriers as those at the head of the field headed back first after the turning point. Matt Cox looked super-smooth as he led us home in 33:58 but there were so many other good times. I think the biggest PB upgrade (of nearly four minutes) was Catherine Crawley's 42:29 but any advance on that just email website guru Paul on the above address!
Results ...

(1   29:57 Chris Parr, Morpeth)
45   33:58 Matt Cox
92   35:24 Steve Gott
102  35:54 David Foyston
148  37:01 Jaysson Sawyer
153  37:02 Nick Kealey
179  37:34 Jonathan Turner
265  39:10 Michael Abrams-Cohen
267  39:13 Sally Armitage
274  39:13 Paul Carman
390  41:12 Jane Mccarthy
453  42:29 Catherine Crawley
499  43:21 Daryl King
575  44:08 Michael Ho
599  44:34 Claire Mcloughlin
610  44:44 Jann Smith
664  45:24 Mary Fairclough
1010 49:54 Tom Lally
1075 51:09 Jayne Norman
1187 52:28 Alex Stanley-Hyde
1264 53:22 Dawn Turner
1447 57:03 Amanda Newham
1566 58:35 Sue Williamson
2033 finished

Chichester 10k, Sun 2 Feb

From Hilda Coulsey... I ventured a long way south, but less than an hour from family, to take part in this 10k England masters qualifier (having gained qualification for the half marathon a few weeks ago). Part of the attraction was that the final 4k was run on the Goodwood motor racing circuit which we'd visited various times in the past. It was described as an undulating course but together with fairly ok weather it was fine for a lass travelling from Yorkshire! I was pleased to have broken the 50 min barrier after some 5 years, bettering my Harriers record and achieving England qualifying.
Results ...

(1  29:01 Nick Goolab, Belgrave Harriers)
696 49:45 Hilda Coulsey 2nd FV65
1519 ran

Glaisdale Rigg Fell Race, Sun 2 Feb

From Jim Ryder... I think I was the sole Ilkley Harrier at the Glaisdale Rigg Fell Race in the North Yorkshire Moors. It was 8.7 miles and 1370ft of boggy moor, tussocks, track, muddy fields, conifer forest and a bit of road. I came in 2nd V50 at 1h10m49s. Well-organised, low key, friendly and a generous prize giving. A great fell race event.

Rombalds Stride, Sat 1 Feb

From John Hayes... An excellent turnout by many Ilkley Harriers at this iconic event. Congratulations to all those who battled through the strong winds and made it back for their end of race "school dinner".
The results may take some time to appear, as they send them out to anyone who included a stamped addressed envelope with their entry. I rather like this old-fashioned approach, just as I like the fact that every year the meal is identical to all previous years - a pie, boiled potatoes, peas and gravy followed by rice pudding and tin peaches.
But why change a winning formula? For many, the meal at the end is the best bit. There is no question that the true "winners" of the Rombalds Stride are the organisers and the marshalls. The 40 mph winds made this year's conditions very tough over Baildon Moor, Ilkley Moor and (just to add to the agony) even along the road coming off Otley Chevin. Yet at each checkpoint there was a team of volunteers who had somehow managed to put up a tent and were serving food and drink whilst cheerfully attempting to stamp your control card as it blew about in the wind. We really are very lucky that they put on such a good show for us every year.

From Petra Bijsterveld ... This was my first ever attempt at the Rombald's Stride. Always held on the same weekend as the Dewsbury 10K the road race had always been my go-to event. With lack of dedication to 'proper' training my road times are not improving and causing me frustration, so why not change to what is essentially a walking event hijacked by runners? At least I would always be ahead of the walkers and anyway, unless you are at the sharp end of the race times don't really matter that much here. The weather was 'interesting' with a relentless gale force wind from the west, making in particular the section from the Twelve Apostles to the turn at Pipers Gate a constant battle into the wind, and on approaching Burley Woodhead I was almost blown off the edge at times. Conditions underfoot were wet but at least better than when I last reccied it. I really enjoyed myself and felt better than expected, must have been all those jaffa cakes I scoffed at the checkpoints. Next year I will take my running poles, not wanting to look like 'all the gear and no idea' I had left them at home, but they would have helped. The (vegetarian) school dinner back at the school tasted delicious so I must have been hungry! Going steadily meant that after the start I did not see any of the many Harriers taking part, but I met some nice people along the way. The most kudos go to the marshals and volunteers at the checkpoints who did not seem fazed by the wind and looked after us very well. I shall be back in 2021.

From Petra Bijsterveld and Rachel Carter ... results ...

(1  2:51:28 Philip Boynton, Horsforth Harriers)
9   3:03:36 Ben Sheppard
16  3:08:53 Dan McKeown
23  3:15:15 Kate Archer 3rd F
25  3:17:08 Dave Robson
28  3:23:31 Rachel Carter
53  3:41:12 Dick Waddington
61  3:46:31 John Hayes
71  3:49:34 Richard Joel
72  3:49:53 Michael Duffield
73  3:50:44 Duncan Cooper
75  3:51:13 Colin Williams
81  3:53:46 Andrew Overend
97  4:03:01 Mark Judkowski
120 4:12:30 Alison Weston
127 4:18:53 Rebecca Mon Williams
130 4:19:08 Adela Reperecki 1st F55
136 4:21:02 Paul Stephens
150 4:27:01 Chantal Busby
163 4:36:16 Paul Calderbank
188 4:49:18 Sarah Edwards
222 5:17:02 Petra Bijsterveld
481 walkers & runners finished.

Wadsworth Trog, Sat 1 Feb

Results ...

(1  2:42:24 Martin Howard, CVFR)
6   2:55:49 Nathan Edmondson
25  3:11:13 Jeff Green
94  3:54:12 Paul Howard
98  3:57:21 Richard Eccles
115 4:06:37 Brian Melia
125 4:11:45 Dave Reynier
154 finished

parkruns, Sat 1 Feb

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Results ...

Bradford
(1  17:10 Martin Soszka, Saltaire Striders)
36  22:33 Oscar Street
116 27:03 Paula Reynier
441 ran

Crystal Palace
(1  17:08 Peter Lighting, Kent AC)
13  19:09 Neil Wilson
531 ran

Ganavan Sands
(1  18:24 Russell Daniels, U/A)
2   19:58 Alistair McInnes
33 ran

Skipton
(1  17:18 Chris Ovenden, Skipton AC)
22  22:53 Tom Lambe
37  24:16 Harry Sime
235 ran

Clapham Common
(1  16:51 Richard Ollington, Thames Hare and Hounds)
38  19:58 Rob Cunningham
899 ran

Centre Vale
(1  17:55 James Jordan, Rochdale Harriers)
27  23:27 Geoffrey Howard
238 ran

Older News,January 2020