[Ed Hobbs at the PECO XC. Photo credit: Nigel Pepper]
From Jean Sullivan…
REPORT – Great results from the Ilkley Harriers at the PECO XC event
This weekend saw the staging of the third race in the PECO cross country series, a series of races organised in and around Leeds, in which clubs affiliated to the League compete across men’s and ladies divisions. Each race covers a distance of four to five miles.
Conditions were tough for this weekend’s race, very cold, with very hard ground to contend with. The race was held at Leeds’ West Park, hosted by Horsforth Harriers and assisted by Nidd Valley Runners. The course was variable and consisted of running through fields, undulating trails and through woods.
Thirteen Harriers took part in the men’s race. Ed Hobbs was the first Harrier home, finishing in a fantastic seventh place overall in a time of 23:33. Dan McKeown was the second Harrier home in a great time of 25:34. He was followed by Steven Gott in 26:47.
Five Ilkley Harriers took part in the ladies race, with Alison Bennett leading them home in a superb time of 34:32, with Alison finishing first place in her age category. She was followed by Jo Foster in 36:44, with Helen Jacques the third Harrier in 43:13.
There was success in the junior races too with Ilkley Harrier Archie Budding winning the two-mile junior U16 race in an impressive 10:49. Alexander Wolfenden also managed a top ten finish in this race, finishing in seventh place in a great time of 11:53. More success for Ilkley Harriers in the one-mile junior U11 race with Benjamin Richardson finishing in third place overall in a time of 6:10.
Despite the chilly conditions this weekend, it didn’t deter the Harriers having a great turnout at the weekly timed 5km parkrun events, with a total of 14 taking part in various events around the country.
Another great run for Ed Hobbs saw him the first finisher at the Roberts Park parkrun, completing the course in a very impressive 16:16. In-form Dave Foyston was the fourth finisher at this parkrun in a rapid 16:45, the first time he’s broken the 17-minutes mark.
Other notable performances included Beth Massey being the second female finisher at the Barnsley parkrun in 22:36 and Jane McCarthy being the third female finisher at the Roundhay parkrun in 22:26. Mike Abrams-Cohen also had a great parkrun this weekend being the fourth finisher at the Stewart parkrun in Middlesbrough in 19:03.