[Photo shows Nathan Edmondson in the centre, the winner of this year’s Ilkley Skyline Race, credit: Great Owl Running]
From Luke Watkeys & Nicola Budding…
Edmondson conquers the Ilkley Skyline as Harriers holiday and run all across the UK
It was another great week of racing for the club, featuring an outright fell running victory, some great track and road performances, and a host of parkrun successes.
The standout performance of the week came on the local fells at the Ilkley Skyline Race on Saturday 15 August. Historically run as a self-organised anytime challenge, Great Owl Running hosted the second annual race around the course. The route is a tough 35 km (22 miles) circuit of the valley, featuring 900 metres (2950 feet) of elevation. Starting and finishing at the Hermit pub in Burley Woodhead, it traverses the local high points, well known to club runners. 31 participated, including two Harriers. Nathan Edmondson took victory at the event, claiming first place with a rapid time of 02:32:51. Hilda Coulsey finished 30th and took first place in her category with a time of 06:17:08. Hilda praised the event as a friendly, low-key, and well-supported way to tackle the local round. One for Harriers to look out for in future years.
Jaysson Sawyer travelled to North Yorkshire on Wednesday 12 August for the Sessay Swift 6k, a road race organised by Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers following quiet rural roads around the village of Sessay. Jaysson finished 19th in a time of 21:59.
On Friday 14 August, Daniel Fazackerley delivered a superb performance at the York Evensplits, a monthly 5k track event held at the University of York Sport Village Cycle Circuit. He secured 8th place out of 133 participants with a quick time of 15:52.
The following day, Natalie Smith took to the canal towpath in Saltaire for the 10k ladies’ race at the Sir Titus Summer Trot, finishing 31st in 01:11:53.
It was also a peak summer holiday weekend on the parkrun circuit, with Harriers running no less than 22 parkruns all over the country. Amongst this plethora of runs, Matthew Thackwray finished first at Harrogate in a blistering 15:25, and Stephen Coy finished first at Frickley Country in 19:06. There were also impressive second-place finishes for Samesh Chotai at Halifax (16:23) and Michael Odell at Penrose (17:22). At the home fixture on East Holmes Field, James Horrex led a large contingent of 17 Harriers, finishing 16th overall in 20:50.
Looking ahead, the club is preparing to host the 24th staging of the Ilkley Incline on Wednesday 2 September. This tough 1-mile (1.6 km) uphill-only race features approximately 170 metres (558 feet) of climbing, rewarding runners with stunning views across the Wharfe Valley. The race begins at 7pm at the bottom of Keighley Gate Road, with junior sprint relays taking place beforehand at 6pm. The event is generously sponsored by Yorkshire Runner and Bini Brew Company, and spectators are very welcome to attend. For more information, visit Racebest.
Ilkley Harriers is a friendly welcoming club, open to all. If you would like to try us out, please register first on the training page at www.ilkleyharriers.org.uk and then come along to our main club night at 6.45pm on Tuesdays, meet upstairs at Ilkley tennis and squash club.