From Bob Hamilton…

You wait months, years even, for a local fell race and then two come along at once! Covid rescheduling meant that the Otley Chevin and Beamsley Beacon races fell on successive evenings. I have a long history with both but Beamsley is the one that’s dearest to me.

It’s not easy to write a race report from the middle of the field where I seemed to be running in a Harrier vacuum. I had no Ilkley vest in sight from start to finish. In all the years I’ve run this event I don’t think I can remember a more perfect evening for racing: blue skies, warm without being hot or too humid, and barely a breath of wind. As I climb (or fall?) through the vet categories, fell running becomes less about time and position and more about enjoying the privilege of still being able to take part. I have to admit, though, that there remains a thrill to be had from hearing your name called out at the prize-giving and going to collect a couple of bottles of beer! A hard-earned but simple pleasure!

At the sharp end of the race, Oli Murphy and Nathan Edmondson kept each other thoroughly honest, just a couple of seconds separating them at the finish. This is a club rivalry that looks likely to run and run! Nathan will have his name added to the trophy, which I noticed is rapidly running out of space for engraving. It has a remarkably long history.

Full credit to Wharfedale Harriers for putting on the event so well, one eye to safety, the other to making it feel like we’re almost back to normal.

Results: Here

1. Nathan Edmonson 33:52

2. Oli Murphy 33:54

5. Dan Dry 36:00

32. Richard Joel 43:38

52. Bob Hamilton 48:12 (1st MV60)

66. John Pickering 51:30

89. Chris Oxlade 57:25

98. Phil Chappell 1:03:20

100. Mary Jeal 1:04:54

108 finished