[Geoff Howard climbing Otley Chevin heading for a new club record, photo credit: Ilkley Harriers]

From Nigel Illingworth & Nicola Budding…  

New Harriers club record at the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

Ilkley Harriers had another strong week across notable local races on the roads, trails and fells.

The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon attracted over 4,000 runners with 10 Harriers taking on the challenging and scenic 26.2-mile course winding through Leeds’ suburbs and the Yorkshire countryside. Geoff Howard secured a new MV80 club record with his 17th marathon and a truly outstanding 4:37:29. Gawain Moore came 16th overall and third M40 (2:45:48), followed by Rachel Carter for second F50 (3:36:25).

Harriers also had a strong showing with nine runners in the Leeds Half Marathon, led by Jack Cummings in second place (1:09:35) and followed by Jane McCarthy for second F50 (1:34:25).

Earlier in the week saw the Dick Hudson’s Fell Race across Ilkley Moor and back. We are awaiting full results, but 19 Harriers joined the field of 88 on the start line. Oli Murphy was first, followed by Harry Brook-Dobson in third, Forrest Hamilton fifth and Dan McKeown sixth and first MV40. Strong results in the age categories saw Matthew Kennedy take first MV50 and Bob Hamilton first MV70. Also, John Hayes second MV50, David Rees third MV40, Adrian Hall third MV50 and Becky Taylor third LV50.

Over in North Yorkshire, Harriers ran the Ripon 10 Mile race – known as a hilly but picturesque course leading runners from Hell Wath around the Studley Royal Estate with beautiful views of Ripon and the stunning, surrounding countryside. Matt Newell claimed fifth (1:01:18), followed by Jaysson Sawyer in ninth and third M40 (1:05:44) and Steve Newell third M60 (1:14:25). Together they also won second team prize for the Harriers.

Up in the Lakes, the Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race is an out-and-back from Rydal Hall, over Great Rigg, Fairfield and Dove Crag. Alison Weston claimed first F60-69 category (2:12:54), Kelly Wilby tenth F40-49 (2:41:33) and Nea Weston 12th F23-39 (2:12:16).

Holmfirth Harriers AC hosted the Yorkshire Veterans Athletics Association Grand Prix Series 2026 Race 1, with Dave Robson taking third MV50 (44:29). This was the first in a series of ten races – mostly 10k on trails – so we will be following Dave’s progress.

Bank Holiday Monday saw the Coiners Fell Races, taking runners across Erringden Moor, up to the iconic Stoodley Pike, and across Bell House Moor. George Whittlestone won the OU21 category (57:05). In the Juniors races, Isobel Moore was 11th in the U12 Girls Race, Michael Moore fourth in the U14 Boys Race and Ollie Holder fifth in the U18 Race.

Across the Pennines in the Alderley Edge 10k, Ruth Kitchen secured fifth female and third in the Senior (20-34) category (37:49).

The Howgills Fell Race was the opening race of the FRA Junior Championship League, starting from Sedbergh School, runners tackled tough climbs, farmland, tracks and open fell terrain in challenging conditions. Oscar Shinn was seventh (43:11) and George Whittlestone 11th (48:22) in the U20 Race; Joseph Bentham was 13th (40:46) in the U18 Race; and Olly Brooks was 34th (32:41) in the U14 Race.

In the Yorkshire County Track and Field Championships, Junior Harrier Heather Crolla delivered an outstanding performance in the U16 Girls Discus, throwing a huge PB (25.34m) to become the Yorkshire U16 Girls Discus Champion.

As always, Harriers were active in the weekly 5k parkruns this Saturday.

Two outstanding times from Matthew Thackwray who was first at The Cinder Track (15:37) and Samesh Chotai also first at Brueton (16:16).

Sarah Marsden was fourth female at Fleetwood Promenade (23:47).

Sisters Nura and Mariam Allen both ran Lister Park. Nura was fifth female (23:48) and Mariam eighth female with a PB (24:47).

At Cliffe Castle, Joseph Morris was seventh and first JM11-14 with a PB (23:22).

At Myrtle, Heidi Hoad was seventh female (27:04), Lucy Lowe eighth female (27:05) and Daisy Lowe ninth female and first JW11-14 (27:47).

Rob and Nicola Budding both ran Armley securing tenth male (22:05) and tenth female (26:00).

Daniel Paterson achieved a PB (22:48) at Bramley.

Finally at Ilkley’s own East Holmes Field, John Hayes was sixth (20:41), followed by PBs from Jacqui Foster (26:56), Dawn Turner (28:22) and Ruth Jones (33:42).

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.