From Peter Shelley…
Photo credit: Run Tatton
Ilkley Harriers excel across multiple distances, disciplines and age categories in a busy week of autumn running
Saturday 9th November saw the Podium 5k race take place at Barrowford. Covering multiple laps of the Steven Burke Sport Hub cycle track, the race is staged in ‘waves’ based on expected completion times. Conducive to fast times, the event attracted 349 competitors from across the UK this year. Two Ilkley Harriers braved this competitive environment. Sally Armitage finished in a highly creditable 18:47 to beat the 5k club record set in 2008 by Alison Bennett. Running in the elite sixth wave, Christos Tzelis managed an outstanding 14:32. His performance took 16 seconds off his previous best and puts him within seven seconds of Dom Coy’s 2023 club record.
A further noteworthy performance at the 5k distance took place on Thursday 7th November with Daniel Fazackerley running 15:36 to finish 8/178 in the EvenSplits race, a fixture held monthly from February to November at the University of York Sport Village Cycle Circuit.
The third race of the West Yorkshire Cross Country League took place on Sunday 10th November at Middleton Park in Leeds. Rachel Carter finished 24th of 64 and fourth vet 45 in the ladies race which was won by Katie Wood from City of York AC. Ed Hobbs’ run of form continued with an excellent third place in the men’s race, nine seconds behind winner Joe Sagar from Leeds City AC. Strong finishes by Christos Tzelis in 18th (notwithstanding his Podium 5k effort the day before!), Dan McKeown in 36th, Steven Gott in 75th, Stephen Morris in 96th and David Westhead 102nd of 131 consolidated Ilkley’s position in the team rankings with one race to go.
Harriers enjoyed Sunday’s calm conditions and autumn colours at Sue Ryder Run Bolton Abbey. The event offered a variety of races of different distances on trails across the estate. In the 10km event Joanne Williamson was first Harrier home in 30th place of 353 finishers with a time of 50:48. Geoffrey Howard’s time of 53:06 placed him 49th overall and first in the MV75 category by some margin. Geoff was followed by Harriers Sue Williamson and Nic Anness. In the half marathon, which featured a long climb to Barden Fell, Kate Archer finished in 1:52:12, 23rd of 170 and first lady 45. Jonathan Sinclair was first male 60 home followed by Bob Hamilton first male 65, Lucy Lowe and Caroline Tong.
On the outskirts of North Leeds the Holly Hustle took runners on a challenging 10.5km trail run through woods and green spaces. Tony Pye finished in 53:12 and Sally Malir in 1:02:07, 17th and 45th of 92 respectively.
Further afield, Jane McCarthy triumphed at the Tatton Park half marathon finishing 84th of 1,751 runners and first lady 50 in a rapid 1:29:20.
Kay Pearce enjoyed success in Wales with a time of 5:15:49 placing her 42/140 in the Gower marathon which covers coastal and inlands trails across the peninsular and more than 1,000m of ascent.
Rob Green and Luke Watkeys took on the Cheviots in the Wooler Trail Marathon climbing and descending over 1,837m to finish in 5:14 and 6:37 for 6th and 36th places of 133 respectively.
Parkrun highlights included a 2nd place (of 226) and a new personal best in Skipton for Samesh Chotai with a time of 17:31, Harry Sime 16th place at Fountains Abbey in a time of 20:11 and Rachel Carter 135th (of 825) at Woodhouse Moor in a time of 22:39. Harry Brooks-Dobson achieved a new personal best of 20:18 at Lister Park.