[Jack Wood and Katie Poulter in action at the Gargrave Show, photo courtesy of Woodentops]
From Peter Shelley & Nicola Budding…
Harriers’ mountain expertise crosses borders
The 119th running of the Gargrave Show fell races took place on Sat 16th August with events for seniors and juniors. The routes took runners on a variety of terrains including a splash through Eshton Beck and a climb through the rhododendron tunnels of Lord’s Wood en route to the moorland of Sharp Haw. Jack Wood took victory in the senior race with Gawain Moore putting in a competitive run in the V40 category. Katie Poulter was 3rd lady.
On Thurs, 14th August, Wharfedale Harriers staged the King’s Challenge, which climbs 350m up Rombalds Moor from Silsden on a 9.8km out-and-back off-road route. Official results are yet to be confirmed but Oscar Shinn, Gawain Moore and Steve Gott are placed within the provisional top 12.
The Punk Panther Six Dales race saw Ritchie Williamson back in action just two weeks after his Bob Graham Round. Competitors choose from a variety of distances along the Six Dales hiking route which starts in Otley and heads north. Ritchie opted characteristically for the longest distance which covered 83 km and 1,620m of elevation on its way to the remote Nidderdale village of Lofthouse. Finishing in 8 hrs 22 mins, Ritchie was not only the fastest V50 but took the win outright, underlining his tremendous ongoing form.
Jack Cummings was pleased to secure 11th in exalted company in the GB Mountain Trials held at Whinlatter near Keswick on Sunday. He finished in spite of a tumble that required some medical intervention post-race but failed to remove the smile from his face.
Taking place further east in the Howgills was the Sedbergh Hills Fell Race. At 22.5 km long and with 1,830m of climb, the event is categorized AL by the Fell Running Association, meaning both steep and long. The route takes runners on a clockwise circuit from Sedbergh over several of the Howgills’ distinctive bare summits including Arant Haw at 605m and the Calf at 676m before the long fast descent back to town.
Evidently not tired of mountains despite spending most of his time in Switzerland, Jack Wood was back in action the day after his Gargrave success to secure a creditable 11th place. Paul Carman was 45th and Dan McKeown 59th. The race was won by Sam Stead of Keswick AC. 90 finished.
Trading nations with Jack, mother and daughter team Alison and Nea Weston headed to Switzerland for the International Mountain Marathon taking place in the Alps above Klosters. Combining running with orienteering and mountain craft, competitors must find the fastest route between controls placed in different locations across a wide expanse of alpine terrain. Controls can be visited in any order, but time is limited. The event takes place over two days with an overnight self-supported camp in alpine pasture over 2,000m which featured wandering cattle and a Swiss Alphorn welcome. Running five hours each day, Alison and Nea navigated the controls to great effect finishing without penalties and just within the time limits to claim third female team in their class.
Back in the UK, the Birchwood 10k saw Sally Armitage notch up another podium. A fast flat road route played to Sally’s strengths, and she ran 39:28 to finish 2nd lady.
The Settle Loop Challenge pits mountain bikers against fell runners (with further categories for e bikers and walkers) on a hilly and technical route through the Dales east of Settle. Nathan Coy was first runner home in 1:13:56 with his Dad Steve third in 1:18:11. Fastest time was set by mountain biker Marc Sennett in 1:04:56.
Roberts Park Parkrun saw Nick Kealey post 17:59 and David Ibbotson a personal best of 27:07 respectively. Rachel Carter also ran a personal best 22:29 at the Chevin parkrun and Daniel Paterson a 21:19 at Vermuyden Way. Junior Milena Morgan travelled the furthest this week taking part in the Reeuwijkse Hout Parkrun (NL). Milena finished first in the 11-14 category in a fantastic time of 22:50.
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.