[The Ilkley senior men’s team who were runners up at the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships – photo credit Steve Coy]
From Luke Watkeys & Nicola Budding…
Fell Bogs to York Roads: A Busy Week for the Harriers
It was a seven-day period where everything happened at the “business end” of the week. On Saturday the rescheduled Yorkshire Cross Country Championships took place at Lightwater Valley. Snow and ice from a week before had thankfully been replaced by much better conditions for runners – and the Harriers excelled. In the senior men’s race Ed Hobbs was second while fellow youngsters Christos Tzelis, Sam Bentham and Nathan Coy were all in the top 35. Just after them came Dan McKeown and Jaysson Sawyer. And with the team prizes determined by each club’s top six placings, that saw them finish an outstanding second to Leeds City Athletic Club. And a special mention too for Helena Coy who was a superb fifth in the women’s U20 race.
On Sunday, the first fell race of 2026, the Stanbury Splash, took place. Hosted by Wharfedale Harriers and sponsored by Soreen, all participants were treated to a mini malt loaf, while the winners took home the full-sized version. Part of the popular Woodentops series, the 10km route takes runners from Penistone Hill Country Park over to the bogs of Pondon Kirk and back, featuring tough climbs, hair-raising descents and numerous stream crossings.
Ilkley was well-represented at this Harriers league counter, with 17 out of the 190 runners wearing the red and green. Nick Kealey was the first Harrier home, finishing 15th overall in 54:51 and claiming second in his age category. Daniel Ellis followed in 56:08, with junior member George Whittlestone delivering a fantastic performance in the senior field, finishing in 1:00:17 to take 26th place overall. For the ladies, Jann Smith was the first Ilkley finisher in 1:10:49, securing second in her age category. She was followed by Alison Weston in 1:13:25, who took first in her age category, and then Paula Reynier in 1:41:38. John Hayes also delivered a strong performance, coming third in his age category with a time of 1:01:57.
Earlier in the day, the younger Harriers took to the same hills for the Quarry Runs. Siblings James and Lerryn O’Neill braved the elements to tackle the fast and furious course; James competed in the U10 race to finish as seventh boy, while Lerryn secured ninth girl in the U12 category.
Over on the roads, Sunday also saw the running of the Brass Monkey Half Marathon. Starting at York’s Knavesmire, the route winds through Bishopthorpe Road and several picturesque villages. The annual favourite, named after a runner’s comment on the freezing weather during the inaugural 1983 event, started with 23 participants and continues to grow in popularity, with 1660 participants this year. Six Harriers were successful in the competitive entry ballot, with Martin Hartley leading the club home in a fantastic 1:22:15, closely followed by Andrew Marshall in 1:24:30 and Steven Gott in 1:25:02. Hattie O’Looney flew the flag for the Ilkley ladies, finishing in an impressive 1:42:05.
In parkrun news, Samesh Chotai continued his successful parkrun tour, coming first at Rugby in a time of 17:17. while James Horrex secured second place at our home event in East Holmes Field alongside 13 other Harriers. The juniors were equally active on the parkrun circuit. At East Holmes Field, Narae Williamson celebrated a new PB of 29:54, followed closely by Daisy Lowe in 30:18. Maxwell Hebbron made the trip to Roberts Park, completing the course in 27:12, and Adam Disney made a strong debut at Chevin Forest, finishing in sixth place overall with a time of 21:18.
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.