From Nigel Illingworth and Nicola Budding…
Photo credit Woodentops
Bentham Leads the Way as Harriers Dominate Ilkley Moor and Beyond
Sunday saw the Ilkley Harriers host the Ilkley Moor Fell Race. The senior race was a sell-out and preceded by the popular junior races. As always, the race organisers were supported by an army of enthusiastic volunteers. Despite muddy and windy conditions, 259 runners – including 38 Harriers – finished the challenging course.
First over the line was Sam Bentham (37:14), with Tom Bell (38:48) from North Leeds Fell Runners in second, and Jack Cummings third overall and first MSEN (38:57). Alexander Wolfenden took fourth overall and second MU20 (39:51) and Forrest Hamilton ninth male and fifth MSEN (42:56).
First female was Ellen Crombie (42:43) from Carnethy Hill Racing Club, followed by Ruth Sinclair (49:12) from Nidd Valley Road Runners, and Jenny Lea (50:10) from North Leeds Fell Runners.
Within the female categories, Kate Archer claimed sixth overall and first FV45 (52:28), Alison Weston first FV60 (1:01:29), Kate Prior fifth FV40 (59:06), Sacha Jones third FV40 (57:26) and Kelly Wilby second FV45 (1:01:16).
Harriers claimed many top five placings across the male categories. Gawain Moore first MV45 (45:08), Nick Kealey first MV50 (47:33), Oscar Shinn second MU18 (45:31), Matthew Kennedy third MV50 (49:31) and Richard Joel fourth MV55 (54:21).
Harriers also took the men’s team prize with Wharfedale Harriers second, and North Leeds Fell Runners third. Ladies team prize went to North Leeds Fell Runners, with Harriers second and Nidd Valley Road Runners third.
Before the senior race, an incredible 179 Junior Harriers competed in the junior races with top ten finishes by Leo Freer (first BU12); Joseph Bentham (first BU18); Archie Hallworth (second BU10); Milena Morgan (second), Alice Gardner and Heather Crolla in GU16; Michael Moore (third) and Henry Hirst in BU14; and Isobel Moore, Millie Houlbrook and Lerryn O’Neill in GU12.
Elsewhere, two top-performing Harriers made the trip over the Pennines for the Trafford 10k, a popular race with over a thousand finishers. Despite windy conditions, both achieved great new PBs. Christos Tzelis finished 23rd (30:18) and Ed Hobbs was 32nd (30:36).
Back in West Yorkshire, Sally Armitage returned for her third Liversedge Half Marathon, a hilly road race around rural Kirklees, claiming 2nd female (1:28:25), ahead of Michael Ho (2:01:32).
Jaysson Sawyer ran the Muddy Boots 10k around the Ripon countryside, taking third place and second MV40 (41:18).
Earlier in the week, the Even Splits Leeds 5k took place at the University of Leeds Brownlee Centre. Harry Sime took first MV60 (20:27), Ash Winter fourth MV45 (20:31) and Jonathan Turner fifth MV55 (19:35).
Four Harriers travelled for the Middlesbrough Half Marathon. From a field of over 3,500, all secured high finish positions. Edwyn Oliver-Evans took 37th (1:16:09), Harry Brook-Dobson 72nd (1:18:45), Ellie Middlemass 63rd senior female (1:40:07) and Lucy Lowe 42nd FV40 (1:56:15).
Charles Wain headed to Dufton in the North Pennines for the High Cup Nick Fell Race – a challenging 15k route – finishing 89th (1:25:15).
Back across the Pennines, Joshua Harris (50:30) and Kathryn Harris (1:17:40) ran the St Helens 10K.
Iain Spence (3:14:56) completed the Tibthorpe Loop half marathon, an undulating, but not technical, trail half marathon through the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds.
This week saw the start of the popular parkrun League, expanded this year to include Bingley Harriers as well as Ilkley Harriers, Baildon Runners and Saltaire Striders.
Samesh Chotai finished first at Babbs Mill (16:50).
Heidi Hoad finished first female with a PB at Ilkley’s own East Holmes Field (24:52), with Oscar Smyth third (20:04) and Nicola Budding with a PB for fourth female (27:43).
Finn Maxwell finished second with a PB at Lister Park (19:04), with Harry Brook-Dobson tenth (20:06) and Sally Malir 14th female and 80.3% age grade (24:09).
More outstanding age grades at Roberts Park where 84.1% secured Jane McCarthy second female (20:26), and 82.2% for Diane Kitchen (25:49).
Hilda Coulsey was at Portrush with an age grade of 83.3% (28:07), and Geoff Howard was at York with an age grade of 81.2% (26:32).
Two notable Juniors this week, with Lily Singleton (28:41) at Lister Park and Daisy Lowe at East Holmes Field (28:35).