[Ilkley Harrier Gawain Moore negotiating the Peco XC water splash, on his way to a category win. Photo credit: Noel Akers]
From Nigel Illingworth & Nicola Budding…
Harriers battle wintry conditions to perform on roads, trails and fells
UTMB’s World Series in Europe kicked off over the weekend in Cornwall with The Arc of Attrition races over 100, 50, 25 and 12 miles. Runners contended with high winds, mud, and significant nighttime running on exposed cliff edges. Harriers were represented across all four distances, led by Kate Archer who was tenth female and first in the 45-49W category in the Arc 100 (31:08:59); Ben Rothery secured third (second 20-34M category) in the Arc 25 (2:46:55); Sam Bentham was fourth in the Arc 12 (1:43:36); and Daniel Paterson completed the Arc 50 (13:34:31).
Ilkley Harriers’ Race League continued Sunday at the Meltham “Tough” 10k – famous for its gruelling climbs, fast descents, and challenging January weather in the Pennines. Christos Tzelis took first place (33:21), followed by Oscar Shinn (40:27), Owen Parker (40:38) and Jean Sullivan (55:17) all securing top-ten finishes in their respective categories.
Temple Newsam hosted Sunday’s Peco XC League Race 4. Seniors tackled a 7.5km course that explored every variety of the estate’s terrain, including the famous two-foot-deep water splash. 15 Harriers competed, including Gawain Moore first M45 (29:35), Rachel Carter third F45 (34:56) and junior George Whittlestone (31:00).
Juniors took part in the Year 7-12 race with Michael Moore (9:48), Milena Morgan (10:17) and Ethan Pickwoad (10:31), and the Year 2-6 race with Archie Hallworth (7:16), Thomas Bailey (7:22) and Isobel Moore (7:43).
Saturday’s Tour de Yr Wyddfa was a cold, technical, 43.5km ultramarathon that circled the entire Snowdon massif with over 2,327m of vertical gain. Alison Weston formed half of “The Ancient Alisons” pairs team, finishing as the fourth female team and sixth overall (9:15:48).
The 2026 Northern Athletics Cross Country Championships took place on Saturday at Pontefract Park Racecourse. Edward Hobbs claimed 17th overall (40:37) and Daniel McKeown 11th MV45 (48:36).
Weekly Saturday morning parkruns included many outstanding performances.
Samesh Chotai led the way with a stunning first finish at Isabel Trail (15:56 and 82.7% age grade), James Lee at Chevin Forest (19:17), James Horrex and his dog (19:43), followed by Caroline Howe as first female (26:22) at East Holmes Field. Other top-ten finishers at Ilkley’s own East Holmes Field were Kyle Bethell in second (21:01), Leo Freer in fifth (first JM10) (22:19) and Zoe Donnely tenth female (31:27).
The female top-tens continued with Hattie O’Looney in fifth (with a PB) at Heslington, Maddie Morris in sixth (23:54) (along with Sam Angus in 11th overall (21:22)) at New Zealand’s Wanaka and Sarah Marsden seventh at Heartlands (25:32).
At Lister Park, Jonathan Turner secured tenth (19:54), followed by Geoff Howard with 81% age-grade (26:33).
Harriers Juniors showed us the way at Roberts Park, with Daisy Lowe posting a new PB (27:19), followed by Maxwell Hebbron (28:24).
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.