[Photo courtesy of Suzanne Carter – Ilkley’s Kate Archer (left) with her Fellsman Dart prize]

From Will Worboys & Nicola Budding…  

Ilkley Athletes dominate the fells and shine in the big road marathons

A bumper weekend of running was had by Ilkley athletes who excelled to an almost unprecedented level with several huge wins for the green and red vests as well as countless superb performances.

Kate Archer played a part in history on Saturday at the Fellsman races. Both the 60-mile long version and the shorter but still extremely challenging 30-mile ‘Fellsman Dart’ should maybe consider changing the name of the event because they were won by women! Archer had a brilliant run in the Dart to finish in 5:10:51 and join Anna Llewellyn, the winner of the full-length race, in taking the glory and finishing ahead of all their male counterparts for the first time in the race’s history.

The full Fellsman started at Ingleton and snaked its way over some of the highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales before finishing at Threshfield. The first Harrier to finish in this race was Michael Odell who did very well indeed to come 4th overall and cover the 60 miles in a time of 12:02:22. Next Harrier to come in was Martin Hartley who was 27th of the 261 total finishers in a time of 14:21:33. Then came Peter Shelley who was 74th in 16:54:17 and second claim Harrier Martin Peace was one second behind him.

The Dart followed the same route as the second half of the Fellsman, starting at Redshaw. Kate Archer showed her class throughout, finishing 1st of the 91 finishers comfortably in an amazing time of 5:10:51.

Meanwhile another Ilkley lady was flying the flag too, but this time on the road. Sally Armitage won the trophy for first female at the Blackpool marathon with a brilliant run, often into a difficult coastal headwind, to head off the field and finish in 3:13:25. Sally was the only Ilkley runner at this event which is a two-lap route based at North Promenade and part of the Blackpool Festival of Running.

Back in the Yorkshire Dales, Ilkley’s own national fell champion was showing his class against some very big names at the 70th annual Three Peaks race. Ben Rothery stormed to victory in the classic race in three hours dead, nearly eight minutes ahead of 2nd place Clovis Chaverot and multiple Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee who was 3rd. The race which takes in the peaks of Ingleborough, Pen Y Gent and Whernside is 24 miles long with around 5,000 feet of total ascent and not for the faint hearted; but attracted several hardy Harriers. Rothery was close to the front from the start and stayed tucked in with the leaders before making his move coming down Whernside and then pulling away to create a big lead well away from the chasing pack.

Fellow Harriers to finish included Sacha Jones who was 54th lady and 15th in the W40 category. Alison Weston ran well to finish 13th W50. Charles Wain, Harry Brook-Dobson and Jon McDonald all had superb runs to finish inside the 5 hour mark. Luke Watkeys and Chris Grose also made it to the end in great time.

Still at the Three Peaks, Ilkley’s put out a strong relay team of Ash Winter, Alistair Nash, James Batterley, Charlie Kay, Colm McCann and Paul Disney. Named ‘No Hatters’ the team came 20th of the 48 finishing. The relay was won by Wharfedale Harriers’ team.

Onto Sunday’s London Marathon and some more unbelievable performances in the world-famous event. They was headed by Nathan Edmondson who ran out of his skin to knock a huge four minutes off the all-time club marathon record and finish the race in 2:21:14. Edmondson was 16th overall of the masses which saw a world record number of finishers – over 56,000! Amongst other superb runs were Matthew Thackwray who finished in 2:33:46, Dave Foyston in 3:09:05, Jonathan Turner with a big PB of 3:20:31 and Rachel Streets in 3:47:19. Hilda Coulsey had a great run to finish in 23rd position of her 70-74 age category in a time of 5:04:20. While Derek Oliver came 82nd in his 60-64 category with a brilliant time of 3:20:19. Honourable mentions for other Ilkley finishers include; Sarah Lambert and Colin Williams, as well as members of the Harriers ‘Jeffing’ group Emma Haggas and Jill Roberts, who all overcame the hot weather to perform very well.

Meanwhile, back in the north-west, the Manchester Marathon was also taking place, with plenty of Harrier interest among the 30,000 plus participants. With the hot sunshine creating challenging conditions, Tony Pye was not deterred and led the Ilkley pack, achieving a huge PB of 3:10:37. He was followed by Owen Parker who finished in 3:18:44. Next was Sara McLean who came home in an excellent 3:21:56. Mark Gill was next in 3:26:48, followed by Phil Joyner in 3:32:49. Great endurance and will power were also shown by finishers Iain Young, Jonathan Nelson and Nigel Illingworth.

On to the juniors and another week of sunny running for the young Harriers began on Tuesday evening with the fast and furious Bunny Relays around the quarries of Penistone Hill, where teams of three were competing using the long lap from the Bunny Runs. George Whittlestone, Ollie Holder and Oscar Shinn (collectively known by their team name “Scrambled Legs”) finished in a fantastic 5th place. A great result to end the Bunny Runs for this year.

The first race in the 2025 FRA Junior Championships series, the Duddon Dash, took place on Sunday. Starting from Seathwaite in Borrowdale the various routes took in the local area of Donny Shaw and, depending on the age category, the summits of White Pike and Caw. Robert Brooks was our only Junior in the 5K U15 race and finished in 28th place in 35:58. In the 6.3K U17 race Joseph Bentham finished in an excellent 3rd place in 38:25. Four Juniors representing JIH took part in the 9.4K U19 race with Alexander Wolfenden leading them home in 10th place (56:50), followed by Oscar Shinn in 12th place (58:38) and George Whittlestone in 15th place (1:03:48). Matilda Irvine was 9th FU19, finishing in 1:18:07. Senior Harrier Rachel Carter 2nd lady in the senior race. A great start to the series.

Michael and Isobel Moore took on the demanding Chevin Forest Parkrun on Saturday with both finishing first in their age categories; Michael finishing in 8th position overall (first JM11-14) in 21:59 and Isobel finishing as 5th female overall (first JW10) in 26:29.  

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.