From Jean Sullivan…

Alison Bennett continued her fine form and set a new club FV60 record for a 10-mile race, by nearly five minutes, with Alison completing the Morecambe 10-mile road race. This out-and-back route, held as part of the Morecambe Festival of running, goes along Morecambe promenade, offering superb views across Morecambe Bay and across to the hills of the Lake District. Alison finished second lady overall, completing the course in a superb time of 1:18:36, despite the conditions being tough and a strong headwind to be contended with in the second half of the race. Alison’s time is even more impressive as even though the course is largely flat, there are two hills to climb in the last half mile of the course.

On the fells, Harrier Ben Rothery stormed to the finish to win the Sale Fell Race in Cumbria, finishing just six seconds outside the course record, in a great time of 24:16. This 3.7 mile fell race with 900ft of ascent, is organised by Cumberland Runners.

This week saw seven Ilkley Harriers compete in the last race of the Leeds EvenSplits 5km series. These monthly 5k races are held on a purpose-built, tarmac, one-mile circuit cycle track at the Leeds Brownlee Centre.

Edward Hobbs led the Ilkley Harriers home, finishing in fifth in an impressive time of 16:15. He was followed by youngster Jake Norris in 17:36, with Michael Abrams-Cohen on 18:23 and Kyle Bethell hot on his heels completing the course just four seconds after Michael in 18:27. Ruth Kitchen led the Ilkley ladies home in a fast time of 20:03. Mum Diane also had a great race, completing the course in 25:28.

Ilkley Harriers took third club place overall in the EvenSplits summer championship league, which included EvenSplits race results from July to October inclusive. 

In terms of individual resuts Ilkley Harrier Ruth Kitchen won the ladies summer championship league, with fellow Harrier Tracey Watson finishing in an impressive fifth place. Diane Kitchen finished in 14th.

And it was a double for the Harriers as Edward Hobbs won the men’s EvenSplits summer championships league, followed by Michael-Abrams Cohen who took sixth place overall and Kyle Bethell in 13th place. Special mention also to Junior Harrier Jake Norris who finished in seventh place in this league, as well as to Alison Bennett who achieved the highest WAVA age-graded scores in the July-October EvenSplits races.

Off road, this weekend saw the staging of the first race in the PECO cross country series, hosted by Abbey Runners and assisted by Valley Striders. This 4.5-mile race was held at Middleton Park in Leeds. Ilkley Harriers had a great turnout at this event. In the ladies race, the on-form Ruth Kitchen led the Ilkley ladies home, with Ruth finishing in a superb eleventh place overall, running the course in a great time of 33:56. She was followed by Alison Bennett in 38:15, with Alison taking first place in her age category. Kate Prior was hot on Alison’s heels finishing in another great time of 38:24. 

In the men’s race Edward Hobbs continued his excellent running and led the Ilkley men home in 27:40, with Edward finishing in seventh place overall. He was followed by Steven Gott in 28:52, with Steven taking second place in his age category. Daniel McKeown was the third Harrier home in 29:22, with Daniel taking third place in his age category.  

A great result also for Colin Williams who finished in fourth place at the Sir Titus Trot Winter Marathon, in a great time of 3:42:46. This was Colin’s 49th marathon/ultra race. This event was organised by It’s Grim up North Running and a selection of races were available from 5km distance up to the 32-mile Ultra. The marathon route was along the Leeds Liverpool canal, starting and finishing at Saltaire. 

Ilkley Harriers continued their commitment to the weekly parkrun events, with a total of 27 Harriers taking part in events at various UK locations, with some great results. Michael Abrams-Cohen was the first finisher at the Cross Flatts parkrun, Michael completing the course in a great time of 18:13. Lots of Harriers finished with top ten placings, including David Foyston who was the second finisher at the Cliffe Castle parkrun, Dave Robson who was the fourth finisher at the Dewsbury parkrun and James Lee who was tenth to finish at the Bradford parkrun. Junior Harrier, Jake Norris also had a great run at the Bradford parkrun, the second finisher in a great time of 17:36.