[Peter Roll and Geoffrey White at the Round Hill Fell Race, photo credit: Woodentops]
From Peter Shelley & Nicola Budding…
Juniors and young Harriers to the fore as runners take to the Cumbrian and Yorkshire Fells
Ambleside hosted its annual day of traditional Lakeland sports on Thursday including wrestling, grass track cycling and hound trails. Fell and guide races were the focus for a strong youth and junior Harrier contingent. The ‘Rydal Round’ kicked off proceedings with a 14.5km race incorporating 915m of ascent over the summits of Fairfield and Hart Crag. Sam Bentham underlined his credentials, taking an excellent win in 1:18:50 nearly two minutes clear of the competition. Samesh Chotai finished a strong 14th of 109 in 1:35:35. Both Harriers competed again in the Sports Senior Fell Race later in the day to take 4th and 19th places respectively followed by George Whittlestone in 23rd of 97 finishers.
All the day’s fell races followed a similar up and down format over different distances with a tough outward climb before a fast and challenging descent. This included the U14 boys race in which Michael Moore claimed a strong 5th place and the U12 boys where Thomas Bailey and Oscar Spooner battled well to finish 11th and 29th respectively.
Juniors represented the club again to great effect on Sunday at Farleton Knott Fell Race courtesy of the Dallam Tower Estate. Michael Moore continued his excellent week with another podium finish, taking 3rd in the U14 Race. In the U12 race, Thomas Bailey improved on his Thursday result to finish 5th, while Oscar Spooner came home in 43rd. Isobel Moore had a fantastic race, finishing 2nd girl. In the seniors race George Whittlestone was 14th and Emma Moore 69th.
Saturday saw the running of the Borrowdale Fell Race, one of the Lakeland Classics. Visiting the summits of Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Dalehead, the route covers 27km of tough terrain and 2,000m of ascent. Alison Weston used her experience to pace it well, picking up places steadily to finish in 4:57:21 and 143rd place winning the F60 category and beating her race times from the previous five years. Daughter Nea Weston followed Alison home in 5:32:32 to take 172th place.
Closer to home, the Round Hill Fell Race took place on Sunday organised by Otley AC. Prevailing dry conditions throughout the weekend saved runners the challenge of the Denton Moor bogs on the 14.1 km route which includes 335m of ascent. Peter Roll finished 22nd and 4th M60. Geoffrey White was 34th, Jo Foster 49th and 1st L55 and Penny Coulthard was 60th.
In Saturday’s parkruns Helen Thurston ran a personal best 21:16 at East Holmes Field. Rafe Garner was 1st JM11-14 in 22:54. Martin Stubbs ran a pb to finish 3rd of 16 in the MV60-64 category. Sue Verspyck also achieved a pb and 4th VW60-64.
At Roberts Park Michael Moore crossed the line in 19:53 as 1st JM11-14. Isobel Moore celebrated a parkrun pb of 21:22, finishing 1st JW10. Lerryn O’Neil was 1st JW10 at The Cinder Track parkrun near Whitby.
Alexander Wolfenden went the furthest and fastest finishing 1st overall in 17:02 and setting a new course record at Coolum Eco parkrun in Queensland!
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.