[Photo is Tom Adams on his way to an emphatic victory at the Rombalds Stride]
From Peter Shelley & Nicola Budding…
Ilkley Harrier victories on and offroad in an active weekend of racing for seniors and juniors alike
On Saturday 40 Harriers took part in the Rombalds Stride, a popular midwinter fixture organised by the 15th Airedale Scout group and now in its 43rd year. Runners and walkers took on a 35km clockwise route with over 1,000m ascent from St. Oswald’s School in Guiseley via Esholt, Baildon Moor, Rombalds Moor, Menston and Otley Chevin before returning to school for pie, potato and peas.
Ilkley Harrier Tom Adams came home first, ten minutes ahead of second place, in a time of 2:32:31 which (subject to confirmation) is a new course record.
Michael Odell finished fourth in 2:47:42, Nick Kealey 12th and first MV50 in 3:05:00 and Forrest Hamilton 22nd in 3:16:05. Robert Green was next up, 24th in 3:20:50. Kate Archer was 32nd, 3rd lady and first FV45 in 3:23:39. Alison Weston was 1st FV55 in 4:19:15 and Adela Reperecki first FV60 in 4:40:36. 33 further Harriers made it to the finish all comfortably within the 10-hour limit.
Over in Lancashire the Pendle Way in a Day ultras took place. Runners had a choice of 48k and 70k routes. Martin Hartley opted for the latter, which took him over 2,000m of ascent including Pendle Hill which is saved until the final 10km. The weather was relatively benign, but the terrain challenging and muddy in places. Martin managed the conditions and pacing well to come home in 8:42:13, 21st of 113 and first MV45.
Dewsbury’s annual 10k took place on Sunday on a flat course conducive to fast times. Jo Sagar of Leeds City Athletics Club won in 30:06. Ilkley Harrier Jack Cummings was 4th for the third year in a row in a time of 31:09. Mark Hall finished 206th and first MV65 in a remarkable time of 36:21, two minutes ahead of his nearest age category competitor in what was a new club record. Also finishing in the top 10 of their age categories were Helen Waddington (7th FV55) and Sally Malir (7th FV60). Nine further Harriers featured among the 2,650 finishers.
Another Sunday event was the Loughrigg Silverhow Fell Race. Starting and finishing in Ambleside, the race climbs 879m over rough terrain in just 14km visiting Loughrigg and Silverhow summits before returning via Lily Tarn. Sole Harrier representative in a field of 120, reigning English Fell Champion Ben Rothery made it count, winning in 1:06:10.
Wharfedale Harriers staged Runners and Riders, an 8km offroad event climbing 270m over the fields and moors to the north of Appletreewick. Competitors choose whether to compete on a mountain bike, gravel bike or on foot. The event was won by a cyclist, Sam Watson of Hope Factory Racing, with Tom Bell the first runner home in 4th. Iain Gibbons was first Harrier home, 9th cyclist and 15th overall. Oscar Shinn finished 7th runner and 16th overall. Having run the event before, Jeff Green opted to ride it this time and stayed upright to finish 15th cyclist and 28th overall. Junior George Whittlestone ran to 33rd place, Martin Peace rode to 52nd and Alastair Barlow ran to 83rd respectively.
Ilkley Junior Harriers were out in force on Saturday representing either their school or District. The fourth race in the Wharfedale Primary Schools Cross Country League took place at Ben Rhydding Primary School with runners up to Year 6 competing for individual and team places.
Having already been selected through previous cross-country performances, some of the older juniors (Years 7 to 13) were competing for their District (either Bradford or Leeds) in the West Yorkshire Schools XC Championships at Leeds Grammar School. There were some outstanding performances and as a result several of our juniors will now represent West Yorkshire in the English Schools Athletics Association Championships in March.
Unsurprisingly, with so many Juniors occupied by the XC’s on Saturday, just three took part in the weekly parkruns. Samesh Chotai had another good run at Skipton finishing in 2nd place with a time of 17:40. Roberts Park was Ethan Pickwoad’s choice this week finishing in 24:16 whilst Harry Leijssen opted for Chevin Forest finishing in 24:53.
Among the seniors, Steve Gott finished fifth in the Chevin parkrun while Jaysson Sawyer finished 9th at Fountains Abbey. Alex Foyn was 2nd in Harrogate, Harry Brook-Dobson 4th at Lister Park and Stephen Coy 6th at Queen’s in Glasgow.
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.