[Photo shows the Harriers’ Jonathan Archer on his way to winning the Leeds Running Festival 10k, credit: RunThrough]
From Nigel Illingworth & Nicola Budding…
Another winning week for the Harriers across track, trails, and fells
Jonathan Archer stormed to victory at Sunday’s Leeds Running Festival 10k, clinching first place in an impressive 37:41. Tackling the undulating two-lap course through Roundhay Park, he navigated the park’s scenic tarmac and gravel paths to secure a commanding win.
Lucy Lowe powered to eighth in the FV40 category with a 25:50 finish at Sunday’s Ali Brownlee 5K in Middlesbrough, followed by Daisy Lowe in 27:59.
Earlier in the week on Wednesday, the Brownlee Centre hosted another round of the Leeds 5K, drawing three Harriers to the start line. Kyle Bethell led the club contingent home, claiming seventh MV35 in 19:10, with Jonathan Turner following closely in 19:32 and Colin Williams crossing the line in 21:13.
The iconic Malham Show Fell Race brought Saturday’s traditional agricultural gathering beneath Malham Cove to life, kicking off with a brutal, steep climb straight out of the showground. Competitors battled across classic limestone terrain and rugged open hillside before plunging back down a fast, technical descent to the finish. Gawain Moore flew the flag in the senior race, clocking 30:06. The Harriers juniors also stole the show, with Isobel Moore triumphing as first girl home in the Under-12 race in 8:04, and Michael Moore leading the boys home to take first place in the Under-14 event with a 10:16 finish.
Late results from last week’s Burnsall Sports Fell Races highlighted standout performances from the younger generation, with Georgia Poulter claiming first girl in the Under-10 race, closely matched by Harris Poulter who powered to second place in the Under-12 event.
And finally, for the parkrun results, across the country and across the world, Harriers were out in force.
At Armley, Samesh Chotai led the field as first finisher in 16:36.
Closer to home at East Holmes Field, Michael Odell took first place with a PB of 17:36, followed by Daniel McKeown in second (18:38) and Kyle Bethell in seventh (20:19). Alicia Horrex secured fifth female with a PB of 24:17, right ahead of Sally Armitage in 24:31. Further personal bests came from Luke Watkeys (21:02) and juniors Harris Poulter (24:50) and Georgia Poulter (32:55), alongside strong runs from juniors Rafe Garner (24:28), Wilbur Smith (27:00), and Daisy Lowe (31:12).
Over at Cliffe Castle, junior Milena Morgan raced to second female with a PB of 23:33, backed by Archie Hallworth as first JM10 in 24:47 and junior Harvey Morgan in 27:21.
Further afield, Nathan Coy claimed third at Geographe Bay in 18:00, and Finn Maxwell matched that third-place finish at Roberts Park in 18:38. Jill Ezard crossed as fourth female at Mamquam Spawning Trail in Canada in 30:04, while Oscar Shinn took seventh at Alderley Park in 20:38, followed by Andy Shinn in 23:17.
At Haverfordwest, John Hayes recorded a PB to finish eighth in 20:10, alongside Sarah Hayes in 27:47, while Robert Cunningham placed ninth at Bedgebury Pinetum in 21:36. Sewerby saw junior Sophie Leijssen finish as ninth female in 24:56, joined by juniors Pippa Singleton (28:45) and Megan Snow (30:15).
Rounding out the weekend’s parkruns, junior Max Hebbron finished first JM10 at Horton Park in 24:46, Fiona Schneider ran a PB of 29:31 at Chevin Forest, and junior Lily Singleton secured first JW15-17 at Lister Park in 30:25.
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.