[Ruaridh Mon-Williams, first Ilkley Harrier home, photo courtesy of Will Worboys]
From Jean Sullivan…
Wednesday evening saw the staging of the 23rd Ilkley Incline race. This unique one-mile uphill only race, with 560ft of ascent, starts at the bottom of the Keighley Gate Road in Ilkley. The route starts on tarmac road, before runners have a stony track to contend with.
Conditions on the night were mild, with a little bit of sunshine at times, a pleasant treat after a rainy start to the day. The sunshine must have lured the runners out, with over 40 signing up on the night itself. A total of 95 runners battled it out on this tough course, with 33 of those racing being Ilkley Harriers.
Ruaridh Mon Williams was the first Harrier over the line, finishing in a superb third place in a time of 07:32, and just 13 seconds behind the winner Tom Bell of North Leeds Fell Runners (with Tom was celebrating his second win of the day, having come first at the Muker Show fell race earlier that afternoon!).
Alex Wolfenden was the second Harrier home in a great time of 7:47, with Oscar Shinn hot on his heels, finishing in 8:29. These great results meant that Ilkley men took the team prize.
Great results also for Ilkley ladies. Matilda Irvine was the first over the line, as she was last year, completing the course in a great time of 10:44, seven seconds quicker than her time the previous year. This great result meant that Matilda took first prize in her age category.
Claire McLoughlin was the second Ilkley lady to finish and Jann Smith the third, with Jann taking first prize in her age category.
There were lots of other age category prizes also for Ilkley Harriers, including Gawain Moore, Ritchie Williamson, Peter Shelley and Fiona Schneider, all of whom finished first in their respective categories. Well done all!
The evening was rounded off by the race founder Andy Wolfenden presenting the prizes to the winners.
Huge thanks to all those who kindly gave up their time to volunteer at the race, as well as to the Yorkshire Runner in Otley and Bini Brewery (who will be opening their new Taproom on Little Lane in Ilkley very soon!) who generously sponsored the event.