Ilkley Harriers news archive 2019

Run Harrogate 10k, Sun 30 June

From Sally Armitage ... This was the 2nd year on the new Harrogate 10k course which took on a new location in 2018. Described accurately as undulating and multi-terrain with a torturous 500m climb to the finish. Most runners seemed to agree that the warm weather made for a challenging run! Though the breeze did provide some relief. 5 Harriers took part. Lucy Williamson took the win for the ladies beating her own course record by 2 minutes, with myself and Paul first in our age groups.

(1    34:58 Marcos Angel Valero Palacios, Roundhay Runners) 
19    41:10 Lucy Williamson (1st lady) 
66    46:04 Michael Abrams-Cohen 
76    46:26 Paul Calderbank (1st M55) 
77    46:31 Sally Armitage (1st F40) 
539 1:06:45 Sue Williamson 
755 ran

Hollybank Eccup 10, Sun 30 June

From Rachel Carter ... In addition to being a League counter the Eccup 10 this year also provided a timely 10 mile race for many in advance of Ilkley Half. This is a well organised (often sell out) event by Abbey Runners, largely on undulating back roads with the exception of a mile or so on trail around Eccup Reservoir. Thankfully the heatwave of Saturday was on its way out by Sunday morning but it still felt warmish for running though some cooling affect was provided by the fairly stiff breeze that seemed to coincide with the uphill sections that occurred more than I recalled from my last outing to this race a few years ago. I followed Johnathan Turner round - keeping him reasonably well in my sight until the last quarter mile up to the finish when he powered off into the distance! Overall a good local race (if you enjoy pacing out the miles on tarmac) with lots of great results for Ilkley this year.

From Hilda Coulsey ... Congratulations to Jonathan Turner who was first Harrier home. Sally Malir and I waited for the prize giving with the Harriers ladies taking the trophies. Rachel Carter took the v40 first prize and Yorkshire Champion with a stonkingly good time. Caroline Howe was second v35 and a pb. Sally Malir came in second v55 unfortunately sustaining a calf injury nevertheless was Yorkshire Champion. Nicky Liptrot was third v45 in the Yorkshire awards. Hilda Coulsey took the v65 prize and Yorkshire Champion. Rachel, Caroline and Sally won first team - an excellent result.
Results ...

(1 57:18 Matthew Hallam, Valley Striders)
60  1:07:37 Jonathan Turner
64  1:07:52 David Westhead
66  1:08:14 Rachel Carter
76  1:09:26 Dave Robson
126 1:13:46 Daryl King
140 1:14:32 Sally Malir
152 1:15:36 Caroline Howe
154 1:15:48 Catherine Crawley
162 1:16:24 Craig Mainprize
168 1:16:46 Sarah Gresswell
199 1:18:42 Nicky Liptrot
203 1:18:59 Mary Fairclough
209 1:19:13 Colin Williams
254 1:21:14 Michael Ho
367 1:19:13 Adrian Weatherly	
449 1:31:11 Will Worboys
450 1:31:12 Hilda Coulsey
510 1:34:38 Donna Jackson
516 1:34:52 Paul Sugden
518 1:34:46 Dawn Turner
530 1:35:31 Alex Stanley-Hyde
574 1:38:36 David Ibbotson
613 1:40:36 Jo Pattinson
652 1:44:11 Natalie York
680 1:46:25 Diane Ollier
693 1:48:36 Elaine Ibbotson
798 ran

Kirkby Gala fell race, Sat 29 June

Results ...

(1 31:04 Charlie Ing, Calder Valley)
8  25:05 Iain Gibbons
51 ran

Eldwick Gala fell race, Sat 29 June

Results ...

(1 19:08 Mark Sennett, Wharfedale)
6  20:06 Steven Gott
22 22:39 Will Buckton
62 ran

Lakeland Trails Ultra 55K, Sat 29 June

From Helen Waddington ... Another brilliantly organised event from the Lakeland Trails crew. The routes for these races are always beautiful and the 55K (6,500 ft elevation) is no exception. Three main climbs (Kentmere, Grisedale Tarn and Silver Howe) with lots of bumps in between. Almost entirely off-road, the route is technical in places but way-marked and there are plenty of check-points/feed stations manned by the ever-cheery Marshalls. Damian Hall, who was top five at last year's UTMB, was the overall winner in a mind-boggling 5 hrs 39 mins. I was delighted to be first in my age category.
Results ...

(1  5:39:12 Damian Hall, Team Inov-8)
136 9:41:01 Helen Waddington	(1st LV50)
346 ran

UWFRA 3 Peaks, Sat 29 June

From Jayne Norman ... Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue offer 3 run/walks: a valley walk/run, 2 peaks - 13.1miles, and 3 peaks - 22miles. After completing the 2 peaks last year, I thought I would give the 3 peaks a go this year. The weather was not in my favour, the hottest day of the year so far and the longest run I have ever done did not bode well. 4000ft of climb up Birks Fell, Buckden Pike and Great Whernside, a very hot day and a brutal course, but managed to grit down and get round. A well organised event with free pie and peas after (always a nice treat!)

parkruns, Sat 29 June

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Results ...

Pontefract
(1  18:41 Daniel Longhurst, Medway and Maidstone AC)
25  21:42 Geoff Howard
315 ran

Skipton
(1  17:54 Ian Beresford, Barlick Fell Runners)
163 41:29 Karen Shinn
173 ran

Bramley
1   15:46 Tom Adams (new course record)
122 ran

Tooting Common
(1  15:33 Jack Millar, Bristol and West AC)
13  19:27 Rob Cunningham
534 ran

Abrahams Tea Round Challenge, Thu 27 June

From Jann Smith ... 30 miles / 11,000feet. This challenge starting and finishing at George Fishers in Keswick takes in 13 Lakeland summits including the likes of Catbells, Robinson, High Stile, Red Pike , Grisedale Pike and Causey Pike. It is a beautiful route but very challenging in places so myself and Paul Carman were pleased to finish after a day of 26 degree heat in a good time of 8 hours 54 mins and be rewarded with our free tea and cakes in the Abrahams tea room cafe within George Fishers afterwards.

Selection news

Congratulations to Jemima Elgood, selected to run for England in the Snowdon International Mountain Race on 20 July. More

Bradford Millenium Way Relay, Sun 23 June

From Caroline Howe ... Our 'A' team came 12th out of 54 in 6:33 with the two Jacks taking the leg 1 fastest pair prize (and leg record!); 'B' team were 41st in 8:34. Great running by all 20 Harriers who took part! Some great photos on Facebook.

(1 5:44:48 Ribble Valley)

12 6:33:20 Ilkley Harriers A
1  1:16:23 Jack Wood, Jack Cummings
20 1:26:26 Sally Malir, Sarah Pickering
8  1:04:04 Nick Helliwell, Mike Abrams Cohen
17 1:22:24 Peter Shelley, Andrew Merrick
14 1:24:03 Marc Teasey, Will Buckton

41 8:34:35 Ilkley Harriers B
32 1:45:54 Caroline Howe, Nicky Liptrot
37 1:35:09 Malcolm Pickering, Michael Ho
40 1:26:25 Keith Wood, Lynn Donohue
48 1:50:53 Donna Jackson, Petra Bijsterveld
45 1:56:14 Jayne Norman, Alison Bennet

Hawkswick fell race, Sat 29 June

Results ...

(1 11:22 Simon Bailey, Mercia)
6  13:15 Iain Gibbons
16 14:49 Roy Ruddle
60 ran

Crazy Cow 10k, Preston, Sun 23 June

From Pete Shields ... Results:

(1 37:58 Paul Muller, Northern Masters)
80 50:35 Peter Shields  1st V70
482 ran

Spine Flare, Sat/Sun 22/23 June

From Steve Turland ... So I was sitting in a field at 3.30am, somewhere south of Malham, eating an egg sandwich, trying not to be sick. Dark, cold, tired, hadn't seen anyone for hours. Only 35 miles to go. Had always wanted to be in the Spine Race since I started 'dot watching' a few year ago. So I entered the Spine Flare - which is the short version at 108 miles with c17,000ft of climb, following the Pennine Way from Edale to Hardraw. Really suffered for the final third, but was pleased to finish in 4th place overall. Great experience - thoroughly enjoyed (nearly) every minute. Will be back for the winter version (the Challenger) in January, and maybe the Full Winter Spine the year after.

Pennine 39 Ultra, Sat 22 June

From Colin Williams ... On Saturday I travelled to the north Pennines to run the Pennine 39 Ultra a 39 mile 5,600ft run along the Pennine Way from Teesdale to Alston.
We started with some light cloud but that soon cleared and with little wind the temperature was a bit on the warm side. As always I started off well but slowed towards the end but still managed to come in 5th in a time of 7hr 20min. around 45 runners took part.

parkruns, Sat 22 June

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Results

Barnsley
(1  16:34 Gareth Cooke, Penistone Footpath Runners)
17  21:47 Beth Massey 1st F
191 ran

Skipton
(1  16:44 unknown)
19  21:52 Adrian Bastow
25  22:30 Geoff Howard
29  23:14 Catherine Gibbons
67  26:08 Hilda Coulsey
202 43:28 Karen Shinn
210 ran

Barry Island
(1  16:59 Oliver Williams, White Rock Runners)
3   19:09 Michael Lomas
215 ran

Centre Vale
(1  17:45 Alex Whittam, Calder Valley Fell Runners)
34  25:07 Will Worboys
106 ran

Horton
(1  17:44 Paul Greenwood, Queensbury RC)
44  26:54 Petra Bijsterveld
101 ran   

HDSRL race 3, Thu 20 June

Well done to Jack Wood on another win.
Results...

1   30:53 Jack Wood
36  37:17 Jonathan Turner
46  38:12 Kate Archer
83  40:44 Sally Armitage
102 42:21 Steve Newell
105 42:29 Sarah Pickering
162 46:01 Malcolm Pickering
185 47:04 Jane Bryant
191 47:26 Tom Lally
207 48:22 Phil Hirst
218 48:53 Emily Elmes
276 53:23 Sheena Pickersgill
287 54:06 Amelia Miles
288 54:08 Dawn Turner
312 56:37 Sally Pickering
338 59:46 Anna Pickering
345 60:43 Tracy Russell
374 finished

Beamsley Beacon fell race, Thu 20 June

From Jann Smith... 5 miles/1000ft Up to the trig then back down any way you like!
Results...

(1  32:17 Joe Baxter, P&B)
2   32:40 Jack Cummings
13  37:46 Dan McKoewn (1st M40)
22  38:44 Paul Carman
31  41:35 Lucy Williamson (1st lady)
39  42:40 Helen Wood  (3rd lady)
57  46:25 Bob Hamilton 
86  50:06 Jann Smith (1st F50)
89  50:36 Chantal Busby 
97  51:18 Mike Baldwin 
113 54:52 Helen Waddington
134 finished
Ilkley won 1st ladies team (Lucy, Helen, Jann)

Harriers League update

From Jane McCarthy... The 2019 Harriers League is looking the most competitive and highest scoring for a number of years, and with loads of racing over May and June there is just time to to post the League Standings before the next road races (HDSRL 20th June and Eccup 10 30th June). Top of the overall League currently is 2018 Winner Colin Williams, yet to declare a Wildcard but with 8 races run already, he has an impressive 770 points. Jonathan Turner is currently second, with 639 points in 7 races including an excellent wildcard from the Apperly Bridge Canter. Steve Newell is in third place, having enjoyed racing in three fell, 2 trail and two road League races already this year. But behind the top three are some tremendous point scores - Kate Archer achieving 600 points in 6 races, and Rachel Carter achieving 391 points in 4 races. If the ladies can get points in their maximum 10 races they will be very hard to beat.
In the individual Leagues where a maximum of 4 races score, Jack Wood leads the Fell category (293 points from 3 races), Rachel Carter leads Trail (398 points from 4 races) and Colin Williams leads Road (292 points from 2 races).
Don't forget to nominate a Wildcard Race - which can be pretty much anything (except a park run - not deemed a 'race') - it can give a big boost to your overall score - and don't forget there is WINE or BEER to be WON for the Top 10 Places in the Overall League and for Winners in the individual League. All League Races and Information on the Website under 'Racing' and on the league page. Good Luck!

Pudsey 10k, Sun 16 June

From Paul Stephens... I have a t-shirt from a Pudsey 10k I ran back in 2006 which has a big yellow banana on the front and the words "all that for a banana". There was a banana for each finisher again this year (there is every year) as well as a t-shirt. Definitely worthwhile. One of my favourite races, although it was 2016 when I last took part. Three years later and 3 minutes slower, although I was only slightly down in terms of position in the field. Like this year's Ripon HDSRL race, I decided to wear road rather than trail shoes. It was slippy through the woods, but I didn't fancy 5k on the road without any cushioning, and I think made the right decision. My back and knees all survived. I saw just one other Harrier before the start but didn't speak to her properly. I was on a mission. Apologies.
Results ...

(1  37:34 Mark Smith, Horsforth Harriers)
153 52:12 Paul Stephens
504 71:50 Emma Cole
585 ran

Settle Hills fell race, Sun 16 June

Well done to Jemima Elgood 4th woman at Settle Hills English Trials fell race for Snowdon International Mountain Race.
Results ...

(1 48:38 Daniel Haworth, Matlock)
19 58:06 Dan Mckeown
26 59:53 Jemima Elgood
73 1:10:11 Paul Calderbank
89 1:16:25 Chantal Busby
152 finished

Kettlewell fell race, Sun 16 June

Results ...

(1 11:52 Simon Bailey, Mercia)
6  13:38 Iain Gibbons
74 ran

British Masters 5k Horwich, Sun 16 June

From Hilda Coulsey ... Another 5k race for me this week this time at the British Masters event at Horwich. The winners of the age categories are very much in the top few of the respective runbritain rankings and their times are amazing. Chatting before and after was interesting and enjoyable. The course itself is 3 laps of closed road; up then down, then flat and up to the finish.
Results ...

(1  15:36 Mick Hill, Leeds)
118 25:20 Hilda Coulsey  3rd F65
128 completed

Buckden Pike fell race, Sat 15 June

From John Hayes ... I hadn't run this classic fell race before. I mentioned this to Jack Cummings shortly before the start. "Is it brutal?" I asked. "Yes" he replied cheerfully (and it was!)
As we congregated at the start line, I couldn't understand why Jack was standing at the back near to me. And then I realised the race went the other way to what I had assumed. I tried to take up my rightful place, but before I knew it we were off. Early on is an exciting river crossing. And then the race goes up .. and up ... and up. Jack took the lead and soon vanished into the mist. I tried to keep up with Helen (all the while with a nagging feeling that this was over-ambitious on my part). On the downhill section, Helen moved up a gear and I gave up trying to catch her and concentrated instead on not falling over. On the steepest part of the descent, at least one runner overtook me sliding on his bottom!
Results ...

1  36:18 Jack Cummings
21 48:27 Helen Wood (2nd female)
29 50:06 John Hayes
62 ran

Great Lakes fell race, Sat 15 June

British & English Championship fell race.
Results ...

(1  2:37:58 Carl Bell, Keswick)
4   2:43:41 Jack Wood
161 3:55:31 Roy Ruddle
168 3:57:34 Kate Archer
214 4:20:09 Dick Waddington
235 4:32:43 Alison Weston
309 finished

Canal Canter Summer Extravaganza, Sat 15 June

From Colin Williams ... I was looking for a marathon to run this weekend and settled on the local "Grim up North, Canal Canter Summer Extravaganza", but as I left it very late to book, the Marathon was full, but there was spaces on the Ultra so I went for that instead. I was lucky with the weather, a lot better than we have been getting for the last week and I finished 10 minutes before the rain started. The ultra and the marathon start together. The course starts in Kirkstall and follows the Leeds Liverpool canal, fist to Leeds the turns and runs back along the canal to past the start to Saltaire then back to the start where the marathon finishes, the ultra continues back to Leeds for one last 6 mile loop. Only about half the ultra runners finished the race, I was pleased to finish in third place in a PB of 4:40:09
Results ...

(1 4:09:11 Dave Teggart, Bradford Airedale AC)
3  4:40:09 Colin Williams
8 finished

parkruns, Sat 15 June

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Results

Richmond
(1  17:17 unknown)
15  19:33 Rob Cunningham
447 ran

Cambridge
(1  17:02 Harry Anderson-Chapman, University of Bath Tri Club)
11  19:00 Dan Hayes
208 27:02 Sarah Hayes
480 ran

Bradford
(1  17:28 Jack Kelly, U/A)
61  23:28 Oscar Street
86  24:32 Philip Hirst
212 28:36 Paula Reynier
471 ran

Skipton
(1  18:12 Ste Brock, Wharfedale Harriers)
5   19:57 Rachel Carter 1st F
249 ran

York Evensplits 5k, Thu 13 June

From Hilda Coulsey... Having taken part in the Leeds Evensplits 5k series I decided to try York. It is entirely on the cycle circuit at the University of York Heslington East Sport Village, 5 laps of 1k. It's pretty flat and hence its a potential pb course with more than half of the runners on the night under 20 mins.
Results ...

(1 16:17 Thomas Holloway, Rotherham Harriers)
80 24:22 Hilda Coulsey 
91 finished

Otley 10, Wed 12 June

From Rachel Carter... A few of us made the short journey on Wednesday evening to take part in the Otley 10, a long standing road race organised by Otley AC for more than 30 years. It has a fast 3 miles to start, followed by some testing hills crossing the Washburn valley north of the town. Conditions were good with the long hill climb good for distracting from the slight breeze. This year the race was part of the Hilly Running Festival with all finishers receiving a free pair of socks alongside a bottle of beer. Jack comfortably took 1st place, being 40 seconds ahead of 2nd. I was 4th lady and 1st FV40.
Provisional results ...

1     54:46 Jack Wood
41  1:07:12 David Foyston
59  1:09:55 Rachel Carter
60  1:10:10 Lawrence Basham
118 1:17:56 Stephen Newell
186 1:24:28 Michael Ho
244 1:32:07 Clare Boyle
288 1:41:49 Janet Smith
310 finished

Settle Saunter, Sun 9 June

From Ben Sheppard... As its name suggests, the Settle Saunter is your typical "old man's walking race" - a 23 mile trundle (10k and half marathon versions are available) along trails, trods and lanes in the Dales, chewing the cud and admiring the views between food stations with fellow stroller Dan McKeown. Map, directions and GPS on my watch notwithstanding, we managed to make a couple of 'navigation' errors in the latter stages to add to the fun. Dan and I ran round together almost the whole way until we got lost in the woods and ended up separated, after which Dan got misdirected onto the 10k course for a little extra distance at the end while I made directly for the pie and peas and mug of tea, finishing in around 3 hrs 35. Nice to see some friendly Ilkley Harriers faces at the finish having done the 10k or half marathon courses, including Jayne Norman and Chantal Busby.
From Jayne Norman ... I did the 13.1 mile option, a great course, which does need some navigational schemes, but compared to other races this is more social run without the competitive nature, making it a fantastic race for new (or experienced) half marathon runners. Excellent value for money as free pie and peas, and cups of tea/coffee at the end. I finished in 2hrs 40 (beating my PB by 12 mins)
Results

Catforth 10k, Sat 8 June

We hear Beth Massey was 1st F45, 3rd lady. Awaiting results.

Man vs Horse, Sat 8 June

Jack may have been 4th, but he was the first runner, 9 minutes clar of 5th place.
Results ...

4 2:23:39 Jack Wood
767 finished

parkruns, Sat 8 June

From Petra Bijsterveld ... Results ...

Oxford
(1  16:45 James Eve, Headington RRC)
14  19:13 James Ryder
103 24:43 Jo Foster
311 ran

Bradford
(1  18:47 Martin Fillingham, Saltaire Striders)
22  22:06 Dave Reynier
173 28:56 Paula Reynier
338 ran

Skipton
(1  16:26, Joe Hudson, KCAC)
5   19:57 Kate Archer 1st F
167 ran

Selection news, Thu 6 June

From Steve Brennan ... Euan Brennan took third place on Sunday at the Trial Race for the European Mountain Running Championships.
The trial was held on a wet and windy course up Skiddaw with 660 metres of elevation over 5.2 km.
British Athletics announced today his inclusion in the GB & NI U20 team that will compete at the European Mountain Running Championships to be held on an Uphill Only course in Zermatt, Switzerland on 7th July 2019.
Euan was part of the winning GB team from last years European Championships in Macedonia.
Link to BA announcement.

Blencathra fell race, Wed 5 June

From Jann Smith ... 7.6miles / 2864 ft Englands 9th highest mountain was wet and clagged in for this summer evening race, a lovely circular route approaching from the village of Mungrisedale in the East and touching the summit.
Results ...

(1  1:01:10 Brennan Townsend, Keswick)
137 1:36:03 Jann Smith  1st F50
179 finished

Otley Chevin fell race, Wed 5 June

Results ...

1   17:26 Jack Wood
4   18:16 Jack Cummings
18  20:50 Dan Mckeown
36  21:58 Lucy Williamson
41  22:18 Jonathan Turner
43  22:23 Kate Archer
64  23:32 Richard Joel
73  24:26 Bob Hamilton
106 27:07 Alison Weston
127 29:09 Helen Waddington
160 finished

HDSRL 2, Ripon, Tue 4 June

From Caroline Howe ... Racing in monsoon conditions for the second Harrogate Summer Race League event at Ripon. A mainly off-road course across fields, farm tracks and through woods around Studley Park, the torrential rain meant we we were literally running through rivers, mud, and ankle deep puddles for the entire course. All in all conditions made for a very memorable evening, helped by great hosting by Ripon Runners who put on a great spread and awesome bunnage afterwards! Great performances from the 19 Harriers who made the trip... Jack Wood won the race by almost a minute; Sarah Pickering and Sally Armitage were in the top 10 female finishers; and Malcolm Pickering was first V65. The next race at Yeadon is a Harriers league counter so looking forward to a good turnout!
Results ...

1   29:55 Jack Wood
47  36:58 Jonathan Turner
114 40:57 Sarah Pickering
115 41:06 Sally Armitage
155 43:00 Caroline Howe
209 45:22 Tom Lally
210 45:24 Paul Stephens
213 45:29 Jane Bryant
218 45:57 Emily Elmes
230 46:34 Malcolm Pickering
240 47:05 Geoffrey White
274 48:53 David Ibbotson
341 53:36 Dawn Turner
350 54:20 Anna Pickering
352 54:28 Sally Pickering
385 57:35 Amelia Miles
398 58:42 Sue Verspyck
413 62:39 Tracy Russell
423 68:35 David Millson
433 ran

Trail des Paccots, Sun 2 June

From Petra Bijsterveld ... I looked for an Alpine race to fit in with my holiday plans, and this event in Switzerland just north east of Lake Geneva appeared to fit the bill just perfectly. Given the options of a 17k, 27k or 42k course I immediately chose the longest, thinking that more than 8000 feet of ascent to add to the distance can't be too bad if you say it quickly enough! Training had gone well and I had the benefit of spending my final tapering week in the Alps so could do my last runs at greater altitude. As the day approached the weather got hotter and a forecasted 25 degrees made me worry about heat exhaustion, so a last minute purchase of a bright white baseball cap ensued, which I think helped as I possibly suffered less from the heat than normal. Race morning saw a collection of very fit looking alpine mountain runners assemble at the start in Les Paccots. No fun runners here! From the entry list I had gleaned that 98% of runners were fairly local, but I had previously made contact with a Dutch compatriot, Mieke, and I was pleased to see her at the start. As it turned out we would meet each other many times during the race.
The course is a mixture of trails through forests, meadows, along (or up) steep mountain sides, across a few snow fields, and there were 2 river crossings. To add a bit of stress there were 3 time cut-offs and I was worried about having to travel back on the bus of shame (thankfully this did not happen)! 8247 feet of ascent obviously means a lot of climbing, what I had not expected was the steepness of 2 of the long climbs which felt almost vertical, the first one at mile 8 had me near fainting and I had to sit down 3 times on a rock with my head down. Many calls of 'ca va?' and 'courage' from passing runners ensued. After taking in some more calories, despite feeling very nauseous, this thankfully did not happen again. At mile 9 the 27k course parted from the 42k and I found myself entirely alone. Thankfully the course was well marked, and at least I did not have to keep stopping now to let faster 27k runners go past. I caught up with Mieke and a French woman runner at the 13 mile feed station and together we climbed the long ascent (5 miles) to the top of Le Moleson (2000m), where we met 3 male runners who had reached the top just ahead of us. The two sweepers had caught up with us and as I am the world's worst descender I then knew I would be the last finisher. Being last, and still worrying about being timed out at the final cut-off, were my only stressors, apart from that I managed to enjoy the final miles despite increasing fatigue, occasionally meeting Mieke at water stations as she was only just ahead, and calling out encouragement in Dutch. The only part which made me really unhappy was an additional uphill stretch of tarmac to make up the distance whilst the finish was actually in sight and along the flat. Like the final lap around a field but ten times worse. Still I did not cry!
I was indeed the 162nd and final finisher in 9 hours 10 minutes, but pleased to see that the 5 runners I had been with on Le Moleson had arrived no more than 10 minutes ahead of me. 20 runners had abandoned the race. I met up with Mieke once more as we tucked into the generous free meal we were given.
I loved the entire experience and could not fault the event organization. Such friendly marshals and volunteers (benevoles) at the feed stations and also friendly local and tourist support along the course. I felt obliged to thank all marshals more profusely as I was last! Excellent provisions at the feed stations including Gruyere cheese (my body really craved salt) and flat Coke. Encouragingly this race was almost entirely plastic free and every runner had to carry their own cup. Despite being last I would do this race, or a similar Alpine event, again as soon as the opportunity arises! Perhaps with less heat I could even be a little faster......
Results ...

(1  4:19:30 Remi Francais, Ski-Club Les Diablerets)
162 9:10:02 Petra Bijsterveld 
162 finished

Coniston Lakeland Trails Marathon and Half Marathon, Sun 2 June

From Helen Waddington ... Great to see two other Ilkley Harriers at this event. Paul Sugden and Nicky Liptrot took on the half marathon Challenge event which takes in the first 17 km/1200 ft of the full marathon course as far as Tarn Hows before returning to Coniston. I completed the full Marathon which is a full circuit of Coniston with just shy of 3,000 feet overall ascent and all the usual Lakeland terrain boxes ticked including forest trails, moorland bogs, rocky tracks and a lovely run in along the shoreline before a lap of the finish field thrown in for good measure, which we always enjoy don't we . . .
Results ...

Half Marathon Challenge
(1  1:33:16 Ian Roberts, Liverpool  and Sefton Harriers)
32  1:59:04 Nicky Liptrot (4th lady)
232 2:34:09 Paul Sugden
344 ran

Marathon Race
(1  3:03:20 Joel Jameson, Team Jameson)
156 5:12:16 Helen Waddington
210 ran

Runforall Hull half marathon, Sun 2 June

From Hilda Coulsey... I ventured east on the M62 to run the Hull half marathon. I believe I was the only Ilkley Harrier, not surprisingly as the Wharfedale half usually attracts me and is more attractive in many ways! It was well organised and friendly, as expected from the Jane Tomlinson Runforall events, and I hadn't done this one before so I felt it was worth a shot. I'm disappointed with my time I have never experienced the drop off the in pace I did today to achieve my personal worst road half marathon performance. I have to blame the weather, it was hot and humid, and talking to others afterwards I wasn't the only one finding it hard. Others might say I ought to train more however I did manage 2nd in my age category! Grassington will be in the diary for me next year, however the Hull half is definitely a good race to do - it's fairly flat with lots of support.
Results ...

(1  1:08:41 Mohammad Aburezeq, Altringham)
721 2:06:45 Hilda Coulsey 
1289 finished

Huddersfield Marathon, Sun 2 June

From Colin Williams ... A few months ago I signed up to run the Huddersfield Marathon, how hard could it be to run a marathon the day after the Wharfedale Trail Half and the same week as the Ilkley trail? Well know I know, pretty tough. The Huddersfield road marathon and Half marathon run on a 13.1mile route around Huddersfield, the Marathon runs the same route twice. The route has a lot of climb, I clocked 3,406 ft according to my Garmin, 400 ft of that in the last mile. The organisers say it is one of the toughest road marathon in the UK, and having run the Langdale marathon last year, who also say that, I would have to agree. The winner Simon Courtney had a fantastic race, beating the second place runner by nearly 40 mins. A small event (130 ran the half and 58 the full), but very friendly and well organised, give it a go next year, but not after running the Wharfedale half.
Results

(1 3:14:23 Simon Courtney)
7  4:19:50 Colin Williams
58 finished

Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon, Sat 1 June

Results

(1  1:25:15 Phil Marsden, Horwich)
26  1:43:25 Dave Robson
36  1:45:30 Rachel Carter
40  1:46:20 Jonathan Turner
44  1:47:25 Colin Williams
79  1:54:45 Derek Oliver
113 2:01:21 Peter Roll
126 2:03:53 Paddy Hagan
134 2:04:51 Peter Ferguson
136 2:05:02 Oli Street
254 2:24:12 Jill Ezzard
286 2:29:20 Jayne Norman
320 2:39:45 Fiona Schneider
366 2:52:48 Penelope Coulthard
367 2:52:51 Jo Pattinson
378 2:57:14 Sue Williamson
405 finished

Duddon Valley fell race, Sat 1 June

From Will Buckton ... Duddon Valley fell race was the first of this year's Lakeland 'super long' races, starting from the village of Seathwaite near Coniston. There were six major climbs including Little Stand and Swirl How which are relentless. The 2019 race was run in low visibility which led to navigational errors for the three Ilkley Harriers but we all got round in respectable times.

(1 2h59:15 Rhys Findlay-Robinson Dark Peak)
18 3h48:36 Jack Wood
75 4h48:56 Roy Ruddle
77 4h49:22 Will Buckton
117 finished 10 dnf

parkruns, Sat 1 June

Results

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Older News, May 2019