From Bob Hamilton…

It’s reassuring to find fell races now being held in their usual slots on the calendar. This was the seventh running of the Kings Challenge and just my second, the race having fallen below my radar until 2018. The only change was an adjustment to the previous start on the road opposite the Kings Arms (from which the race takes its name) to a more sensible one in the park opposite. There is something very appealing about races that begin in a village and run to the top of the nearest hill, in this case, the trig point on Addingham High Moor.

The great thing about an out and back course is that it puts you closely in touch with the race, able to see who is leading, who your targets might be, and who might be targeting you. I was able to witness Ian Holmes fly past near the front of the race (he ultimately finished 2nd, which at 56 years of age is nothing short of astonishing and making me very happy that we move into different vet categories at almost the same time!). Soon after the turn, I was able to see that two fellow Harrier vests were hot on my heels, spurring me on to a faster descent than I might otherwise have taken. I’ve always found that there’s nothing quite like the rivalry inspired by seeing a club vest in front of you! I managed to hold Paul and Duncan off until the last quarter of a mile where I failed to discover a response to their sprint finish that I don’t think I’ve ever managed to find. We all helped each other push ourselves a little more than we otherwise might have done, which is a big part of the fun of running for a club.

Congratulations to Fay Walsh as first woman home and also Alison Weston as the first LV50. 

Results: Here 

(1. Paul Pruzina, Pudsey & Bramley AC, 42.00)

30. Fay Walsh 54.33 (1st lady)

35. Duncan Cooper 56.26

37. Paul Disney 56.32

38. Bob Hamilton 56.35

61. Alison Weston 1.03.18 (1st LV50)

91 finished