From Dan McKeown…

After an uncertain forecast, the Pete Shields Ilkley Trail Race took place in almost passable weather. Being in the registration / results tent, I barely needed my waterproof at all.

Despite the lowering skies, 170 runners opted to spend their bank holiday with us and they were rewarded, for the most part, with a sharp downpour when they were on the most exposed part of the course.

Christos Tzelis of Ilkley was the early leader on the uphill, but he was reeled in and passed by Ed Hyland of Calder Valley, who held off a fast-finishing Richard Anderson (Holmfirth) for the win in 42:38, with Jim Gordon (Doss AC) third and Christos fourth.

In a similarly tight finish to the women’s race, Rebecca Whalley of Valley Striders edged Catherine Westhead of Oxford University, with Sarah Shanks (Valley) third and Georgia Baynes (also Valley) fourth.

This sealed a dominant win in the ladies’ team competition for Valley Striders (he said, gnashing his teeth), but the home team fared rather better in the men’s competition, with Christos, Gawain, Jeff and Forrest the winning quartet.

There was a BAG of age-group prizes for the Harriers, well done to Rachel Carter and Jane McCarthy who both topped their categories on the ladies’ side, and to Gawain Moore, Justin Pierce, Jeff Green and Tim Ashelford, who also earned themselves some much-needed Complete Runner merch.

Huge thanks to all who took part and volunteered, and particularly to Neil Chapman for once again making the event a great success.

Ilkley Harriers are hosting two races in June – the inaugural Pete Shields 10k, plus a Harrogate District league fixture – and we’re looking for plenty of horsepower and help for both. Keep your eye on club comms and please get involved if you can!

Results (170 finished)

4 Christos Tzelis 00:44:43

6 Gawain Moore 00:46:24

9 Jeff Green 00:47:24

13 Forrest Hamilton 00:49:31

18 Tim Ashelford 00:50:39

20 Owen Parker 00:51:05

21 Andrew Overend 00:51:20

25 Justin Pierce 00:52:15

39 Luke Watkeys 00:53:33

40 Richard Joel 00:53:37

42 Adam Gerrish 00:53:47

43 Tony Pye 00:53:49

45 Rachel Carter 00:53:58

46 Peter Shelley 00:54:00

47 Charles Wain 00:54:34

57 Dave Reynier 00:55:51

60 Iain Young 00:56:30

62 Jane McCarthy 00:56:46

75 Dick Waddington 00:59:06

78 Martin Stubbs 00:59:24

81 Jeremy Greenwood 01:00:03

84 Nicky Liptrot 01:00:54

88 Marc Westerman 01:01:48

90 Mike Williams 01:02:10

93 Michael Ho 01:02:30

97 Paul Stephens 01:03:01

100 Keith Wood 01:03:16

102 Alan Travis 01:03:32

112 Geoffrey White 01:05:01

114 Sacha Jones 01:05:39

118 David Howe 01:05:56

133 Scott Armitage 01:10:42

137 Nigel Illingworth 01:12:39

138 David Lewis 01:12:45

141 Vincent Gibbons 01:12:50

144 Katherine Suddaby 01:13:36

155 Paula Reynier 01:18:32

160 Alex Stanley-Hyde 01:21:36

164 Meredith Bailey 01:23:33