ILKLEY HARRIERS History

There is a long history of athletics in Ilkley. The photo shows 'The Harriers of Ilkley in 1900' - the archives in Ilkley Library suggest that main activities back then were sprint races and handicaps.

The modern Ilkley Harriers was formed on 1st May 1986 and initially, there were about 40 people in the Club. The Club got off to a 'running start' because since 1985 a group of Valley Striders had been organising Wednesday night training runs from Ben Rhydding Sports Club - Rupert Road reps and the Big Dipper were introduced at that time. Terry Lonergan recalls the 44 seater coach leaving Ilkley car park for the Brass Monkey half marathon in January 1986 and the results from that race show that the group all ran for Valley Striders. The times recorded give an indication of the standard many had reached: Terry Lonergan winning in 67.55, Alan Pearson 73.00, Paddy Holmes 74.33, Ian Dalby 75.00, Mick Lambert 77.36, Dennis Ackroyd 81.03, and Norman Blackburn 83.19

The first Club run for the newly-formed Ilkley harriers was on Wednesday 7th May 1986 and Richard Gray's training diary records "10.30 mi, 70:08, Ben Rhydding to Otley Bridge and back via Askwith - hard work".

Norman Blackburn notes that the first Committee of the modern club (Derek Jones Chair, Ian Dalby Captain, Mick Lambert and Dave Smith) were keen to get the club off to a healthy start and whipped up enthusiasm for a schedule of races which would help to put the Harriers on the map and generate club spirit. There were many club outings which were attended by a coach load (literally) of Harriers: the Morecombe Ten, the Bridlington Ten, the Tadcaster Ten, the Clitheroe Ten, the Brass Monkey Half and many more. A local annual inter-club Tournament was set up, where each club sponsored and held a race, much like the current Harrogate League. The Harriers developed the pre-cursor to the Ilkley Moor fell face for this Tournament. The first Harrier home in these races, made a point of jogging back down the course to applaud and encourage those still finishing, to the last man. A tremendous club spirit emerged, which was reinforced by the explicit club ethos that training runs would stick together (rather than turn into demoralising races) and would re-group, so that no-one felt excluded or got left behind. Team spirit was also developed through the Christmas Children’s Party and Handicap Race - with many in fancy dress - and the Harriers Christmas Ball. The Committee continued to put the new club on the map by entering teams for prestigious events and established a tradition of competing in the Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay and the National Championships with commendable results. In that first 5ive years the memberhip rose to about 80 runners.

The membership has continued to change in the years since and continues to thrive. Some of the original 1986 founding members who still remain are Pauline Watts (Parker), Steve Cockerham, Norman & Ros Blackburn and Richard Gray.

In 1993 the Club joined what is now the Harrogate District Summer Race League.

In 2001 the club members voted to move from Ben Rhydding Sports Club to Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.

The inaugural Ilkley Incline race was staged by the Club in 2001, with Andy Wolfenden as race organiser.

In September 2003, we incorporated a Junior section to accomodate the huge demand in Ilkley for junior athletics, and in August 2005 Mary Gibbons was the first Junior Harrier to progress to the senior section.

In 2007 the Club committed to attaining ClubMark certification. We are nearly there!

In May 2008 we staged the inaugural Ilkley Trail Race, based on the old Middleton Trail Race.

In the England Athletics Yorkshire and Humberside Club Awards 2008 Ilkley Harriers was Junior Club of the Year.

Thanks to those who have contributed to this history, especially Norman Blackburn, Richard Gray, and Terry Lonergan. If you've any more information, please contact us.

In 2011 we will have achieved 25 Years, and the Committee would like to hear members' ideas on how to celebrate that.