Got some Harriers news? Send it to news@ilkleyharriers.org.uk and it will be forwarded both to Paul for these pages and to the people who do the Ilkley Gazette sports report. Thanks!
Away Run, Tue 19 Aug
From Andy Wolfenden ...
on 5th August, 15 of us turned out for a run across the moor from Storiths to Rocking Hall.
The drizzle and mist didn't put us off, and as usual we had an enjoyable evening.
Inevitably the pub discussion got round to whether or not we could squeeze in another away run before we return to the likes of the "Big Dipper" and "Burley Lollipop".
Next away run is around Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs August 19th, meet 7.00 pm in the fishermen's car park (between the two reservoirs, below Timble village).
About 8 miles (bring your midge stuff).
A local hostelry will be targeted afterwards.
Allerthorpe Triathlon, Sun 17 Aug
Dave Wilby reports ... Kelly Harrison and myself ventured over to Allerthorpe nr York on Sunday to take on our 2nd Olympic distance triathlon (1500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run). We thought we might have to do battle with the weather as well as the course, but as it turned out the gods were smiling on us and the race took place in calm and at times sunny conditions, perfect for racing.
The swim was a 2 lap affair with a short 10 metre run between laps, the bike was a pancake flat tour around quiet country lanes, and the run was largely along the canal towpath, in fact, I think the hilliest part of the course may have been the clambering in and out of the lake between laps!!
Overall a great event, very well organised, pleasant scenery in relatively traffic free surroundings, and a cracking bacon butty afterwards at the catering van, what more could you want?
Final times were:
1. Jim Creswell (winner) 19:56 swim, 58:34 bike, 39:51 run, 1:58:21 overall 15. Caroline Graham-Browne (1st lady) 21:33 swim, 1:05:10 bike, 44:28 run, 2:11:11 overall 36. Dave Wilby 26:14 swim, 1:10:26 bike, 41:55 run, 2:18:35 overall 65. Kelly Harrison 29:06 swim, 1:10:03 bike, 48:44 run, 2:27:53 overall 140 finishers
Sedbergh Hills, Sun 17 Aug
Geoff Howard reports ... Four harriers ran in the 14m 6,000' Sedbergh Hills fell race. A classic if ever there was one. Some heavy showers but not too long in otherwise good but quite slippy conditions.
1. Darren Kay Horwich 2. 23.30 27 Dave Tait Dark Peak 2.41.40 (1st v.60) 56 Geoff Howard 2.53.27 92 Heather Dawe 3.03.31 (3rd L) Pange Srivastava 3.35.00 approx 175 ran
Sierre Zinal, Sun 10 Aug
Roy Ruddle reports ... 31km 2200m climb 800m descent. What a fantastic race this is - lots of steep, narrow footpaths (I'd expected the alpine norm of track/road) and absolutely immaculate weather this year. Sierre-Zinal must be one of the truely great mountain races in the world. Due to work, Sebastian and injury I'm not as fit as usual but managed to squeeze into the top half (402nd of 992; in 4:10:15), mainly because I overtook 73 runners on the 700m descent into Zinal, even though I was twice hit by cramp and had to stop for a while to stretch my legs!
Askern 10, Sun 10 Aug
Terry Lonergan spotted these results ...
33 63.09 Jeff Paget PB 4th M50 188 79.12 Helen Shew PB 379 ran
Jeff reports ... It was quite a competitive field with runners from across the country and local runners competing for the South Yorks Open 10 mile championship and the Yorkshire Veterans 10 mile championship. I came in 33rd out of 379 finishers in a time of 63.09, which was a PB for me, but not quite fast enough to get me in the prizes as I was 4th Vet 50.
Wensleydale Tri, Sun 10 Aug
Jamie Hutchinson reports ...
Seemed more like an October day when I arrived at Semer Water for the Wensleydale full cheese tri (1900m swim, 42m bike, 12 mile run)
We were greeted by car park and T1 at the end of Semer water under 6ft of water and waves you could surf on!! Thankfully the race referee and organisers agreed to cut the swim short to 400m. Set started a day of extremes - battled through the 400m swim, taking on a few lungfulls of water and riding the waves. Into T1 (the roadside) and changed into a fleece top (wise move) and then 42m of bike fun - headwinds, driving rain and cool conditions. The course takes in plenty of hills and was a real test. Back in Hawes and T2 and now feeling pretty battered I set off on the 12 mile run, six up Great Shunner and back down again. The first few miles were really hard and needed gels and jelly babies to see me through. After about 3 or 4 miles I started to pick up and felt better, by the time I reached the turn at the summit I knew I'd cracked it and headed down at a good pace. I was ok until I reached a stile, with about a mile to go, and the dreaded cramp !!, put in the last effort to finish in 4 hours 27 mins 58 seconds.
By virtue of the leaders (top three or four) going the wrong way on the bike my effort put me in third in the individual standings out of about 90.
The event was won by M Cain in 4.11.19, 2nd G Huxley in 4.25.04.
Next stop Helvellyn - which will, I'm sure? be easier!?
Glenshee 9, Sun 10 Aug
Graham Arthur reports ...
The inaugural Glenshee 9 hill race, AL, 21 miles, 6000 feet. A good turnout, with most of the top Scottish men and ladies appearing – and not even a championship. Won by a very on form Andy Symonds (Carnegie), with the next two places close behind. First lady was Claire Gordon.
It turned out longer and tougher than the plateau-like, rolling east Cairngorm terrain might suggest, with some long gruelling sections of boggy grass and heather. Some vicious quartzite scree appeared for good measure. Times looked to be about the same as Jura or Arrochar, i.e. about a quarter of an hour longer than Borrowdale. Even in clear visibility, navigation was problematic, with one faintly rounded distant ‘Munro’ (9 of them on the course) looking very much like another. Results will appear on the SHR website in due course, which also has a link to the Scottish Long Classics competition, of which this race is a part. But, first V60 always seems to get a good round of applause in these Scottish longs, which is just faintly embarrassing, as the field is generally rather smaller than you get in the English races. Faces do become more familiar more quickly though, and the atmosphere is as friendly as anywhere. Although the results show only 59 finishing, 72 runners started: a surprisingly high attrition rate.
Arncliffe Fete 4, Sat 9 Aug
Terry Lonergan reports ... the incessant rain throughout the morning (which continued throughout the day) meant it was unlikely that race organizer Mike Critchley,
a former international marathon runner, was going to attract a large on the day entry field to this attractive Dales village. Weather aside, despite Arncliffe’s
location there were few runners from Ilkley, Otley or Bingley. A shame because this is a great low key event covering virtually traffic free country lanes
in a very beautiful part of the world at a distance which is within everyone’s capabilites. Another advantage, being a Saturday race of only 4 miles means that you can still do a long run on Sunday!
So just 52 toed the line for the 1.30 start with RAF man Lee Athersmith flying along the undulating lanes to Hawkswick and back in 21.15.
I was quite pleased with 6.46 mileing in 21st place (3rd M55). A very welcome return to racing having suffered a setback on the steps of Starbeck back in May.
21 Terry Lonergan 27.05 (3RD M55) 52 RAN
Steel Fell, Wed 6th Aug
FRom Brian Melia ...
After rumours at the Borrowdale fell that there would be a mid-week race on Steel Fell and only 3 miles! and since we were on holiday in Portinscale and Dave Wilby and Kelly Harrison were triathlon training in Coniston three Ilkley Harriers turned up at Gavin Blands' field at the bottom of Thirlmere. It was a great event running up to Steel fells' summit at 547m.. The climb up was fine if steep, but there was poor visibility on top and the grass was wet for the descent so care needed to be taken.
A great event with a friendly atomosphere recommended holiday running. Results:
1st Rob Jebb 20.50 13 Dave Wilby 25.13 45 Brian Melia 31.18 54 Kelly Harrison 34.03
Wagon and Horses 10 mile, Sun 3 Aug
Marc Teasey reports ... After a couple of months of shorter, sharper races and with my first ever half-marathon now only a few weeks away (gulp) we needed to find a 10-miler to help build endurance. So it was that Sarah and I made the lovely trip over to Lancaster for a good workout on what times from previous years seemed to suggest was a slowish course. A strong headwind on the way out, humid conditions (and what seems to have been a slightly long course according to both of our Garmins) provided a good test and we were pleased with our runs and positions. Sarah won the Ladies' race by nearly 3 minutes with a new LV35 club record time, while I was delighted to finish 20th overall (out of over 200 runners).
(1 Steve Littler - Wesham Road Runners 53.41) 15 Sarah Jarvis 63.01 (1st Lady, LV35 club record) 20 Marc Teasey 64.18 (4th MV40)
Hellifield Gala races, Sat 2 Aug
Results from Geoff Howard below.
U18 & Senior 3.5m 800' 1 Joe Mercer Skipton 23.46 1 Lady Mary Wilkinson Bingley 26.39 17 Geoff Howard 29.48r (1st v.60) 25 Jenny Dybeck 30.32 (3rd L, 1st u.18 & Yorkshire Champion) 63 ran u.10 16 Logan Hargreaves-Madhas 6.07 22 ran u.12 1.5m 300' 19 Odin Hargreavea-Madhas 11.21 25 ran u.16 3m 600' 15 Fiona Jordan 23.20 (3rd Girl & Yorkshire Champion)
Borrowdale, Sat 2nd Aug
Steve Turland reports ... A field of 461 started the 17m 6,500ft Borrowdale race on Saturday which was an English and British championship counter. Heavy rain beforehand meant that conditions were wet and slippery underfoot, and there was just enough clag to make route finding off the tops a bit more interesting with several runners going astray - even at the sharp end of the race. Dave Wilby led home the harriers contingent with another strong run. Results were:
1 Simon Booth (Borrowdale) 2.49.50 31 Graham Pearce (P&B) 3.22.43 35 Janet McIver (Dark Peak) 3.25.34 61 Dave Wilby 3.36.03 108 Steve Turland 3.45.37 137 Dave Tait (Dark Peak) 3.58.38 167 Ian Rowbotham 4.06.36 204 Holly Williamson 4.16.42 249 Brian Melia 4.32.05 266 Alison Weston 4.36.12 285 Graham Arthur 4.38.55
Pendle Pedal, Sat 2 Aug
From Jo Foster ... Not able to do Borrowdale as still injured I focused my attentions on the Pendle Pedal Cyclosportive on Sunday. Advertised as 160 km it was somewhat of a shock when my cycle computer passed the 100 mile mark and we were still climbing yet more hills with the finish nowhere in site! It was a fantastic route taking in the best of the Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill area and after one very heavy rain shower early on it turned out to be a sunny day with stunning views and some of the hardest hills I've experienced since the Etape du Dales. 170 km later (or 105 miles in old money) I rolled over the finish line in a total time of 8 hours 9 mins and 51 secs. I was 4th lady finsher, although one of them is listed as Jonny! Mike Rhodes was also out and did another superb ride to finish in 7.10.39. (46th fastest time). I would definitely recommend this event to anyone who fancies a long day out in the hills on a bicycle.
Runner of the Month for July
Ilkley Harriers Runner of the Month for July is Kelly Harrison for her outstanding performance in a number of races over the last month. Well done Kelly!
Also nominated for some great results and runs were:
Holly Williamson
Lee Morley
Eddie Winslow
Dave Wilby
Jenny Dybeck
Ryedale Rumble, Sun 27 July
Jamie Hutchinson reports ... a rather hot day for a long bike ride - the Ryedale Rumble - 188km round the NY moors taking in Boltby Bank, Blakey Ridge & Rosedale Chimney. I can conclude that you really did need your granny gear ring - which I failed to fit thinking it can't be that hard !! Boltby bank was nearly impossible at a very much straight and at em hill, no chances for rest unlike Blakey and Rosedale - I wasn't going to be beaten on any of them and took great encouragement from seasoned cyclists pushing uphill and sliding around in their shoes. We had three refuelling stops which were very much needed and came with every high energy food you could need and copious amounts of water. Gold standard was under 7hours 45 - by the 3rd refuel I'd resigned myself to missing this. However another cyclist evenly paced with me suggested we drag each other in and he suggested I could still make gold (great!?). So came the last hour at a pace when everyone else seemed to be free wheeling in - but we did it!! I finished in 7 hours 40 ish - time to spare! A great event - as hard as anything I've done, big climbs and plenty of 'little ones', recommended for all !!
Round Hill, Sun 27 July
Geoff Howard reports these results ...
1 Paul Stevenson P&B 57.48 6 Lee Morley 1.01.50 12 Dave Tait DFR 1.06.04 1st v60 17 Geoff Howard 1.07.55 24 Mike Baldwin 1.11.50 33 Kelly Harrison 1.16.38 1st Lady 64 Kay Pearce 1.26.42 88 Andrew Bennett 1.50.05
More on www.otleyac.co.uk
Hatfield Sprint Triathlon, Sun 27 July
Tim Ashelford reports ... I did the Hatfield Sprint Tri on sunday. 750m lake swim, 20k bike & 5 k run. I came 4th overall & 2nd V40 in a time of 64 mins 56 seconds. 9.38 swim/37.43 bike & 17.35 run. I was in the lead until the start of the run, then a fellow veteran, Leeds Bradford Tri Club member & ex GB mountain runner Rik Findlow shot past me - . He did 15.28 for the 5 k, including transition and went on to win overall.
Ben Rinnes 5 Tops, Sat 26 July
From Graham Arthur ... Last year, torrential rain and near blizzards; this year, almost unbearable heat. Dry stony downhills induced many heel blisters. In my case, the St Andrew’s Ambulance man was very helpful, but said it was beyond their scope, as the skin flapped around. Hope it’s better for next weekend (Borrowdale). Out and back, so you pass the leaders on their way down from Ben Rinnes. Very interesting and large adjustments in positions were seen as the heat took its toll on many runners, including the leaders, and huge gaps were wiped out and reversed. It all depended on who could keep going best in the heat.
1 Sean Bolland 2:08:02 Bowland 31 Jacqui Higginbottom 2:46:55 Carnethy (1st lady) 36 Graham Arthur 2:52:31 Ilkley (1st V60) 67 finished
Scottish Long Champs positions can be followed on this link.
The Moors the Merrier, Sat 26 July
From Amanda Parnaby ... Organised by Calderdale LDWA, 26 miles with 4,800 ft of climbing, starting from Mytholmroyd. A tough route and a very hot day, finished in 8hrs 15 mins.
Kentmere Horseshoe, Sun 20 July
Geoff Howard reports ... almost perfect conditions for the Kentmere Horseshoe 11.9m 3,300ft classic fell race. In a field of just under 400, Harriers results in this fourth English Championship counter were:
1 John Henegan P&B 1.26.17 8 Graham Pearce P&B 1.32.06 61 Steve Turland 1.44.27 65 Dave Wilby 1.45.13 67 Lee Morley 1.45.20 110 Dave Tait Dk Peak 1.51.13 144 Geoff Howard 1.56.12 186 Emma Barclay 2.00.38 202 Holly Williamson 2.02.16 210 Brian Melia 2.03.47 227 Sally Malir 2.05.51 262 Alison Weston 2.10.49 279 Kelly Harrison 2.12.52
Dave Wilby adds ... It was a close run thing for the honour of being first Ilkley vest back in this classic Lakeland Horseshoe race, which was run in excellent conditions. In the end it was Steve Turland who took the win, showing myself and Lee a clean pair of heels on the final soggy descent to come in almost a minute clear, and I think claim a pb by about 3 minutes. Special mention also to Holly who stormed round to collect her share of championship points, and show that those Mountain Marathons are really paying off.
Lochcarron Highland Games, Sat 19 July
From Graham Arthur ... I was 1st veteran in 26:10, the winner was local lad Andrew Liston (a member of Fife AC) in 19:30 only 15 seconds behind Colin Donelly’s 1992 record.
A Foot in Two Dales, Sat 19 July
Eddie Winslow reports on another event from the ultra end of the Harriers distance range...
Neil Smith and I went out for another long run this weekend, covering a mere 50 miles in the “A foot in two dales” ultra. It’s amazing how quickly your concept of distance changes. I did my first 50 miler in December and was quite nervous about it. After four ultras since (one of them a 100 miler in May), 50 miles now just seems like a long day out.
Starting from Harmby in Wensleydale, this event goes to Castle Bolton, over into Swaledale, up to Muker then over Great Shunner Fell, before returning down Wensleydale.
This event didn’t have a sting in the tail. Instead the sting was all in the first half mile where our bare legs were sent down a narrow, nettle lined footpath. After that it was a pleasant mix of footpaths and country roads. The threat of very bad weather never quite materialised. Instead, an overcast, cool day was interspersed with a couple of short squalls. Consequently times were quicker than in previous years and we were home earlier than anticipated.
Winner 8h44m
Eddie Winslow 5th 9h17m
Neil Smith 6th 9h30m
130 starters
Ingleborough Fell, Sat 19 July
28 57.28 Jonathan Sinclair 52 60.25 Richard Joel 66 62.14 Mike Baldwin 71 63.06 Norman Bush 89 64.24 Sally Morley 168 71.59 Angela Srivastava 199 76.19 Eric Morley
Washburn Valley Relay, Fri 18 Jul
Ilkley fielded at least five teams in this race organised by Otley AC - results on their web site.
Harrogate Road League Handicap race, and League Presentation, Tue 15 Aug
There was a great turnout of 39 Harriers at the Handicap race. Patrick Gibbbons picked up a shield for 3rd place, but just to show there was no bias in the handicapping Harriers were spread throughout the field:
Pos Time Finish 3 49.54 8:27:54 PATRICK GIBBONS 6 46.49 8:28:49 ADAM BENNETT 10 52.32 8:29:32 DONALD MACRAE 19 43.06 8:30:06 KEITH WOOD 28 36.34 8:30:34 NICK RICHARDSON 31 57.39 8:30:39 DAVID MILLSON 32 47.42 8:30:42 MARY GIBBONS 35 38.46 8:30:46 DAVE JEPSON 38 39.53 8:30:53 SIMON CHAPMAN 50 54.08 8:31:08 ANDREW BENNETT 60 37.12 8:31:12 STEVE WESTON 62 44.12 8:31:12 VIC VERECONDI 63 61.43 8:31:13 AMANDA PARNABY 68 38.16 8:31:16 JEFF PAGET 69 49.18 8:31:18 BERNIE GIBBONS 71 40.21 8:31:21 DIANE HAGGAR 73 45.24 8:31:24 SUE BICKERDIKE 74 52.25 8:31:25 PAUL SUGDEN 75 63.25 8:31:25 SUE LUGTON 76 49.26 8:31:26 COLIN LUGTON 89 38.33 8:31:33 KEVIN GOOCH 97 45.43 8:31:43 GRAHAM STEAD 101 51.47 8:31:47 DAVID COMYN 115 38.55 8:31:55 JOHN ATKINSON 128 40.05 8:32:05 NEIL CHAPMAN 134 41.10 8:32:10 PAUL STEPHENS 138 43.15 8:32:15 CAROLINE BELL 140 48.16 8:32:16 CHRIS MATTHEWS 141 48.17 8:32:17 CAROLINE EBERT 149 39.27 8:32:27 AMANDA ODDIE 153 53.32 8:32:32 ANN STEAD 162 44.55 8:32:55 CATHERINE GIBBONS 164 51.59 8:32:59 ADELE MITCHELL 166 47.04 8:33:04 ELAINE COSSINS 167 43.05 8:33:05 JOHN TATE 172 57.17 8:33:17 MANDY CHAPMAN 174 41.20 8:33:20 ALISON BENNETT 194 67.30 8:35:30 BRIAN SWEET 195 50.56 8:35:56 MATTHEW RUTTER
In the League Presentation afterwards, Ilkley won shields for 1st Ladies Team (for the 9th year in a row), 1st Lady Vets Team (7th year in a row), 1st LV40 Amanda Oddie, and 1st LV50 Christine Matthews. Catherine Gibbons was 1st LU18
Full results, pictures, etc. on www.harrogate-league.org.uk
Holme Moss, Sun 13 July
17 2h56:08 Ian Rowbotham 72 3h44.32 Nicky Jacquiery
Eccup 10, Sun 13 July
Nick Richardson reports ... Conditions were near perfect for this popular race round the lanes of north Leeds.
1 Steven neiil P&B 32 64.01 Nick Richardson 81 68.42 Sally Malir 112 71.09 Pete Shields 216 78.45 Graham Corbett 229 79.25 Jane Bryant 279 82.04 Elaine Cossins 341 86.33 Bernie Gibbons 508 99.12 Jacqueline Weston
Wasdale Fell Race, Sat 12 July - 21 miles and 9000'
From Morgan Williams ... Wasdale; the very name is enough to send shudders through the average fell runner. As Jon Broxap puts it in his notes to the Pete Bland Sports race map: "Deepest lake. highest mountain, biggest liar and hardest fell race-that's Wasdale. Wordsworth once said that every fellrunner should do Wasdale at least once, or something like that!"
I last did Wasdale way back in 1985 just a few weeks before my successful Bob Graham attempt and it was the furthest I had ever run up to that moment. It was a hideous day (just like my BG day thus getting me in the mood!) and a serious navigational error in the latter stages took me somewhere I didn't want to be, and the remedial action was long and painful!
The weather this year was good by comparison; cool, some showers forecast, quite breezy and with the temperature at 900 metres at 5 degrees C. Vest weather then!
Lining up on the start line were the Taitmeister (just warming up for Kentmere presumably), Eddie Winslow (getting more miles in for his winter BG), Brian Melia (just warming down from his summer BG) and yours truly, just getting in another super-long to remind me of how much I enjoy them! 147 started from 175 pre-entries.
Wanting to run rucksac free for once, the plan was to be met by Alison at Greendale and then again at Sty Head, so I set off armed only with a small bottle of fluid and a piece of flapjack.
Things were going very nicely to Greendale; a steady pace (it's fatal to go too quickly over the initial miles), cool temperatures and a bit of chat with fellow runners. No sign of my fellow Harriers; they were all in front of me.
At Greendale I managed to miss Alison! I couldn't see her anywhere and a few minutes of searching simply resulted in a whole bunch of people I had passed on the descent from Whin Rigg getting in front of me! She was there, helping Joss and Mary Naylor dish out drinks, so who knows why I didn't see her. So I found myself climbing Seatallan with an empty bottle and no food for the next 9-10 miles! Slightly cross with my own ineptitude, I filled the bottle from the first available stream (water was not in short supply after the last week of rainy weather), attacked the climb with vigour to ensure I pased all those who had got by at Greendale and, feeling good, decided the best plan was to try and get to Sty Head as soon as I could to meet my supplies there. I couldn't miss her twice surely!
I caught up with Brian on the descent of Seatallan and, when I explained my food problem to him, he graciously shared his food with me and handed over a small jam-filled hot cross bun; a life-saver as it turned out. Half of this went down on the climb towards Scoat Fell and the other half on the climb up Great Gable.
Brian caught me briefly on the run past the Pots of Ashness but as things got steeper, the thousands of feet of climbing in his legs started to bite back. By Pillar, I could tell things were going well. I was mixed up with runners who I normally never see in fell races and was feeling strong and relaxed with no navigation or route-finding issues to deal with.
Suffice to say I did locate Alison at Sty Head to refuel, and headed off to what is arguably the toughest finish to any long race in the UK. Broxap again: "The next bit from Styhead to the finish is what makes Wasdale the hardest of the longs. In Ennerdale the last 6 miles are mostly downhill on grass and if you were doing Borrowdale or Duddon, you'd be finished by now, but at Wasdale it's uphill for what seems like an age follwed by a leg wobbling descent to the finish."
I was continuing to catch people partcularly across the rough section to Scafell Pike and then bumbled my way down to the finish, quads shrieking in protest.
Another great day out in Lakeland. A personal best time by 55 minutes and my 3rd super-long PB of the year.
The men's race was won by Pete Vale of Mercia Fell Runners in 3.57. (Billy Bland's record stands at 3.25! Untouchable?) The ladies record was dismantled by Jackie Lee and Janet McIver who took 7 minutes off the old mark, finishing together in 4.12.
Results gleaned on the day (approximate, because the formal results have not appeared yet) were:
39 Dave Tait 5h05:54 (1st V60)
40 Eddie Winslow 5h06:07 (PB by 30 minutes)
58 Morgan Williams 5h20:38 (PB by 55 minutes)
97 Brian Melia 5h51:33 (Delayed by loss of hot cross bun and administering first aid
to a fellow runner on Great Gable!)
125 finished
Ripon Triathlon, Sat 12 July
From Janet Grace ... This was my first race of 2008 and it was great to be back. The Ripon triathlon is a 1500m swim, 44km bike and 10k run. I'm quite a slow swimmer, but that does mean that I get to spend the rest of the race overtaking people. I finished in 3:01:44 which I was very pleased with (suffering today though). Adele Mitchell was just a couple of minutes behind me (347th in 3:06:29) and Tim Ashelford won his age group in 2:11:47 ... I'm sure there were other Harriers out there too (Jamie Hutchinson 43rd in 2:21:17; Dave Wilby 99th in 2:30:21; Kelly Harrison 211th in 2:43:12) on what turned out to be a surprisingly warm afternoon.
NY Moors Mountain Bike Orienteering, Sat 12 July
From Steve Turland ... I know its not running, but I did a mountain bike orienteering event on the NY Moors at the weekend. A 4 hour score event starting from Helmsley, this was the 6th event in the NYMBO league and also a counter in the National League. After all the rain in the last few weeks conditions were very wet, and unless you knew the area it was a bit of a lottery as to which trails were rideable and which were swamps. I managed to keep my navigation together (for once) and finished 3rd overall and 2nd in the vets class.
I’ve done quite a few of these events in the last couple of years and thoroughly enjoyed them every time. Great cross training for fell running (hills, navigation, route choice, mud etc) and good practice for the Open 5 type events. There are still another 6 events remaining this year. If anyone is interested in doing something a bit different, then the following link has more details:
www.nymbo.org.uk.
Harden Hard'un, Sat 12 July
From Amanda Parnaby ... 27 miles from Harden. Underfoot conditions were same as last year i.e very wet but the weather was kind . Finished in 6 hrs 54 mins. Another enjoyable event organised by LDWA.
Runner of the Month for June
Ilkley Harriers Runner of the Month for June is Brian Melia
The nominations were:
Brian Melia for the Bob Graham Round (in atrocious weather!)
Di Haggar for racing achievements (lots of!)
Jenny Dybeck for Blackstone Edge
Angela Priestley for the Bob Graham Round
Stirton, Wed 9 July
Holly Williamson reports ... A not so lovely evening for the Stirton Fell Race, rain, mist and mud all the way, but thoroughly enjoyable none the less (it even included a free bottle of beer as you came over the finish line!).
Results from kcac.co.uk
Lee Morley: 40:20 (9th) Mike Baldwin: 45:52 (34th) Jenny Dybeck: 46:20 (4th lady) Dave Tait: 46:26 Holly Williamson: 48:00 (6th lady) Norman Bush: 48:35 John Woodward: 53:13 Steve Barclay: 56:18 Keith Wood: 56:38 John Tindal: 56:43 Raj Hargreaves: 59:12
There were also lots of junior harriers with good results too.
Stoodley Pike, Tue 8 July
From Jim Ryder ... Two Harriers dodged the showers and completed the Stoodley Pike Fell Race, Tuesday 8th July. In a field of 216 runners, Jim Ryder was 26th in 22.19 and Paul Davidson 37th in 23.03. The race was won by Danny Hope (P&B) in 18.55. The ladies winner was Anne Johnson (Calder) in 24.20.
Wharfedale TTT, 4-6 July
Results from Steve Turland ...
Overall Results Men 1 Ian Holmes Bingley 4 Dave Wilby Ilkley Ladies 1 Kelly Harrison Ilkley Race 1 Uphill road race, 2.5m/950' 1 Ian Holmes Bingley 17.37 8 Dave Wilby Ilkley 20.18 19 Kelly Harrison Ilkley 24.51 Race 2, Fell 12.5m / 3000' climb 1 Ian Holmes Bingley 1.33.33 5 Dave Wilby Ilkley 1.36.45 6 Steve Turland Ilkley 1.36.52 8 Ben Stevens Ilkley 1.37.35 11 Jamie Hutchinson Ilkley 1.46.22 20 Kelly Harrison Ilkley 2.01.57 42 Norman Bush Ilkley 2.20.58 52 Sue Stevens Ilkley 2.48.51 58 Emma Payne Ilkley 3.27.53 60 Amanda Parnaby Ilkley 3.36.43 Race 3 Fell 1.5 miles / 500' climb 1 Ian Holmes Bingley 12.55 5 Dave Wilby Ilkley 14.40 15 Kelly Harrison Ilkley 17.30 19 Michael Waterhouse Ilkley 19.05
Skiddaw, Sun 6 July
Diane Hagar reports ... I was the only first claim Harrier who turned out for this one although I did spot Graham Pearce and Dave Tait. I'm definitely a novice at this sort of race and with the summit swathed in cloud I was a little apprehensive. Determined to follow somebody (anybody!) all the way, I made a cautious start but surprised myself by coming in third lady.
1st Jon Duncan (Warrior) 1.06.07 7th Graham Pearce (P&B) 1.12.51 48th Dave Tait (Dark Peak) 1.28.51 2nd V60 - I think. 54th Jackie Casey (Barrow) 1.29.42 1st lady and V50 74th Diane Haggar 1.33.22 3rd lady, 1st V40
Ace Race Elite (Dirty Weekend), 5-6 July
Adrian Hall reports ... At the dirty weekend event incorporating the Polaris and the Ace Race and a trail run as well! Based at Traquair House and using the wonderful local biking and running areas, as well as St Marys Loch for the kayaking, plus the local river. The ace involved 8 hours of score navigation MTB, running and kayaking on the loch on Saturday day. Then back out again at 10pm for night orienteering and night MTB orienteering. Which was interesting. The standard race then cycled back to event centre for sleep. The elite race then ran a few km, kayaked 6 or 7 km down the river, ran a few more km, then back on to the MTB for a night time ride up to and along the ridge following the Southern Upland Way and descent back to Traquair – in the dark and clouds –eventually arrived back at 3:45am. Back up at 8am for briefing and out for another 6 hours of MTB and a bit of foot orienteering – with a relatively complicated points structure – a spine of mandatory controls to follow with extra score type points to be had off to the side. Heather Dawe and partner (can’t remember name) had another great race and took second place on the Elite race (I think) and not very far behind the winners Morgan Donnelly and Steve Birkinshaw I survived (racing with a Lithuanian chap from London) – not sure of placing – were 5th mens team after first day, but had a good overnight race, but a terrible Sunday race after a tactical error and misunderstanding in the required controls – partner also took a full on over the handlebars crash on one of the singletrack sections. Luckily he came through relatively unscathed, unlike some of his bike components. We were also just too tired to complete it all, and limped back to the finish with time to spare. Too much MTB for me, I’m a runner... J I guess results will be up on www.aceraces.com at some point.
From Heather Dawe ... I raced the Elite Ace Race with John Houlihan and won the mixed category. Adrian Hall also did the Elite Ace Race; his longest adventure race so far I think and did very well in what was a long event of around 20 hours - six of which were overnight.
Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon, 5-6 July
From Alison Weston.... Holly and I had a great 2 days in the SLMM. Lots of opportunities to practise bearings, route choice etc. as most of weekend was in rain and mist. Silly mistakes (mainly mine) costs us a bit of time on day1. Holly was brilliant at navigating and very fit! I discovered I'm a bit softie really - couldn't face putting wet clothes on again for start of day 2 and insisted on taking plenty of pasta and pudding for over-night camp. Holly said she'd never had so much food and drink on a mountain marathon before!! Pange Srivastava and partner Sophie Brown did really well on Carrock fell class - 21/84 and 2nd ladies team.
From Kevin and Rachael ... The cut and thrust of a mountain marathon - or what life is really like. Started out as usual panic buying at Pete Bland's. We'd looked at the forecast and seen the severe weather warning for persistent rain and wind. Rachael decided to buy a better cag and I thought it would be handy to get a compass (as I'd left mine in my bum bag at home). Managed to get to the start just in time pen and map at the ready. Go! Pick up control list. Mark up. What with? Lost my pen between the start and the mark up area. Had to wait for Rachael to mark her map up first so I could borrow her pen. 20 mins down and we hadn't gone anywhere! Found first 2 controls OK but weather was bad. I was ahead but Rachael was close behind when I got to stream for control 3. Control was a bit higher up so went up to dib. Turned round, where was she? 20mins later Rachael turned up to meet me at the control shivering. She'd been chasing some other guy in 3/4 leggings and an OMM sack halfway to Keswick! Still talking we moved on only to get cragfast going to the next control. Eventually got through the day but we were out for nearly 8 hrs. Overnight camp was cosy in our 1977 vintage Saunders tent. Ended up being a bit of a swap shop. Got an egg from friends camped next door in return for a space blanket so they didn't get soaked from condensation in their single skin KIMM tent. Gave half our ginger cake to Alison and Holly cos we were full. At some point Rachael discovered looking down at her plastic bag covered feet that she'd been running in odd Inov8 shoes. Left foot trail, right foot fell. Uppers look the same so it's a simple enough mistake isn't it. We decided that the best course of action for day 2 was for her to hop on her left foot on the tracks and hop on her right foot down the steep grassy banks. Next morning after porridge put on wet clothes from the day before, lovely. Shelved the hopping idea. Actually had quite a good day. Messed about at one control in the mist but otherwise improved on our 1st day position by the time we finished. It had been a good running course. Dreamed of what we could have done if only...Roll on the OMM.
Paul Stephens reports ... Completed my 5th or 6th Saunders coming 29th out of 122 in the Carrock. it's either too hot on the Saunders or wet and windy. And I always find it hard - tougher than the KIMM. I'd not run since the Garforth HDRRL because of a right knee problem. The physio probably thought I shouldn't run, but advised taking some poles if I did. So there I was waving my poles round on the descents. It slowed us a little, but I did get round. The right knee's fine. But the left one..... Camped near Holly and Alison. Was that really washing-up I saw?
From Clare Smith ... As is usual on these events, by noon on the first day I began to question my sanity at even starting, particularly as, for some reason, we had entered a higher class than we had previously attempted. I was suffering from a stinking cold and Neil had woken at 5am in a cold sweat. However, the childcare had been arranged well in advance and these events are our form of a romantic weekend away(!!!)so there was no option but to soldier on. The course took us on an extensive tour of the Helvellyn range with plenty of steep climbs and descents (as my muscles are now reminding me). After visiting the Dodds, we were nearly blown off Helvellyn Lower Man. We headed south to Seat Sandal and Grizedale Tarn then ventured north via the Hole-in-the-Wall (at the top of a seemingly never-ending wall!) and Glenridding to the mid-way camp at Downthwaitehead. Sadly, it wasn't a particularly good evening for socialising as the showers came down heavily and without warning. Neither could we dry any of our sodden clothes, but at least we had made the right choice in taking the more robust of our lightweight tents and the pot noodle tasted great! Several paracetamol and ibuprofen later, and after a balloon-popping night, we set off again for another day in the mountains, this time skirting Hartside and Stang. There was a killer climb west of Catstycam (which I undertook on all fours) then a visit to Sticks Pass and Great Dodd before a very steep, wet and slippery descent back to the finish at St John's in the Vale. Under the circumstances,our aim had just been to complete the course, so we were quite pleased with our overall position of 32nd out of 45 teams which started the Bowfell class. At the finish, we were given details of the RAB mountain marathon in the Peak District on the weekend of 27th/28th September - looks like a promising event (see www.darkandwhite.co.uk).
Rachel Websdale writes....
Back in the winter when we decided to run the Saunders rather than enter the previously enjoyed mountain biking Polaris, we envisaged two days on the Hellvelyn hills, fine summer weather, breathtaking views, taking a well earned beer outside our newly purchased lightweight tent at the midway camp ...perfect.
All started well on the saturday, we greeted fellow harriers in the obligatory mile long queue for the portaloo. The start was a tough up hill but spirits were high and the weather was fresh and then the rain came and for the next 7 hours we limped along in the howling wind and lashing rain with very little visability. A particular high point was Bryan commenting that he wished he hadn't left his good waterproof jacket at home and his £9.99 Yeomans cagoule was not remotely waterproof and he was at this stage wet through and frozen to the bone.Did this constitute grounds for divorce I thought?
We made a pact that if it was still raining at check point 6 we would walk in to Glenridding and sure enough as we tucked into our peanut butter sandwiches the heavens opened. That was that the weather had simply got the better of us.Surfice to say that Glenridding was teaming with wet, bewildered Saunders entrants aimlessly trying to get back to the base camp. Top tips for anyone entering a mountain marathon, always check out a local taxi number, have change for the phone box (remember those!) and have enough cash for a taxi (£30 from Glenridding to St Johns in the Vale !)
And the moral of this story being ... the Lake District is not full of large expanses of water due to lack of rain!
P.S. Anyone wishing to buy a lightweight 2 man tent , unused , you know who to contact !
From Rachel Hagan ... Well, I guess you should hear how Ange and I got on, woeful though it is! Things didn't start well when we left one map in the portaloo before we had even started, but luckily had time to retrieve it (on that occasion...). For some unaccountable reason we had entered the Carrock Fell course, thinking that it sounded about the same as the OMM C class. So when we dutifully plotted our course and saw where it was taking us, we weren't too concerned (BIG mistake!). Started OK, and found the first 5 controls without a problem, although we seemed to have to do an awful lot of climbing and steep descents to get to them, but number 6 proved almost impossible to locate. Whose idea was it to position a control on a knoll among at least 100 knolls, all of which we visited during the hour spent searching as the mist and rain battered down on us? There were at least 4 other pairs similarly frustrated at this point, so it was a busy hillside! Finally located the dastardly control, but by now we were both physically and mentally shattered. I think our brains must have ceased to function properly, because we thought it would be a good idea to climb a precipitous spine up to the top of Helvellyn (Striding Edge, eat your heart out!), which we'd already visited earlier in the day, then descend via Swirral Edge to get the next checkpoint. So much for the 1100m of climbing on the print-out!! By that point it was 7.15pm and we'd moreorless had enough; when yet another thunderstorm broke over our heads, with yet another hill and two more controls to get before the midway camp, we voted with our feet and headed down for the village of Dockray. There, we found a charming pub, with - joy of joys - a vacant twin room, hot food still being served, and a well-earned bottle of wine. The event organizers (who also happened to be living it up in the pub, guys!) tried to persuade us to go back and start the next day, but frankly the thought of a comfy bed and full-English took priority and we made the most of a bit of luxury. In the end, we were out on those fells for 12 hours on Day 1. Can't walk today and have vowed a) to buy an altimeter before the next event and b) to go for the easiest course next year! Guess I won't dare to wear my Harriers vest for a while yet!
Some results from the SLMM
web site...
Holly Williamson and Alison Weston, 23/39 and 2nd ladies team in Bowfell class
Clare & Neil Smith 32/39 in Bowfell
Kevin and Rachael Gooch 46/80 in Kirkfell class
Pange Srivastava and partner 21/84 in Carrock fell class - and 2nd ladies team
Paul Stephens 29/84 in Carrock Fell
Lou Cartledge 77/84 in Carrock Fell
Any more?
Murder Mile, Thu 3 July
From Paddy Hagan ... Results now in for Murder Mile in Silsden on 3 July. Exactly one mile (checked by car afterwards) up, up and up from Silsden golf club to top of Lightbank Lane. All road so not sure why it's on the BOFRA calandar but good fun and loads of juniors in the field of 164. The start was a bit like the grand national with fallen bodies to negotiate - staying on two feet was the major objective. Hazards continued up the hill as runners more used to a 50m dash also showed a great ability to stop dead with no warning to catch breath before screaming past again. Rose and I went up together, along with Anna Sinclair until she pulled away with the end more or less in sight. We were all rewarded at the top with a bucket load of sweets, and back at the bottom again with a cheeky pint from the conveniently open Silsdsen golf club bar.
1st Jonathan Bradshaw (Wharfedale) 7:23 (U 17) 34th Anna Sinclair (2nd G U14) 10:36 41st Rose Hagan (1st G U12) 11:00 42nd Paddy Hagan 11:00 67th Logan Hargreaves (U9) 12:20
Danefield Relays, Wed 2 July
A very pleasant summer's evening on the Chevin saw plenty of Harriers out supporting this popular event. York Acorn won the overall prize courtesy of a lightening fast last leg from course record holder Andy Hilton. Myself, Jim Ryder & Lee Morley were first Harriers team home in 4th place overall, and not far behind were the gazelles of the orienteering fraternity Jack Wood, George & Ben Stevens. Ilkley ladies took top honours and after securing English Championship points on Saturday, Jenny Dybeck followed up superbly by blazing round the course in the 2nd quickest ladies time of the night to secure the title, following great work from an on-form Kelly Harrison and Pange Srivistava.
There were loads of other Harriers out, apologies for not giving them a mention, I was too busy worrying about what time the food was being served at the Cheerful Chilli to check the results properly, but well done everyone, another great show by the club.
ResultsAn anonymous member of the Old Codgers team would like to point out that our combined age was approximately 190.
Cragg Vale fell race, Tue 1 July
From Sally Malir ... After both feeling as though we hadn't had a great run on Saturday Emma Barclay and myself travelled back to the Calder valley to do the Cragg Vale Fell Race. It was a very hot and humid start and luckily there was a downpour towards the end of the race which cooled us off but made the finishing descent a bit dodgy. Records were broken in both male and female categories, Mary Wilkinson (Bingley) was first lady in 31.11. John Brown (Salford) was first man in 26.27. Emma was 3rd lady in 35.07 and I was 5th lady in 36.01. We both had a good fast run and were pleased with our efforts. A great little race!
HRL#5, Hudswell, Tue 1 July
Well done, Ilkley! A good-sized party made it to the far North for this final counter in the HRL season.
The Ilkley Ladies and Lady vets teams took the overall lead, so we will have some silverware at the Presentation on 15th July.
(Can the current guardians of these 2 trophies let Paul know where they are asap?)
And the Vets haven't done badly, 3rd overall.
The Grand Finale on Tuesday 15th is a Handicap Race on the lovely course at Ripon - keep an eye on
harrogate-league.org.uk for your start time!
This was a counter in the Ilkley Harriers Running League too. Pete is King of the Road, but Diane is still Top of the League -
well done to her. Calcs on the League Page...
1 26.22 GARY DUNN, THIRSK 22 31.01 JOHN LUMBUS 23 31.05 STEVE TURLAND 29 31.38 IAN ROWBOTHAM 30 31.53 STEVE WESTON 37 32.23 KEVIN GOOCH 40 32.28 AMANDA ODDIE 41 32.34 JEFF PAGET 56 33.26 NEIL CHAPMAN 57 33.29 HENRY HEAVISIDES 66 33.51 SALLY MORLEY 79 34.54 DIANE HAGGAR 86 35.11 SIMON CHAPMAN 91 35.17 PETER SHIELDS 93 35.20 NIGEL TAPPER 94 35.30 CAROLINE BELL 108 36.26 PHIL HIRST 125 37.11 KEITH WOOD 131 38.11 REBECCA STAPLETON 134 38.15 VIC VERECONDI 138 38.24 PETE BEDWELL 140 38.31 ELAINE COSSINS 145 38.52 SUE BICKERDIKE 168 40.37 CAROLINE EBERT 170 40.40 CHRIS MATTHEWS 172 40.47 COLIN LUGTON 175 41.00 EMMA PAYNE 183 42.05 ADAM BENNETT 204 46.04 PAUL SUGDEN 208 46.40 PATRICK GIBBONS 229 52.20 DAVID MILLSON 232 53.00 AMANDA PARNABY 233 53.25 SUE LUGTON 237 55.47 BRIAN SWEET
Cragg Vale fell race, Tue 1 July
From Sally Malir ... After both feeling as though we hadn't had a great run on Saturday Emma Barclay and myself travelled back to the Calder valley to do the Cragg Vale Fell Race. It was a very hot and humid start and luckily there was a downpour towards the end of the race which cooled us off but made the finishing descent a bit dodgy. Records were broken in both male and female categories, Mary Wilkinson (Bingley) was first lady in 31.11. John Brown (Salford) was first man in 26.27. Emma was 3rd lady in 35.07 and I was 5th lady in 36.01. We both had a good fast run and were pleased with our efforts. A great little race!