ILKLEY Harriers were making hay while the sun shone over the past week, winning races around the country. It started well with success for Ben Sheppard at the Stirton Fell race.

It was another glorious evening for the 5.6 mile event, which included two ascents of Sharp Haw, almost 1,200 feet in total, followed by descents on a shallow gradient that demanded a flat-out approach.

Sheppard stormed to victory in 40 minutes and 33 seconds. He was joined by fellow Harriers runners Duncan Cooper and Chantal Busby, who finished 22nd and 35th respectively with times of 48.03 and 50.28.

The following evening, Jack Wood was first to finish in the uphill-only Murder Mile at Silsden. He secured yet another win in 2018, with an incredible run of 7.09.

Meanwhile, Bernadette Raven continued her run of brilliant performances by finishing first female/junior in 8.39 and Jann Smith was the first female/senior after coming home in 10.32.

Raven achieved further success by claiming victory at the two-mile East Morton Gala fell race for the second time, and she finished third overall in a time of 14.37.

That race was won by Yorkshire MU17 fells champion Eric Beaumont of Keighley & Craven, in a new record time of 13.05.

Another contingent of Harriers travelled to Thirsk for the third race in the Harrogate Summer Road Race League. This fast, flat five-mile race was won by Ilkley's Rob Little, who crossed the line in 26.34.

Jonathan Turner (31.53) and Andrew Overend (32.06) both finished in the top 50 at the event, while Catherine Gibbons was the first female finisher for the Ilkley Harrier Ladies with her time of 37.14.

Trail races proved popular last week. Jann Smith ran in the Borrowdale Trail race on Saturday; a distance of 22 kilometres.

The surroundings were beautiful but it felt very hot on the route, which took in all of Derwent Water, including two big hills, Watendlath and Castle Crags.

Smith came 36th out of 156 runners with a time of two hours and 14 minutes.

The Lakeland Trails race in Ambleside provided the option of three distances, 55k, 23k or 14k and Pauline Munro was first female and first FV40 in the 23k race and 12th overall in 2.22.15.

Jan Carrier was first FV60 in 3.26.56, while other Harriers running the same distance were: Stuart Herrington 3.26.55, David Ibbotson 3.26.56 and Jonathan Turner 3.32.22.

In the 14k event, Neil Pomfret (1.30.46) was the first finisher for Ilkley Harriers in 28th place and he was followed home by Dawn Turner (1.52.40) and Jacqui Weston (2.00.15), who came 87th and 113th respectively.