A HANDICAP race, organised by Bingley Harriers took place at the weekend, to wish Harriers legend Jack Wood and his partner Millie a fond farewell for their move abroad.

Wood, who has been a member of Ilkley Harriers for many years, is a much respected and incredible athlete, who has represented the Harriers at home and abroad. His modest nature and dedication to the club, along with being inspiring and encouraging to others, means he will be sorely missed.

The handicap race saw Wood forge through the field, with a great turnout of runners from Bingley Harriers, Millie's club, and Ilkley Harriers; a fitting farewell Yorkshire run for this very popular runner, with a big thanks from all at Ilkley Harriers.

Six Harriers headed to the Lake District to take part in the Borrowdale fell race. This tough 17-mile race with 6500ft of climbing starts at Rosthwaite village in Borrowdale and runners have to visit seven checkpoints, including Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Dale Head, before returning to Rosthwaite.

Despite the Lakeland weather conditions being exceptionally challenging, Simon Bell led the Harriers home finishing in a superb 25th position and completing the course in an impressive time of 3:33:10.

Gavin Lamb was the next Harrier home, also managing a sub-four-hour finish. Next over the line was Michael Odell, finishing in another good time of 4:05:40. Alison Weston, representing Ilkley ladies had a great run at this event, as did father and son, Bob and Forrest Hamilton.

Now in its 20th year, the Round Hill fell race organised by Otley AC took place this weekend. To celebrate its 20th anniversary runners had to complete the course clockwise, rather than in the usual anti-clockwise direction. This 8.7mile course, with 1,100ft of ascent involves a tour of Blubberhouses Moor including an ascent of Round Hill before finishing back near Timble village.

Despite the very wet and muddy conditions underfoot, Gawain Moore led the Harriers home, finishing in a superb 8th position overall in a time of 1:01:32. Hot on his heels was Jack Gribbin, with Dave Robson third Harrier home with Dave taking first place in his age category. Catherine Crawley led the Ilkley ladies home, completing the course in a great time of 1:23:18. She was followed by Jean Sullivan, with Jean taking third place in her age category.

Continuing her ultra successes, Petra Bijsterveld took part in the Six Dales Trail Race organised by local ultra event organisers Punk Panther. The Six Dales Trail is an established and signposted 38-mile walking route from Otley to Middleham, which was devised in 2010 by the Otley' Walkers are Welcome' group. It takes its name from the six dales that are traversed - namely Wharfedale, Washburndale, Nidderdale, Colsterdale, Coverdale, and Wensleydale.

With options of running a half marathon, 20, 32 or 50-mile routes, Petra chose the 32-miler which is an out-and-back from Otley to Heyshaw with 3,800 ft of elevation, taking in Clifton, Dob Park, Swinsty, Fewston and Thrushcross reservoirs. Petra had a great run, finishing in an impressive 6:45. She was the second lady to finish and took first prize in her age category.

Overseas, Helen and Dick Waddington took part in the KAT100, a weekend of trail running based in Fieberbrunn in the Kitzbuhel Alps. They opted for the 50km route which loops over the Wildseeloder mountain. Despite the poor weather, continuous rain which resulted in exceptionally muddy and slippery trails as well as low visibility, they both completed the route in fantastic times of 8:06:23 and 8:51:49 respectively. Both also finished with high placings in their age categories, with Helen taking fourth prize in her age group and Dick finishing sixth in his.

An impressive 26 Harriers took part in various summer parkruns around the UK this weekend. The Mon-Williams family stole the show, with Ruaridh the first finisher at the Perth parkrun, Mum Rebecca the first lady to finish at the Kingsbury Water parkrun and Dad Mark the second finisher at the same parkrun.

A first-place finish also this week for Oscar Stapleton at the Morecambe Prom parkrun, with Oscar completing the course in an impressive time of 16:16. Stephen Coy was the second finisher at the Cinder Track parkrun in Whitby, with Michael Abrams-Cohen and Oscar Smyth third place finishers at the Goole and Greenfield Valley parkruns respectively. Back on form, Steve Murray was the fourth finisher at the Bradford parkrun with a sub-20 finish. Tim Ashelford was the fifth to finish at the Chevin Forest parkrun, with clubmate Adam Gerrish hot on his heels to finish in seventh place. Harrier Brittany Watson was the second lady to finish the Robert's Park parkrun and tenth finisher overall, with Brittany running the course in a great sub-20 time of 19:56. Melanie Edwards, a frequent parkrunner, had a good run at the interestingly named Nonsuch parkrun in Surrey and great to see Zoe Murphy back on the parkrun scene, completing the Chevin Forest Parkrun this weekend.