Ilkley Harriers' endurance athletes excel in the Alps

Petra Bijsterveld competed in the CCC, which refers to the route; Courmayeur- Champex- Chamonix. A gruelling 100 KM, the race astonishingly takes in over 6,000 metres of ascent. These days known as a seasoned ultra-trail runner, Bijsterveld managed to complete the course in under 24 hours which was her target and well inside the cut-off time. Finishing 4th in her category, she impressively managed to keep running right up to the finish line in Chamonix.

Another monumental run in the Alps was had by Ilkley’s Andrew Merrick. His race was the TDS (Traces des Ducs de Savoie), taking in 90 miles and over 9,000 metres of climb. With the weather not quite as favourable as Bijsterveld’s race, there was a route change and muddy conditions in part, as well as taking in the classic Alpine terrain of mountain, snow, stream and forest. Merrick completed this test of extreme stamina in a time of 38 hours 51 minutes and came 10th in his category. Both runners reported spending some well earnt recuperation time in the picturesque surroundings following their memorable feats.

Meanwhile another Ilkley athlete, Tim Ashelford, travelled to Ellesmere in Shropshire to compete in the British Age Group Sprint Triathlon Championships. This category of triathlon involves a 750-metre swim, 20 kilometre bike ride and finally a 5K road run. This race unfortunately turned out to be a ‘duathlon’ due to the swim being cancelled because of blue green algae in the River Mere. This however did not deter Ashelford who romped home in second place to earn a silver medal.

Back in West Yorkshire on Sunday a group of Harriers took part in the ever-popular Leeds Country Way Relay. The relay consists of six legs, each leg run in pairs with a total distance of approximately 62 miles covered. Many of the local running clubs sent teams to compete, with Ilkley entering two teams assembled by Nick Helliwell. The mixed team finished 2nd in their category, while the men’s veteran team finished 4th in theirs. The pick of many great performances were Kyle Bethell/Ruth Kitchen who were mixed champions on leg 5; and Kate Archer/Brit Watson who were ladies champions for leg 6.

Closer to home on Friday, a hardy band of gentlemen completed the Ilkley Skyline challenge. Steve Newell, Tony Pye, Nigel Illingworth and Andrew Smith braved the gruelling, bordering on brutal 22 miles of local terrain. The challenge starts and finishes at the Hermit pub, traversing Ilkley Moor, Addingham Moorside and Beamsley Beacon as well as a river crossing at Burley in Wharfedale. The route takes in 900 metres of climb in total. Conceived in 2013 by Mike Ayres of North Leeds Fell Runners, the Skyline has established itself as a classic fell running route and although on this occasion Tom Adams’ and Jack Wood’s record time was never under threat, it is always an impressive feat to complete the challenge.

The nation’s 5K Saturday morning parkruns were again well attended by club members. In Cardiff, Helena Coy edged her sibling Nathan. Helena was first female in a time of 17.59 and Nathan finished 9th overall in an identical time! Catherine Gibbons impressed at Old Deer parkrun in Richmond-upon-Thames finishing as first female in a time of 21.26. There were also first finishes for Rob Cunningham at Skipton and Edward Hobbs at Fountains Abbey. Other stand-out performances came from Mark Hall who was 6th overall and Beth Massey, 3rd female, at Barnsley. Forrest Hamilton came 5th at Bramley in Leeds. David Foyston finished 4th at Roberts park, with talented youngster Jake Norris just behind him in a cracking time of 17.36. While at the same venue Vince Gibbons continued his fine form achieving a PB for the second week running, shaving a second off and finishing in a time of 27.48.