Report by: Jill Ezard

IT was back to school and back to a full race schedule for the Ilkley Harriers this week and they were off to a winning start at the annual Ilkley Incline on Wednesday.

Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the event is a unique, one mile, uphill-only race where 560ft of climbing is rewarded with stunning views across the Wharfe Valley. The route starts on tarmac road, and continues on stony track, so attracted both road and trail runners in the 100 strong field.

34 Harriers took on the challenge with Christos Tzelis winning the event in just 07:07. There were also a number of category first places for Matt Cox (08:19), Jeff Green (08:30), Martin Hartley (09:32), Paul Calderbank (10:07), Junior Harrier Matilda Irvine (10:52) and Paul Stephens (12:06). A fantastic turnout and set of results for the team.

Continuing on the road there were half marathon successes at the Vale of York event on Sunday. This fast, flat, charity half marathon starts and finishes just outside Wistow, and runs on scenic closed roads south of York and north of Selby. A great race to achieve a personal best and it was certainly a great race for Ed Hobbs and Sally Armitage: E

The former won the race in a blistering time of 1:09:41 with the latter finishing in second place and first in her age category in an outstanding 1:22:29. The day also incorporates a fast and flat 10k taking in part of the half marathon route which Lucia Stoney completed in 1:02:00.

To add to the silverware, Tom Adams won the Yorkshireman off road marathon in Haworth in 2:58:52, breaking the course record by 10 minutes. The race starts on Haworth Main Street with the route quickly taking runners uphill and into open countryside towards Gatehouse, Houghgate and Brookhouse before reaching the halfway mark returning via Denholme Beck, Hainworth Village and Penistone Hill. He was followed to the finish by Gavin Lamb who took eighth position in 03:55:56.

Four Harriers also tackled the half marathon on the same day taking in some of the marathon route. Nick Helliwell was first home in 02:10:23, taking 20th position, followed by Katie Poulter in 02:37:41 taking third place in her age category, Steve Worthington just behind in 02:38:46 and Sacha Jones in 02:45:48.

At only 3.5miles long the Bradley show Fell race may seem like an easier option than the Yorkshireman but the three Harriers who took on the challenge definitely won’t have thought that with a huge 900ft of climb over the short course. The race starts with a steady climb up the fields and tracks to High Bradley, followed by a steep ascent to the top of Bradley moor, finishing with a fast return to the show field. Gawain Moore was the first Harrier home in sixth place in 27:18 taking first place in his age category. Rachel Carter was the first lady home in 33:48 also taking her age category prize. David Howe completed the event in 39:30. Future Harriers talent was also on show with Junior Harriers Oscar Shinn, Alex Wolfenden, Robert Carter all taking podium places.

Back on the roads nine Harriers took the ever popular Great North Run in Newcastle on Sunday in somewhat challenging heat conditions. The iconic route takes runners from the city centre to the coast at South Shields, the sea breeze normally providing some relief at the end. Despite the weather Tony Pye had a great run an was the first Harrier home in 01:38:38, with Michael Ho just behind in 01:46:56. Sarah Haynes was the first female Harrier home in 02:02:39. Lucy Lowe, Charlotte Smithson, and Hannah Osieku all completed the run in less than 02:15:00, with Kate Williams, Alex Stanley-Hyde and Bernie Gibbons all completing the course.

And finally, there was a flurry of top ten finishes for our 19 parkrunners this week: At Bradford, Mark Hall and Sally Malir were both second finishers in 18:13 and 22:52 respectively; in Barnsley, Beth Massey was the third finisher in 23:12; in Crichton, Robert Budding was fifth finisher in 21:29; in Lancaster Jacqui Foster was tenth in 27:25; and at the ever popular Chevin Forest event three Harriers finished in the top ten, with Tim Ashelford in ninth in 20:42, Ruth Kitchen in third in 22:25 and Rebecca Mon-Williams in sixth in 24:55.