Report by: Jean Sullivan

THERE were gold and silver medals for Harriers Geoff Howard and Hilda Coulsey at the 22nd World Masters Mountain running championships held in the beautiful island of Madeira this weekend.

The pair travelled to Madeira to take part in this prestigious event, which consisted of a classic uphill only race and a long-distance trail race. Both Howard and Coulsey took part in the 34km trail race with 1150m of ascent, requiring runners to showcase their technical and endurance skills. Impressive results for both; a gold medal for Howard and a silver medal for Coulsey in their respective age categories, with the former completing the race in 3:52:08 and the latter in 4:25:06.

As impressive as ever, Howard  also took part in the 9km uphill race, with 800m of ascent, taking a bronze medal in his age category, completing the race in 1:11:07.

Closer to home, on the English fells, six Harriers travelled to Cumbria to take part in the Three Shires fell race in Little Langdale. This classic, challenging 20km race, with 4.000ft of climbing. sees runners having to pass five checkpoints: Wetherlam, Swirl How, Three Shires Stone, Pike O’Blisco, with a final stiff climb to Lingmoor, before returning to the finish at the Three Shires pub in Little Langdale.

Excellent results all round, with Simon Bell finishing in 2:16:52 and coming in in 21st place overall. He was closely followed by Gavin Lamb in 2:24:36, with Ben Sheppard the third Harrier home in 2:41:24. Nick Helliwell also had a great run at this event. Alison Weston led the Ilkley ladies home in 3:12:32, with Kelly Weston hot on her heels to finish in 3:15:04.

Back in Yorkshire, this weekend saw the staging of the Meanwood Valley Trail race, hosted by Valley Striders. This undulating trail race of approximately 7 miles, goes through Adel Woods, Scotland Woods and Meanwood Park, on the outskirts of Leeds. Runners are enticed by the prospect of running under one of the famous ‘Seven Arches’, a previous aqueduct designed to bring water from Eccup Reservoir to the centre of Leeds, past the ‘Slabbering Baby’, a famous drinking fountain in Adel Woods, and through a spooky tunnel under the Leeds outer ring road.

Not distracted by theses historical landmarks, Harriers stormed ahead with fantastic results all round. Jeff Green, on fine form, led the Harriers home, finishing in 14th place overall, in a time of 52:18, taking first prize in his age category. He was followed by Peter Shelley, with Peter finishing in an impressive second place in his age category. Hot on his heels was Steve Murray, crossing the line just 15 seconds behind Peter in 56:36, and coming third in his age category. Jane McCarthy also had a great run at this event, taking first prize in her age category, with Jane also having a sub-1-hour finishing time.

Still in Yorkshire, four Harriers took part in the Wetherby 10km trail race, described as a ‘cracking little Yorkshire run’. This race, now in it’s 18th year and organised by Wetherby Runners AC, starts and finishes at Wetherby racecourse. Sally Armitage, was the third lady to finish in a great time of 39:15, with Sally taking first prize in her age category. Crossing the line at the same time was Harrier Adam Gerrish, with Andrew Picken the third Harrier home. Sue Williamson also had a great run at this race with Sue finishing with a high placing in her age category.

The Harriers retained their commitment to the weekly timed 5km parkrun series, with 33 Harriers taking part in various events in Yorkshire and beyond over the weekend. There were lots of top ten finishing places including; Stephen Coy, who was the second finisher at the Wetherby parkrun, Adam Gerrish, fourth finisher at the Fountains Abbey Parkrun, Oliver Holder the fourth finisher at the Chevin forest parkrun and Tim Ashelford and James Lee the sixth and seventh finishers respectively at the same parkrun, with Jonathan Turner the ninth finisher at the Bradford parkrun. Great parkrunning also by Ilkley ladies with Ruth Kitchen the first female finisher at the Chevin Forest parkrun in a great time of 21:39. Marie Watson was the second lady over the line at the Nova Prestatyn parkrun, Jayne Norman the ninth lady to finish at the Cliffe Castle parkrun. Jacqui Foster the tenth lady to finish at the Morecambe Prom parkrun and Natalie Gravett-Foyn also the tenth female finisher at the Roundhay parkrun.