ILKLEY Harrier Sally Malir was the first lady home in the challenging 27th Rombald's Stride Sally finished in 3:13:07 and was a splendid 18th overall. Sally was second last year after being first lady in 2005. Second lady was Catherine Farrow in 33rd place overall in 3:27:19.

The race set off from The Green behind St Oswald's School in Guiseley with the ringing of a hand bell.

This heralded the start of a tough 25mile race over Baildon and Ilkley Moors followed by otley Chevin.

Starting and finishing at St Oswald's Junior School in Guiseley, the route takes in some of Yorkshire's finest scenery up the Airedale Valley, over Rombald's Moor to Ilkley and across Otley Chevin.

The Rombald's Stride has always been more about enjoyment than racing and this spirit was captured last Saturday when the first three runners chose to cross the line together with Mark Bendall, Richard Pattinson and Lee Athersmith all recording the same time of 2.48.04.

After a discussion amongst the three of them the win was credited to Horsforth's Bendall in a time of 2hrs 48 mins 04 seconds with second going to Richard Pattinson and third to Skipton's Lee Athersmith, also credited with 2:48:04.

Pattinson set a course record winning in 2006 with 02:39:07 while Athersmith was the 2007 winner in 3:36:07.

The event is organised by the 15th Airedale Scouts and the first Scout home was Philip Catchpole in 6:24:07 followed by William Girt, Callum Gill and Joseph Dunning all crossing the finishing line in 6:37:10.

Skyrac's Malcolm Coles was first male veteran in 3:29:10 with Hilary Wharam first female veteran in 5:31:02. The oldest finisher was Catherine Armstrong who finished in 6:47:45.

Yeadon veteran Les Wood, 65, has run in 26 of the 27 Rombald's Stride events and he finished 287th in 5:55:39.

As well as serious runners this event also attracts walkers hence the huge difference in finishing times.

This time instead of running over gallons of mud - a freeze overnight had made the open moor sections easier to manage. The only downside occurred for runners lower down the order through the compacting of the snow. Conditions were tricky from the Cow and Calf down to Burley Woodhead.

The ice combined with a snow blizzard at about 11.45 am this was after seeing the opposite side of the Ilkley valley being lit by brilliant sunshine.

The weathermen had suggested that the air would be still on the day but instead there was a biting wind all the way around the course. Thanks must be given to all the helpers at checkpoints on the route who provided refreshments to the participants.

It's good to see that the Rombald's Stride is still well supported by both runners and walkers who travel from all parts of the UK to compete.

Guiseley's Brian Gill has been involved in organising the race over all of its 26 years but in the last couple of years has been drawn back into taking part along with his grandchildren.

Brian walked the course with granddaughter Martha Phillips, aged 10, and her brother Jacob, aged 12.

Jacob took part in the previous year but this was Martha's first time out and the trio completed the walk as a family in 8 hours 4 mins 37 secs - quite an achievement for young Martha.

Brian said: "We did a few trial walks beforehand to make sure Martha could cope with it. It was quite hellish in the snow on top of Ilkley Moor but Martha coped really well and in fact on the return up Otley Chevin she was doing a lot better than me!"

Of the entry of 500 Brian said: "We had a full entry and we had to turn around 50 people away which is a shame as we do it to raise funds for the Scouts. Of the 500 entries 470 set off and 456 finished."

Ilkley Harriers had the first mixed team in the Pennine Bridleway Relay, finishing 22nd out of 75 teams and 11 minutes quicker than last year.

Leg 1 - Diane Haggar/Amanda Oddie 1.11.42 (31st); Leg 2 - Marc Teasey/Sarah Jarvis 1.40.26 (24th fastest on leg, pulling up to 27th overall); Leg 3 - Paul Davidson/John Atkinson 1.06.37 (18th fastest on leg, gaining another five places and up to 22nd); Leg 4 - Emma Barclay/Jo Foster 50.07 (41st on leg, down to 26th overall); Leg 5 - Jamie Hutchinson/Tom Adams 1.09.06 (a stunning 11th fastest on leg).

Sunday was also the start of the Yorkshire Vets 2008 Grand Prix, a series of ten off road races. In the women's race Alison Eagle was 6th in 37:14 and Ann Stead 36th in 47:06. In the men's race Ilkley had 28, 32:46 Timothy Bull; 51, 36:06 Neil Chapman; 71, 38:18 Pete Shields.

Ken and Nicky Jaquiery went over to Langsett, North Peak to compete in the Mickleden Straddle Fell Race (13.8m/1980ft). Nicky was second lady in 2h21 and Ken ran it in 2h40.

In the Dewsbury 10k Tim Ashelford was 36th and 2nd MV40 in 35.39. Other results were: 152, Stephen Coy 39.57; 372, Robert Wills 44.57; 812, Fiona Schneider 55.09; 860, Greg Wright 56.21; 928, Jacqui Weston 58.42.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club, training from Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club every Tuesday at 7pm. More info on www.ilkleyharriers.org.uk