LAST weekend saw the 40th anniversary of the annual Rombalds Stride, a challenging 23-mile hilly multi-terrain race, for walkers and runners, starting and finishing at Guiseley and taking in Baildon Moor, Ilkley Moor and Otley Chevin.

Conditions were tough with strong winds and rain to contend with.

Ilkley Harriers were well represented at this race with 26 of their runners taking part.

And Ilkley’s Kate Archer was the first lady to finish overall in a superb time of three hours, 20 minutes and 33 seconds.

Dave Robson led the Ilkley men home, finishing in 12th place in a time of 3:06:05, followed by Nick Kealey in 17th place in 3:09:44.

Dan McKeown the third Ilkley Harrier home in 3:19:31.

Last weekend also saw the staging of the popular Dewsbury 10km, a flat, fast, out-and-back course.

Despite the weather conditions not being ideal, 17 Ilkley Harriers took part, with some very impressive race times.

Nathan Edmondson finished third overall in a superb time of 31 minutes and 31 seconds.

He was followed by Mike Abrams-Cohen, who finished the race in a personal best time for a 10km of 36:54.

Jane McCarthy set a new FV45 club record, completing the race in 39:01 and finishing third in her age category.

Hilda Coulsey also had a great run, finishing second in her age category. There were lots more personal best times for other Ilkley Harriers too.

Ilkley Harriers continued their dedication to running in the weekly 5km timed parkruns.

In London, Catherine Gibbons was the second lady to finish at the Richmond parkrun in a great time of 21:23.

Back in Yorkshire, there were lots of top ten placings.

Tim Ashelford was the fourth finisher at the Skipton parkrun, running it in a time of 19:09, with Adam Gerrish seventh finisher and Steve Newell ninth finisher at the Bradford parkrun.

BY JEAN SULLIVAN