REPORT BY: JEAN SULLIVAN

LAST weekend saw the staging of the 68th Three Peaks fell race, one of the oldest and most prestigious events in the UK off-road running calendar.

This route, of almost 40km, goes across the Yorkshire Dales mountains of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Conditions on the day were good; dry and still with a comfortable temperature.

Ruaridh Mon-Williams led the Harriers home, finishing in a superb ninth place overall, with Ruaridh completing the course in a time of 3:11:08. Hot on his heels was Tom Adams who finished in tenth place, in 3:12:10. Simon Bell was the third Harrier over the line, with Simon completing the course in 3:43:42. James Battersley also had a great race, finishing in 4:28:38.

Ann-Kristin Marsham led the Ilkley ladies home, with Ann completing the course in a impressive time of 4:57:27. Alison Weston, who has completed the race over 20 times was next home in 5:07:13, and Sacha Jones was the third Ilkley lady in another great time of 5:08:30.

Also on the fells, this weekend saw the staging of the Fellsman, a high-level traverse, covering more than 60 miles over hard moorland in the Yorkshire Dales. The event climbs over 11,000 feet and navigational skills are required as the route does not follow well defined footpaths. The race starts at Ingleton and takes runners up Ingleborough, Whernside, Gragareth, Great Knoutberry, Snaizeholme, Buckden Pike, eventually finishing in Threshfield. Dick Waddington and Andrew Merrick had a great run at this event, crossing the finish line together in an impressive 18:18.

The last race in the Bunny Run series took place this week, a relay race with the baton being an egg! 64 teams took part and Archie Budding, the overall winner of the series, along with clubmates Oscar Shinn and Alex Wolfenden, were the fifth team (‘Archie’s Disciples’) in the relay. Ilkley Harriers’ second team (All R’s No Elbows), comprising Rob Budding, Rachel Carter and her son Robert came in 20th place overall.

This week saw the staging of another race in the Leeds Evensplits series, 5km races held at the Brownlee centre. David Foyston had a superb run, completing the 5km course in an impressive 16:45 and finishing in sixth place overall, taking first place in his age category. Hot on his heels was Mike Abrams-Cohen, with Mike finishing in 18:10. Kyle Bethell was the third Harrrier over the line, very close to Mike in 18:28. Ruth Kitchen finished in another impressive time of 18:40, taking second place in her age category.

On the roads Helen Waddington took part in the Hartlepool Marina 5-mile road race, organised by Burn Road Harriers. Helen managed to beat her own club LV55 record time for a 5-mile race by 32 seconds, completing the course in an impressive 36:11 and finishing first in her age category.

Sally Malir was back racing this weekend, with Sally running the Melmerby 10km. This undulating road race along country lanes saw Sally also take first place in her age category, with Sally completing the course in a great time of 44:50.

David Foyston continued his fine form on Friday evening, when he took part in the mid-Cheshire 5km, one of the fastest 5kms in the country, set in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. Dave crossed the line in an excellent time of 16:25, achieving his aim of a sub-16:30, 5km.

Overseas, Harrier Matthew Kennedy took part in the Madeira Island Ultra Trail, a 115km race, with 23,200 ft of ascent. The race starts at Porto Moniz on the north west coast of the island and finishes in the south eastern town of Machico. Matthew finished in a superb 54th position out of a field of almost 900 who started the race. Matthews impressive finish time of 18:48 meant that he took third place in his age category.

Also overseas, there was silver medal success for Harrier Brit Tate at the World Aquathlon Championships in Ibiza. This event consists of two legs, a 1km swim, followed by a 5km run, with Brit completing the event in a total time of 38:30 and earning herself a podium place.

The Harriers continued their great attendance at the weekly timed 5km parkrun series. Mike Abrams-Cohen was the first finisher at the Potternewton parkrun, Mike completing the course in a great time of 18:42. Success for Ilkley ladies also, with Ruth Kitchen the first lady to finish at the Roberts Park parkrun in a superb time of 19:58. Alison Bennett was the second lady at the Dinton Potter parkrun and Beth Massey the second lady to cross the line at the Bradford parkrun.

There were plenty of top ten finishing places, including for Jack Wood at the Myrtle parkrun, David Foyston and Jake Norris at the Roberts Park parkrun, Justin Pierce at the Bradford parkrun, Patrick Wardle at the Land’s End parkrun, Tim Ashelford at the Skipton parkrun, William Wood at the Hafan Pwllheli parkrun and Rob Budding at the Chevin Forest parkrun.