REPORT BY: JEAN SULLIVAN

BANK Holiday Monday saw the inaugural staging of the Pete Shields Ilkley Trail Race, a fitting tribute to Pete Shields, a former Ilkley Harriers coach and friend to many who sadly passed away in 2020.

Formerly called the Ilkley Trail Race, this event now bears Pete’s name to remember this much-loved man, who was a gifted runner and an outstanding coach, leading training sessions for athletes at club, national and international levels over many years.

This 11km race, with spectacular views over the Wharfe valley and across to Ilkley Moor had a great attendance by Ilkley Harriers, with over 40 taking part, a fitting tribute to Pete. And appropriately there was a home winner in Tom Adams, finishing below 40 minutes in 39:16, with team-mate Nathan Edmondson - who landed the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in fantastic style a fortnight before - hot on his heels to finish in second place in 40:03. Jack Wood was the third Harrier over the line, finishing in sixth place overall, in 42.27. Ruth Kitchen led the Ilkley ladies home, completing the course in 51:46. Sarah Mclean was the second Ilkley lady over the line, followed by Bethany Wright.

These fantastic results meant that Ilkley men won the first team prize. And they also swooped lots of the age category prizes, with Dave Foyston taking the first M45 prize, John Hayes the first M55 prize and Jonathan Sinclair the first M60 prize. Sarah Hayes was the first F50 to finish, with Tracey Watson the first F55 to complete the course.

All profits from the race will be shared between Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for terminal illness, and the Revival Centre and Orphanage in Matugga Uganda.

Also in Yorkshire, this weekend saw the staging of the popular Epilepsy Action Bradford 10km road race, with all monies raised going to support the national charity, Epilepsy Action. The race starts and finishes at Bradford’s Centenary Square with the majority of this out and back course going along Canal Road.

Harrier Danny Thompson led the Harriers home, finishing in a great time of 36:43, which placed him 21st overall. Kyle Bethell was the second Harrier over the line, in another sub-40 time, with Dave Westhead the third home in 40:23, taking third prize in his age category.

Harriers Paul Sullivan, Leo Graham, Tom Lambe, Ian Davis and Mike Williams all managed sub-45-minute finishes, with Mike taking second prize in his age category. Karen Lambe, Jo Pattinson and Sue Westerman also had great runs at this event.

On the trails, the second race in the Harrogate and District Summer Race League took place this week, with an impressive turn out of Ilkley Harriers. Eighteen Harriers took to the start line of this race, organised by Harrogate Harriers. The route starts at Cardale Park and takes an anti-clockwise loop through Beckwithshaw and the lanes to the south west of Harrogate. Two Harriers finished in the top ten, with Matthew Thackwray leading them home, finishing in fifth place overall in 34:31. Hot on his heels was Dave Foyston, finishing in ninth place overall and taking first place in his age category. Michael Abrams-Cohen was the third Harrier home, in a time of 38:18.

Jonathan Turner also had a great run at this race, taking first place in his age category, as did Alison Bennett in her category.

This week also saw the staging of another 5km race in the Leeds Evensplits series, monthly 5km races held at the University of Leeds Brownlee Centre. David Foyston was the first Harrier home, finishing the course in 17:26 and first in his age category. Forrest Hamilton was the second Harrier over the line just behind Dave, in 17:33. He was followed by Michael Abrams-Cohen in 18:34. Adam Gerrish, Pete de Sanctis and Rachel Barnicoat also had great runs at this event.

On the fells Dave Robson took part in the interestingly named ‘That’s so Hebden Bridge’ fell race. This race, organised by Todmorden Harriers, is described as “a delightful 10K fell race run over trail and open moorland starting in Hebden Bridge, with a steep climb up to Stoodley Pike and back”. Dave had a great run, finishing in 13th place overall and finished first in his age category, with Dave completing the course in 52:50.

Also on the fells, in Scotland, mum and daughter, Alison and Nea Weston took part in the Isle of Jura fell race. This tough 27km course, with 2370m of ascent, involves summiting seven peaks. It took place in challenging conditions with lots of rain and clag to contend with. Alison completed the course in an impressive time of 5:33:34, with Nea running it in 6:21:17.

This week, Harrier Geoff Howard had a go at achieving a 'good for age' London Marathon qualifying time at Kempton Park Racecourse, along with 73 others. This attempt involved running eight laps of the racecourse and 79-year-old Geoff achieved his aim in an outstanding 4:15:07.

The lovely sunny weather encouraged lots of Harriers out to take part in the weekly timed parkrun series, with a total of 27 Harriers taking part in various events around the country. Jack Wood was the first finisher at the Myrtle parkrun, with Jack finishing in a very impressive time of 17:11. Beth Massey was the first female home at the Bradford parkrun, Beth completing the course in a great time of 20:41. Sarah Hayes completed the Fountains Abbey parkrun and achieved a personal best time for this course in 25:08. The Carter family were out together at the Robert’s Park parkrun, with brothers Robert and Alexander finishing in fourth and tenth places respectively, dad Julian in 16th place and mum Rachel finishing in 23rd place, impressive results for this family.