Category wins galore for Ilkley Harriers across the country

HARRIERS were out in force on the trails and fells this weekend in challenging heat again with impressive personal achievements and some great category wins.

Kate Archer succeeded in completing her solo Bob Graham Round (BGR) attempt in 23 hours and 30 minutes. Starting and finishing at The Moot Hall, Keswick in the Lake District, at 66 miles and 27,000 feet of ascent this is not a challenge for the faint hearted. To become a member of the Bob Graham 24-hour club, runners must summit 42 of the highest peaks in the Lake District in less than 24 hours. After months of preparation and supported by a number of club mates, Archer set out at 12:30am on Saturday 3 June.

It was tough conditions with the heat and the Harrier star found the second half challenging but touched the Moot Hall seconds before midnight on Saturday earning her a place in the members’ club.

Also in the Lake District four Harriers took part in the Duddon Valley Fell Races. There were two races on the day. Ben Rothery, Simon Robinson and Dave Robson took on the long race. This race was a counter for the Senior English Fell Running Championship which is a season-long series of fell races spread over, primarily, the north of England running approximately from March to October each year.

It aims to find the best individual fell runner of the season in a range of age categories. At 29km with 1830m of climb this tough race takes in Harter, Hardknott, Little Stand, Swirl How, Dow Crag, White Pike and Caw. Rothery was the first Harrier home taking a fabulous third place overall in 02:49:30. He was followed by Robinson in 04:07:43 and Dave in 04:35:34. Abbie Rothery took the “short” course but at 15km and 915m of climb this is far from a short race, and she completed the course in 02:32:53.

Iain Gibbons tackling the descent at the Kettlewell Anniversary Fell Race (Image: Woodentops)

Helen Waddington was also in action in the Lakes, taking part in the Grasmere Gallop 17km race. Part of the OMM Lite weekend, there is an event to suit every ability as this celebration of trail running with distances starting from 5.7k and including a 10k Nordic Walking option. Waddington’s 17km route took in the beautiful Loughrigg Terrace, Loughrigg Fell and Loughrigg Tarn, returning to Grasmere via Rydal Water and Grasmere Lake. She had a successful run completing the race in 01:39:05 securing third place in her age category.

On the fells closer to home Geoff Howard, Simon Bell and Jim Ryder took on the Pen-Y-Ghent Fell race on Saturday. Despite being only 11km long, the route climbs 485m creating a challenging event. Bell was the first Harrier home in a fantastic fifth place and third in his age category, completing the run in 53:28. Ryder was next home in 1:05:04 with Howard next in 1:20:25 and taking a commanding first place in his age category.

Meanwhile in Kettlewell, Iain Gibbons was the sole Harrier taking on the Kettlewell Anniversary Fell Race. He had a great run finishing in the even in the top 15 and third in his age category in 14:21.

Saturday also saw a huge Harriers turnout for the Wharfedale Trail half marathon. Starting and finishing in Grassington the 13.2mile route takes in some of Wharfedale's finest scenery with over 2,000 feet of ascents following well established footpaths, including the Dalesway and Mastiles Lane giving runners breathtaking views from Scott Gate, Mastiles and Boss Moor. 11 Harriers took on the challenge with some excellent results. Matthew Thackwray had a blistering run coming in second place and first in his age category in 01:35:22. Matt Cox took second place in his age category coming over the line in fifth place overall in 01:38:24. There were other category wins in both the men’s and women’s races: Rachel Carter was the first female Harrier over the line in fourth overall taking first place in her age category in 01:57:04 with Emma Shepherd taking second place in the same category in 02:10:30; Jonathan Sinclair took first place in his age category finishing the race in 01:56:40; and finally Hilda Coulsey took first place in a time of 02:42:29. There were also great runs from Owen Parker, Steve Murray, Paul Evans, Mike Williams and Andrew Picken.

The final trail outing of the week was at the Apperley Bridge Canter where Mike Abrams-Cohen and Nic Anness took on the multi-terrain 10k on the scenic trails around Horsforth and Apperley Bridge. Mike completed the event in 41:25 and Nic in 1:22:11.

There were only two road outings this week. Three Harriers took on the Bronte Five mile race on Thursday 1st June. Starting in Haworth the undulating course takes in two laps of Penistone Country Park before finishing back in the village. Jack Wood had a great race finishing third in 27:23. Dave Foyston was next over the line in 29:32 and third in his age category. And Mary Jeal was first in her age category in 46:11.

Alison Bennett, not content with completing a parkrun whilst waiting for a ferry on holiday, decided to take part in a 10k charity run straight after. She had a great run in the Leanne Fund Charity 10k taking third place in 49:52.

And combining road and bike, Christos Tzelis recently took part in the Weston Park Sprint Duathlon, a qualifying event for the 2024 European Sprint Distance Duathlon Championships.

A mixed age race, Christos was competing against many much older competitors. Completing four laps of the cycle course with a 2.5k before and 5k run after, Christos won his age category and secured a fabulous third place overall in 1.08.57, missing second by just seven seconds. This superb result means Christos has qualified for the 2024 European Sprint Distance Duathlon Championships Event.

And finally, undeterred by the heat at the weekend 23 Harriers attended parkruns across the UK with some great top 10 finishes: Beth Massey was second in Barnsley in 22:25; Jack Wood was second in Penrhyn in 17:38; Dave Foyston was third at Roberts Park in 17:32; and Steve Coy was third at Cliffe Castle in 20:36; Mike Abrams-Cohen was third at the Potternewton event in 19:06; further afield Alison Bennett squeezed in a second place finish before catching a ferry from Stornoway at the Lews Castle event in 23:21; Jacqui Foster had sixth place finish on Morecambe prom in 24:03; and finally Rob and Yasmin Cunningham both had top 10 positions at the Chevin Forest event in 20:07 and 24:32 respectively.