[Photo: Jack Cummings, winner of the 2023 Daleside Auld Lang Syne race on New Year’s Eve, credit: Dave Woodhead]
From Jill Ezard…
Christmas relay fun and successes on road and trail
Tis the season to go racing and there were plenty of opportunities for Ilkley Harriers to shine over the festive season. The ever popular Chevin Chase on Boxing Day saw an outstanding 51 Harriers shake off the excesses of the season and battle seven miles of deep mud and steep climbs up and down Otley Chevin. This is a tough multi terrain course and there were some great performances: Dominic Coy was the first Harrier home taking third place overall in a blistering 38:42, with Nathan Edmondson only ten seconds behind in fourth place; Jack Cummings and Jack Wood also placed in the top 15; and there were a clutch of age group top five placings for Gawain Moore, Nick Kealey, Dave Robson, Jim Ryder, Rachel Carter and Kate Archer.
Staying with the fells, six Harriers took on the Auld Lang Syne race on New Year’s Eve. At just under seven miles and 1000ft of climb the race starts from Penistone Hill Country Park and heads towards Top Withens, the upper reaches of Ponden Clough and Stanbury Moor. Warmed up from his Chevin Chase outing Jack Cummings stormed to the win in a fantastic time of 44:14. Next over the line were Neil Wilson and Thomas Mountain who finished in the top 50 with only five seconds between them – Neil just ahead in 56:31 . Kate Archer was the first lady home of the Harriers coming in just over the hour in 1:00:46.
New Year’s Eve was a busy race day as there were two more opportunities for the Harriers to shine. Geoff Howard and Jaysson Sawyer ventured over to Ripon to take part in the Jolly Holly Jog, a scenic, multi-terrain course of approximately 10k, following an undulating route mainly on footpaths & through Studley parkland. Jaysson was on fine form finishing the race in 44:41 taking 39th place in a very competitive field of over 750 runners. Geoff had a fantastic run picking up another age category win coming over the line in 52:56.
And it wasn’t all trails, with 23 Harriers taking to the road in the Ribble 10k, the race incorporating the Northern 10k road championships and therefore attracting a competitive field. Starting at the Roefield Leisure Centre in Clitheroe, this traffic-free course gives an opportunity for some great times and the Harriers didn’t disappoint. Christos Tzelis had an amazing run and was the first Harrier over the line in 31:21 taking 28th place overall and second in his age category. Jack Wood was next taking 31st place overall in 31:25. Moving into a new age category Bernie Gibbons had a fantastic run taking first place in her age category in 1:02:02. There were also top ten age category placings for Ed Hobbs, Steve Coy, Jonathan Turner, John Hayes and Alison Weston.
Leaving 2023 behind three Harriers strode into 2024 starting their year off with two very different races. Hilda Coulsey was in Northern Ireland taking part in the Race Over the Glens in Glenariff Forest Park in County Antrim. A hilly, technical and therefore challenging 10k route, Hilda had a fantastic run completing the course in 1:11:00 and taking her first, no doubt of many, age category win of the year. In contrast, Samesh Chotai and Fiona Schneider took part in the much more pleasant-sounding Silsden New Year Resolution Fun Run. Now in its 40th year and with fancy dress encouraged this run sees runners of all ages start the year off with a bang, running an out and back 3 miles from Silsden. Samesh was the first Harrier home in a great time of 18:16 with Fiona finishing in 30:03.
Of course it isn’t always about racing. There was a fantastic turnout for the annual Ilkley Harriers Christmas Relays with some pretty impressive fancy dress. Teams of four tackled the 1.4mile (run) or 0.8mile (run/walk) route competing against their team mates. With prizes both for running and fancy dress, and a trip to the Vaults for a social event afterwards, there was something for everyone. With teams making a voluntary donation to take part, the event also raised £180 for the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.
And finally, Harriers were out in force for all of the festive parkrun events. Christmas Day saw 30 Harriers prepare for their Christmas lunch taking part in events across the country: Top of the list was junior Archie Budding who was not only first finisher at Roberts Park parkrun but his time of 16:16 matched the JM course record of fellow Harrier Ed Hobbs. There were also some impressive top ten finishes for Harry Stead at Woodhouse Moor, Danny Thompson at Lister Park, Alison Bennett at Skipton, Jacqui Foster at Myrtle Park and Dave Foyston and Steve Coy behind Archie Budding at Roberts Park. And three Harriers achieved Christmas PBs: Jaysson Sawyer at Roberts Park; Carole Cunningham at Chevin Forest; and Tom Worboys further afield at the St Helens event. Although there were less Harriers out on New Year’s Day the performances were almost as impressive: James Horrex was the second finisher at the Gladstone event; Jonathan Turner, John Hayes, Nathan Coy and Steve Coy all had top ten finishes; and it was a great start to the year for Gaenor Coy who celebrated with her 50th parkrun.