From Alison Bennett…
The cross country season started in style at Guiseley’s Nunroyd Park on Saturday. It was an untypical, gloriously sunny, warm day for the first race in the West Yorkshire Cross Country 2022 league. The ladies race comprised one small lap and 2 large laps of the park covering a distance of 5.5km. Sarah Pickering was in great form and was the first Ilkley lady to finish in an impressive 10th position, closely followed by Brit Tate in 12th place. Alison Bennett, Sally Malir and Diane Kitchen also took part and helped clinched a 4th overall team result for the Ladies.
The men’s race followed the same course as the ladies race, but with an extra 2 large laps to complete, making up a distance of 9km. There were some outstanding runs with Nathan Edmondson achieving 2nd place; Jack Wood 5th and Edward Hobbs 7th. It was 17 year old Edward’s first outing in the XC for Ilkley, having joined the club recently from Otley AC. Several of the other Ilkley Harriers taking part were cross country stalwarts: Steven Gott, Stephen Coy, David Robson, Tim Ashelford, David Westhead, Mark Iley, Rob Budding, Phil Chappell, Jim Ryder. They too contributed to the Ilkley Men’s 4th team place.