Skyrac's Robert Pritchard

As the lighter nights finally arrive there are numererous evening races for local runners to compete in and Horsforth Harriers' Apperley Bridge Canter is one of the earlier opportunities this year on May 22 starting from its traditional base at Woodhouse Grove School.

Originally established as a one-off race to test the facilities and locale for a revised Horsforth 10K, a long established weekend race later in the year, the Apperley Bridge Canter has gone from strength to strength in its own right.

It is run over a different, more off road, course than the Horsforth 10K and is not as accurately measured as its bigger cousin, the organisers describe the course as approximately 10K.

Each year has seen an increased entry, aided no doubt by the weather being glorious on the evening of the run, and the facility of being enter on the evening of the race.

While the race organisers cannot guarantee the weather, they will be continuing the policy of on-the-day entries this year, although it is still possible to enter in the more traditional manner in advance and through the ever-increasing use of online entry via the internet.

The Horsforth Harriers website at www.horsforthharriers.co.uk has downloadable entry forms and a link for online entries.

This year's race starts at 7.30 pm and has a new sponsor in the form of local running specialist retailer Up and Running.

Away from race organising, Horsforth Harriers have turned in several notable perfomances on the roads. Tony Hazell, fresh from setting a new 10K personal best at the recent Rothwell 10K, smashed his best time for the full marathon by almost six minutes to finish third overall (and first M40) at the Blackpool Marathon in 2:36:34.

Mark Bendall was running an equally impressive 1:12:45 in the big field of the Sheffield Half Marathon, which saw him finish in seventh place overall.

Otley Athletic Club Otley AC staged their latest monthly handicap race on the four mile circuit of Fewston Reservoir last week. Despite the cool, damp conditions, there was a good turnout of over 20 runners.

First past the post was Billy Rayner in 33minutes 40 seconds (31.40 net). This was Billy's first handicap victory and was well-deserved following his good performance only two weeks previously in the London Marathon.

In second place, having cruised past most of the field, was newcomer Lloyd Best in 34.16 (26.16).

Lloyd looks an exciting prospect for the club but the handicapper will be closely scrutinising his next few performances.

John Dade held on to third place in 34.42 (29.42), having improved his time by two minutes compared with last year.

Paul Clifford seems determined to regain the Eric Smith Handicap Championship trophy he won two years ago.

He achieved a fast-finishing sixth place in 35.37 (26.37) to give himself a handsome 11 point lead in the Championship after only four races.

Finally, fastest time of the night was achieved by Zack Whitehead who finished 13th in 36.06 (23.06 net).

On Sunday, Tom Hannah travelled to Keswick to run in the scenic but very testing Keswick Half Marathon.

The forecast heavy rain never materialised and conditions were warm and humid. However, the conditions were not to blame for Tom's disappointing time of 1 hour 42 minutes 51 seconds.

More likely that this was just one race too many following the London Marathon and Sheffield Half Marathon last week.

This year's Otley Ten Mile Road Race, supported by The Divan Centre and Yorkshire Tea, will take place on Wednesday, June 11, and entry forms are now available from the club, local sports shops and sports centres.

Alternatively, visit the club website www.otleyac.co.uk Otley AC welcome runners of all abilities to their training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.15pm at Otley RUFC. For further details, visit the club website.

Skyrac AC Skyrac athletes set personal bests and club records last Saturday when ten athletes represented the club in the Northern Track and Field League competition at Radclyffe Sports Centre, Oldham.

In this first meeting the Skyrac club came fifth out of seven teams and collected 211 points. Each athlete performed well and collected a well respected average of 21 points per athlete.

The Skyrac athletes set in total ten personal bests. The highlight of the meeting for the Skyrac athletes was in the team relays. The Skyrac girls in winning the 4 x 100m set a new club record of 55.2 secs with a storming team performance with a photo finish against Chorley AC.

The same girls ten minutes later in winning the 4 x 400m set another Skyrac club record of 4 mins 21.7 secs in storming to a convincing victory.

The Skyrac coaches and officials thank all the athletes and helpers who turned up to fight the Skyrac cause.

In the ladies Laura Griggs won the 400m Hurdles, was second in the javelin, won the triple jump with a personal best of 10m 06cm and also competed in both the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays.

Hannah Seddon was second in the 400m in a personal best time of 62.7 secs, and won the 200m B race setting another personal best time of 28.0 secs. Hannah also competed in both the relays.

Rebecca Harrison was third in the 100m B race and also convincingly won the 3000m race in a personal best time. Rebecca also competed in both relays.

Charlotte James was fourth in the 100m in a personal best time of 13.0 secs and won the 200m equalling her personal best time of 26.6 secs. Charlotte also competed in both relays.

Beth Harrison, who is coming back from injury, came second in the B string women's javelin with a personal best throw.

In the men's team making his return to competitive athletics is the former English Schools 800m champion Jon Keith who came third in the 800m.

Oliver Clemo was fifth in the 100m in a time of 12.2 secs, third in the 200m with a personal best time of 23.9 secs and second in the high jump with a personal best of 1.50m.

Adam Brooks was fourth in the 200m in a personal best time of 25.0 secs and he set a personal best of 58.8 secs in placing third in the 400m. Adam came fifth in the long jump.

Making his return to competitive athletics Andrew Tate came second in the shot, fifth in the hammer and javelin and third in the discus with a throw of 26m 09cm.

Steve Nalilungwe was fourth in the shot, hammer and discus, fifth in the javelin and third in the triple jump.

The club sincerely hopes more members will compete at the next fixture which is at Clayton-Le-Moor, Lancashire, on Saturday, June 7.

For further details on Skyrac Athletic Club please view www.skyrac.org.uk or telephone 01943 466320.

12:28pm Thursday 8th May 2008

Print   Email this