THERE were some great performances on the track and on the fells this week for Ilkley Harriers with some impressive individual and team successes.

A Harriers team claimed victory on the track in the Murder Mile. An event designed to encourage all runners, teams from Ilkley Harriers, Baildon Runners and Saltaire Striders competed in four one-mile heats, each one catering for different paces.

The event finished with a 4x400m relay, each team having one person from each of the heats to balance the teams. There were some impressive individual performances and the team won the event outright.

Seven Harriers took part in the Round Hill Fell race, an 8.7-mile route with 1,100ft of elevation gain, this race is a circuit of Blubberhouses Moor taking in Round Hill above Ilkley. Justin Pierce was the first Harrier home in 12th place and first in his age category, closely followed by Rob Cunningham.

Alison Bennett had a superb run, not only coming first in her age group but setting a new course record of one hour 19 minutes 19 seconds.

Ilkley Gazette: Alison Bennett on her way to setting a new age category course record for the Round Hill Fell Race for Ilkley Harriers. Picture: Andrew Bennett Alison Bennett on her way to setting a new age category course record for the Round Hill Fell Race for Ilkley Harriers. Picture: Andrew Bennett

There was a great turnout for the Eshton Moor Fell Race, with a podium place finish for Oli Murphy. Starting just outside Gargrave, this is an out and back five-mile course over undulating fields in beautiful surroundings.

It starts with a gentle climb before picking up the path of the Pennine Way following it over Eshton Moor, across the river and back the same way.

Murphy finished in first place in 31 minutes 13 seconds, just outside the course record. Rachel Carter finished in the top five in the women’s race and first in her age category in a great time of 41.33.

The Junior Harriers were out in force at the event too with some fantastic performances.

In the Under-17 race Archie Budding came second, and first boy, in a time of 28.55. Oscar Shinn came third in the u14s race in 10.19. Oliver Holder, Ella Snow, Harriet Carter, Jessica Rhea and Megan Snow also put in great performances in their respective races.

Up in the Lake District, six Harriers took part in the Borrowdale Fell Race. One of the classic Lakeland races, at 17 miles and 6,500ft of ascent, it is a tough course taking in Scafell Pike, England’s highest summit, Great Gable and Dale Head. Jack Gribbin was the first Harrier home in 3.48.24 closely followed by Simon Bell in 3.49.07.

Alison Weston had an impressive run coming sixth in her age category in a time of 5.07.45.

Elsewhere, there were lots of Harriers taking part in the timed 5k parkrun events across the country last Saturday.

Junior Harrier Helena Coy was first lady home at the Skipton Park Run in 21.02. Mike Abrams-Cohen was the second finisher at the Chevin Park run in 18.49 and Justin Pierce was the second finisher at the Roberts Park event in 18.24. Jonathan Turner was third finisher at the Horton parkrun in 19.18. There were some impressive top 10 finishes. These included Tim Ashelford who was the seventh finisher at the Skipton event in 19.47; and at Roberts Park, Tony Pye finished ninth in 19.45, his first sub-20 time. Robert Carter 10th in 20.04 and Rachel Carter sixth lady in 23.44.