Ilkley Harriers steal the show at the Guiseley Gallop

Cummings, fresh from his win at the Keighley 10km a few weeks previously, stormed to the finish to win the race outright in 35:38, with Kitchen the first lady home, in a superb time of 43:47.

This scenic race attracted 13 Harriers and there were plenty of other impressive results. Christos Tzelis was hot on Cummings’ heels, to finish in third place overall in 38:46.  There were lots of great age category prizes also, with Alison Bennett taking first place, Diane Kitchen second place and Peter Shelley third in their respective standings.  

As a warm-up for the Guiseley Gallop, Cummings took part the previous day in the iconic Rivington Pike Centenary fell race.  This ‘short and sharp’ 3.25-mile race, with 800 feet of ascent, staged in Bolton, is one of the oldest and most historic fell races in the country.  He finished in a superb fourth place overall, in a time of 18:26.

Also on the fells, three Harriers took part in this year’s Coledale Horseshoe fell race.  This nine-mile route with 3,400 ft of climbing, encompasses a long climb up Grisedale Pike, with a short steep ascent to Eel Crag, before a long descent back to Braithwaite.  Hardy fell runner Alison Weston led the Harriers home, completing the course in 2:07, with clubmate Kelly Welby finishing just a minute later and Charles Wain being the third Harrier home.

Known for its PB potential, Good Friday saw the staging of the annual Salford 10km race, organised by the Salford Harriers.  This 2-lap course, saw Ilkley Harrier Edward Hobbs run at a blistering pace to finish in a superb second place in a time of 31:51, just nine seconds behind the winner.  He was followed by Harrier Mark Hall, who had an amazing run, completing the course in 36:43, with Mark taking second place in his age category.  A sub-40 finish also for Harry Brook-Dobson, who crossed the line in 39:09.

Meanwhile, on the Isle of Man, Matthew Kennedy, completed the Manx Mountain marathon, his second time running this off-road marathon.  The route is a point to point fell race from Ramsey in the north of the Isle of Man to Port Erin in the south.  Despite having headwinds and challenging underfoot conditions to deal with, Kennedy finished in a superb 15th position, completing the course in 6 hours 12 minutes, which meant he was also an impressive second in his age category.

To round off the cross-country season, three Harriers took part in the 45th Yorkshire Veterans AA Cross Country Championships at Penistone Showground in Sheffield.  The 10km course involved four laps of the park, and excellent running by Dan McKeown, Steven Gott and Danny Thompson meant that the trio scooped the M40 team prize, with McKeown also finishing in third place in his age category.

This week also saw the staging of the second race in the 2024 Leeds Evensplits series, timed 5km races held at the University of Leeds Brownlee Centre.  Three Harriers were enticed along, despite it being a very cold and breezy evening, and their efforts paid off.  Brittany Watson was the first Harrier over the line in a superb time of 20:13.  Hot on her heels was Harry Sime in 20:49, taking second prize in his age category.  He was followed by Petra Bijsterveld, who secured first place in her age category.

Continuing on the 5km theme, Harriers were out in force this sunny Easter Saturday morning for the weekly timed 5km parkrun events, with lots of great results all round.   At the Woodhouse Moor parkrun, Tom Lambe achieved a PB on the course, while Andrew Overend, completing his twentieth parkrun, managed a top ten finishing place.  Lots of other top ten placings this weekend, including for; Samesh Chotai, Dave Foyston, Stephen Coy, Gaenor Coy and Ethen Carpenter at the Robert’s Park parkrun, James Horrex at the Horton Park parkrun, Harry Stead at the Chevin Forest parkrun and Jonathan Turner at the Lister Park parkrun.  Well done also to Alex Hyde who completed his 50th parkrun this week, Robert’s Park being number 50 in his impressive total.