REPORT BY: JEAN SULLIVAN

THERE was more success for the Ilkley Harriers over the past week.

In the Yorkshire Dales, Harrier Sam Bentham, fresh from his recent victory at the Kettlewell Anniversary fell race, was the first over the line at the Hawkswick Dash in Littondale.

This 1.4-mile race, with 600ft of climbing, is part of the BOFRA (British Open Fell Runners Association) series of races. Bentham finished in a speedy time of 11:34.

He was followed by fellow Harrier Gawain Moore, who finished in tenth place, with Peter Roll also having a great run and the third Harrier home.

A win also for Jack Cummings at the Buckden Pike fell race, finishing over a minute ahead of the second-placed finisher.

This 6km race, with 486ft of ascent, organised by Barlick Fell Runners, has been in existence since 1987 and sees runners set off from the tiny village of Buckden in Upper Wharfedale.

The race always takes place on the same day as Buckden Gala, the ideal opportunity to combine a fell race with a family day out.

Meanwhile, in Coimbra in Portugal, Harrier Christos Tzelis representing Great Britain, secured a fantastic first-place finish which saw him become the outright European Sprint Duathlon Champion.

In a field of 360 top athletes, he started by completing a 5km run in a blistering pace to finish in 15:47.

This was followed by a 20km bike ride, in 30:56, with only seconds between him and the eventual second finisher.

Tzelis completed the final challenge, a 2.5km run, in a superb 8:12 for a total time of 56:42, with a 36 seconds gap between him and the second finisher. A hugely deserved achievement for a dedicated and talented athlete.

On the Cumbrian fells Ben Rothery and Jane McCarthy took part in the Buttermere Sailbeck fell race, described as ‘a classic tough rough’ fell race, which packs in over 4,000ft of climbing in nine miles.

This year’s race had the added appeal of being a counter in the 2024 English Fell Running Championships. Starting from Buttermere village, the route climbs onto Knott Rigg before traversing the ridgeline of Ard Crags and dropping down into Rigg Beck.

A brutal climb back up onto Causey Pike leads to a stunning and airy run across Scar Crags to Sail and Crag Hill. From here, runners follow the long and exhilarating descent back into Buttermere.

Rothery had a spectacular run, finishing in second place, just 17 seconds behind the first-place finisher, in a great time of 1:26:14. McCarthy, always impressive, completed the course in 2:16:49.

Back in the Yorkshire Dales, Harrier Robert Green took part in the Kettlewell (Skirfare) half marathon and finished in a superb eighth place overall, completing the route in a great time of 2:10:09.

This challenging race with approx. 900m of ascent, takes runners over three steep climbs, which are rewarded with spectacular views over Wharfedale.

On the roads, a popular fixture in the summer calendar, especially for those wanting to get a mid-week race under their belt, the Otley 10-mile road race took place this week.

The race starts and finishes at Otley Cricket Club, with a grandstand finish, barbecue, prize giving, and a great friendly atmosphere. Runners need this at the end of what is a very tough course, described as undulating, but the big hills to contend with are more than undulating.

Conditions were good - cool with a slight breeze - as 11 Harriers lined up at the start line.

Ed Hobbs led the Ilkley contingent home to finish in a superb second place overall, with his blistering pace meaning that he finished in a superb time of 53:55, and only 37 seconds behind the first finisher.

Steven Bysouth was the second Harrier home, in just over an hour, finishing second in his age category.

Sally Armitage was hot on his heels and was the third Harrier home, in a speedy time of 1:06:31. She was also the third lady overall to finish, taking first prize in her age category.

Other notable performances came from Kate Archer who took second prize in her age category, and Fiona Schneider who came third in her age category.

Harriers’ love of ultras continued this week, with Petra Bijsterveld taking part in the Montane Spine Summer Challenger South, a non-stop 108-mile race along the Pennine Way from Edale to Hardraw, with a time limit of 60 hours.

Bijsterveld, no stranger to the ultra-running scene, took part in this physically and psychologically demanding route, completing the course in an amazing time of 47:19:17.

Further south, Matthew Kennedy took part in the South Downs Way Ultra, a 100-mile trail run from Winchester to Eastbourne on the hard chalk trails of the South Downs Way, with a total climb of just over 12,000ft, offering great views along the way.

This race is organised by Centurion Runners an ultra-distance trail event organisation based in the UK. Kennedy had a superb run, working his way up the field to finish in an impressive 23rd place overall out of a field of over 400 runners.

He completed the race in an incredible time of 18:15, taking third prize in his age category.

The shorter 5km distance was also popular this week. Nathan Edmondson took part in the Barrowford 5km, the 6th race in the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix series and billed as one of the fastest 5km courses in the UK. Continuing his fine form, Edmondson sped around the course to finish in an incredible time of 14:27, narrowly missing the current club record by only two seconds.

Over in York, race number five in the EvenSplits 5km series took place, held at the University of York Sports Village Cycle Circuit. Harrier Harry Sime took part, finishing in an impressive 20:01 and taking second prize in his age category, on this fast and challenging circuit.

Rounding off this week’s news, Ilkley Harriers continued to shine at the weekly timed 5km parkrun events.

An impressive first place finish, as well as a PB, for Tom Lambe at this week’s Horton parkrun, running the course in 19:30. Nick Kealey was the second finisher at the Robert’s Park parkrun, running the course in a speedy 18:00. Meanwhile, Mark Hall completed his 50th parkrun at Bradford’s Lister Park, as he was the fourth finisher across the line. Samesh Chotai completed his 70th Skipton parkrun to finish third.