Birthdays galore on Easter Sunday, March27. Not only is the Guiseley Gallop, supported by the Complete Runner of Ben Rhydding, celebrating its tenth birthday; one runner is celebrating his 40th birthday by running the race.

Being 40 is of great significance in running as it means entry into the world of veteran running.

So if you haven't entered the Skyrac AC organised event already then get your entry in as the race is fast filling up.

Entries should be available on the day but at a £1 additional fee. All the details can be obtained from Peter Rawnsley on 07779 748301.

Jodie is flying

MENSTON St Mary's Year 10 student Jodie Gregorczyk,15, is enjoying a spectacular season of success in distance running events. Since securing fourth place in the Yorkshire Road Race in Sheffield in September 2004 her form has improved dramatically.

In October she was placed second in the Leeds Schools' Cross-Country event at Whitkirk and then took eighth position in the West Yorkshire schools event at Bramley.

This success paved the way for selection to the Leeds Schools' Road Relay team.

During November Jodie was a member of the Leeds Schools' team which took second position in the English Schools' Cross-Country Relay event in Mansfield; she was also placed ninth in the West Yorkshire Cross-Country event at Ilkley.

December brought on even more success with a third place at Wakefield in a West Yorkshire event and a tremendous seventh place in the Yorkshire Cross-Country Championships at Skipton ensuring qualification for the Inter-Counties competition.

The New Year saw qualification for West Yorkshire Schools after the Leeds trials at Leeds GS.

By the end of the month Jodie was lining up with the elite runners at Consett, County Durham in the Northern Cross-Country championships where she placed a superb 20th.

Recently Jodie took fifth position at the West Yorkshire Schools trials to gain qualification for the English Schools' Championships.

At the National Cross-Country Championships, held in Birmingham in February 2005 Jodie finished in 45th position, a fantastic achievement in a very competitive event.

Otley Athletic Club

THE weekend proved to be a busy one for the club. On Saturday 14 members ran the March race in the Eric Smith Handicap series. The course consisted of three laps along quiet country roads around Darley, starting and finishing at the Duke of Wellington.

Runners had to cope with a cold wind. First to finish was Andrew Sumner (actual time 37.55), closely followed by Graham Stead and Mark Blagg. The fastest time (33.29) was recorded by Mick Jeffrey.

On the same day Ray Hawksby took part in the demanding Trollers' Trot. This is a 'mainly off-road' race of 25 miles, starting and finishing at Grassington and taking in Rylestone and Barden Towers on the way. Conditions were described as mixed hail/sleet/snow. Ray finished in about 4hr 45min. Other details are not yet known but all runners deserve congratulations.

Sunday saw club president David Hainsworth running in the Haweswater half marathon. This is an 'out and back' course starting from Brampton and turning round at the head of the lake. The race was won by Robbie Jones, of Westbury, in a very fast time (about 70min). Dave described conditions as cold but pleasant and finished in 1hr 44min.

Also on Sunday, a few members took part in the Kippax leg of the Sports Direct Cross-Country series but results are not yet available. This coming weekend will see about 20 members attending the club's Training Weekend in the delightful surroundings of Langdale.

The club meets for training from Otley RUFC at 7.15pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. New members are always welcome.

Orienteering

Airienteers travelled to Longshaw Estate in the Peak District last Sunday to compete in a Regional Event organised by Derwent Valley Orienteers, an event which incorporated the East Midland championships.

The terrain was mostly tree-littered, rough moorland with a wooded escarpment, and some remaining snow cover hampered runners in places.

One of the most promising runs was by Howard Sawyer at M50 level, who came in fifth place on the 7.5km course - a relative newcomer to orienteering but with a background in fell-running, Howard is beginning to make his speed count.

Other notable performances were by the evergreen Robert Ker, fourth in the M65 race, whilst David Murgatroyd was third in the 4.3km JM5S race.

Other results for Airienteers included: JM2 (2.2km) - Mark Penny (6th); Adam Penny (7th). JM5L (7.5km) - Alistair Everett (4th). M21 (9.5km) - Steve Watkins (21st); Matthew Burden (24th). M35 (8.9km) - Martyn Broadest (9th). M40 (8.9km) - Chris Penny (7th). M50 (7.5km) - Dave Shelley (7th); Martyn Gill (12th); Henk van Rossum (17th); Chris Hardy (18th). M55 (6.1km) - Chris Burden (31st). M60 (6.1km) - Michael Rose (15th). W40 (6.1km) - Alexandra Watkins (8th).

Next weekend heralds the Yorkshire and Humberside orienteering championships at Brimham Rocks and the surrounding moorland in the Nidderdale AONB, and will be hosted by the Harrogate-based CLARO club.

Details of this and other running, training, and social events at this friendly club can be found at the club website on www.aire.org.uk.

Ilkley Harriers

On a bright and breezy Sunday five Ilkley Harriers made the trip over to have a bash at the nine miles, 2,000ft Half Tour of Pendle Fell Race.

Ian Holmes led the incredibly strong field home in 1:06:08, holding off stiff competition - the likes of Rob Jebb, a strong field of Clayton runners and also a few in-form Harriers.

Graham Pearce was first in for the Harriers in 1:16:58 which gave him 24th overall. Sally Malir came home fifth lady (80th overall) in 1:28:58 and Ewan Welsh 88th in 1:30:17. Jason Hemsley was 17th in 1:13:54 and Stefan Macina 31st in 1:18:52 .

The race was run through deep snow in parts, bogs and the usual river crossings. One might say it had something for everyone!

Four other Harriers made the trip to St Anne's to take part in their Ultrafit Ten Mile Race. Conditions were quite good on this out and back course along the promenade but runners faced a stiff breeze for the five mile back to the finish.

There was a good quality field of runners and the race was won by Neil Wilkinson of Morpeth Harriers in 51.03. Geoff Howard was first Ilkley finisher, quickly back into his stride after returning from foreign shores, 36th and first V60 in 62.11.

Neil Chapman finished 45th in 63.16 (PB by a few seconds) and Pete Shields, celebrating his 58th birthday, was 83rd and third V55 in 66.53. Chasing Pete all the way, Alison Bennett had a superb run finishing 85th but fifth lady and first V40 in 66.58, slicing over three minutes off her PB for this distance.

In Saturday's Trollers Trot, over 25 miles, Jamie Hutchinson was fifth in 3h 56 and Dennis Ackroyd 6th in 4h 02 - the first runner finished in 3h 50

Heather Dawe was in the winning mixed team (third team overall, provisional result) at the High Peak Marathon. They started at 23:40 on Friday night and finished 11 and a half hours later with 42 miles around the Derwent watershed, taking in the delights of most of the Edale skyline, Stanage and Bleaklow along the way.

Conditions were hard with clear skies making navigation easier but deep snow making the going really slow underfoot. The sunrise over a snowy Bleaklow was fantastic and made the whole thing worthwhile.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club, training from Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club every Tuesday at 7pm. As the dark nights draw in, come and run in one of their friendly groups. See their web site www.ilkleyharriers.org.uk for more information.