Otley AC's Ian Fisher stormed home to win the annual Chevin Chase on Boxing Day in an event that had attracted 930 entries. Proving as popular as ever the race, organised by AireCentre Pacers, had to turn away 150 would be entrants.
A total of 796 finished including Woman-of-the-Year Jane Tomlinson, the Cancer victim who ran alongside her husband Mike in a race which returned to its old course with a trek through the car park at Surprise View.
It was mud, mud and more mud over the seven mile course but the athletes were undeterred.
Fisher moved to the front as the hundreds of runners set off from Guiseley and he maintained that position to finish in 39.13. He was followed in by Bingley Harrier Andy Peace in 40.03, Tim Crosland of Valley Striders in 40.39, David Cowlishaw of London Irish in 40.45 and his Otley colleague Andrew Robertshaw in 41.30.
First lady home was Bingley Harrier Lisa Mawer in 46.10 with Harrogate's Carol Humphrey second lady in 47.52 and the unattached Steph Rosser third lady in 48.07.
Otley-based Valley Strider Paul Briscoe was first male over 40 in 42.51 with Holmfirth's Brian Goodison second in 44.05 and Simon Riley of Midland Veterans third in 44.29.
The male Super Vet award went to Chris Gill of St Teresa's in 47.40 with Pudsey Pacer Jim Weldon second in 40.09.
The female Super Vet award went o Ilkley's Jo Anne Prowse (Keighley and Craven) in 51.07.
Darlington Harrier Alison Raw was first female veteran in 49.44 with Trina Carney of Dewsbury Road second in 50.16.
Ilkley Harriers
Ilkley Harriers had a big entry in the Chevin Chase.
The finishing order of their atheletes was: Tim Ashelford, second-claim Harriers Jason Hemsley and Stefan Macina 44min, Dominic O'Hooley 48m, Andy Wade, Jon Sage, Neil Chapman 48:35, Clive Smith making a return to racing with a good 50:00, Mike Baldwin 50:25, Paul Wood 53, Sally Malir 53 , Keith Wood 54, Jane Leather 54:45, Alison Crane 54:50, Phil Chappell, Rob Pawson 56:30, Richard Gray, Andrew Wright, Yemi Adeleke, Linda Wright, Richard Midgley 63:21, Jill and Peter Cooke 63:48, Vince Gibbons 65, Judith Smart, Andy Sarah 69, Amanda Parnaby 71, Claire Macina 76, Bernie Baldwin 78, and Jane Cullingworth unlucky with a sprained ankle.
Sunday's Jolly Holly Jog was jolly soggy but that didn't stop the 50 fun-runners and 350 or so 10k racers enjoying their run. In the one mile plus fun run, Josh Crane was 20th in 11:09, with Sam Wood 22nd in 11:13 and Emily Wood 32nd in 13:14 - Sam and Emily both improving on last year's times.
The 10k race returned to its usual scenic course. Alison Crane was first Harrier home 86th in 46:05, then Richard Gray 132nd in 49:08, Joy Gray 173rd in 52:53, Shirley Wood 190th in 54:49, and Steve Fletcher enjoying a run with friends, finishing 250th in 61:03
Other Harriers were tackling the fast Ribble Valley 10k race over at Clitheroe, won in 30:40. Neil Chapman was first Harrier home 78th in 38:32, then Dave Jepson 97th in 39:16, Alison Bennett 145th with a PB of 40:56, ninth lady and third FV40, Martin Heath 181st in 42:31, Viv Verecondi 194th in 43:04, Keith Wood 201st in 43:24, Andy Wolfenden 256th in 44:52, and Judith Smart 359th in 49:53.
Ilkley Harriers is a friendly running club, training every Tuesday at 7pm from Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.
Made a New Year's Resolution to get out running? - check out www.ilkleyharriers.co.uk for lots of information.
Yorkshire championships
Skyrac AC are to host the Yorkshire Cross-Country Championships on Saturday, January 4, at Nunroyd Park in Yeadon.
This prestigious event, which will attract hundreds of athletes from all over Yorkshire, was planned almost a year ago and will include nine races of different lengths for age groups from under 13 years (3K) to the senior categories. The first race (under 13 girls) starts at 11.10am and the final race for senior men (11K) will start shortly after 2pm.
Event Headquarters will be the ANSA Clubhouse which is to be open throughout the event. Refreshments and a bar will be available.
Skyrac members will be busy during the day including marking out the different courses, marshalling, etc. under the leadership of Neil Clayton, Skyrac Vice-Chairman and Event Co-ordinator. Times of individual races can be found on www.skyrac.org.uk or by ringing 0113 229 0924.
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