WHARFEDALE Harriers' month started with the club's annual foray over the border for the Ben Nevis Race. Andy Holden was first member home, 59th in a time of 1.56.11 with Steve Hounslow unlucky not to break his two-hour target, 90th in 2.02.55. They were followed in by Paul Rogan, 168th in 2.14.03 and Mark Bennett 306th in 2.39.34.

Closer to home, at Bradley, there was a good turnout for both the junior and senior races. The best overall junior performance came from Alex Waddington, winner in the under-12 girls, a race which also saw good runs from Lucy and Ellen Palmer, and Zoe Kelly.

The girls also did well among the very strong field for the under-9s race with Jenny Dybeck running particularly strongly, and Sarah Wilson, Kate Dybeck and Nicola Waddington also running well. Also in the field, Jack Holder thoroughly enjoyed his first run for the club. The under-17s race saw strong runs from Ross Whitaker in 2nd place and Debbie Waddington in 4th.

The best senior performance came from local Bradley member John Wootton, joint 4th in 25.47 behind winner Mick Hawkins whose time of 23.35 was just six seconds outside Alfie Atkinson's 1996 course record. Alfie had offered a barrel of beer for anyone beating his mark, and perhaps this was partially responsible for the very high quality of this year's field.

For Wharfedale the senior race was notable for the return of a number of members following injury. Ray Waddington had a superb run for 11th place in 26.55 as did James Wadsworth in his first race for some time, 15th in 27.49. Bob Hamilton was next home, still gaining confidence in his descending, 16th in 28.09, then Nick Dybeck 24th in 30.04 and new member James Hughes, 26th in 30.32. Kate Rogan finished 33rd, and 2nd lady, in 32.17, followed by John Thompson 40th in 34.08 and Rob Palmer 44th in 35.46.

Midweek, a few BOFRA stalwarts went seeking vital championship points up in Swaledale at the Muker Fell Race. The senior race was won in fine style by our own Ted Mason, who finished almost a minute ahead of the field in 16.14.

Next home was Andy Holden, 5th in 18.11 and then Damien Scholes, 8th in 18.38. Close behind, the battle for the over 45s championship was virtually settled when Steve Hounslow, 9th in 18.41 just got the better of David Hird, 11th in 18.52. When fully fit, Steve and Dave are so closely matched that there is rarely ever more than a few yards between them, but injury, to Steve early season, and now to David late season, has robbed us of a terrific battle. The fact that their encounter has still been exciting each week is great testimony to their competitive spirit and proof that there is no stronger rivalry in running than between two clubmates.

At Lothersdale on Saturday there was another good junior turnout, especially in the under-9s which saw a very competitive race. First home for Wharfedale here was Zac Thackray who had an inspired run for 3rd in 3.21 behind winner Liam Waite in 3.06, especially considering he is a year younger than the other leading runners. Next home was Forrest Hamilton, 5th in 3.42, then very quickly in turn, Luke Bott, Chloe Haines (first girl), Roam Hamilton and Jess Wootton (3rd girl), all in just over 4 minutes, followed a little while after by Sarah Wilson, Florence Haines, Jack Holder, Elizabeth Wootton and Alice Kelly.

Lothersdale is unique on the fell racing calendar in that it gives the older juniors a chance to compare their times against the seniors, the under-12s upwards all running the same course. It is also a little sobering for the older seniors, for the short, sharp and steep course seems much better suited to younger legs.

The race was won by Will Smith, who enjoyed a rapid and occasionally tumbling descent to come home in a time of 8.27. First home for Wharfedale, enjoying local knowledge perhaps, was race organiser James Wadsworth, 4th in 8.50, just getting the better of John Wootton, 5th in 8.55, on the descent. Next back was Ross Whittaker, 7th in 9.53, beating seniors James Hughes, 8th in 9.57 and Bob Hamilton 10th in 9.59, who shared the same time with under-12 prodigy Caleb Wetherall of Keighley & Craven.

Sobering indeed. Route finding was a little problematic for some of the juniors and James Kelly lost his way a little with 26th in 11.59. Hector Haines, with a preference for longer races, had a good run for 30th in 12.15, as did Ria Thackray 38th in 13.45, just getting the better of senior lady Lynn Whittaker, 39th in 13.52. Finally, Zoe Kelly seemed to enjoy herself more than anyone else on the day for 50th place in 17.56. Upon watching Zoe finish, this year's eight-year-olds can't wait for their turn next year.

The majority of the senior members missed out on the 'fun' at Lothersdale for the more serious racing at Burnsall on Sunday, the 17th BOFRA championship race of the season. Barring serious mishaps, the senior titles have been pretty much decided already, so with Rob Hudson on holiday there was little competition for Ted Mason who ran out an easy winner in a time of 15.15 from Colin Moses and Lee Athersmith in very wet and greasy conditions. This is a classic race with a long tradition and Ted will now see his name inscribed on the trophy alongside the great names of Mick and Steve Hawkins, Ian Holmes and Mark Kinch, a fitting climax to a great summer of racing.

In Ted's wake there were some other very good club performances. Andy Holden finished 4th in 16.39 after an excellent climb, followed by Bob Hamilton, surviving a fall, 7th, 17.27; Steve Hounslow 9th, 17.42; Damien Scholes 13th, 18.15; Sam Hounslow 15th, 18.25; David Hird, surviving his hernia ... just, 16th, 18.32; Dave Fell, 18th, 18.57; Paul Rogan 19th, 19.01; Kevin Rogan 28th, 23.42; Peter Mallalieu 29th, 23.43; Mel Whitaker 35th, 26.36; and Lynn Whittaker 36th, 28.55.

In the juniors we saw a very comfortable win for Ross Whitaker in the under-17s, good runs from Liam Selman and particularly Zoe Kelly, in her second race of the weekend, in the under-12s, and from James Rogan and Gregory Selman in the under-9s.

Next Monday's junior training session will be the last of the summer and will take place at the Riverside Park in Ilkley for a mini-olympics. It is hoped to run weekend sessions throughout the autumn and winter, meeting roughly once a month. For more details please contact Bob Hamilton on 01943 816776.

Wharfedale Harriers is a family oriented club aiming to promote fell and cross-country running across all ages and abilities. Senior training takes place on Monday and Tuesday evenings from Silsden, and Thursday evening from Ilkley at the Grammar School.

There is also a Wednesday evening social pub run from a variety of venues through until the end of September. For more details please contact David Hird on 01535 653826, or visit our website at www.wharfedaleharriers.org.uk.

Otley AC

THERE was a large, high quality field at Sunday's Bradford 10km road race. Ian Fisher, also representing Yorkshire in the con-current Inter-Counties Championship, was the first Otley Athletic Club member home, finishing 40th in 31.01.

Over the challenging course and in damp conditions, Andrew Robertshaw 'came off the fells' to show that he can also be an impressive road runner, finishing 151st in 34.08. Julian Mawson couldn't keep up with his team mate and faded in the second half finishing in 34.40, and fast finishing Duncan Burgess was only a few seconds behind Julian and recorded an excellent personal best in the process. Steve Mann was also pleased to record his third best ever time of 42.44.

Perhaps most pleasing of all was the fact that despite strong competition, the Otley team won the second Yorkshire team prize behind host club Bingley Harriers.

In the separate veteran's race, Mark Hall finished 15th in 34.02 and John Straiton recorded 40.38.

Also on Sunday but further afield, five members ran in the scenic Three Villages Half Marathon near Pocklington. John Armitstead recorded 86.28, Tom Hannah 93.40, Phil Robinson 94.10, Dave Hainsworth 140.01 and Carol Armitstead 142.00.

David Cattanach proved that not only is he proficient at running but also swimming and cycling, finishing the Ilkley Triathlon in 123.10.

Tonight, Thursday, the club's latest handicap race, 'The Dream Mile', takes place at Beckett Park track, start 7.30. Training then returns to normal next week commencing at 7.15 from Cross Green, Otley, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Local runners of all standards are most welcome to join in with the club's training groups.