A look at the athletiocs scene

The event, which is the largest in the country, attracted nearly 300 entries for the eight race programme. Fortyone competitors lined up for the under-11 boys race with Triangle's Jonathan Brownlee and Scott Thwaites hoping to retain their 1999 rankings of one and two respectively.

Things looked good for Jonathan as he came out of the swim with a 22 second lead, although Scott was trailing 47 seconds down in 6th place. With a clear road ahead Jonathan powered through both the bike and run for a comfortable and well deserved win.

Meanwhile Scott had fought back to 3rd following the cycle section but he was still 21 seconds adrift of Cardiff Tri's Grant Stokes with only a 1000 metre run remaining. The excitement grew as gradually the gap closed with Scott eventually getting second place by a mere 3 seconds.

Triangle's Alistair Brownlee was next to go in the under-13 boys race which attracted 42 competitors. If anyone thought that Alistair might relinquish his previous years number one ranking they were mistaken as he dominated all three disciplines. First out of the water with a lead of 16 seconds he continued to pull away on both the cycle and run to win by a significant margin of 1 minute and 36 seconds.

Heather Taggart represented the Triangle girls and lined up with 48 competitors in the under-13 race. After a strong swim that placed her 3rd with a deficit of 18 seconds, she held her position on the bike, although the deficit grew to 37 seconds. Thanks to an excellent run she moved through to secure second place, only 5 seconds behind winner Stephanie Jezzard of Ipswich Tri.

The boys under-15 race was particularly strong with seven of last years top eight competing. James Taggart and Mark Thwaites were the Triangle representatives in the field of 27 athletes.

For the second year running Mark found himself one of the youngest competitors in the field as a result of a restructuring of the two-year age bands. James capitalised on his swim strength and left the water in 3rd place while Mark was contemplating some hard work after exiting the pool in 14th position.

There were few changes at the head of the field with James consolidating his 3rd place during the cycle, however, further back, Mark was relishing his favourite discipline and had pulled back to 5th place thanks to an excellent ride. After the tough cycle, not aided by strong winds, the 2200 metre run proved to be a test of courage and both James and Mark hung on bravely to finish 3rd and 6th respectively.

Together with the earlier performances, this made Triangle Asics the most successful team at this, the countries leading event for junior triathletes. This is a particularly notable achievement for a club formed only three months ago.

Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee dashed back from Dover to participate in the York swim-run duathlon the following day. In addition to the national series, the British Triathlon Association also holds a regional series aimed at providing easier geographical access to races and as an ideal starting point for newcomers to the sport.

Unlike Dover the field for the first Northern Region event was relatively small with 34 competitors spread across six categories based on age and gender. Nevertheless, Triangle Asics were well represented.

Predictably, Jonathan and Alistair won their races despite their efforts the previous day. Other good performances were recorded by Sam Webster, 2nd under-11 boy; Oliver Webster 6th under- 11 boy; Elizabeth Kendall-Smith, 1st under-13 girl; Richard Kendall-Smith 5th under-15 boy.

Scott and Mark Thwaites decided against the dash back from Dover and instead returned to their fell running roots at Tuesday's Skipton Fell Races. James Taggart was also persuaded to attend what for him was a new experience. Scott finished third under-12, repeating his third place at the White Wells Fell Race a week earlier. Mark finished second under-14, following his 1st place at White Wells. Notwithstanding the unusual terrain James came through strongly for second place in the under-17 category.

Further information about the junior section of Triangle Asics can be obtained from Adam Nevins, Triangle, New Road Side, Horsforth, Tel 0113 2590477.

Details of B.T.A childrens' races, distances, age groups etc. from Des Thwaites, Tel 01943 864425.

Ilkley Harriers

Last Wednesday saw the culmination of the Yorkshire Veterans' Athletics 5km road race series. Ilkley Harriers vets competing included Ken Souyave in 18 minutes dead; Peter Shields in 19.25; and Andy Kitchen in 20.02. 'Guest' runners enjoying the fast racing included John Coen in 17.41 and Helen Sedgwick in 19.45.

Peter Shields succession of good results won him third Vet50 place overall in this series. The club also voted him "Booths' Runner-of-the-Month" for fine results on road and fell and commitment to coaching.

On Sunday, Harriers achieved a 1-2-3 (of sorts) in the Pen Y Ghent fell race, over five miles and 1500 feet of climb.

In 30th place with 59.10, Norman Bush was 1st Vet60.

In 47th place with 63.14 was Peter Shields, finishing second Vet50.

Nick Pearce stormed in to take 11th place with 54.25, finishing third Vet.

Dennis Ackroyd finished 61st in 65.24.

It's been a relatively quiet week as we gather our strength for tonight's Harrogate Road Race League event at Harlow Carr, where we hope to defend our ladies' and lady vets' first team positions and improve on

our other team positions. Ahead of that lies a great summer season of relays, races, and social events. To find out more, contact our captain Ken Souyave on 01943 862096 or visit our website at www.ilkleyharriers.org.uk

Skyrac duo pick

up five golds

The first of this season's Oldham and Royton AC Open Meetings was held at the Radcliffe Stadium. Only Andrew and Bethany Staniland ventured across the Pennines for Skyrac AC, but came away with five gold medals between them.

Andrew won the 80m hurdles for Under-15 Boys in 14.5s; the long jump with 4.83m; and the high Jump with 1.45m. The stiff breeze into the home straight disrupted the sprinting but Bethany was pleased with fourth place in the Under-13 girls' 70m hurdles (14.5s). She then went on to win the long jump, into the wind, with 3.83m, and the shot putt with 7.45m.

Oldham's new track should have been the venue for the second of this season's Mac Donald's Young Athletes League fixtures. Instead, because of centre field drainage problems, Skyrac's boys had , once again, to travel to Bolton's Leverhulme Park Stadium.

It is a great pity, and a great disadvantage to our local athletes that a newly Lottery funded track at Beckett Park, Headingley, is not suitable for A.A.A. standard competitions.

The poor planning and stubborn intransigence of those concerned is denying North Leeds based athletes of top class home fixtures, whether they be West Yorkshire League matches, Young Athletes League fixtures or county and regional championships.

There has not been a major track and field meeting at Becket Park since the new track was laid in the summer of 1998! Wakefield, Cleckheaton or even York are considered home fixtures by the boys and girls, and, men and women from North Leeds.

Surely this ridiculous situation should not be allowed to go on in Leeds?

Nevertheless, at Bolton, Skyrac consolidated upon their leading position after the opening League fixture, with second place this time. Once again the Under-17 boys were the big point earners with Robert Spencer picking up the maximum individual 12 points with victories in the in the A string 800m (2mins.05.6s), The A string 400m (55.1s) and the B string hammer.

Paul Moses was also in fine form in this age group with a first place in the B 400m hurdles, second in the A 1500m (4mins.18.9s) and second in the B javelin. Stalwart Tim Coats won the B 1500m steeplechase and was also second in the A string javelin, whilst Nathan Tugwell, despite being one year under age, won the B 3000m and was second in the B discus. Graham Dunham continued his fine debut season by winning the B long jump (4.90m) and then being placed second in the B shot putt. Other Under- 17 boys' successes came from Paul Powell, second in the 400m hurdles (A) in 61.0s. and first in the100m hurdles (A) in16.9s. J Pullan was second in the 100m hurdles B string and Steve Shacklock won the A 1500m steeplechase (5mins.06.5s.) and was second in the B 800m in 2mins.13.0s.

A Thompson gained victory in the A 3000m (10mins.18.5s.) whilst he was also second in the B 1500m in 4mins.31.3s.

The Under-15 boys were again short on numbers, but Andrew Staniland, despite competing in the North of England Combined Events Championships at Hexham the day before, picked up nine points for the club in the throwing events.

He won the B string discus with 22.68m, was second in the B shot (8.35m) and was third in the A string javelin with 24.31m. Ian Douglas, competing for the first time this season, won the 1500m (4mins.52.2s.) and was second in the A 800m in 2mins.26.0s..

Here he was ably supported by 13 year-old Nick Howard who came second in the B string with 2mins.31.4s.. James Margetson was again impressive in the throws with second in the A discus (31.91m) and second in the B javelin (23.33m).

The Under-13 boys continue to show much promise but could do with regular access to field events training. However, the outstanding results from this age group were as follows:-

William Merrill - 2nd A shot putt (5.95m) and 2nd B long jump (3.35m); C Clarke - 2nd A 800m (2mins.56.0s) and 1st B 100m (15.4s); S Clarke - 2nd B 800m (3mins.10.8s); S Hubbocks - 1st B shot putt; E Maslan - 1st B 200m (30.9s).

Finally, two Skyrac relay teams gained success when the Under-17 4x100m team came first and the Under-13 4x100m team ran in second.

Wharfedale Harriers

The first weekend in June is traditionally the richest in terms of fell running fixtures, but has a habit of attracting bad weather. This year was no exception with no less than 15 races on the calendar, and a great deal of rain.

On Saturday, Bob Hamilton and Kevin Rogan raced up Penyghent and were lucky that the worst of the rain hit just before and just after the race. Indeed, the weather was nothing like as bad as a few years ago when the race got hit by a violent hailstorm. Afterwards, the battered and scarred runners looked like victims of a mass epidemic of chicken-pox.

The course of the race this year was reversed from usual, which meant that the field was faced with climbing up the main 'Three Peaks' track into the teeth of a very strong wind, and then descending steeply

Although this route was shorter by half a mile, times were considerably slower than usual, with Andy Wrench of Todmorden coming home the winner in a time of 49.23. Bob relished the stiff climb and ran a great descent to finish an excellent 5th in 52.59 and claim the first Vet 40 prize. Kevin also enjoyed the greasy descent, using his experience to pull back many places to finish 69th in 66.35.

Also on Saturday a group headed south and west to the hills of central Wales to run in the Man versus Horse marathon. This event is a challenge between runners and horseriders, and William Hill offer a prize of £20,000 to the first runner to beat the first horse home. The bounty remains yet to be claimed, although this year Mark Croasdale came possibly as close as any to winning, missing out by just a few seconds.

Wharfedale members have traditionally supported this race, running in the relay event where the 22 mile, 3000 feet of climb course is tackled by a team of three.

The team comprising James Wadsworth and Alfie Atkinson with Mark Sandamas of Keighley and Craven AC finished 2nd team, while that of Dave Hird and Sam Wadsworth, with Mark Palmer of Forest of Dean AC, finished third, everyone enjoying great runs in the wet and muddy conditions.

It is a sobering thought, however, that Mark Croasdale, running solo, still got in before both these two teams.

Sunday saw the rain ease off, but leave a treacherous course for the Consiton Gullies Race, the second BOFRA Championship event of the summer.

The winners in each category were the same as per last week with Rob Husdon winning in a time of 15.44 and our own Kate Rogan taking the ladies race again in 23.34, stating afterwards that it was probably the toughest descent she had ever done.

Other Wharfedale runners competing were Andy Holden 5th, 17.19; Dave Fell 8th, 18.51; Steve Hounslow 11th, 20.08; Sam Hounslow, with the outstanding run of the day, 13th, 20.32; Damien Scholes 14th, 20.37; Paul Rogan 15th, 20.54, and Kevin Rogan, after racing on Saturday and helping to mark the course, 20th in 25.13.

In the junior events, Martin Hounslow and Ross Whitaker, both competing at the youngest end of their age group, ran well to finish a close 3rd and 4th in the Under-17s race, while young James Rogan won the Under 9s race.

The first junior training session of the season was held this Monday evening and saw 18 youngsters have a great time running and racing on the tracks around White Wells. This will be a regular fixture through the summer, meeting on the field opposite the Millennium Gardens in Ilkley at 6.30.

The sessions will run to about 7.30. Please contact Bob Hamilton on 01943 816886 for more details, or just come along on the night.

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. For more details please contact David Hird on 01535 653826, or visit the Harriers website at www.wharfedaleharriers.org.uk.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.