Joint winners in Guiseley Gallop

search of the sun but the record field of 411 runners in Sunday's Fifth Guiseley Gallop were rewarded with blue skies and sufficient warmth to provide perfect racing conditions.

With the overhead sun in mind seven years-old Emma Waters was on hand to pass welcomed cups of water to the runners at the halfway stage.

The event, which is organised by Skyrac AC, is generously sponsored by Ilkley's Complete Runner and Adidas and although most competitors enter the race to enjoy the variety of terrain which includes off-road running though woods, canal towpath and a visit to Esholt and its "Emmerdale Farm" tourists.

The race also attracts elite athletes and both this year's men's and ladies'winners have represented England.

Joint winners of the men's race were Andrew Pearson and John Taylor, who both run for Bingley Harriers and had decided to cross the finish line together, in 35min 24sec. Third was Andrew's brother Michael Pearson (Longwood) in 35.45.

The first veteran over-40 was Eddie Shaw (Northern Vets) who was 10th overall and also in the first 20 was Nick Pearce (Ilkley Harriers) who at 18th in 40.17 was first veteran over-45.

Other category winners were veteran over-50 Walter Stewart (Halifax) in 42.52, veteran over-55 Mike Walker (Gosforth) in 41.02 and veteran over-60 Jeffery Taylor (Meltham) in 46.32.

The ladies race was won by Sally Leslie in 43.41 well ahead of Elizabeth Tomes (Keighley) in 44.29 , who won the veteran over-40 prize and Mary Green (Bingley) on 45.06.

Sally Leslie, under her maiden name of Ramsdale, used to run for Leeds City AC and was an English Schools Champion and junior international whose running career was cut short by achilles tendon problems and a series of operations.

Sally, who now lives near Freiburg on the edge of the Black Forest in Germany, was visiting her family home in Hawksworth for Easter and decided to enter the event on the day. She modestly described herself as just a "fun runner" who runs a couple of times a week to keep fit and charmingly put her victory down to "luck on the day".

Beverley Hodgson (Knavesmire) was first female veteran over-45 in 49.22.

Skyrac also organise the Clearview Windows Otley Chevin Fell Race which will be held for the 21st time on June 7 from the Market Square, Otley.

Skyrac caters for every running discipline including track, road and fell across all ages and abilities. Someone in a Skyrac vest races on every weekend of the year and if you would like to join Wharfedale's longest established and most prestigious athletics club then telephone Neil on 0113-0229-0924.

Ilkley Harriers

Ilkley Harriers joined over 32,000 other runners in the London Marathon. The club's two places were taken by David Ibbotson and Howard Allen, both veterans of two previous Londons.

Alas, both finished some way behind Pinto who set a new record of 2:06:36, but with times of 4 hours and 4:25 respectively they were well into the top half of the field and knocked out former world boxing champion Frank Bruno (5:15).

Meanwhile, Ewan Welsh showed the form that earned him the Booths Ilkley Harriers Runner-of-the-Month award for March, with a fine 1:27 in the Sheffield Half Marathon.

Ewan is building up for the Leeds Marathon late in May.

Andy Wade continued his purple patch with a cracking 33:58 in the Wakefield Hospice 10k, where Martin Heath got tantalisingly close to that 40 minute barrier with 41:34.

A host of Harriers ran in the Guiseley Gallop, a counter in the inter-club running league.

In perfect running conditions, Tim Ashelford finished first Harrier in 6th place in 38 minutes, followed seconds later by Andy Wade to give Harriers two runners in the top ten.

Next were evergreen Nick Pearce, Clive Smith in 43.16, Nick Mapstone in 45.15 and Martin Heath in 47.10. Bernie Connor in 55.26 held off Andy Sarah 55.26, Brian Sweet recorded 61.24, and Howard Allen 63.15 with London still in his legs.

Next Tuesday it will be 'all hands on deck' as Ilkley host a 10km race from the Ben Rhydding Sports Club, the first in the Harrogate Road Race

League.

Tonight, Thursday, members will follow the Thursday training with a drinks night at the Cow and Calf pub, meeting there from 8.30pm. Members will be informally discussing teams for the English Fell Championships.

This weekend a host of Harriers ran in the Guiseley Gallop, a counter in the in-club running league.

For more news and information on Ilkley Harriers, check out their web site at: www.daisyhill.demon.co.uk/ilkleyharriers

Wharfedale Harriers

IN the second of the Bunny Runs on Harden Moor in much improved weather conditions a slightly bigger field of about 250 runners turned out on a cold but still evening which was almost ideal for racing.

In a generally more competitive race, all six Wharfedale Harriers runners bettered their times of the previous week.

First home for the club was again Bob Hamilton, 32nd in 20.32 who enjoyed a very close contest with James Wadsworth, 38th in 20.49, running neck and neck until the last mile where Bob just managed to pull away. With an improvement of over a minute on his time of the previous week,however, the betting is that James will have his revenge before the end of the series.

Following very close behind was Steve Hounslow 43rd in 20.59 leading home his sons Martin 65th in 22.01 and Sam 89th in 23.10. For 14

year-old Martin this was an astonishing performance in a good quality senior field, and represented an improvement of 80 seconds over his run the previous week.

Finally, Kate Rogan also had an excellent run to finish 91st in 23.15, easily a personal best over the course.

On Sunday more good weather greeted the stalwarts of the Kendal Winter League who were racing on Elterwater Common in the Lakes in the penultimate race of the series. Andy Holden was again first home for the club, 7th in 24.08 followed by Steve Hounslow 10th, 25.43; Paul Rogan 13th, 26.37; Damien Scholes 16th, 27.24 and Kevin Rogan 29th, 37.12.

Steve sustained an ankle injury during the race and the club hopes very much that he can recover in time to race competitively in the final event, even though a hobble around the course should secure him enough points to win the series outright.

Over a shorter course in the Under-17s race, Martin Hounslow had another excellent run to finish second in 19.02, followed by Ross Whitaker 5th in 20.04 who just got home ahead of Sam Hounslow, 6th in 20.09.

In the ladies race Lynn Whittaker was 7th home in 28.36.

In the third Bunny Run last week the weather was better again, offering a mild and still evening which was almost perfect for racing. Attracting another very competitive field of about 250 runners, race three threw up a third different winner in Mick Hawkins, fastest so far in 17.30.

Up with the pace for Wharfedale, Bob Hamilton and James Wadsworth enjoyed another great tussle, running in tandem for the first two miles until Bob managed to get away up the bank.

Bob improved his time again to finish 27th in 20.25, with Des O'Regan, running his first race of the series, next home, 37th in 20.55,

just nipping in ahead of James, 38th in 21.00. In another close tussle were Paul Rogan 60th in 22.11 and Martin Hounslow 63rd in 22.18.

Following close behind them were Sam Hounslow 73rd in 22.53, by far his best run of the series; Kate Rogan 81st in 23.05, another personal best; and Ross Whitaker 98th in 23.47. Finally, running in his very first race for the club, eight year-old Forrest Hamilton thoroughly enjoyed himself to finish 231st in 29.41, managing to claim a good few senior scalps along the way.

Sunday saw the fourteenth and final race in the Kendal Winter League at Gawthwaite Common. Andy Holden had yet another good run to finish 4th in 19.13, followed by Damien Scholes 7th in 20.23, easily enjoying his best run this year.

Damien was highly motivated ahead of his father to beat him on points for the series - which he achieved with one place to spare. Following an ankle injury the previous week, Steve Hounslow had a steady run for 10th in 20.30, which was enough to secure him the Vets title and place him second overall behind Colin Valentine. Also running were Paul Rogan 13th, 21.48 and Kevin Rogan 23rd, 24.58.

Over the same course in the Under -17s race, Martin Hounslow continued his sequence of good races to finish 5th in 21.13, placing him second overall in the series. Sam Hounslow finished 7th in 23.20 for fourth overall.

In the ladies race Kate Rogan was first home for Wharfedale, placing second in 23.18, followed by Lynn Whittaker 4th, 29.11. Lynn's consistency throughout the winter was rewarded with second place in the series.

Next Wednesday's social run will start from the New Inn at Cononley, meeting 6.45 to start running at 7pm prompt. All local runners are very welcome to join us.Wharfedale Harriers is a family oriented club aiming to promote fell and cross-country running across all ages and abilities. Training takes place on Monday and Tuesday evenings from Silsden, and Thursday evening from Ilkley.

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

Fellandale

Great fun was to be had at the Guiseley Gallop last Sunday, as the amount of rain we have had made the course through the woods quite sticky - which was good news for Fellandale members - but hard work for some of the road runners!

Excellent weather brought many runners to Westside Retail Park including Fellandale members Paul Dennison, James Glover, Brian Gawthorpe, Colin Kilner, Mark Saville and, arriving late as usual, Peter Yates.

This coming Sunday is the Three Peaks Race, which is currently being chaired by Fellandale member Graham Maud.

There will be more runners this year on account of the race being an English Fell Running championship race. The 24 mile route includes the summits of Pen Y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

The winning time will be around 2:45. The race starts at 10:00am. Graham's wife, Heather, is running the event for the second successive year.

Fellandale are now training on Wednesday nights on Otley Chevin, meeting at Surprise View car park on York Gate (opposite The Royalty) at 6:30pm. They welcome runners from other clubs to train with them. The first Wednesday in May they will be running from Pool Cricket Club.

The Horsforth Sport n Fun event is now attracting entries, and if you are logged on to the internet, Fellandale launched their site last week, it can be found at www.fellandale.com.

It includes all the race details and maps. The site also includes information on the Danefield Relay being held on the first Wednesday in July at 7:15pm. The site will also publish the results for the Three Peaks and the above events.

If you would like to know more about Fellandale talk to Chairman, Mark Saville (0113) 258 4680.

Skyrac Juniors

Easter Bank Holiday Monday saw Skyrac's junior athletes continue their opening season form.

The large Lancashire club, Trafford AC, hosted their second open meeting of the new season at Longford Park, Stretford, and Andrew and Bethany Staniland enjoyed electronic timing and the challenge of competing against their track and field contemporaries from over the Pennines.

Bethany dominated a large Under-13 field in the 600m, winning in the impressive time of 1min 49.2s, a personal best. She also won the Under-13 girls' shot putt with 7.87m and came second in both the long jump(4.02m) and 70m hurdles (14.1s).

Not content with these four events, 11year old Bethany then went on to gain third place in the Under-15 girls' discus with 20.81m, a very pleasing throw with the heavier weight implement (1kg).

Thirteen year-old Andrew Staniland was in fine jumping form in winning both the Under-15 boys' high jump and long jump. Clearing 1.50m in the high jump, the winning jump, he was unable to take any further attempts as his long jump was then called.

This event he won with 5.00m exactly, however a farcical situation developed as his third event, discus, was on at the same time. Therefore, rapidly changing footwear between circle and pit, he came second in the discus (1.25kg) with 22.22m.

Once the dust, had settled he then went on to achieve two further second places in the shot putt (7.88m) and the javelin.

Unusually for athletics meetings competitors were allowed to enter five events and this made for good pentathlon practice for the North of England Multi-Events Championships at Hexham in late May.

The previous weekend Andrew Robinson had impressed at the North of England Inter-Regional Coaching Match at the Dorothy Hyman Stadium, Barnsley.

Representing the Eastern Region, he came second in the Under-18 boys' javelin, showing fine early season form with the new 700g weight , with 52.92m.

Grimsby and Wakefield will see Skyrac athletes in action over the next week, with the May Day Open Meeting at King George V Stadium, Grimsby, and the second West Yorkshire League meeting two days later at Thornes Park, Wakefield.

Otley AC runners

enjoy Marathon

FURTHER to last week's report about the London Marathon - while Ian Fisher ran superbly to finish 32nd overall (11th British man) in 2hr 20min 27sec - four other Otley AC runners also completed the challenge.

They were Duncan Burgess, who ran 2hr 53.28 despite a few sleepless nights because of his three-week-old baby; Nick Hodgkinson, who ran 3hr 41.23 and was pleased to finish ahead of Graham Stead, who ran 4hr 04.07, recovering from illness. Zoe Pears, in her first marathon, ran 4hr 09.00 to finish first Otley woman.

Last Sunday Otley Athletic Club had five runners taking part in the Guiseley Gallop where conditions were wet and muddy underfoot but with warm sunshine and light winds. Otley's runners' times were: Ray Hawksby 42.02, Max Jowett unknown, David Fox 47.24, Terry Flynn 49.10, Andrew Sumner 55.27.

Thursday. April 27, sees the fourth event of the Eric Smith Handicap Trophy 2000. This will be a 4.1-mile run starting at 7.15pm outside the New Inn, Eccup.

Tuesday, May 2, is the date of the first Harrogate League race of the year - held from Ben Rhydding Sports Club, Ilkley, at 7.45pm. Members are also reminded to purchase their number in advance if at all possible.

They are available for £2 from Julian Mawson and are valid for all five races plus the end of season handicap in Ripon.

This year's Otley 10 takes place on Wednesday, May 24. Now sponsored by Otley Motors, entry forms can be found at most local races or can be collected from Otley AC on training nights which are Tuesdays and Thursdays at Otley RUFC at 7.15pm.

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