Bottomley wins Rombalds Stride

The event has been organised by scouting enthusiasts from the 15th Airedale Guiseley St Oswald's Troop throughout its 19 years to raise funds for the group. The excellent event has grown in stature over the years and now attracts runners from all over Great Britain.

As well as the serious runners there are others who bring along their dogs or who treat it as a walk but at the end of the day they all express enjoyment at having taken part.

The oldest competitor in this year's race was 82 year-old Bill Harding from York.

The race winner however was Steve Bottomley of Pudsey and Bramley who finished in 2hrs 53 mins with Ilkley Harrier Nick Pearce second in 2.55 and Paul Freeman of Aireborough Tri Club third in 2.57.

The first lady home was Andrea Dennison of the Airedale Club in a time of 3.21 with Jean Shotter of Leeds second in 3.36 and Victoria Musgrove of North Wales third in 3.37.

The first lady over 50 was Patricia Thwaites in 4.09 with Ilkley Harrier Christine Porritt at the age of 58 the first lady over 55 to finish with a time of 4.37.

The first man over 60 to finish was Peter Lambert of Leeds in 3.40.

One of the organisers, Brian Gill, said: 'Yet again we were blessed with good weather, we have not had a bad day since we started the event 19 years ago. This year's it was a great success again attracting runners from all the country. There was a contingent from North Wales and as one of their number was among the prizes I expect they will be back again.'

Wharfedale Harriers

The previous weekend was unusual in that there were no fell race fixtures on either the FRA or BOFRA calendars, providing a rare opportunity for a rest for some, and a chance for some serious bad-weather training for others.

The one off-road event available was the Northern cross-country championships, which only proved attractive to Kate Rogan who claimed some useful scalps in finishing in a highly respectable 16th place in the Under-20s. Running at the very bottom of her age category, this was yet another fine performance from Kate.

Kate's father Kevin was recently elected chairman of the British Open Fell Running Association (BOFRA) and many members will look forward with great anticipation to the start of the championship in the Spring.

BOFRA races tend to be short and sharp, are often associated with shows in the Dales and the Lakes, and have a long tradition going back to the days when they were run by mountain guides as an entertainment.

Nowadays, BOFRA races are very

much family oriented with categories for the Under-9s, Under-12s, Under-14s and Under-17s at most races. Although all the events are competitive, the atmosphere is low-key with the emphasis very much on participation with plenty of prizes on offer for the younger ones.

Details of events will be posted in this column once the season gets under way.

Children's cross-country

WHARFEDALE Harriers are staging a cross-country race at Ashlands School, Ilkley, on Saturday with the first race at 10am for Years 3,4 and 5 .

Children from all the Ilkley Schools, plus those from Burley and Addingham will be taking part. It is the club's first effort at giving the younger children a taste of competition, although the emphasis will, of course, be on participation and enjoyment.

Following a rare weekend devoid of fell racing fixtures, normal service was resumed on Saturday for Wharfedale Harriers with the Ogden Moors Race over six miles and 700 ft of climb, the second race of the South Pennines Grand Prix series.

Over a fast course, and in good conditions Bob Hamilton finished 18th in 38.58, enjoying yet another very close contest with Skyrac's David Young, who exactly reversed the positions from Stanbury two weeks ago to nip home one place ahead in 17th. David Hird, returning to racing after several months out through injury, was delighted to finish in the top quarter of the field, 48th in 41.59. Bob stands in 6th place in the Grand Prix after the first two races.

The Kendal Winter League brigade headed off to Scout Scar on Sunday for a rough cross-country race. First home was Ted Mason, 3rd in 22.08, followed by Steve Hounslow 12th place in 24.16; Damien Scholes 15th, 24.55; Paul Rogan 16th, 24.59; Andy Holden 17th, 25.02; and Kevin Rogan 41st, 28.54

In the ladies, Kate Rogan finished 2nd in 23.56 with Lynn Whittaker 10th in 30.26. Finally, in the U17 boys, Sam Hounslow was first home 6th in 20.40, ahead of Ross Whittaker 7th, 20.43 and younger brother Martin 8th, 22.37, mainly by virtue of having the presence of mind to reccie the course beforehand.

Away from the fells, Kate Rogan has been pursuing a punishing cross-country programe. She was second in the Lancashire Schools cross-country championships.

Wharfedale Harriers is a family oriented club aiming to promote fell and cross-country running across all ages and abilities. Training takes place Monday to Thursday evenings from Silsden, Skipton and Ilkley. For more details please contact David Hird on 01535 653826.

Fellandale were out in force

Fellandale members were out in force over the weekend competing in two

events which were poles apart. On Saturday Heather and Graham Maud, Carl Prendergast, David Hainsworth and others competed in the Rombalds Stride which takes in Ilkley Moor and the Chevin.

The weather stayed fine, as it did for Sunday when it was the second race in the Sport Direct Cross-Country season. Members, led by David Britton, journeyed

to Ackworth, south of Pontefract, for the 5 mile event. The course is highly enjoyable - more so for the stream crossing, including a scramble up the bank, before the up hill finish!

The Cross Country race is part of a series of five which attracts local clubs to compete against one another. The next race will be held at Golden Acre Park on Sunday, February 20.

The annual meeting was held last Thursday. New members elected to the Committee are: Dave Hodgson (Treasurer), Jack Escritt (Newsletter Editor), Ian Wilson (Running Co ordinator) and Richard Falls. Thanks were given to those retiring: Martin Scott (Treasurer), Fiona Crossley (Newsletter Editor), Madeleine Hobley (Secretary) and David Hainsworth.

The club had gained six new members during the year and it was agreed that the membership subscription would remain unchanged, despite the higher cost levied on the club from the North of England Amateur Athletic Association from May. It is hoped that the Danefield Relay and Horsforth Boundary Run will offset any

costs incurred. The club raised over £750 for charity during the year by staging a relay run (with members of Skyrac) of the Bob Graham Round in the Lake District - this was in memory of club members, Phil Brayson, Eric Child and Alan Drury, who had died in the previous 18 months.

The first meeting for the Horsforth Sports Day arrangements takes place tonight, Thursday, at Horsforth Hall Park Cricket Club at 8pm.

The club has had a very good response from local clubs and organisations wanting to be involved. The date the sports are to be held has been confirmed as Sunday June 18, with the Boundary Run, of about 10 miles, commencing at 2:00pm. The route is nearly wholly off-road and will start and finish in the park. The club has worked closely with the Police to ensure that all runners can cross the A65 (twice) and the Ring Road.

Entry forms for the event will be available from mid March. The club is currently looking for sponsors for the commemorative T-shirt, and local businesses to donate prizes. If you are able to help please contact Fellandale Chairman, Mark Saville on (0113) 258 4680.

Ruth wins at

Ogden Moor

OGDEN Moors Fell Race organiser Allan Greenwood led the applause when former English Fell Running Champion Ruth Pickavance was first lady home in Saturday's event breaking the record set by Allan's wife Carol.

Ruth who retired from competition after representing England in international mountain races now competes as an unattached veteran over 35. She returned with a bang finishing in 42 mins 21 secs.

Paul Dobson of Leeds City won the men's race in a record time of 34 mins 47 secs repeating his win of 1999 over Pudsey and Bramley's Gary Oldfield. The gap was reduced to eight seconds as compared with 11 last time out. The race was the second counter in the 12 race South Pennines Grand Prix which is now led by Karl Smith of Todmorden who was third on Saturday.

Skyrac runners enjoy these races and Dave Young was 17th in 38.45 to pick up the veteran's over-40 prize while clubmate Graham Breeze picked up the veteran over-50 prize being 64th in 43.24. Skyrac's Graham Grinstead (78th in 44.21) and Ralph Warman (83rd iun 44.48) helped swell the field to a record 208 runners.

Meanwhile in Wharfedale Skyrac's Nigel Kirkbright, Neil Clayton and ultra-distance specialist Malcolm Coles tackled the 25 mile Rombalds Stride. Malcolm, who has frequently competed in over 100 races a year, picked up the veteran over-50 prize.

The event takes in some of Yorkshire's finest scenery and is regarded as good training for those who have April's Three Peaks in their sights.

On Sunday Skyrac's Graham Breeze made it two fell races in one weekend by finishing 78th in the 12 mile Mickleden Straddle in 2hrs 03 mins 42 secs. He was a long way behind clubmate Duncan Asquith who loves fast courses and at his first attempt in the event finished an excellent 20th in 1hr 43.46.

If you think you may love running over the Yorkshire countryside then call Neil or Sue on 0113 2290924.

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