NO less than 16 Ilkley Harriers competed in the Rivock Edge fell race last Sunday.

Starting at Silsden Park, the race takes runners on a 10-mile circuit up Nab End, through Windgate Nick, passed the Boulder Stones and on to the radio aerial and the summit of Rivock Edge, before returning through the forest of Silsden - 1,500ft of ascent in total. In unseasonal November sunshine, Mark Horrocks, of Clayton le Moors, led home the 153 runners to finish in 65 minutes 14 seconds.

An excellent run by Ilkley's Helen Johnson, first lady and 52nd overall in 80.10. Also in the prizes were Jason Helmsley, ninth in 70.25, Nick Pearce first over-45 veteran and 17th overall in 73.03; Bob Hamilton third in the over-40 category and 20th overall in 73.39; and Rachel Gooch third lady veteran in 93.49.

Ilkley's other finishers were Billy Kerr, 23rd in 74.05; Geoff Howard 35th in 77.47; Mark Ilkley 51st in 80.90; Pete Shields 71st in 84.05; Eddie Winslow 73rd in 84.42; Justin Oldham 86.07; Neil Taylor 86.51; Dennis Ackroyd 87.02; Anna Liuba 91.19; dave Ibbotson 95.13; and Chris Porritt 113.22.

The previous three members competing in the five-mile Giggleswick Scar fell race at Settle on Saturday. The race attracted a field of 115 runners and was run over a pleasant grassy course with 800ft of ascent. Race winner was Rob Hope, of Horwich, in 30.23, with Nick Pearce pleased with 12th place in a time of 33.27. Also having good runs were Pete Shields 30th in 36.39, and Neil Taylor 54th in 39.30.

A number of Harriers also enjoyed the Fell Running Association's AGM and annual party at Skipton on Saturday evening, with Helen Johnson and Graham Pearce able to celebrate their placings in the 1998/9 English Championships, Helen 11th in the women's category and Graham 11th in the under-18 boys.

Full results from the West Yorkshire Cross-Country race at Ilkley the other weekend show that Ilkley Harriers were sixth in both men's and womens' team competitions, a tremendous achievement.

Congratulations to super veteran Brian Sweet, voted 'Booth's Runner of the Month' for November for braving atrocious conditions to complete the Within's Skyline, a good performance in the Roundhay five-mile race, and for regular leading training runs and encouraging new members.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club and welcomes runners of all abilities. We meet on Tuesdays at 7.00pm at Ben Rhydding Sports Club. For details contact club captain Nick Pearce on 603885; ladies' captain Shirley Wood on 831765, or through e-mail address at Ilkley.harriers@btinternet.com.

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