Race is a fitting tribute to Charlotte

That was the first Charlotte Slater Memorial Kelbrook Fell Race, held in the village on Sunday and proving a huge success.

As our readers will know, Charlotte was an effervescent 16-year-old who died just over a year ago after battling for half her life with cancer. It was a sad time, but a year on the abiding memory of Charlotte is of her beaming smile and determination to enjoy every minute of life.

That is the memory which her parents Barry and Karen are keen to preserve, and they wanted Sunday's event to have a happy family atmosphere. It certainly achieved that, although there was solemnity too at the required time.

By chance, this first event coincided with Remembrance Sunday and the importance of that occasion was not overlooked. At the stroke of 11am, over 400 people stood in silence as a mark of respect for Britain's war dead.

The junior races were the first to start after the two minutes' silence. Almost 100 junior competitors took part, with the under-17s running the full and testing route to the top of Roger Moor, and the other three age groups tackling a shorter but still demanding course.

Thankfully, the weather on the day could hardly have been better, but the going underfoot was wet and muddy, with several runners losing their shoes!

The senior race attracted a top class field of almost 200 runners from as far afield as London, Leeds, St Annes, Manchester and the Lake District.

All the Slaters are keen fell runners themselves and news of the event had spread throughout the fell running community.

But there was also a strong turnout of fun runners, some in fancy dress, whose challenge was just to complete the course and raise money for good causes.

The three-and-a-half mile course surprised even some of the serious runners with its severity, including 850 feet of climbing to the top of Roger Moor.

The huge array of trophies and prizes, all donated by local businesses, individuals and organisations, were presented afterwards in the parish hall, and the success of the whole event bodes extremely well for next year.

It was also testament to the months of organising by Barry and Karen Slater and their family.

Barry said: "We couldn't have hoped for a better day all round. We are absolutely thrilled to bits."

He thanked all the runners and spectators, the race sponsors, people who donated prizes, landowners for giving access and providing car parking space, the ladies who provided refreshments, local residents for joining in with the event and everyone who helped in any way.

Proceeds from the day will go to the children's cancer charity Candlelighters, based at St James' Hospital in Leeds, where Charlotte received some of her treatment. Barry thinks the total may be around £2,500. He asked people to take the money to the family's business, Kelbrook Fisheries, by the end of next week if possible, or to ring him on 01282 843468 to make other arrangements.

Winner of the senior race in an impressive 23 minutes and three seconds was Pudsey and Bramley runner Paul Sheard. Second, in 24:00 dead, and the first male veteran over 40, was Bradford and Airedale's Steve Oldfield. In third, and the first placed local, was Barnoldswick's Lee McCash, running for Pendle AC and finishing in 24:15.

First veteran over 50 was 12th place Peter Lyons, of Rossendale AC, in 25:36, well ahead of the first veteran over 45 David Hird, of Wharfedale Harriers, placed 30th overall in 28:00.

The first veteran over 55 was Peter Jepson, of Rossendale AC, 31st in 28:06, while Barnoldswick's John Amos, a Clayton-le-Moors Harrier, was the first veteran over 60 finishing 143rd in 38:27.

First woman across the line was Bingley's Carol Greenwood, 20th overall in 26:41, first female veteran over 40 was 51st place Jo Prowse, of Keighley and Craven, in 29:48, but behind the first female veteran over 45, Clayton-le-Moors' Vanessa Peacock finishing 44th in 29:26. First female veteran over 50 was Eileen Chapple, finishing 172nd overall in a creditable 57:12.

In the under-17s group, running the senior course, winner of the boy's race was Bingley Harriers' James Mason finishing in 27:58 and a creditable 29th place overall.

A close second was Chris Waters in 28:30 and third was Richard Cashman in 29:02, both running for Giggleswick School.

In the under-17s girls race, first home was Victoria Rusius, of Pendle AC, in 30:31, with sisters Kate and Victoria Rogan, both Wharfedale Harriers, second and third in 32:41 and 33:19 respectively.

The mixed team school shield went to the Gigglewick School trio of Chris Waters, Richard Cashman and Nicole Slater.

In the under-14s boys race the first three places went to James Greenhalgh, of Catteral Hall school, Ben Weeden and Martin Hounslow, both Keighley and Craven runners. The under-14s girls race was won by Sheryl Slater of Skipton AC and Catteral Hall, with Naomi Biddle, of Hyndburn, in second and Cheyenne Parr, of Skipton AC, in third.

The mixed team school shield went to the Catteral Hall team of James Greenhalgh, Spike Hird and Sheryl Slater.

In the under-12s boys, the first three were David Shepherd of Settle Harriers, Dicken Morris for Catteral Hall, and Jack Weeden of Keighley and Craven. Winner of the under-12s girls race was Tessa Turczak, just ahead of Sarah Tavernor, both of Catteral Hall, and third was Anna Anderson, of Trawden School.

The mixed team school shield again went to Catteral Hall, won by Dicken Morris, Chris Holmes and Tessa Turczak.

Finally, in the boys under-nines race, the first three home were Jonathan Walker, of Braithwaite School, James Craig, of Hellifield Primary, and Adam Wood, of Grasmere School. The first three girls were Penny Addison, of Long Lee School, Samantha Bogg, of Hothfield Street School, Silsden, and Emma Thompson, of West Street School, Colne.

The mixed team shield went to the West Street School trio of Jack, Emma and Rebecca Thompson.

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