BILLY and Johanne Kerr's efforts in the beach race at Coutainville - a seaside resort a few miles from Ilkley's French twin town of Coutances - were witnessed by Jean Besson - who describes himself as a kind of French Yorkshireman.
Jean took part in the first school exchange between Ilkley Grammar Schoool and the Lycee Coutances in 1947.
A retired headmaster Jean is aso a former chairman of the Coutances-Ilkley Twinning Committee.
Jean sent a copy of his local paper with a full page coverage of the race to us.
The race known in Normandy as the Enduro Des Sables is mostly run on the beach and is a very tough race.
Jean was pleased to see - as reported in last week's edition - that Billy finished 23rd for the 10 mile race and first veteran while Johanne was 12th lady in the seven mile race
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