A WINTERY, seasonal dusting of snow gave this year’s Stoop Fell race that extra Christmas appeal, to add to the compulsory Santa hat for all runners.

The moors above Haworth can always be described as moody, the snow lending atmosphere and challenge to this romp around Haworth Moor to the legendary Stoop boundary stone and back to Penistone Quarry.

Despite the snow, and perceived chill, conditions underfoot were surprisingly soft giving bounce to runners’ step but also being muddy enough to slow competitors as they challenged each other and the elements.

At the head of the senior race, established fell running legend Ilkley Harriers’ Tom Adams was pushed all the way by up and coming star Wharfedale Harriers’ Robin Howie.

They tussled and battled all the way round with Adams finding the better line to the Stoop and forging ahead to win the race in 35.20, a mere 14 seconds ahead of Howie (35.34) and Pudsey and Bramley’s Rob Hope (36.03).

The ladies race was no less of a battle as some current fell running stars locked horns in a friendly battle around the tussocky moorland.

Ribble Valley’s Nichola Jackson, who has represented England and Great Britain in mountain running, stormed home to repeat her win of 2018, finishing in 39.28 and 19th overall.

Local heroine and another England star of mountain running, Todmorden Harriers’ Annie Roberts finished second in 42.22, ahead of Ilkley Harriers Lucy Williamson (44.23).

The under-21 men’s race was won by Rossendale’s Charlie Taylor (40.45) from Keighley and Craven’s Eric Beaumont (41.55).

Beaumont only ran the senior race as he missed the start of the under-19 Quarry Run, making his second place ranking all the more impressive. Third under-21 male was Fellandale’s Ben Hancock (49.07).

Wharfedale’s Emily Jones, who won the under-19 race in 2018, returned to take the title in the under-21 ladies race (45.32), finishing fourth lady overall. Second under-21 lady was East Cheshire Harriers’ Lily McGuiness.

In the veteran categories, third placed Robe Hope took the male vet 40 title with Ilkley Harriers’ Kate Archer taking the LV40 title (45.51).

Local legend, Bingley Harriers’ Ian Holmes took the MV50 title (38.00) with the well-travelled Huntingdonshire’s Alison Fox taking the LV50 prize.

Leeds Bradford Triathlon’s James Cunningham left his wet suit at home and took the MV60 title (47.50), while Doncaster’s Caroline Wheelhouse was first LV60 (53.57).

The seasoned Ken Taylor of Rossendale Harriers returned to repeat his win of 2018 to be first vet 70 runner in an impressive 53.16.

The junior Quarry Runs took their now familiar format of a muddy mad dash along the bottom of the old Penistone Quarry and the steep climb out to commence the age dependent routes ahead.

For the main junior race, the icy conditions necessitated a detour away from the pond, along a track at a higher level, making the race a little bit longer but safer on the day.

The under-9 race is the first to depart and had a distinct tinge of deja vu as Calder Valley’s Harry Cliff repeated his victory of 2018 to win in 2.49 from Ilkley’s Robert Carter (2.54) and Wharfedale’s Dylan Alcock (3.22).

The girls’ race was won by Ilkley’s Harriet Carter (3.31) from Mercia’s Bleu Bailey (3.49) and Calder Valley’s Charlotte Cliff (4.07).

Keighley’s Zac Jardine won the under-11 race (7.33) from Ilkley’s Oliver Holder (8.07) and Bingley’s William Johnson (8.46).

Calder Valley’s Clara McKee finished second under-11 overall to win the girls race (7.38) from Keighley’s Bethan Buckley (8.13) and Bingley’s Abby Clay (8.28).

Moving up an age bracket proved to be no hurdle for Keighley’s Archie Peaker as he romped home to win the under-13 boys’ race (7.01) from Calder Valley’s George McFie (7.12) and Ilkley’s Alexander Wolfenden (7.23).

Barlick’s Lucille Pickles won the girls race (8.06) from Keighley duo Milly Timbers (8.32) and Lara Brown (9.04).

Bingley’s Theo Clay won the overall junior race and the under-15 boys’ race (6.58) from Calder Valley’s Euan Logue (7.29) and Ilkley’s Dylan Shinn (7.43).

At the end of a season that has seen her win many races outright, Wharfedale’s Amelie Lane came home second in the under-15s to win the girls race (7.28), a full 30 seconds ahead of Ilkley’s Erin Doyle (7.58) and Holmfirth Harriers’ Annie McLean (8.04).

The two-lap under-17 race was won by Otley’s Jenson Brogden (12.45), who also proved that moving up an age bracket is no barrier to success, having won the under-15 race in 2015. Pudsey and Bramley’s Declan Walker came second (13.35) ahead of Bingley’s Owen Pacey (15.06).

Coming third overall, Wharfedale’s Alice Jones was first under-17 girl (13.43).