Running Log

Dave Wilby and Alison Weston made a positive impression after travelling from Ilkley for the televised INTERNATIONAL SNOWDON RACE.

Wilby knocked almost nine minutes off his course best to finish 35th in 80min 58sec and get among the tail-end of the male internationals.

He battled leading lady, 18-year-old Scot Catriona Buchanan, to the summit, so ensuring some television coverage.

Weston produced a typically strong run to finish in 1hr 51:34 and claim the ladies’ over-45s prize in this prestigious event.

Constant mist, rain and wind over the almost entirely rocky terrain did not hamper young Scot Robbie Simpson as he broke 68 minutes to win in his first appearance.

On a bumper weekend of races, fell runners were torn between Snowdon, Kentmere in the Lakes and the BOFRA race at Cracoe.

A revised, faster HARROGATE 10K course attracted 612 road runners and a muggy morning turned sunny to see most of the competitors hunting the shade.

The route was a challenging two-lapper around the suburbs, with plenty of undulations to break the stride and including a lovely downhill section past Valley Gardens on the back straight.

Leeds City’s Darren Bilton finished in 31:48 for a 50-yard winning gap over Hallamshire’s Dave Archer.

Spenborough’s Kevin Ogden maintained his recent form in sixth (34:32), Marko Gvero (Keighley & Craven) and Matt Nowell (Bradford-Airedale) were ninth (35:23) and 11th (35:57) respectively and Ilkley’s Steve Weston achieved a personal best with 37:19.

Vicky Whitehead of Valley Striders was fastest woman (37:38), with Rebecca Cesar de Sa from Guiseley-based Skyrac ninth in 42:33.

The 20th edition of the Pudsey 10K offered a tough, hilly, half-off road course, made worse by a headwind and Sunday’s heat, with the winning time of 36:33 testifying to the conditions.

Former international Carl Thackery (Hallamshire) beat a trio from Pudsey & Bramley – Ian Nixon, Neil Armitage and Colin Walker – while Otley’s Rogan Ashton made a welcome return to form in ninth.

Claire Elener (Eccleshill) was third lady in 45:12 with a strong performance behind winner Jess Nixon of Pudsey & Bramley (44:11) and Melanie Pollard.