Running Log

The ROUND HILL FELL RACE offered a tough nine-miler outside Timble, courtesy of Otley AC, featuring sun-resistant bog and stretches of rough single-track moorland paths.

Ian Fisher, returning from semi-retirement, still had the class to win by nearly two minutes from Gareth Hird (Wharfedale), who enjoyed a good battle with Paul Stephenson (Pudsey & Bramley) before prevailing in exactly 56 minutes.

Hird was well backed by Nicholas Charlesworth, Jason Helmsley and Christian Holmes in fourth to sixth places as Wharfedale took the team prize.

In the female section, Renee Saxton finished six seconds clear of Jess Nixon (P&B) to secure an individual victory for the home club.

With only four more races left, it is getting tight in the AIREDALE ATHLETICS SUMMER OFF-ROAD CHALLENGE.

After leading all season, Adrian Worger is hanging on, while the number able to overtake him is getting fewer.

Liz Boothman and Jack Verity remain well placed in second and third respectively but Steve Watkins and Theresa Duckett (both Baildon) and Martin Farrar (Skyrac) are closing in quickly.

With one of the remaining races, the Yorkshireman Off-Road Marathon, being a joker and counting double, the individual title remains wide open.

The inter-club league is even closer, with Baildon and St Bede’s engaged in a game of nip-and-tuck.

The lead has changed twice in the last three weeks, with St Bede’s in front after Oldfield only for Baildon to wrest the advantage back after Round Hill (38,807pts to 37,959). Skyrac are third on 20,864.

Club and category course bests have been set at OLDFIELD by St Bede’s quartet Tony Hart (male 40-and-over), Jack Verity (M50), Jayne Hart (F50) and Dave Armstrong (M60).

At KENTMERE, Ian Brocklebank of Skyrac set an M40 record, while at ROUND HILL, Theresa Duckett (Baildon, F40) and Armstrong again (M60) broke club bests.

The revived WROSE CHALLENGE will take place over a new 5K course – but still containing the dreaded Carr Lane hill-climb – on Wednesday.

The race starts at 7.30pm from Hepworth and Idle Cricket Club on Westfield Lane. The entry fee is £6 and can be made on the day (or £4 for affiliated club runners).