Running Log

Laura Kirk of Skyrac AC defeated a strong ladies field to achieve a superb victory in the second race of the Complete Runner West Yorkshire Cross-Country League.

The first lap of the surprisingly firm but windswept Knavesmire course saw a close tussle between Jo Buckley (Bingley) and Katie Walshaw (Holmfirth) as they built up a 25-metre gap over the field.

But Kirk had other ideas and pushed on in the second half of the race to win by 22 seconds from Claire Duck (Leeds City), with Walshaw third.

The overall ladies title looks set to be hotly contested over the remaining fixtures at Northcliffe and Wakefield, with Saturday’s top three within a point of each other.

Leeds City won the team race, although Bradford clubs were well represented with Sue Becconsall (Bingley), Sally Morley (Ilkley) and Clare Pearson (Skipton) all in the top ten.

Simon Deakin (Leeds City) was in dominant form in the men’s race, making it back-to-back league wins by completing a route of just over ten kilometres in 32min 42sec – over half a minute ahead of his nearest rival.

Five Leeds City runners joined Deakin in the top ten to make the team result a formality, although Will Smith (Keighley) was excellent value for eighth place.

Steve Broadbent (Bingley) and Billy Pinder (Skipton) managed 12th and 14th respectively.

Richard Kirwan (Baildon) will be looking forward to trying his luck on the road, having managed the rare feat of setting a new 10km personal best (47 minutes) on a cross-country course.

Local clubs were well represented in the under-17s girls race, with Georgia Malir taking the win ahead of Skyrac duo Hannah Brown and Helen Wood.

Liam Stedman (Spenborough) and Emile Cairess (Bingley) managed third in the under-17s and under-15s boys events respectively.

Charlie Lowrie (Wharfedale) was fourth in the under-13s and Francis Westhead won the under-11s category for Ilkley, who lead the overall standings in that age group.

The future looks bright for Holmfirth’s youngsters, who lead the girls under-11s category and both under-13s competitions.