Horsforth Harriers celebrate a unique veterans' double success

This is the first time any club has won the men's and ladies' championship in the same season.

In addition Dave Maycock, Nigel Monaghan and Peter Slinger took individual awards whilst Sarena Blackburn, Julie Hustwit, Marie Hart and Hilary Wharram did likewise in the ladies' Grand Prix.

The 2003 Yorkshire Veterans Grand Prix got off to a belated start with the first race being hosted by Horsforth Harriers. This turned out to be highly appropriate, given that the Vets also held their AGM following the race, where Horsforth Harriers were presented with the trophies for the 2002 Grand Prix Championship.

The ladies team retained the title they first won in 2001.

Horsforth Harriers are also in the running for other awards in the near future as the men's team currently head the Premier Division of the Sport Direct Cross-Country League. Having won all four of the races run to date and with only the fifth and final race to come at Temple Newsam in early March, the men's team look unstoppable and are set to go one better than last year when they finished as runners up.

Tim Midgley set a new first for the men's team when taking top honours at the last race held at Kippax, making him the first ever male Horsforth Harrier to win a Sport Direct Cross-Country League race.

The ladies are also currently head of their Premier Division but while Helen Sly has finished first lady in each of the four previous races, they are locked in a three way battle with last year's champions Ilkley Harriers and a rejuvenated Abbey Runners side.

The result of the final race will be crucial as it really will be a winner takes all scenario.

Skyrac Fellrunners

The organiser of the 20 miles 4,000 feet Wadsworth Trog used to publicise the race as The Beast and the application form included a cartoon of a monster emerging from peaty bog.

Inevitably applications fell away over the years, as they did for the Leeds Marathon when the non-running organisers naively advertised it as The Tough One, not realising that marathon runners only care about lowering their PB and finding the easiest marathon to achieve this.

Eventually a new organiser took over at Wadsworth, references to The Beast disappeared, entries stabilised at just under one hundred and the light-hearted application form now includes references to 'joy and excitement'.

Well, perhaps, because in good weather a 20 mile run over the moors north of Hebden Bridge can be a glorious experience. Of course in rain with bog clinging to your shoes the three or four hours grind can be less

invigorating but last Saturday conditions for the 12th race were perfect and Rob Jebb (Bingley) won in a record time of 2.50.03.

Skyrac Trog stalwarts Graham Grinstead, Malcolm Coles and Graham Breeze care little for the PR of application forms and turned up as usual to finish in 37th (3.44.07), 53rd (3.50.55) and 55th (3.52.14) respectively knowing that, whatever the name, an event that takes serious fellrunners over three hours to complete is hard; indeed one might almost say it truly is 'The Tough One'.

Skyrac is now recruiting new members. Contact 0113 229 0924 for a chat or call up www.skyrac.org.uk

Otley AC

Last Saturday 21 members of Otley AC ventured to Harewood for the second event of the 2003 Eric Smith Handicap competition.

This was a new course, devised and marked by Nick Hodgkinson, over 4.5 undulating miles.

Although the morning was sunny it was cold and icy in places which, along with the cattle grids and farm gates, slowed times a little.

The event was won by Colin Best who finished eight seconds clear of Sharron Driver in 39:51 to collect 21 points.

Third finisher was club President David Hainsworth in 40:17 followed by Kathy Atkins 46 seconds later. Fifth place went to Graham Stead who just finished ahead of Nick Hodgkinson (who had already run around the course earlier in the day).

Ian Fisher ran the fastest time with 25:59. Second fastest was Julian Mawson (26:17) while rapidly improving Malcolm Court ran 28:35 for the third fastest time of the day. The fastest women (and inaugural record holder) was Caroline Marler with 33:08.

Thirtyone different members have taken part in the two handicap events of the year to date making the competition for the popular trophy very fierce.

Leading points scorer so far is Malcolm Court with 31 points followed by Graham Stead, Trevor Lambert and Paul Clifford with 29 points apiece.

The day after this saw three Otley AC members take part in the Liversedge half marathon. The race was won by Dave Watson in 72 minutes and Otley's three 50 somethings recorded: 1h 36:49 (Phil Robinson), 1h 38:17 (Tom Hannah) and 1h 39:19 (David Hainsworth).

Decidedly cool conditions greeted the runners for this popular undulating race.

Otley AC train twice a week from Otley RUFC (Tuesday and Thursday 7.15pm) and welcome runners of all standards and abilities from absolute beginners to accomplished runners such as five times Yorkshire half marathon champion Ian Fisher.

Entry forms will very soon be available for the annual Otley Motors Ten Mile Race (incorporating the three separate Yorkshire Championships for men, women and veterans) where trophies are awarded annually to the first Otley man and first Otley woman to finish.

For more details contact Chris (01943 468109), visit the club's website: www.otleyac.co.uk or simply turn up on a training night.

Inter-Counties Championships

Nine local athletes saw action at Wollaton Park, Nottingham, where they represented Yorkshire in the Reebok Inter-Counties Cross-Country

Championships.

Fourteen year-old Horsforth resident, Alistair Brownlee (Bingley Harriers and Bradford GS), is currently enjoying a magnificent season over the country. Once again he excelled at the highest level of competition for 5th place in the under-15 boys' race (out of 308 finishers), leading Yorkshire home to a team bronze medal. Younger brother Johnny also put in a spirited display to finish in 61st place (out of 297) in the under-13 boys' event.

In the senior men's race, Otley AC's Ian Fisher was the first Yorkshire athlete home in 48th place. Close behind was Leeds City AC's Horsforth trio of Martin Hilton, Andy Beevers and Simon Deakin. All were well placed in the large senior men's field of 301 finishers. Martin came home in 56th and Andy finished in 68th position. Simon, who was representing Lancashire, was not far behind in 73rd place. Leeds City team-mate, Yeadon's Greg Hull, also had a fine race and crossed the line in 65th position. However, Yorkshire came a disappointing seventh in the team competition.

For the local ladies, there was another impressive performance from Horsforth's Elizabeth Spencer (Holmfirth Harriers). In the under-20 women's race, of 128 finishers, she came home in 26th place and picked up a team silver medal in this age group.

In the senior women's event, Gill Keddie of Yeadon (Leeds City AC) ran well for 107th (out of 297) as Yorkshire came seventh in the team event.

Ilkley Harriers

On Saturday, eight Ilkley Harriers tackled the Wadsworth Trog 20 miles with 4,000ft of climb under a wall to wall blue sky, with frozen ground underneath, and only light winds.

These conditions were excellent and the men's record was broken by Rob Jebb of Bingley in 2.50.03.

Harriers results were: 28, Roy Ruddle 3.38.31; 41, Ian Marshall 3.45.54*; 61, Ashley Hardwell 3.59.46; 68, Bob Wightman 4.05.41*; 73, Jane Leather 4.09.53 4th lady; 75, Anna Liuba 4.09.53 and 6th lady; 76, Neil Chapman 4.11.42*;79, Andy Wiggans 4.16.25*.

On Sunday, Mark Iley finished 27th in 1h53:53 at the Winter Hill fell race, 11 miles with 2,750ft of climb.

This Sunday, Ilkley Harriers are staging their premier event - the Ilkley Moor Fell Race over 5.5 miles with 1,150ft of climb.

This is a serious fell race, for experienced runners. Once again the race is generously sponsored by Booths Supermarkets.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club, training every Tuesday at 7pm from Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club. See their web site www.ilkleyharriers.co.uk for more information.