Harriers hit the heights on Bronte Way (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Wharfedale Harriers hit the heights on Bronte Way

8:03pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in Sport By Colin Davidson

Running Log

Wharfedale Harriers were out in strength for the Bronte Way Fell Race – the day after taking the team prize at the Great Whernside Fell Race.

Conditions were grey and damp for the Keighley & Craven AC-organised event, which follows the route of the Bronte Way from Wycoller Country Park towards Haworth and features 1,150 feet of ascent over eight miles.

The men’s race went to Lee Athersmith (Bingley Harriers) in 52min 50sec but second and third places were taken by Dave Kirkham and Christian Holmes of Wharfedale in 55.12 and 55.13 respectively.

Steve Brock and Sam Watson, both in the previous day’s prize-winning team, then finished fifth and seventh as they completed two gruelling fell races on consecutive days.

Wharfedale’s women performed equally strongly with Louisa Pickles looking in good form to finish first in 66.03, while Caren Crabtree and Rachel Hill took the over-35 and over-40 categories.

Chris Tomes (Keighley & Craven AC) was the first men’s over-55 home in 69.47. Elizabeth Tomes was not far behind in 73.01 to be first female over-50.

Damp and mud were also the order of the day for the Harewood Trail Races at Harewood House. This featured five and ten-mile races for the seniors, organised by Valley Striders.

From the grounds of Harewood House, both races initially followed the same route on footpaths and bridleways of the Leeds Country, Dales and Ebor Ways.

The shorter race looped back into the park after three miles, while the longer route continued to complete a circuit of Eccup Reservoir.

Jamie Hutchinson of Ilkley Harriers was the first senior male runner home in the five-mile race in a time of 32.22. Emma Inglis of Skyrac won for the women in 37.21.

Overall winner of the ten-mile circuit was Daniel Jenkin (Durham City Harriers) in 59.36.

Martin Hall (Dewsbury Road Runners) took the men’s over-50 prize, with Jack Verity of Saltaire Striders third.

Aileen Baldwin of Stainland Lions, who had set a new record in the women’s over-60 category at the Withins Skyline the previous week, was first woman over-55, with Helen Love of Saltaire Striders in second place.