Mudlark trio find form in schools cross-country (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Mudlark trio find form in schools cross-country

4:40pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Sport By Simon Forde

Running Log

Three young Ilkley Harriers runners represented West Yorkshire with distinction in the English Schools Cross-Country Championships.

Muddy conditions were tough for Saturday’s event at Walton on Trent in Derbyshire but could not stop Georgia Malir finishing a remarkable eighth in the senior girls race, improving from 135th last year.

Sarah Pickering was 76th in the junior girls, while Lucy Williamson – in her first time running for the county – came 140th among the intermediate girls.

Malir’s mother Sally was almost as impressive the next day, winning the over-45s category and finishing third lady in the South Yorkshire Half Marathon at Wath-on-Dearne.

Saltaire’s Simon Pass won the men’s over-40s, clocking 75min 42sec, and was just outsprinted for third spot overall.

Many runners spent last weekend in Lancashire, with Beth Massey (Ilkley Harriers) winning the over-40s ten-mile Northern Vets Championship at Lytham on Sunday. She was also third lady overall in a time of 65:44.

This event formed part of the Lytham St Annes Ten-Mile Road Race over a fast, flat, out-and-back route mainly along the promenade.

Conditions were favourable, save for a strong sea breeze which managed to create a bit of a headwind in both directions.

Massey’s team-mate Mark Iley was fourth in his over-50 category in 62:25.

Meanwhile, 22 runners from Saltaire Striders were among the 7,000 taking part in the Liverpool Half Marathon on Sunday.

Will Kerr was first home in 76:54 (chip time), while Jen Willingham (95:01) beat Hannah Oldroyd (95:39) to be first lady Strider.

The club tweeter noted: “A fab day trip to Liverpool half. Lots of PBs and happy Striders all round.”

Bradford-Airedale’s Matt Nowell just pipped Kerr to be first local male finisher (76:46). They passed 10K together at 37:02.

Clare Stephens of Keighley & Craven beat Willingham to be first local female (93:03). Bingley’s Katie Phillips knocked two minutes off her personal best in running 1hr 56:13.

* The Epilepsy Action Bradford 10K on Sunday has reached its registration target.

Organiser Katie Stokes proudly revealed: “We have passed 1,000 runners. We had 60 come in over the weekend, which was a record.”

The race starts (9am) and finishes at Centenary Square, with a good crowd expected around the city pool and along Market Street.