Running Log

Twin Batmen, a dozen Father Christmases, a heavily decorated Christmas tree, several clowns and a runner from Sydney were among an 825 capacity field for the snowbound Chevin Chase.

‘Team Theo’, who are raising money for Leeds Little Livers to send Theo Bowens and others to the British Transplant Games in Bath, also featured in the popular Boxing Day event.

The seasonal snow and ice made the seven-mile course, first run in 1979 from Aireborough Leisure Centre, even tougher than normal.

The second and fifth miles compress 600 feet of climbing along the lanes, fields and woodland tracks of the Danefield and Chevin estates.

But the conditions could not stop Alistair Brownlee recording his third successive victory, a minute ahead of brother Jonathan.

Surprisingly, the Bingley Harrier’s winning time of 38min 02sec was less than a minute slower than his 2008 time and bettered his 2007 time.

The Brownlee siblings, entrusted with start numbers one and two, finished around three minutes ahead of Greg Hull (Leeds City) and David Cowlishaw (London Irish).

Otley’s Andrew Hunt was alone in fifth in 43:20, before from sixth-placed Thomas Midgley the runners started streaming in.

Guiseley-based Airecentre Pacers and their marshals worked wonders. Will Morris of the host club was 35th, the only member permitted to run with all remaining hands needed on deck.

Victoria Whitehead was first woman back in 26th place overall, clocking 46:57, with the improving Josie Hodgetts (Otley AC) a minute behind in just holding off Bingley’s Charlotte Sanderson.

Skyrac youngster Emma Inglis (50:12) was an impressive fifth woman and 73rd overall in her first big senior off-road race. Alison Raw (Bingley) was next woman home and first veteran in 76th.

Traditional fell rivals Bingley Harriers and Pudsey & Bramley had four and three finishers respectively in the top 20 men.

But Otley AC, a strong road-running club, had two others to the fore in Bob Addey (16th) and Andrew Robertshaw (19th).

Ilkley Harriers duo Dave Wilby (11th) and Ben Stevens (15th), Keighley & Craven’s Shaun Wilkinson (17th) and Will Kerr (18th) of St Bede’s were other locals in the first score home.