Running Log

Over 750 runners from BD postcodes completed Sunday’s 30th GREAT NORTH RUN from Newcastle to South Shields among a huge field of over 54,000.

Ethiopian duo Haile Gebrselassie and Berhane Adere set the benchmarks for the men and women with times of 59min 33sec and 68:49 respectively in the elite section.

Star local performers included Bingley Harriers duo Steve Broadbent (72:38) and Stewart MacDonald (72:53), who were third over-35 and fourth over-40 respectively. Mark Knowles (Keighley & Craven) was ninth over-40 in 79:12.

Some of the first home from other local clubs were Andrew Travis (Baildon), Neil Bloor (Skyrac), Joanne Rowley (Eccleshill), Edward Newbould (Skipton), Andrew Wiggins (Ilkley) and Dominic Hand (Pudsey Pacers). Full results are at www.greatrun.org/Results.

Local rivals Keighley & Craven AC and Silsden-based Wharfedale Harriers shared the spoils as 51 young runners competed at the EMBSAY FELL RACES.

Keighley dominated the leading places in the girls’ races with wins for Pippa Barrett (under-17) and Ellee Keating (U9), while Sally Handford was second under-14.

Wharfedale trio Jack Muir (U9), Ellie Lambert (U12) and Ben Johnstone (U14) notched victories, with Declan Bulmer (U17) and Josh Newbold (U12) taking runners-up places in their races.

In the senior race (2.75 miles and 800 feet of climbing), 63 runners were led home by Chris Birchall (Leeds City) in 20:19, with Ted Mason (Wharfedale) 15 seconds behind. Brendon Taylor was third, with Chris Smale the first over-40.

In the ladies’ race, a time of 28:16 meant second place for Diane Haggar (Ilkley), with Wharfedale’s Cathy Bradley first and Catherine White third.

Matt John took first place for organising club Abbey Runners in Saturday’s ROMBALDS ROMP over seven miles of tough trail-racing on Ilkley Moor.

John’s 44:27 finish left him over two minutes clear of Nick Charlesworth (Wharfedale) and Andy Robertshaw (Otley).

Emma Fletcher (Leeds City) won the women’s race from Rebecca Mon-Williams (Ilkley) and Myra Jones (Valley Striders).

Marc Springer (Horsforth) and Alison Eagle (Ilkley) managed runners-up spots in the over-50 and over-45 categories respectively, while Paul Gaile (Pudsey Pacers) was first male over-40 in eighth spot.