Running log

The Spen 20 is a traditional final trial for those competing in London or other spring marathons and doubles up as the Yorkshire 20-mile Championships.

Barnsley’s David Thomson won in 1hr 58min 27sec, while Leeds City international Susan Partridge was first female home in 2:10:54.

Sunday’s race, hosted by Spenborough AC, comprised two loops from Princess Mary Athletics Stadium in Cleckheaton and saw 272 runners take part.

Thomson was closely followed by Stuart Maycock (Hallamshire), who was first over-40 with 1:59:55.

Among the local runners, James Robinson (Bingley), Martin Firth (Queensbury) and Will Kerr (Saltaire Striders) all made the top ten.

Firth was first over-50 with a time of 2:7:43 and seventh position, just six seconds in front of Kerr.

Partridge had a ten-minute gap over closest pursuer Claire Spencer (Kimberworth). Sally Malir (Ilkley Harriers) was second of the female over-45s and a highly respectable 73rd overall with 2:30:18.

The previous day’s Windmills Whizz at Ogden Water saw a triumphant Tom Adams (Ilkley Harriers) finish a close second to Adam Osbourne (Leeds City).

The seven-mile course featured a long moorland climb, followed by a stretch of road and track into a strong headwind, before the final descent from the Withens to the finish.

It was a good performance from Adams, who was sporting a colourful set of puncture wounds having encountered the jaws of a dalmatian during a midweek training run.

Clare Pearson (Skipton) was a clear winner in the ladies race in 46:54.

Baildon Runners had an excellent day, with Anna Smith, Janice Davidson and Liz Boothman winning the ladies’ team prize and Davidson and Boothman picking up over-50 and over-60 age category wins respectively. Fell veteran Jim Wheldon put in a strong performance in the first round of the English Fell Championships at the Long Mynd race in Shropshire.

The event was over 11 miles with 4,500 feet of climbing. Wheldon came home in 2:29:45 for 277th place, commenting: “By ’eck, that were tough.”