Running Log

Tim Midgley of Bingley Harriers just missed beating Tom Adams’ course record in the Baildon Boundary Way.

Glorious dry, sunny conditions provided the perfect backdrop for Sunday’s half-marathon, comprising 355 runners and 50 walkers.

A leading group of Midgley, Colin Walker (Pudsey & Bramley) and Quentin Lewis – eventually fourth, from organising club Baildon Runners – broke away over the first three miles of trails, road and woodland from Tong Park to the Leeds-Liverpool canal, via Esholt village.

The long, strength-sapping canal section soon changed things as Midgley stamped his authority on the race, while Andy May (Valley Striders) and Nigel Armitage (Pudsey Pacers) moved up into second and third respectively.

The front three held their positions on the tough climb to Baildon Moor and down to the finish at Baildon Rugby Club, with Midgley missing last year’s record by 35 seconds as he clocked 1hr 19min 42sec.

Jon Holah’s fifth place was good for the over-50s prize and, when added to Mick Hill’s seventh and Colin Walker’s ninth, secured the team prize for Pudsey & Bramley.

Other men’s age-category prizes went to Nick Charlesworth (over-40s) of Wharfedale Harriers in sixth place and Richard Borysiewicz (over-60s) of Valley Hill Runners in Sheffield, who completed the course in an impressive 1:38.

Tamara Hird was first lady in 1:37:35, two minutes clear of Holly Williams (Valley Striders) with Sue Brown (unattached) third. But Williams picked up the ladies’ team prize for Valley along with Myra Jones and Sarah Wood.

Unattached runner Liz Noakes won the ladies over-45s category in 1:46, while Aileen Baldwin (Stainland) and Lyn Eden (Ilkley) picked up prizes in the F55 and F65 age groups.

The previous day’s weekly 5K Park Run in Lister Park saw a strong field of 102 and several personal bests.

Anthony Murrell won with the third-fastest time in the event’s history, while Will Kerr (Saltaire) maintained his excellent recent form with a course best of 17:24 over this tricky circuit. New clubmate Steph Wilson debuted with a promising 24:05.

This Saturday’s race marks the first anniversary of the event.