THE historic HARRIERS v CYCLISTS race took place a week last Saturday from the Fisherman's Inn at Dowley Gap.

The 5.5-miler took fell runners and mountain bikers up through Shipley Glen to the snowy top of Baildon Moor, round, and then down again.

Tom Adams (Ilkley Harriers) used his local knowledge to set a new course record of 34min 35sec.

In the absence of Rob Jebb, the runners dominated, with the first cyclist in tenth (Cononley's Ian Taylor, 39:13), with Andy Peace next in 19th.

A total of 281 competitors set off but three cyclists did not complete the course.

The weather forecast gave a wind chill of minus three, with runners required to have a wind-proof top, hat and gloves but everyone was treated to hot pie and peas at the Wagon Lane clubhouse afterwards.

Rogan Ashton was one of many to praise Stephen Firth: "Big thanks to the organisers – great event and, while it was cold for us competitors, hats off to those marshals, time-keepers and the rest for cheering us on."

Nick Ham, from Glossopdale, said the 90-minute journey was well worth it: "Many thanks to Bingley Harriers for such a well organised and novel race. It was my first time and I loved it."

Adams had over two minutes' gap on Pudsey & Bramley's Joe Baxter. He was passing back-markers on Shipley Glen going up, as he was nearing the finish.

Adams had been chased to the top by Will Simmons of mountain-biking Team Zuffle Racing, but on foot. However, Baxter passed Simmons on the descent.

Harry Holmes (Leeds University), Ilkley's Ruandh Mon-Williams and Neal Crampton (Pudsey & Bramley) were tight for third, before Holmes extended his lead to 50 yards, and Crampton fell back on the final drop.

Bingley Harriers were rewarded by three top-20 runners: Andy Brown in seventh, youngster Matthew Merrick in ninth and Paul Tiffany in 21st.

On home terrain, Quentin Lewis (Baildon) was in tenth at halfway but was later overhauled by Chris Loftus (Keighley & Craven) for 14th.

First female was Leeds University's Annabel Mason (45:47; 65th overall).