Although, for many, this summer may not be remembered as a classic in terms of the weather, it has certainly been good for the fell running fraternity, the great majority of races having been run in ideal conditions, mostly dry and pleasantly warm.

After the beautiful weather of Saturday, it was something of a shock, then, to be greeted by a deluge of rain at the Embsay Fell Race on Sunday.

In the Under 9s race Zac Thackray had yet another really good run for 5th place in 4.02, just 14 seconds behind the winner.

There was then a gap back to Luke Bott, 8th in 4.51, Gregory Selman, 9th in 5.04, Florence Haines, 10th in 5.05, and Jack Holder, 11th in 5.27. Young Gabrielle Selman could have chosen an easier race for her debut and did tremendously well to survive the atrocious conditions to come home 13th in 7.43.

The Under 12s race was extremely competitive as usual, and Joe Gallagher, gaining in experience with every race, did very well to finish 13th in 11.14. There was then a very close battle for club championship points where Josh McNeice, 17th in 11.40, just got the better of Daniel Bott, 19th in 11.51 and Hector Haines, 20th in 11.52.

Once again, Ria Thackray, one of the very youngest competitors in this age category, ran a plucky race for 26th in 12.23.

Competing in the rain is a lot more fun than standing around watching, so special mention must also be made to those parents who turned out to support the race.

Wharfedale dominated the under 17s event which saw yet another victory for

Ross Whitaker who had a comfortable margin over a jet-lagged Martin Hounslow. We are still awaiting the much anticipated prospect of a head-to-head finish between these two fine athletes.

In the senior race Robert Hudson duly scored another victory, in a time of 20.46, to finally clinch this year's BOFRA Championship, although his margin of victory over young James Mason was only four seconds.

First home for Wharfedale was Andy Holden, 7th in 22.16, followed by Bob Hamilton 10th, 22.40; Steve Hounslow 12th, 23.08; Damien Scholes 13th, 23.26; Sam Hounslow 15th, 23.50; Paul Rogan 18th, 24.29; Peter Mallalieu 31st, 27.01; and Lynn Whittaker 39th, 34.31.

Wharfedale Harriers is a family oriented club aiming to promote fell and cross-country running across all ages and abilities. Senior training takes place on Monday and Tuesday evenings from Silsden, Wednesday evenings from Skipton and Thursday evening from Ilkley at the Grammar School.

For more details please contact David Hird on 01535 653826, or visit our website at www.wharfedaleharriers.org.uk.

Otley AC

AT last weekend's Robin Hood Marathon in Nottingham Ian Fisher finished in second place with an excellent time of 2hr 28min 51sec. This was eight minutes short of his best but he was pleased with this considering he was severely depleted of energy in the latter stages of the race.

Also on Sunday four members competed in the much shorter Kirkstall Abbey 10k. In the dry and cloudy conditions the race was won by Michael Pearson, of Longwood Harriers, in 32.37. Otley AC times were: Andrew Willis 41.30, Colin Best 43.04, Kath Robertshaw 47.38 (first woman over 55) and David Cattanach 47.49.

On Saturday, September 30, Otley AC will be represented at the North of England six-stage road relay in Liverpool by Mark Hall, Neil Eccles, Ian Fisher, Andrew Robertshaw, Dale Foster and Neil Cayton and these runners are reminded that the event begins at 1.30pm.

Next Tuesday is the date of the club's annual general meeting and all members should make an effort to attend the event which begains at 8.00pm at Otley RUFC.

Otley AC is a club which caters for runners of all abilities and standards. We train on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.15pm from Otley RUFC and new members are always welcome to attend. For further details, please telephone Chris Carver on 01943 468109.

A Run on the Wild Side

It's tough! It's challenging! It's new! It's the Aireborough Wild Race!

Be one of the first to experience the 31/2 miles of hills, paths, streams and tracks through Springs Wood between Guiseley and Esholt. The race on Sunday October 22, starts to the rear of the West Side Retail Park at Guiseley (MacDonalds). Competitors in the Wild race must 17 or over on the day of the race. For anyone younger or who can't yet face the challenge of the Wild Race there is a two mile Fun Run. So be one of the first.

Details from Peter Rawnsley on 01943 875516. The Wild Race is guaranteed to be lungbusting, gutwrenching, musclesapping, tendonstretching, footblistering.