TWO Ilkley teams were among around 50 teams enjoying the ninth Leeds Country Way Relay on Sunday September 6.

Each team consists of 12 runners, running in pairs, with each pair running around 10 miles of the 60 mile course. The relay starts and finishes at Garforth, with most of the course run on tracks, including a section through Golden Acre Park.

Neither of the Ilkley teams completed the course without incident. Our 'A' team comprising Johanne Kerr and Helen Johnson on leg one, Peter Cooke and Paul Styles on leg two, Eugene Doherty and Neil Taylor on leg four, Nick and Graham Pearce on leg four, Rob Pawson and Pete Shields on leg five, and Ken Souyave and Mike Rhodes on the glory leg finished around halfway down the field. A navigational error on leg four cost the team around five minutes, and a similar amount of time was lost on leg five while our runners negotiated with a farmer blocking the route after being angered by some earlier runners.

The 'B' team of Bridget Doherty and Diane Kitchen, Rachel Gooch and Anna Liuba, Rob Templeman and Dave Ibbotson, Margot Dale and Julie Harvey, Andy Sarah and Brian Sweet, and Jill Cooke and Janet Souyave, were running close behind the 'A' team until the end of leg three.

Unfortunately the leg four pair were late having been waiting at the wrong changeover point, an error which cost the team dear. Total elapsed times for the two teams is still being computed!

The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who took part, with the team's performances debated long into the night over a well earned drink or two.

Club members are reminded that the AGM is on Thursday September 24 at the Wheatley Hotel, Ben Rhydding. Also on September 15 after training there will be a social at Ben Rhydding Sports Club including music and sports knowledge quizzes.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club and welcomes runners of all abilities. We meet on Tuesdays at 7pm at Ben Rhydding Sports Club. For details contact club captain Nick Pearce on 603885, acting ladies captain Johanne Kerr on 608214 or through e-mail address at Ilkley.harri

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.