Horsforth Fellandale Club is to host its very first competitive event this year - 18 years after the club was founded! This will be a relay race on the Danefield estate on Otley Chevin on Wednesday, July 1, at 7.15pm - suitable for road, cross-country and fell runners.

Local clubs are invited to enter as many three person teams as they like - and any individual runners who feel like they would like to have a go, are invited along too. The organisers will form teams for individuals who turn-up on the night. The entry cost is £1.50 per person on the night only.

Categories include male, female, veteran and mixed teams. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest of each of these teams, to the person who runs the fastest leg and a number of 'spot' prizes - giving everyone an equal chance of a prize!

The start/finish and race registration will be by the notice board on the main car park. Each team member will run one lap.

The fully marshalled 2.5-mile course will be on tracks and paths and will take in the Trig Point, the Old Quarry and the steep hill from the notice board by Leeds Road to the wooden footbridge - it is estimated that each lap will take approximately 16 minutes.

Additional car parking on the night will be available at The Rambler's Tea Rooms - and light refreshments and toilet / changing facilities for ladies only will be available here too.

Anyone requiring further information on the event should contact Horsforth Fellandale chairman, Dave Hodgson, on (0113) 2585586.

Kerr's superb run

BILLY Kerr had a superb run at Thirsk on Sunday, completing the 10-mile road race in a very fast 54.46, finishing first vet and 10th overall and leading the Ilkley team to third place.

The other team members were Tim Ashford, 26th, in 57.50, Nick Pearce 35th and fourth vet-45 in 58.50, and vet-50 Pete Shield 132nd in 66.14. Race winner was Alan Shepherd, of Morpeth in 50.12, with Otley's Ian Fisher second, and there were around 350 competitors.

The previous weekend Jason Helmsley had an excellent run to place eighth in a strong field at the Hutton Roof fell race near Kirby Stephen. Youngster Graham Pearce was also eighth in his race at Hutton Roof, a great result for an English junior fell championship event, and followed his fifth placing in the championship race at West Nab the weekend before.

Three Ilkley Harriers competed in the Bentham Gala Fell Race over a 9.5-mile course with 1,000 feet of ascent on May 24. Our entrants were Nick Pearce 17th and first vet, Helen and Neil, both of whom had raced in the tough Dodd fell race the previous day, where Helen was second lady.

In recognition of some outstanding performances on the fells during May, including first lady at the classic Fairfield Horseshoe race in the Lake District, Helen Johnson was unanimously voted "Booths Runner of the Month".

The popular Washburn Valley Relay Race which Ilkley Harriers are hosting this year will take place on Friday, June 19, starting from Timble at 7.00pm. Ilkley are defending champions and teams of five which must comprise at least one lady, one vet-40 and one vet-50 lady are currently being organised by Billy Kerr - club members who can run should contact him on Ilkley 608214. A recce will take place on Tuesday, June 9, from Timble Inn at 7.30.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club and welcomes runners of all abilities. They meet on Tuesdays at 7.00pm at Ben Rhydding Sports Club. For details, contact club secretary, Andy Sarah, on 817278; acting ladies' captain Johanne Kerr on 608214, or through e-mail address at Ilkley.harriers@btinternet.com.

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