WINTER fell running reverted to type at this weekend’s Stanbury Splash race.

The hot dry summer and warm dry autumn/winter have lulled and pampered everyone into a false sense of easy running security.

High winds, including gusts of over 40mph, and driving rain bought everyone down to earth with a bump.

Now add a healthy dose of more characteristic deep mud and the picture of gnarly winter fell running is complete.

Indeed, simply getting out of Penistone Quarry was a real battle for lighter competitors.

It is said that Yorkshire breeds it’s people tough and this was certainly true for the 254 hardened individuals who braved the extreme conditions to race on the moors above Haworth.

Despite this, Wharfedale Harriers’ Robin Howie, who finished third last year, powered through all that was on offer to win in 46.41 minutes, over a minute in front to Totley’s Steve Franklin (47.51) and Wharfedale’s Jack Smith (48.12).

After the race Howie was a little shell shocked but gave a wry smile and said that the race had been challenging, particularly the headwind on the way out to Sladen Beck and Ponden Kirk. That same wind pushed runners to “run faster than their legs really wanted” on the return leg, perhaps making up for some of the time lost in battling the gale force winds on the outward trip.

Calder Valley’s Holly Page won the ladies race in style (51.49), coming an impressive 15th overall, ahead of Todmorden Harrier’s Annie Roberts (54.50) and Wharfedale’s Monica Padilla (55.32).

Yorkshire children are no less tough as a total of 94 junior lean, mean, running machines turned up to compete in the Quarry Runs.

This line-up is also impressive as many juniors who would normally compete in these races were absent, having run in area qualifying races for the English Schools’ Cross Country final the previous day.

The under-9 race is the first out of the quarry and completes a double climb circuit before charging towards the finish line. Calder Valley’s Harry Cliff won (3.05) from Barlick’s Harry Driver (3.10) and Ilkley Harriers’ Robert Carter (3.12).

The girls’ race was won by Bingley Harriers’ Isabelle Jebb (3.51) from clubmate Eloise Temple (4.11) and Otley’s Clementine Quin (4.15).

The main junior race takes in one loop of Penistone Hill, going round the trig and back into the quarry before the final thigh busting climb out of the quarry and sprint to the finish.

The under-11 races were won by Bingley Harriers’ Charlie Robinson (7.14) and Keighley and Craven’s Bethan Buckley (8.16), who won the same race in 2017.

Ilkley’s Alexander Wolfenden and Bingley’s Martha Jackson won the under-13 boys’ (6.59) and girls’ (7.03) races, respectively.

These wins are doubly impressive as they were second and third overall in these joint junior races.

Overall race winner, and first under-15 boy was Bingley’s Theo Clay (6.50) with Calder Valley’s Emilia Wright winning the under-15 girls’ race (8.22).

The under-17 and under-19 runners complete two circuits of the moor before dashing for the very welcome finish.

The under-17 race winner was Horwich’s Toby Middleton (12.18) who was second overall.

Under-19 race winners were Holmfirth Harriers’ Fionn Kerry (11.20) and Bingley’s Katie Smith (16.43).