Ilkley Harriers news archive 2026

Ilkley Gazette Report – w/c 10 Aug 2026

Mon 10 Aug 2026

[Harriers at the Littondale four-mile road race, photo credit: Woodentops]

From Caroline Howe & Nicola Budding…

From village galas to fell tops: Harriers make their mark

With mass participation events largely taking a hiatus for the holiday month of August, the racing calendar focus shifted this week to traditional galas and village events.

Sam Bentham won the Arncliffe Gala Fell Race in a field of 150 in a time of 11:07. George Whittlestone was the second Harrier home in 15:11, and other Harriers completing the 1.6m/400 ft BOFRA race included John Hayes, Alison Weston, Paul Atkinson and Fiona Schneider. 122 took part in the junior races, with Joseph Bentham taking third place in the under-17 race.

On the same day, the four-mile Littondale road race took place – a counter in the Harriers race league. This incentive resulted in a great showing of over 20 Harriers on the start line. Matt Newell finished seventh in 21:57, followed by Ian Young (25:05) and Kyle Bethell (25:32) also in the top 20 out of a 200-strong field. There were first-place age category performances by Jonathan Turner (M55) in 26:04, Justin Pierce (M50) in 28:12 and Derek Oliver (M65) in 28:26. Steve Newell, George Whittlestone (completing his third race of the week!), John Hayes, Mike Williams and Rachel Carter were all second in their respective age categories.

Thursday evening was the Eshton Moor Fell Race, organised by Wharfedale Harriers. The five-mile, 550ft race is an out-and-back along the track of the Pennine Way to the woods near Calton. George Whittlestone finished an impressive fourth overall and first MU23 in 37:03, while Rachel Carter was second female and first F50 in 42:31, and Alison Weston was first F60 in 48:39. Other Harriers participating included Iain Young in seventh (39:21), John Hayes in 12th (40:10), Jonathan Turner 19th (41:54) and Holly Digne-Malcolm 27th (45:08).

In the junior races there were some outstanding results. Michael Moore finished first boy in the under-14 race. Isobel Moore finished first girl in the under-12 race and Thomas Bailey was third boy. Alice Gardner added another podium finish – third girl in the under-17 race.

Further afield, Dan Paterson and Mark Judkowski tackled the 40th Lowther Lakeland Fell & Trail Race, which starts in the picturesque surroundings of Lowther Castle. This scenic route crosses Askham Fell and the Lowther Valley, 13 miles in total with roughly 1400ft of ascent. Dan finished in 2:07:09 with Mark not far behind in 2:11:26.

Notable parkrun performances over the weekend included: Alex Wolfenden, first at Roberts Park in 16:35; Steve Coy, second at Rotherham in 18:42; and Jane McCarthy, second at Glengarriff in 22:28. Both Alex and Steve scored 80%+ age gradings. There were many top ten finishes, and the award for taking part in the parkrun farthest away goes to Pippa and David Singleton in Hamilton Island, Queensland, Australia.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly welcoming club, open to all. If you would like to try us out, please register first on the training page at www.ilkleyharriers.org.uk and then come along to our main club night at 6.45pm on Tuesdays, meet upstairs at Ilkley tennis and squash club.

Ilkley Gazette Report – w/c 3 Aug 2026

Mon 3 Aug 2026

[Peter Roll and Geoffrey White at the Round Hill Fell Race, photo credit: Woodentops]

From Peter Shelley & Nicola Budding…

Juniors and young Harriers to the fore as runners take to the Cumbrian and Yorkshire Fells

Ambleside hosted its annual day of traditional Lakeland sports on Thursday including wrestling, grass track cycling and hound trails. Fell and guide races were the focus for a strong youth and junior Harrier contingent. The ‘Rydal Round’ kicked off proceedings with a 14.5km race incorporating 915m of ascent over the summits of Fairfield and Hart Crag. Sam Bentham underlined his credentials, taking an excellent win in 1:18:50 nearly two minutes clear of the competition. Samesh Chotai finished a strong 14th of 109 in 1:35:35. Both Harriers competed again in the Sports Senior Fell Race later in the day to take 4th and 19th places respectively followed by George Whittlestone in 23rd of 97 finishers.

All the day’s fell races followed a similar up and down format over different distances with a tough outward climb before a fast and challenging descent. This included the U14 boys race in which Michael Moore claimed a strong 5th place and the U12 boys where Thomas Bailey and Oscar Spooner battled well to finish 11th and 29th respectively.

Juniors represented the club again to great effect on Sunday at Farleton Knott Fell Race courtesy of the Dallam Tower Estate. Michael Moore continued his excellent week with another podium finish, taking 3rd in the U14 Race. In the U12 race, Thomas Bailey improved on his Thursday result to finish 5th, while Oscar Spooner came home in 43rd. Isobel Moore had a fantastic race, finishing 2nd girl. In the seniors race George Whittlestone was 14th and Emma Moore 69th.

Saturday saw the running of the Borrowdale Fell Race, one of the Lakeland Classics. Visiting the summits of Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Dalehead, the route covers 27km of tough terrain and 2,000m of ascent. Alison Weston used her experience to pace it well, picking up places steadily to finish in 4:57:21 and 143rd place winning the F60 category and beating her race times from the previous five years. Daughter Nea Weston followed Alison home in 5:32:32 to take 172th place.

Closer to home, the Round Hill Fell Race took place on Sunday organised by Otley AC. Prevailing dry conditions throughout the weekend saved runners the challenge of the Denton Moor bogs on the 14.1 km route which includes 335m of ascent. Peter Roll finished 22nd and 4th M60. Geoffrey White was 34th, Jo Foster 49th and 1st L55 and Penny Coulthard was 60th.

In Saturday’s parkruns Helen Thurston ran a personal best 21:16 at East Holmes Field. Rafe Garner was 1st JM11-14 in 22:54. Martin Stubbs ran a pb to finish 3rd of 16 in the MV60-64 category. Sue Verspyck also achieved a pb and 4th VW60-64.

At Roberts Park Michael Moore crossed the line in 19:53 as 1st JM11-14. Isobel Moore celebrated a parkrun pb of 21:22, finishing 1st JW10. Lerryn O’Neil was 1st JW10 at The Cinder Track parkrun near Whitby.

Alexander Wolfenden went the furthest and fastest finishing 1st overall in 17:02 and setting a new course record at Coolum Eco parkrun in Queensland!