Thirteen Harriers donned their headtorches for the inaugural Winter Solstice Strider on Wednesday evening in aid of the Sue Ryder charity. Runners were able to choose between a 5k and 10k race. Both races took place on the same course using undulating trails, winding through the woods of the St Ives Estate in Bingley. Participants were fittingly taken past the Druids Alter.
Ten Harriers opted for the two-lap 10k event. Will Carver was the first to finish despite falling, clocking 48:15 in 13th place overall and third in the M40 category. James O'Rourke was next in 21st place in 50:34. Andrea Ackroyd led the five-strong contingent of women, taking third place in the F50s in 1:01:02. Sophie Baxter and Paul Hopkinson also placed third in their age categories in 1:02:15 and 1:03:20 respectively. Other Harriers were; Sharon Cousen (1:02:50), Nigel Jamieson (1:02:55), Martin Ellis (1:05:55), Margaret Deacon (1:08:35) and Jenny St Romaine (1:17:58).
Three Harriers chose the one-lap 5k race. Sally Shacklock put in a very impressive performance, finishing first in the F40 age group. Sally was third female finisher in seventh place overall in a time of 29:34. Melody Sutcliffe had an excellent race debut, clocking 41:23, with Martin Haigh close behind in 41:35.
Harriers were well represented at this year's Stoop Fell Race on Sunday morning with some excellent performances in very difficult, icy conditions. Freezing rain overnight resulted in treacherous sheet ice in places, leading the organisers to alter the course, making it slightly shorter than usual. The 4.3 mile course started from Penistone Country Park outside Haworth, and consisted of an out and back route to the top of the Stoop with a total ascent of 820'.
Alex Franklin was first in his category (MU21), finishing sixth overall in 31:55. Ben Crowther was close behind, coming eighth in 32:59. Liam Parkin (36:12) and Ned Hughes (37:12) were also amongst the top 20 finishers. The men's team came second, pipped narrowly to the prize by the hosts, Wharfedale Harriers.
Other Harriers' results: James O'Rourke (46:24), Andrea Ackroyd (49:46), Jane Hobson (55:01) and Martin Ellis (58:52).
Ben Slow and Nia Sergeant-Harrison shared the spoils at this years Christmas handicap covering the cold, icy course in a time 53:26 (37:26). Kitty Sergeant-Harrison finished 3rd just behind in 53:26 (37:53) making it a clean sweep for the over 11 juniors who joined the seniors for the first time. This year saw the best turnout since 2006 with 23 participants, partly due to the club night reccie run that helped boost the numbers – thanks! John Greenwood was welcomed back and finished 5th after missing last year that halted his 35 year continuous record.
How do you rank on the all-time list (since 1985)? See the attached to compare your performance.
Thanks to Nigel Rigg for once again organising the race and to all the helpers on the day.