Author Archives: Joel Dalby

Karen was 2nd in her category over the 5k distance run at Wetherby.

Julian was 2nd overall in the 10k and Hilary took 4th in category.

Gavin and Sue tackled the Kilnsey Fell Race and both did brilliantly.

Sue writes:

“I agonised for a week about entering the Kilnsey show fell race as I had never done a fell race before.

I knew my parents and sister would be there and as my dad ran this race aged 17 I knew he would be chuffed if I did it.

I was a nervous wreck and almost pulled out of entering it but after  a big hug from Gavin Smith, a sympathetic look from Dave Gorman as he battled his way to the beer tent and more support and hugs from the lovely Derek Ives I took a big breath and entered the show field to warm up. Here I had another wobble and marched up to Gavin and demanded another  hug (which I got), that wasn’t enough so I marched up to some random bloke and got another hug……..then another off Bruce Elsworth!

Feeling more relaxed after all the hugs the countdown  started and the race began
It was a tough ascent with the majority walking within minutes. Once at the top It became slightly easier but of course that didn’t last long as the descent was steep and slippy. I managed to stay upright and made my way to “the chimney”, a vertical stoney drop. With the help of a rope I swung down like tarzan and picked up some speed.
Brian hugill told me it was a great feeling running back onto the show field with all the crowds cheering and clapping. He was right. I felt like  an Olympic athlete.

I will definitely do more fell races and I’m sure I will calm down pre race although it was very nice getting lots of hugs!

My Dad was very chuffed and proud  of me too.”

Here’s a picture thanks to woodentops proving that Sue didn’t just hug people, and looked like a proper fell runner.

Sue descending

3 runners took part in the Tour of Norland Moor. Great results by all.

Ricky ran amongst the 581 other runners at Huddersfield parkrun.

Skipton parkrun celebrated its 2nd anniversary on Saturday 5th September and was rewarded with its second highest attendance. Runners were also rewarded with cakes and buns.

Tom Brewster from Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took the honours for the men and Mel Ives from Skipton AC for the women. For a more comprehensive account of the day head over to the Skipton parkrun news site.

On Saturday Gavin and I travelled to Pendleton to take part in the fell race. For both of us our second times running the race.

The weather was pretty much perfect. At the start we were held as a runner had gone missing. Safely located and with a full quota of entrants on the start line we acknowledged the achievements of the one of the Clayton runners who’d completed the race 29 times (about to become 30), and then the red and white tape was removed and we were sent on our way, firstly a charge round the field and then up the village street.

This is a great race and the first half contains a number of climbs. An initial one up a clough (down which you have descended steeply) and a second one which gains quite a bit of height up Apronful Hill which is all lost in a long descent to cross Howcroft Brook. The final and most significant ascent is the icing on the cake (or the lead in your legs if you prefer) and turns at a cairn atop Pendle Hill. The most frustrating thing about this race are the stretches, especially in-between miles 1 and 2, where it flattens and you think you should be able run but the tussocks pose enough obstacle to make this difficult.

Through this first part of the climb I served as a good pacemaker for a Helsby runner who came past me and then put a serious amount of distance between us once my usefulness (and my own energy) had been exhausted. All the while the fluo vest of Gavin – well in front from the first 100 metres – was inching away up the hill.

At the cairn we descended down a stone path which meanders down to cross (at a different point) Howcroft Brook. My descent was satisfactory and I didn’t lose any places, whilst making a few up which was pleasing in an otherwise disappointing run.

From the Brook crossing you eventually return to the village via the fell and then via the fields from the outward leg. As we neared the village I became aware of a runner catching me – I thought I had a good lead but I was mistaken – and for the last quarter of a mile all I could hear was the slapping footsteps of my pursuer. I managed to hang on to my lowly position though in a time of about 45 minutes 30 seconds; a minute and a bit behind Gavin.

To finish things off the legs were washed in the stream and hunger was satisfied with a cream and strawberry topped scone.

Steve Hunn also ran for Skipton but at the time of writing I don’t have the full results.

Edit: Results for Skipton AC here: