A hardy band of 73 runners of all ages braved the atrocious conditions on New Year’s Day to complete the 30th running of the annual Silsden Fun Run.

Some were recovering from the previous day’s Auld Lang Syne Race and others came, a little heavy-legged, straight from Skipton’s Aireville Park Run.

Youngest entrant was 15-month old Ruby Kirkham, who slept soundly throughout while being pushed around the hilly course by her grandad.

Many turned out in their cycling gear to celebrate the Grand Depart passing through Silsden this summer.

The most eccentric dresser was Hellifield’s Peter Metcalfe, a 30-year veteran of the event, who cycles in a tweed suit and bowler hat.

What a fine mess he had got himself into when the weather had finished with him!

Dave Throup’s unassailable record was never under threat despite an emphatic victory from Skipton’s Julian Hood in 17min 04sec – 17 seconds ahead of previous winner David Kirkham (Wharfedale Harriers).

In third place was Paul Crabtree (Wharfedale Harriers) in 18.04.

First lady once again was local heroine Louisa Pickles in tenth place overall in 20.38.

Previous winner Jason Helm-sley (Wharfedale) was top veteran in sixth place in 19.16, just ahead of fellow club member and rising star Thomas Nelson, who was first under-14 in 19.48.

Other category winners: U-12 Jack Muir (Wharfedale) 11th 20.39; V45 Nev Whittingham (Keighley & Craven) 16th 22.14; V50 Nick Cunningham (Wharfedale) 15th 22.14; V60 Barry Scholes (Wharfedale) 19th 22.37; Females – U-12 Lucy Friars (Keighley & Craven) 18th 22.26; U-14 Laura Knowles (Keighley & Craven) 24th 23.30; LV35 Sally Sutcliffe (Riddlesden) 26th 23.42; LV40 Diane Macdonald (Keighley & Craven) 27th 23.50; LV45 Anne Handley (Wharfedale) 34th 26.03; LV50 Lynn Whittaker (Wharfedale) 29th 24.11.