Kirkham wins Silsden Resolution Run (From Craven Herald)

Kirkham wins Silsden Resolution Run

9:42am Thursday 5th January 2012 in Sport

Seventy-eight runners got a New Year’s Day soaking in Sunday’s Resolution Run at Silsden.

Heavy rain soon after the start drenched the competitors – many of whom were sporting their nightwear.

The race winner was Wharfedale Harrier Dave Kirkham who completed the course in 17min 07sec.

Wharfedale’s Katherine Kirkham made it a family duble being first senior lady home in 20.49.

Dave held off an early challenge from 2010 winner and clubmate Owen Bielby (17:45) as he improved his personal best by almost a minute.

In third place was first V50 runner Loz Hellawell (17.52) who won a tussle with Keighley & Craven clubmate Shaun Wilkinson (18.07) who was the first V45 finisher.

Mark Knowles, new to the veteran ranks, was the first V40 finisher in 18:21.

Evergreen Tony Minikin of Keighley & Craven led the V65 runners home.

Only 40 seconds separated the three junior men’s winners who were all from Wharfedale Harriers.

The under-12 winner Josh Newbold clocked 19.38, Harry Muir was first at under-17 in 19:46 and a time of 20:22 made Charlie Lowry the first under-14 to finish.

Silsden AFC’s goalkeeping coach Kev Knappy was shown a clean pair of heels by his daughter Zara.

The Keighley & Craven under-17 was the first lady finisher in 20.49.

Horwich RMI runner Michele Devine was first lady vet 30, while battling Wharfedale Harrier Sharon Newbold was first lady vet 40 in 24.59 – knocking ten minutes off her 2011 time.

Daughter Hannah kept things in the family by finishing first in the the under-14 girls section in 26.14.

Laura Knowles emulated dad Mark by leading the under-12 girls home in 26:50.

Lynn Whitaker from Wharfedale Harriers was first lady V50 finisher in 24.21. There was a remarkable set of performances from the Hargreaves-Madhas family, Mum Lynda set yet another personal best time, ten year old Logan completed his eighth Resolution run and dad Raj took an early morning dip in at White Wells in Ilkley then ran over the moor to Silsden to compete in the fun run.

Four-year-old Nathan Hird has been impatient all year for the opportunity to compete in his second fun run finishing in a very respectable 33.31.