Keighley's Willis family have fun at Cowling race

On a warm but definitely breezy day, 37 senior and 49 junior runners gathered in the gala field for this year’s race.

The seniors and under-17s run the same race, leading to some interesting results. The juniors enjoy a mass start but are then detoured at the fell base to their own age related races.

This year’s senior race winner, Rossendale Harriers’ Matthew McKay (19.25), was also the first under-17 boy, earning himself a double title.

The second man home was last year’s winner, Keighley and Craven’s Ian Willis (20.06), three seconds faster than last year.

The third man home was Settle Harriers’ Mike Egner (21.22), setting a new V60 record. Mike is having a fantastic season this year and is variously known as “The Machine.”

The winner of the ladies race was unattached runner, Pippa Barrett (23.52), followed by Barlick’s Rachel Villiers (25:34) and Keighley’s Sarah O'Sullivan (25:59).

The only under-17 girl to run was Keighley’s Alana Willis (31.51), proving she is a determined and fearless runner, facing the ladies alone.

The under-14 boys’ race podium belonged to Wharfedale Harriers with Sam Smith (10.33) first), Jack (10.52) second and William Thompson (10.59), despite taking a nasty tumble as he rehearsed his wall jumping skills.

Keeping winning ways in the family, Addison Willis (Keighley & Craven) won the under-12 race in 9.22. She was followed home by Wharfedale’s George Milner (9.57), and Barlick’s Harley Treitl The first under-12 girl was Wharfedale’s Tui Brooks (10:37), followed by clubmate Katie Handley (10.51) and Ilkley Harriers’ Amelie Lane (11:59).

Keighley’s Maisie Bellwood won the under-nine race in a record time of 6.13, with Wharfedale’s Emily Anderson (06:17) and Keighley’s Milly Timbers (06:41 in second and third places.

The first boy was Wharfedale’s Tom Hooper (6.14) after narrowly losing a sprint finish to Bellwood. Barlick’s Logan McCredie (06:26) was second and unattached runner Leo Kaminski (6.29) came third.