Runners of all ages from near and far flocked to this year’s Murder Mile race at Silsden. As the name suggests it is a seemingly relentless climb up Brunthwaite Lane from the bridge just below the golf club to the junction with Light Bank Lane.

On the evening of the race, the rain had stopped and the wind dropped to give warm calm conditions, perfect for tackling “the longest mile in Yorkshire!”

A field of 220 runners filled the road prior to the start and from the off it was a battle between young and old, as all jostled for supremacy in this lung-busting uphill race.

However, as the runners rounded the final corner to commence the last, stinging, climb to the finish, it was clear that local man, Silsden’s very own Craig Shearer was to be this year’s winner in 6.57 mins from Moortown’s Ali Burns (7.14) and Colne’s Paul Oldham (7.18).

The first senior lady to complete the climb was Burley-in-Wharfedale’s Monica Padilla (9.17) from Steeton’s Sarah O’Sullivan (9.20) and Ilkley’s Kay Pearce (9.22).

Steeton’s William Thompson was the first under-17 boy to cross the line (7.45) followed by Silsden’s Jack Muir (7.48) and Ilkley’s Logan Hargreaves-Madhas (8.00).

The under-17 girls’ winner was Burley in Wharfedale’s Emily Field (8.27) from Lothersdale’s Emily Jones (9.06) and Ilkley’s Nina Pearce (9.29).

Menston’s Alex Flaherty was first under-14 boy (7.31) ahead of Steeton’s Alexander Thompson (7.44) and Silsden’s Sam Smith (8.05).

However, the real star of this year’s race has to be Lothersdale’s Alice Jones who not only won the under-14 girls race but was first female to cross the line in 8.12, setting a new female course record

The second and third girls were Ilkley’s Bernadette Raven (8.31) and Farnhill’s Ruby Firth (8.41).

The under-12 boys’ winner was Bingley’s Sam Conroy (7.55) from Oxenhope’s James Sadler-Townsend (8.37) and Clayton-le-Moors’ Callum Osborne (8.45).

The first under12 girl to finish the climb was Menston’s Rebecca Flaherty (9.15) ahead of Foulridge’s Abigail Stratton (9.19) and Barnoldswick’s Lucille Pickles (10.02).

The first under-nine boy was Settle’s Jack Sanderson (8.33) from Laneshaw Bridge’s Callum Singleton (9.38) and Silsden’s Harry Smithies (9.40).

The under-nine girls’ winner was Bradley’s Isabella Wright (10.52) from Thornton-in-Craven’s Chloe Boothman (11.15) and Bradley’s Jessica Anderson (11.46).