TOM Adams is still searching for his first Auld Lang Syne victory as Horwich RMI Harriers’ Chris Farrell triumphed on Penistone Hill.

The Ilkley Harrier has enjoyed success in other Haworth Moor races – the Bunny Runs, Stanbury Splash, Withins and Stoop events.

But he had to settle for second palce in the Daleside Brewery-sponsored New Year’s Eve contest, which was over 9.6km and featured 300 metres of climb.

Farrell, aged 30, triumphed by 16 seconds and said: “I had no idea of the route but knew it was more a tough trails race than an out and out fell race, which suited me down to the ground.

“I sat in behind Tom and at Top Withins ruin I just managed to hang on to him as he made his move.

“On the way back my confidence was growing. At the return beck crossing, Tom was just ahead and I was expecting him to pull away since he is a great climber.

“So I was surprised when I passed him and opened a gap. Once on the track I was sure of my speed. That last climb was really tough on the legs though, the boggy ground took its toll.”

Farrell has competed on Haworth Moor once before in 2013 at the Withins Skyline race, finishing behind Adams when the Ilkley runner broke Alistair Brownlee’s record.

The Olympic triathlon gold medalist was on the entry list for the Auld Lang Syne race along with his brother Jonny.

But with pre-selection for this year’s Rio Olympics already achieved, they did not want to risk injury, with the ground particularly wet following the high rainfall totals.

Irish international Killian Mooney finished third before birthday boy Chris Holdsworth had a storming run to beat 2013 champion Tom Addison.

Horwich RMI Harriers dominated the team event, with Michael Clayton in ninth backing up Farrell and Mooney.

The 2014 Yorkshire Fell champion Tyler Hutchinson – a name for the future – won the U18 category, finishing 21st in a very good comeback race after recent illness.

Keighey’s Ian Holmes was a notable absentee from the veteran winners list as Trafford’s Christopher Leigh claimed the V40 crown.

Holmes had won the V40 category for the last ten years but a heavy cold prevented the Bingley Harrier, who has recently turned 50, from running.

It was the first time the 12-time overall winner had not taken part in the event since it began in 1994.

Holmfirth’s Katie Walshaw, who won the ladies race in 2011, led from start to finish to claim the top female prize, with clubmate and World Masters FV40 champion Helen Berry second and 16-year-old Lauren McNeil third.

Berry’s time of 50.00 broke Aly Raw’s FV40 record by one minute 18 seconds and was outstanding, considering the conditions.

Holmfirth Harriers won the ladies team prize as Lucy Byram came in tenth.

Silsden-based Wharfedale Harriers and Keighley & Craven Athletics Club had plenty of representation in a field totalling 419 runners.

Top Wharfedale athlete was Sam Watson in 11th, while V40 runner Scott Bairstow was first back for Keighley & Craven in 36th.

As always, there were plenty of fancy dress costumes on show. Organiser Dave Woodhead said: “The ideas people come up with are verging on the outrageous and the ridiculous but much appreciated by everybody.”

TOP TEN: 1 41.19 Chris Farrell (Horwich RMI), 2 41.35 Tom Adams (Ilkley), 3 42.55 Killian Mooney (Horwich RMI), 4 43.26 Christopher Holdsworth (Clayton), 5 43.40 Tom Addison (Helm Hill), 6 44.04 William Neil (Mercia), 7 44.22 Joe Baxter (P&B), 8 44.32 Simon Deakin (Leeds City), 9 44.40 Michael Clayton (Horwich RMI), 10 44.45 Anthony Dalton (Rossendale).

CLASS WINNERS: 13 46.01 Christopher Leigh (Trafford) (V40), 21 47.34 Tyler Hutchinson (City of York) (U18), 27 49.04 Katie Walshaw (Holmfirth) (first female), 29 49.09 John Mason (Dewsbury RR) (V50), 34 50 rec Helen Berry (Holmfirth) (FV40 rec), 37 50.28 Lauren McNeil (UA) (FU18), 44 51.04 Mike Egner (Settle) (V60), 198 62.54 Jane Mellor (Pennine) (FV50), 260 67.30 Wendy Dodds (FV60); 341 74.27 Paul Walsh (Bowland) (V70).

TOP LOCAL CLUB FINISHERS: 11 45.16 Sam Watson (Wharfedale), 15 46.27 Nicholas Charlesworth (Wharfedale) (V40), 31 49.26 Marc Sennett (Wharfedale), 36 50.20 Scott Bairstow (Keighley & Craven) (V40), 41 50.44 Dave McGuire (Wharfedale) (V40), 47 51.18 Gary Chapman (Keighley & Craven) (V40), 55 52.00 Jason Hemsley (Wharfedale) (V40), 64 52.51 Ian Willis (Keighley & Craven) (V40), 65 52.56 Ben Timbers (Keighley & Craven), 71 53.37 David Haygarth (Wharfedale) (V40), 73 54.07 Chris Jones (Wharfedale) (V40), 85 55.25 Stuart Walton (Keighley & Craven) (V40), 91 55.42 Paul Crabtree (Keighley & Craven) (V40), 93 55.51 Dick Ballantine (Keighley & Craven) (V50), 96 55.59 Emma Hopkinson (Wharfedale) (F).