THIS weekend saw the staging of the popular Great Manchester Run, which includes two distances, a half marathon and a 10km race.

This iconic run, on a flat fast course, takes in many landmarks around Manchester city centre with music and entertainment provided at every kilometre.

Ilkley Harrier Oli Murphy finished in an impressive fifth place out of the thousands of runners that took part, with Oli finishing in a superb time of 1:11. Oli’s wife Zoe also completed the half marathon in 2:05:37, with fellow Harrier Marie Watson, finishing well under the 2-hour mark in 1:48:01.

Ilkley Harrier Cameron Reilly ran in the 10km option, finishing in a very fast time of 32:45. Ilkley Harrier Clare Boyle made a welcome return to racing and finished the 10km route in a great time of 52:43.

Closer to home, the Cookridge Community Run took place. This race was established in memory of Gareth Dunne, an active and inspirational sportsman who sadly passed away in 2018. This 10km multi-terrain follows bridleways and paths around the Golden Acre Park area, with all proceeds from the race going to Cancer Research UK.

Conditions were good and there were very strong performances from Ilkley Harriers. Mike Abrams-Cohen stormed to finish in sixth place in 39:11, while Brit Tate won a podium place as second lady to finish in 42:46, placing her in 20th place overall. Iain Young and Adam Gerrish finished in under 44 minutes and in 25th and 27th places respectively. Peter Shelley took the first MV50 placing, finishing in 28th place overall and Jim Ryder was the first MV55 finisher, finishing in 32nd place overall. Michael Ho, Tracey Watson and Rachel Barnicoat also had great runs at this event.

On the fells lots of Ilkley Harriers travelled to Cumbria to take part in the Old County Tops fell race, first held in 1988. This race covers approx. 37 miles and involves approx. 10,000 feet of ascent, the exact distance and amount of ascent being dependant on the route chosen. The race starts in Great Langdale and visits the three highest points of the 'old counties' of Westmoreland (Helvellyn), Cumberland (Scafel Pike) and Lancashire (Coniston Old Man), before returning to Great Langdale. The route is run in pairs.

Ilkley Harriers had some great results. Joseph Morrell was part of the men’s team who came in eight place overall in a time of 8:01. He was followed by Harriers Ben Sheppard and Simon Richardson who finished in a 17th place and third in their combined age category. Ben and Simon ran the course in 8:40.

Jane McCarthy and Jann Smith were the first Ilkley ladies home and had a superb run. Jane and Jann were first in their age category and took nine minutes off the course record for their age group, completing the course in 10:02:25.

Ilkley Harrier Kate Archer was part of a mixed team with previous Ilkley Harrier Brian Melia. They finished in 65th place, running the route in 10:11. She was closely followed by Alison Weston and Andrew Merrick in 10:16, with Alison and Andrew coming first in their combined age category.

Lots more great results from Ilkley Harriers at this week’s weekly 5km timed parkrun events. Matthew Cox was the first finisher at the Fountain’s Abbey parkrun, finishing in a superb time of 17:14. Hot on his heels were Michael Abrams-Cohen, with Michael fifth to finish in 18:00 and Kyle Bethell who finished in ninth place in 18:26. John Hayes finished in a great tenth place at the Rothay Park parkrun in Ambleside and Adam Gerrish also finished in tenth place at the Chevin Forest parkrun.

Overseas in Japan, Ilkley Harrier Simon Lorimer was the sixth finisher at the Tsujido kaihin koen parkrun, with Simon completing this in 21:08.