THIS weekend saw the staging of the Kettlewell (Skirfare) Trail Half Marathon.

This is the second race in the Due North Trail Race Series, a challenging course of just under 14 miles with 900m of ascent over three main climbs. It starts and finishes at Hawkswick Cote beside the River Skirfare, and passes through Arncliffe, Starbottom and Kettlewell.

Harrier Oli Murphy had a great run and finished in an impressive second place, completing the course in 1:49:21. Jane McCarthy led the Ilkley ladies’ home, with Jane finishing as fourth lady overall in a time of 2:17:35 and taking third place in her age category.

Jane was followed by Rebecca White, who completed the course in a personal best time of 2:48:26. She was followed by Jill Ezard in 2:50:34, with Jill taking third place in her age category.

On the fells, Harrier Iain Gibbons took part in the BOFRA (British Open Fell Runners Association) Coniston Gullies fell race in Cumbria. Iain came in 15th place overall in a time of 17:25, placing him first in his age category.

This classic up and down fell race in Cumbria has a a very steep uphill climb, followed by a equally steep descent, with lots of scree to contend with. In the under 17 race, Ilkley Harrier Sam Bentham came in a superb first place, Sam completing the U17 race route in 9:30.

This week also saw the staging of another race in the Evensplits 5km series, held at the Brownlee Centre in Leeds. Ilkley Harriers had a great turnout with 14 Harriers taking part. Matt Cox was the first Harrier home in sixth place overall in a time of 16:37, with Matt taking first place in his age category. Ruth Kitchen was the first Ilkley lady home, in a new personal best time for a 5km for her of 19:49. Alison Bennett had a great run also completing the course in 21:59, placing her first in her age category. Petra Bijsterveld finished in a superb 24:59 and took the first FV55 placing. Junior Harrier Archie Budding was the first junior to finish in a great time of 17:12.

On the roads, this weekend saw the staging of the Edinburgh half marathon. Starting on Holyrood Park Road, this incredible city centre route goes past many impressive landmarks, along the historic Royal Mile, with views up to Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags. Runners head along the coast, past Musselburgh and the oldest golf course in the world, to finish with a descent of almost 90 metres to sea level. Ilkley Harrier Sheena Pickersgill completed this race in an impressive 1:57:44.

In Cumbria, Catherine Charlton took part in the Asics Windermere marathon. Catherine ran this in a superb time of 4:12:21 and she took second place in the FV35 category.

This marathon is one of a handful of marathons run entirely within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is often described as one of the most beautiful UK marathons. This breathtaking course starts and finishes in the grounds of Brathay Hall and involves a 26.2-mile anti-clockwise circuit of Windermere, taking in Hawkshead, Newby Bridge, Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside along the way.

Two first place finishes for Ilkley Harriers this week at the weekly timed 5km parkruns. Jack Wood was the first Harrier home at the Myrtle parkrun in 17:37 and Michael Abrams-Cohen was the first Harrier home at the Wetherby parkrun in 18:17.

Catherine Gibbons was the first lady home at the Crane Park parkrun in London, with Catherine running this in 21:44. Adam Gerrish continued with his weekly parkrun successes, finishing in fourth place at the Bradford parkrun in a time of 18:59.

Hot on his heels was Harrier Jonathan Turner, with Jonathan completing the course on 19:05 and finishing in fifth place. Tom Worboys also had a top ten placing, finishing in eight place at the same parkrun. David Foyston finished in sixth place at the Robert’s Park parkrun in 18:25.  REPORT BY: JEAN SULLIVAN