There were 91 runners in this race and of these, our only male representative, Pete Keron, came 5th. Cathy Bradley had her first serious run for 2 weeks, having suffered from the dreaded Silsden lurgy and she came 50th overall and 7th lady with a time of 24:35. She was followed home by Angela Gray, who was 8th lady with a time of 25:40. It was nice too to see Angela's sister Vicky Rae back on the fells and for her come back race, she was 12th lady, with a time of 26:44.

Full results are in the results section.

The Carnival Atmosphere of the New Year's Day Run
Silsden New Year's Day Fun Run attracted a total of 96 entrants this year, who treated it with various levels of seriousness. Gary Bailey of Keighley & Craven won it, ahead of Jonathan Bradshaw. Both were quite some way in front of Matthew Hird who took his dog and carried a baby!

Full results are in the results section and there are a few pictures in the gallery courtesy of David Hird.

Jonathan Bradshaw	Bruce Elsworth
Catherine Wolfenden	Kate Rogan

The Kendal Winter League kicked off with the run up to the summit of Scout Scar, although once more the route had been altered from previous years.

In the juniors, Robbie Johnstone had a good run, but his brother Ben was so involved with exploring the terrain with a new found friend that he missed the start of his race.

Will Smith made a big jump up to the U14s, but had a great race to come third behind Danny Walsh and James Knox.

In the U17s, Jonathan Bradshaw had a great race to work his way through the field into first place and to hold off a strong challenge to win the race.

In the seniors, we had a field of 9 men and 4 women. The race was won by Tom Addison, followed by Mark Addison and Alistair Dunn. Then came our own Bruce (King of the Mountains) Elsworth in 4th place. Sam Watson had a good run to finish around 8th or 9th.

Full results will follow shortly. In the meantime, there are a few pics in the gallery.

Approaching the tarn	Approaching the tarn

In daylight, this course mapped out by Brett Weedon would have been simple. From the millenium gardens, past the tarn to the Cow & Calf. Then across the moors to the badger stone and on to the Keighley Gate road. Down the road towards Ilkley before turning off towards White Well and the final descent back to the millenium gardens. Dead easy? Not in the dark. Although it was a clear night with good visibilty, finding the badger stone amongst the myriad of paths across the moors proved to be challenging and runners approached White Wells from all directions. When Emily Whitehead and Madeline Watson passed White Wells, it looked like the night was drawing to a close. However, this took no account of the fact that Bob Hamilton was out, running in his own back yard, but with his one candle power head torch. Eventually, two figures could be seen at White Wells and Bob and Mary came jogging down, just as Brett was starting to look worried.

Afterwards, everyone adjoured to the Bar t'at for a pint of good ale and to talk about the evening's experiences. Another good winter off road evening and thanks must go to Brett and Sue for organising it.

Times are in the results section and there are a few pics in the gallery.

James Wadsworth with new arrival John
On 24 January, there was a new arrival in the home of Barbara & James Wadsworth - young baby boy John. He was 7lbs 7oz at birth and apparently has long legs. A potential runner if there ever was one. Both mother and baby are doing well.

Owen Beilby	Gareth Hird

Owen Beilby and Gareth Hird turned out for this one and Owen sent in the following report:

This 12 miler starts from the Summit Inn just outside of Littleborough and loops around the moors and reservoirs above Rochdale & Todmorden before heading over towards Stoodley Pike for a spot of bog hopping. Around 100 starters made there way up from the Summit for the only real climb of the day towards the White House pub, before a punishing loop around the moors on good bridleways until we reached the edge of one of the large drains around Stoodley where the going became decidedly rough as we slowly doubled back on ourselves and into the wind for the long run back too the Summit Inn. I enjoyed a good tussle at the front in the early stages with Nick Leigh & Adam Breaks, but it was Horwich's James Logue who was making up much of the ground on us through the middle and later parts of the race - particularly over the rough ground around Stoodley. Unfortunately, James was stricken with stomach cramps just as he looked likely to make his move and struggled home in 4th. Nick Leigh had too much pace and really pushed on as we approached the White House pub and the final descent opening a race winning lead. To be fair, it seemed like he was hanging back for much of the race and he may have won with something to spare. I just managed to edge out Adam on the final descent and was delighted with 2nd against some tough opposition.

Gareth was the only other Wharfedale vest in attendance and he enjoyed his own battle with Wharfedale old boy Ian Wellock (who was modelling the 'oh so sensible' colours of Hunters Bog Trotters). These 2 are both big units (compared to me anyway!) and must have suffered terribly in the winds and bogs around Stoodley. I may have even spared a thought for them as I sprawled head first into yet another knee deep bog monster! In the end, Ian just held off Gareth on the descent for a narrow victory and 6th place overall with Gareth in 7th.

All in all a smashing race, well organised by CVFR's Allan Greenwood, so thanks to Allan and his crack team and thanks be also for good weather (barring the wind) which made for a great Sunday morning blast!

Owen Beilby, Tamara Hird and a few juniors went over for this event. Our U13s were 10th team. In the U17s, Tom Cunningham started off the New Year as he finished the old and came home just 3 seconds behind Jonathan Bradshaw. Owen has sent in the following report of his experiences of the day:

Only myself, Tamara and a few juniors made the trip to somewhere near Warrington for this year's NoEAA XC Champs. I'm not sure how the kid's got on, but I hope they enjoyed it. I certainly didn't and I don't think Tamara did either, but it is all good training. Fast, muddy and not the 12 km advertised, this is a special kind of Hell reserved only for runners - major xc champs races are always bloody awful and this was no exception. Ah well, it should be good prep for the National in Feb. I finished just outside the top 100 (101st I think) and Tamara was 77th. I know it's done me good, nothing that is so little fun can be anything other than good for you! Roll on Parliament Hill!

Charlie Lowrie	Jack Smith

Six seniors and four juniors took to the fells for this event and it is pleasing to see that the youngsters took the limelight.

Our seniors were led home by Jack Smith, who seems to like running on these moors. In the junior races, Charlie Lowrie was first under 10 boy and Lucy Horrocks was 4th under 10 girl.