This new event saw Brian Hugill take part in his first ever half marathon, which he completed in 2 hours 11 minutes. The weather was perfect - a bright dry day with a slight breeze. The organisation was excellent and the atmosphere fantastic. It was the 1st time Bradford Council had put the 1/2 marathon on. According to Brian, definitely one to look at for next year.

As the nights close in, anyone wanting to re-live the halcyon days of summer could do worse than look at  Lakeland TV  If you go on to Grasmere Sports Part 2, you can watch the interview with Logan Hargreaves-Madhas and also see a few of the seniors warming up in the background.

Angela Gray, Jean Powell & Lynn Whittaker

It was another pleasant evening for the marshals on the summit and as on the inaugural event four years ago, the decision was made to turn the runners at the edge of the summit, rather than trying to find the trig point in the pea souper that shrouded this bleak hill.

Young Jack Smith had a cracking run to finish ahead of Nick Charlesworth & Goldie. Gill Myers was first lady and it was nice to see Sally Bissett and Sarah Martin out in their first attempt at off road night running.

Numbers were down this year from the previous two years. It was either down to the weather, although that was not too bad, except at the summit, or the fact that these events are now devoid of any publicity.

Graham Bird, pursued by Gary Travis of Calder Valley
He has done it again. Another victory for Ian Holmes. He finished ahead of Tom Adams of Ilkley and James Logue of Calder Valley. Rob Shaw, the U21 runner of Keighley & Craven had a good run to finish fourth.

The Wharfedalers were led home by Colin Moses and the finishing times and positions were as follows:

•   26 Colin Moses 49:06 MV40
•   27 Jason Hemsley 49:14 MV40
•   33 Paul Crabtree 50:10 MV40
•   60 Graham Bird 52:40 MV40
• 109 Tamara Hird 57:16 F
• 119 Ian Page 58:16 MV40
• 122 Barry Scholes 58:25 MV50
• 131 Judy Howells 59:21 FV40
• 151 Scott Davies 60:25
• 156 Simon Hassell 61:24Celebration time for the Wharfedale Harriers Ladies
• 171 Matthew Hird 63:12
• 173 Ian Newbold 63:14 MV40
• 198 Kirsty Hall 66:11 F
• 199 Roger Hall 66:18 MV60
• 205 Simon Throup 66:35 MV40
• 224 Val Done 68:00 FV40
• 242 Sue Narey 69:49 FV40

Wharfedale were the first ladies team

Some of the Wharfedalers supporting this cause
This race road race was organised by Ilkley Harriers to help raise funds for Ben Smithson, a 9 year old Ilkley boy with Cerebral Palsey, who has the opportunity of life-changing surgery in January 2011 if his family can raise more than £45,000 to send him to America.

 More Race Pictures from Andy Holden 

Full results are in the results section.

Celebration time for the Wharfedale Harriers Ladies Just after his 51st birthday, Neil Taylor had a run out up this hill and Pete keron took a video of it. Some clever editing by Pete makes it look like Neil ran all the way to the top.

 Watch Pete's Video 

He has done it again. After winning three races in the past two weekends, Ian Holmes showed that he is just happy running on the fells in the dark as in the light. However, he didn't have it all his own way and he was given a run for his money by young Jack Smith, a runner who is returning to form. There was a tremendous sprint finish at the end resulting in a dead heat between them. It was nice to see Jack Dugdale, that talented young runner from Clayton finish in third place.

One or two runners mentioned that last year's results were not on the web site. This was a complete oversight and they are now there for viewing, along with those from this year.

Mark McGoldrick headed over to Lancaster for this half marathon. It was a beautiful day conditions were ideal. The course was generally flat, with just a couple of short climbs at the end. He completed it in 1 hr 21:32 finishing 21st out of nearly 700 runners.

Three Wharfedalers turned out for this race and finished as follows:

•   4 Nick Charlesworth – 40:20 - 1st MV40 (Yorkshire Vets 1st)
• 69 Madeleine Watson – 54:30 - FV45 - 11th Lady
• 84 Sarah Martin – 58:34 - 16th Lady

Gill Myers
Gill Myers is absolutely flying this year. Not only was she first LV50 in this race, but she was also first LV40! The times for all Wharfedalers (well all two of them) were as follows:

•   66 Gill Myers 51:57 1st LV50 & 1st LV40
• 195 Madeleine Watson 1:06:31 LV40

Tom Sessford - striding out at Ogden Clough
First news from this race is that James Logue of Calder Valley took an early lead and held on to it to win the race. The only news of any Wharfees is that Mark McGoldrick finished in about 18th place with a time of 2 hrs 52 mins.

Gill Myers receiving her trohpy
It was quite a night for Wharfedale at the FRA dinners which saw Gill Myers confirmed as FV50 English Champion for 2010. She was supported at the dinner by many of her team mates.

Nicholas Charlesworth & Sarah Martin pictured with Nick's two boys
Brandon & Dylan
There is something in the air at the club. Nick recently proposed to Sarah at the top of a hill near Kettlewell and she accepted, joining the two other happy couples, Jason Hemsley & Tamara Hird and Christian Holmes & Lisa McKevitt, for whom wedding bells will also be ringing shortly.

Starting this race in two stages probably seemed a good idea at the time, but opinion amongst fell runners seems divided as to whether it was a good idea in practice or note. It certainly caused mayhem in getting the results out.

Anyway, the results are now out and are in the results section. The finishing places for all the Wharfedalers taking part, whether in the first wave or the second were as follows:

•     6 Nick Charlesworth 2.45.12 3rd V40
•   15 Jason Hemsley 2.50.11
•   18 Mark McGoldrick 2.52.58
•   21 Christian Holmes 2.55.01
•   28 David Kirkham 2.57.43
•   52 Lucas Payne 3.07.50
•   57 Spencer Riley 3.08.52
•   70 Tamara Hird 3.11.51 - 3rd Lady
• 106 Andrew Hirst 3.22.16
• 119 Judy Howells 3.24.52 - 7th lady
• 140 Pete Jackson 3.30.16
• 157 Steve Plummer 3.36.20
• 164 James Harrison 3.37.16
• 186 Jim Roberts 3.42.56
• 222 Xavier Chaduc 3.52.42
• 258 Sally Bisset 4.06.24
• 272 Raj Madhas 4.14.20
• 282 Sarah Martin 4.20.37
• 293 Emma Dodd 4.29.49

Wharfedale were the second team.

1st Clayton 54 points
2nd Wharfedale 60 points - Nick Charlesworth, Jason Hemsley, Mark McGoldrick & Christian Holmes

Mark McGoldrick	Paul Crabtree

Sadly there will be no results from this race until next week as, to quote the race organiser on his FRA blog, "They won't be on any earlier as I'm off out to get very merry with the lads from Bingley!"

Full results will follow as soon as he has sobered up.

Ted Mason, shortly after taking the lead
The early news of this race is that it was won by Ted Mason. On the ascent, a determined run by Ted kept him on touch with the race leader. On the return, he came into his own and took the lead but he was anxious to build up this lead to leave him some margin for the long flat run in to the finish along the canal bank. As it happened, by the time he arrived at the canal, he was never seriously under threat, and he managed to coast home for a well earned victory.

As for the other Wharfedalers, Lucas Payne was in fourth place in the ascent but slipped to 5th on the return. Also in the top ten were were Christian Holmes, Owen Bielby and Jonathan Bradshaw which ensured a Wharfedale first team place.

Our women were led home by the very much in form Gill Myers, who looked to be going so easily and she finished 3rd female overall, first FV40 and first FV50.

The results were published on the day of the race and are in the results section.  All Wharfedale Finishing Positions 

A lot of the juniors were at this event on Saturday. There were two outstanding individual performances in the U11 Boys Race, with Charlie Lowrie winning the race outright and Josh Newbold coming home in 3rd place. This helped to ensure a first team place.

The other notable performance came with our group of U15 boys, who also finished 1st team.

 All Wharfedale Finishing Positions 

David Staff
This race should make us all pause for a moment and think. David Staff was a fit talented young runner who had so much to look forward to in life. Sadly it was all cut short before he even reached his prime.

So, when we all have a perceived problem, perhaps we should all think of David and reflect as to whether it really is a problem. All the silly things we do in life, like not speaking to people or not replying to emails because we have a perceived problem with that person. If the death of David can make us all see the bigger picture and what is really important, then he will not have died prematurely in vain.


Paul Crabtree
Any way, enough of those morose thoughts. David was looking forward in life and that is what we should all be doing. Seven Wharfedalers took part in this race and were led home by Paul Crabtree (pictured above). The finishing times for all Wharfedalers were as follows:

• 29 Paul (No Chips) Crabtree 41.08
• 54 Scott Davis 44.13
• 75 Barry Scholes 47.03
• 77 Kevin Rogan 47.04
• 84 Ian (Bolt) Newbold 48.23
• 90 Angela Donlan 49.14
• 97 Lynn Whittaker 50.17

Celine Stedman with proud dad Tim
It does not seem that long since Tim Stedman was running round Ilkley Moor with a ring in his pocket with the intention of proposing to Hannah. They subsequently married and on 31 October the fruits of their love gave rise to Hannah giving birth to a little girl on 31 October by Cesarian section. Both mother and daughter are doing well. By all accounts Celine is stubborn and has strong legs, just like her father, so maybe we have a new Wharfedaler in the offing. There are further pictures of Celine from the link below.

 Celine Stedman 

This event follows the course of Peter Jebb's classic race and what a difference a bit of darkness makes, particularly if you are running on your own midden.Ted Mason knows this land like the back of his hand and was first back having completed the course in just three minutes more than the day time race. On the other hand Holmsey, took a further 13 minutes which set him down the field. Andrew Jebb, who finished second also took only three minutes more than in the actual race. The  times & positions  for everyone are now available.