Otley Athletic Club

Two OAC runners took part with Steve Robinson finishing 4th in 20:41 and Debra Brown 23rd in 32.19.

The winner was Rob Furness in 18:01 and the first lady was Tilly Melechi in 20:01.

Caroline Marler was at the National Masters Championships, in Lee Valley, London,  coming second in the W400m in 72.47 behind ex-W55 world 400m champion and world record holder Caroline Powell, who at just 60 has moved up into her age group.

Caroline said: “Having come down with shingles over the last 3-4 weeks, plans to run well at World Masters Champs in Budapest later this month have had to be revised slightly, but I managed to run quite well this last weekend.

“I was pleased with my time as 2 weeks before I did 75+ seconds winning the inter area match.

“The following day I decided not to race the 800m which I should have been able to win as I didn’t want to
push myself too much in my present weak state. So I joined the sprinters in the 200m and got a bronze medal
in 32.64, to my delight, this should qualify me for a place in the 4 x 200m at the world champs.”

Another 20-miler for the marathon bods with four Black & Whites travelling there.

Tom Hannah finished 219th in 2:57:54, Jaqueline Ackroyd 222nd (2:58:30), Andy Ackroyd 238th (3:02:34), and David Hainsworth 226th (3:12:50).

The race was won by Will Beauchamp (Sheffield RC/TC) in 1:55:15 and the first lady in 28th place was Nicky Green (Ilkley) in 2:11:49.

Report from David Hainsworth: A nearly flat route, which now includes a section of cycle track, and a really nice spring day – even got a touch of sunburn. Set off at nine-minute miles and maintained that comfortably through 10.

By 15 worrying sensations of tiredness were appearing and just before 18 the wheels fell off completely. The last two-miles included a few little walks and the finish was a very welcome sight. Think Tom, although quite a bit faster than me, suffered a similar fate and Jacqueline Ackroyd was closing him down rapidly in the closing stages.

A must run event for those in marathon training mode saw a good turnout for Otley with the race won by someone called Scott Harrington in 1:52:02. Yes, our very own Scott. First lady was Shona Fletcher (Richmond & Zetland) in 02:09:11.

Other times were: 50 Tom Potter 2:26:13, 99 Robin Outterside 2:38:52, 173 Andrew Webster 2:58:27, 210 Lisa Maughan 3:13:10, 223 Andrew Rayner 3:18:21, 235 Stephen Boddy (3:24:15) and 256 Sean O’Halloran 4:03:22.

And a few words from Sean: There was a good turn out from OAC for the Spen 20 race. The sun was out and with a cool breeze conditions were near perfect for running. I was very nervous ahead of the race, I had never ran that distance before and I had been told it was a tough course.

It became apparent early on that I was going to sweeper for the day and bring up the rear. But I did not mind, meant I could run my own race as I was treating it as a training run. The course is very hilly and some of the hills went on forever.

However, support along the way and excellent marshalling meant the miles were ticking by. I got to 14 miles okay and then it became tough, really tough and I contemplated in giving up. But I have never got a DNF and I was not going to start now.

I dug deep, gritted my teeth and ploughed on proving this southerner is not soft (must be the Yorkshire Water). Slowly the miles ticked off and once past the water stop for the last time it was a park run to the finish. Eventually I made it back to the running track and following a final lap I had done it. It hurt, I almost gave up but completed it in 4:03:22. Read the rest of this entry »

Christina Hosker travelled to Knutsford, Cheshire, for the High Legh Robert Moffat Memorial 10k finishing 51st out of a field of 457 with a PB of 41:14.

The race was won by Matthew Rushbrook (Knutsford Tri Club) in 33:27 and the first lady was  Sharon Johnstone (Wilmslow RC) in 38:20.

Only one name worthy of going in the hat this month; Ed Davies, for his first place in the Rombalds Stride. He first ran it in 1993 and this year was his. Well done!

But we couldn’t not give a mention to one of our newer members, Robin Outtersides, who has really impressed everyone since he joined the club.

Race 3 of the 2014 Eric Smith Handicap took place at Esholt, a five mile route, a mixture or track, canal towpath and road.  Kath held on to take the win ahead of Andy Webster and Nicola.  Ian recorded the fastest time of the day, on a 24 minute handicap, moving through the field for sixth.  The top three in the overall table is still the three ladies, with Kath now on top of 59 points, 5 ahead of Gemma and Charlotte on 49 points.   See the full handicap table here and some photos here.

Lots of points on offer at next months race at the popular Fewston handicap, so lots of opportunity for others to force their way up the table in April.

Report from Dave Hainsworth: Usual out and back route up the side of Haweswater. Just a little slower than last year - disappointed but not surprised as we made a weekend of it by stopping in the Watermill Inn at Ings for a couple of nights. It’s got it’s own Brewery and just had to check out their full product range – twice, just to be sure. Weather was a bit inclement too. Thanks to all who mucked in (literally) to get everyone off the car park which turned into a skid pan as everyone started leaving.
Winner     Robert Hodgson   Border  1:13:49
1st lady   Catherine Farrow  Ilkley     1:28:30
David Hainsworth                            1:57:30

Report from the Hon. Handicapper

Eight of us took part in the 25th edition of the popular Ilkley moor fell race and it is also 21 years since I did it for the first time, surely not!  The going was generally on the muddy side of soft and there were comments about the head wind on the climb up to the Badgerstone, but I didn’t find that too bad myself.

The clear winner on the day was the host club’s Tom Adams in 36:41 and the 1st lady was Caitlin Rice, Glossopdale H., 47.18.  Matt John was first back for Otley in 8th, 42.18, just one place behind was Sam Stell in 42.39.  I was happy with 12th & 1st old man in 43.05.  Joe Webster and Steve Robinson were next for Otley in 90th & 99th (53.14 & 54.02), followed by Andy Webster 139th, 58.15, and Otley’s only female representative Caron Ralph 159th, 1:01.11 and John Cowan 185th 1:05.13.

And it was good to see some our juniors taking part and doing well in the junior races too, see Hannah’s report on the juniors page.

Full results on the Ilkley moor fell race link above and Woodentops photos here and Jack’s photos here.