Perfect weather conditions and beautiful scenery enticed 517 finishers in this well organised race from Bampton (near Shap) down the east side of Haweswater and back.

The race was won by Dominic Raby (Chorley) in 74.07, pulling ahead of OAC’s Julian Mawson over the last 150 metres but Julian was very pleased to finish second (74.15).

OAC’s Scott Harrington (pictured) attempting his fourth Half Marathon was delighted to easily beat his previous personal best by finishing strongly over the second half of the race coming home sixth in 77.30.

OAC’s Mick Jeffrey was also pleased to improve on his York Brass Monkey time over such an undulating course finishing 66th (89.01).

A small number of pictures in club photos.

Full results from ukresults with photos from Sportsunday and more details from edenrunners.

Results from ukresults show the race was won by Andrew Pearson (Longwood) in 44.13 and for OAC, Howard Jeffrey finished 127th (63.03).

More details from askerndrc and photos from TAimages

Report from Tom Paget:

Now having two small childen severely limits my racing schedule but I managed to arrange an entry to the Leith Hill Half Marathon in Surrey on the basis that we could combine it with a visit to my wife’s parents for the weekend, who live only a few miles from the North Downs.

Despite having to spend a weekend with my in-laws, this off-road half marathon incorporating 1,800′ of ascent up and down the highest hill in South East England, was a wonderful event.

I was very pleased to finish in 1hr 40 mins and 26th place out of I think about 300.

Results due from trionium.com/leithhillhalf.

From clayton-le-moors-harriers, the race was won by Ian Holmes (Bingley) in 63.50.

For OAC, Laura Martin finished as third lady (and first LV40) in 90th position overall (86.10), Martin Smillie 164th (96.31), Sarah McBrinn 201st (105.54) and Liz Fawcett 213th (109.34).

Photos from Sportsunday.

No OAC representation this week but results from parkrun.org.

The next nominated race in Otley A.C.’s Runner of the Year Championship.

The race was won by Steve Hepples (Newham) in 53.00 and for OAC Julian Mawson finished fifth (55.44), Mick Jeffrey 107th (67.26), Howard Jeffrey (pictured) 155th (69.47), Neil Charlton 184th (71.41 – a p.b.) and Billy Rayner 464th (86.12).

Results from ukresults and photos from TAimages.

Photos available from Club Photos.

More details also from pocklington runners.

The Saucony English National Cross-Country Championships took place at Roundhay Park, Leeds on Saturday 27th February.

In the ladies race of 8km won by Steph Twell (Aldershot) in 27.52, for OAC Pange Srivastava finished 275th (37.41), Sarah McBrinn 424th (42.03), Liz Fawcett 459th (43.31), Kath Robertshaw 480th (45.16), Carol Armitstead 492nd (46.17) and Liz Ashton 515th (48.48). Well done to the OAC ladies finishing as 54th team.

In the men’s race of 12km won by Andy Vernon (Aldershot) in 38.01, for OAC Andrew Robertshaw finished 342nd (46.45), Tony Bourne (pictured) 364th (47.09), Ed Davies 562nd (49.49), Dale Foster 656th (51.04), Simon Anderson 926th (55.01), John Armitstead 975th (55.42), Phil Robinson 1,217th (60.44) and Tom Hannah 1,277th (62.53). Again well done to the OAC men finishing as 58th team.

Pictures kind courtesy of Liz Ashton and Terry Lonergan in Club Photos and from ECCA Gallery.

Race reports in Mud, Sweat & Tears here 1 and here 2, Athletics Weekly, ukathletics and the Telegraph & Argus.

Race previews in the Yorkshire Evening Post and the ever-excellent Mud, Sweat & Tears.

Report by Adam Baird: Category ‘AM’ race with 2,300ft of ascent over 9 miles.

Noon Stone this year was an English Championship counter with 423 finishers containing most of the country’s top fell runners.

It was a tough 9 miles and because of recent rain and snow, most agreed it was slower going than last year….it took four of us to pull one lady out of a bog halfway through the race! Some of descents were compact snow making for interesting times all round.

The surprise winner was Matthew Speake (Dark Peak) with a great run in 68:16. For OAC, second claim member Sharron Smith finished 244th (95:03), Adam Baird 295th (100:34) and Martin Smillie 347th (105:51).

More details, results and photos from todmordenharriers as well as photos from Sportsunday Event Photography.

From parkrun.org, this week’s race was won by Dan Phillips (Unattached) in 17.39 and for OAC, Fiona Burke finished 131st (28.32).

Report from Adam Baird:

This was the 21st Anniversary of the race (AS / 5 miles / 1,260′ ascent) and ‘a bit of snow’ made things a bit different….the FRA forum makes reference to a number of ‘Torvill and Dean moves’ during the race.

Despite the snow there was a big field with 215 finishers, led home by Graham Pearce (Pudsey & Bramley) in 39:52….two and a half minutes in front of second place.

Second claim member Sharron Smith ran well finishing 70th (54.47) followed by Adam Baird 97th (57:41), Matt Podd 140th (62:46), Colin Best 147th (63:43), Martin Smillie 160th (65:34) and Michael Fryer 192nd (72:47).

DNF for James Sneath and Liam Dunne who unfortunately took a wrong turn somewhere in the snow after being well placed near the front. Malcolm and Huw were spectating and cheering on the Otley.

Report from Sharron Smith:

The snow was falling fast at 7.30am and even the main roads around were covered. Did this mean the race would be cancelled? Of course not, they don’t cancel fell races and so long as you can get there, the race must go on.

The field seemed slightly down on numbers and Dave Woodhead passing comment was “they didn’t forecast this”.

Well, off to a cautious start, a few Otley vests caught my eye but it was eyes down with no opportunity for error. The first climb was steady, followed by a toboggan slide, a descent where most runners hit their butts. Fear not for the best was yet to come, more uphill, softer snowy descents and a ski slope finish.

In less than a hour the mist had started to rise and some of the front runners had descended to the finish too soon. So for the second time in Feburary, following the Rombalds Stride, we are reminded you can get lost on Ilkley Moor!! A good team turnout for the tough Otley men but where were the ladies?

Results and photos from ilkleyharriers.

Race video coverage by Andy Wolfenden on Youtube.