RESULTS

PHOTOS

RACE REPORTS

This was the 26th year that we have organised a fund raising walk or run for Wharfedale Rugby Club and the 17th year of the event in its current format of the Trail Half Marathon. The forecast earlier in the week had been for a heatwave on Saturday and sunny conditions and so we were adding a couple more barrels of water to each checkpoint....but that was not to be in the Yorkshire Dales. Later in the week rain was forecast from 12 noon and that was exactly what happened - drizzly rain which was welcome relief for the runners and proved especially fortunate for 1 runner, Zanthe Wray. We had around 500 people entering the run with 408 on the start line.

Mens race

The race was closely contested but Phil Marsden (Horwich RMI Harriers) took an early lead down the Avenue and stayed there for the whole race. He had a 1 minute lead at Scott Gate Lane then stretched that to 2 mins at the next 2 checkpoints and extended that to almost 3 mins by the finish, even with a slight detour, in a time of 1hr 25.15. 2nd and 3rd places were evenly contested running together for the whole race with Steve Littler 1hr 28.04 (Wesham Road Runners and AC) JUST pulling away at the finish beating Matthew Hallam 1hr 28.25 (Valley Striders) Julian Hood came 4th and was the 1st local male and also winning his age group MV40-44 in a time of 1hr 32.03.

Womens race

We had a great Womens race with the winner, Zanthe Wray (Dark Peak Fell Runners), finishing 8th overall AND breaking the Women’s course record in a time of 1hr 35.36, previously set by Sarah Jarvis 1hr 37.34 (2011). Thank you to Oldfield Electrics for Course record Prize. Lindsay Brindle (Horwich RMI Harriers) came in 2nd woman 1 hr 41.47 closely followed by Hinda Hardaker (Keighley & Craven) in 1hr 42.34. 1st local female was Kiri Wood in a time of 1hr 50.54.

2019 was also the first year that we have presented age group prizes to 70+ men and women - we need a few more of you to run to make these age groups more competitive - we look forward to seeing your entry next year.....

Once again thank you to everyone for taking part, we hope to see you return to run in 2020. Entries open in Jan 2020 so enter early for the early bird prices.

We would also like to thank WRUFC for the use of the Clubhouse & grounds, all our volunteer checkpoint marshals, our team of helpers at the Clubhouse, and the Committee who ensure the event runs smoothly on the day.

Thanks also go to our main sponsor Hill Top Farm, Malham, Bunk Barn & Holiday Cottage accommodation and thanks to our valued supporters Up and Running, Brook Taverner, Oldfield Electrics, Blue Sky Events and Tetley Carlsberg.

Jill Heseltine. (www.wharfedalemarathonevents.com)

The 16th Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon Saturday 2nd June 2018

This was the 25th year that we have organised a fund raising walk or run for Wharfedale Rugby Club and the 16th year of the event in its current format of the Trail Half Marathon. The race day started with low cloud which developed into drizzly rain which was welcome relief for most of the runners after the hot and humid day on the Friday.. The race limit of 550 was reached by late April with a waiting list of over 40 people. 427 started the race on the day and 424 runners finished the event on the day. Once again we had runners entering the race from all over the UK for this course over stunning scenery. We had lots of Clubs using the race as one of their championship events, and a couple of Clubs made a day of it by arriving on a mini bus!

Mens race

The race was fiercely contested, in the early stages the lead runners were fairly close together but Duncan Coombs (Cambridge & Coleridge AC) started pulling away and winning with an almost 4 minute advantage in a time of 1hr 26mins 27secs. 2nd and 3rd places were more closely contested but Thomas Hobson came in 2nd in 1hr 30.13 and Istvan Jacso came 3rd in 1hr 30.46. Julian Hood came in 1st male local as well as winning his age group MV40-44 in a time of 1hr 34.12.

Womens race

In the ladies race Caroline Turner came in 1st in a time of 1hr 41mins 44secs just less than 2 mins ahead of Sarah Jarvis (Barlick Fell Runners) the current female record holder (1hr 37.39 in 2011) with a time of 1hr 43.29. Chloe Haines (Dark Peak Fell Runners) came in 3rd in a time of 1hr 44.39. 1st female local was Catherine White of Embsay in a time of 1hr 59.13.

The course records were safe for another year - we'll have to wait until next year to see if they can be beaten.
Once again thank you to everyone for taking part, we hope to see you return to run in 2019.

We would also like to thank all our volunteer checkpoint marshals, our team of helpers at the Clubhouse and the Committee who ensure the event runs smoothly on the day.

Thanks also go to our main sponsor Hill Top Farm, Malham, Bunk Barn & Holiday Cottage accommodation and thanks to our valued supporters Up and Running, Brook Taverner, Oldfield Electrics, Blue Sky Events and Tetley Carlsberg.

Jill Heseltine. (www.wharfedalemarathonevents.com)

15th year of running of the Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon was held in perfect conditions with runners greeted by warm sunshine, a slight breeze and very dry underfoot conditions with many runners opting to race in light weight road shoes. The race limit of 525 was almost reached with 514 entries; 418 runners taking part on the day. Once again we had runners entering the race from all over the UK for this most scenic of courses and it was pleasing to see some clubs using the race as one of their championship events, proving what a special event this has now become and one that all trail runners must do!

As the runners snaked their way along the Dalesway above Grassington, the Flying Scotsman Kyle Greig, from Aberdeen, had already pulled well clear of the field. Kyle was on a high having recently been selected to represent Britain in the World Trail Running Championships to be held in Italy later in the month. Knowing the record was achievable in the good conditions, Kyle pushed hard all the way to come home in a record time of 1 hour 24.38, comfortably beating Quentin Lewis’ record of 1 hour 25.07 (2012). Kyle not only took home the winners prize but a £200 bonus for breaking the record. Vet 45, Connor Carson, Kenilworth Runners, ran a good race to finish 2nd just under 5 minutes behind the race winner. The ever consistent Julian Hood was 3rd and first local runner.
In the ladies race, it was third time lucky for Lorena Lozano, having previously gained two 3rd place finishes. The North Leeds Fell Runner ran a PB to finish in a time of 1. 45.06, however, she was some way shy of the excellent course record of 1 hour 37.34 set by Sarah Jarvis (2011). First local lady was Melanie Ives, Skipton AC, in a pleasing time of 2.03.58.
Once again thank you to everyone for taking part, we hope to see you return to run in 2018. Thank you to our checkpoint marshalls and our team of helpers who ensure the event runs smoothly on the day. Thanks also go to our main sponsors Malhamdale Holidays with support from Up and Running, Blue Sky Events, Brook Taverner, Oldfield Electrics and Harrogate Spring Water.

Mick Hawkins. (www.wharfedalemarathonevents.com)

The 14th running of the Off Road Half Marathon Trail Race brought record numbers to the event. The race limit this year adjusted to take 525 runners which was reached 2 weeks before the closing date proving what a special event this has now become and one that all trail runners must do! Once again we had runners entering the race from all over the country for this most scenic of courses and it is very pleasing to see some clubs using the race as one of their championship events.

When the runners set off along the stunning ?Dales Way? above Grassington the weather was overcast but dry, however, as the runners started the punishing 2 mile climb of Mastile's Lane the clouds dispersed and the runners were met with glorious sunshine and 20?temperatures! This caught a few runners out as they later suffered from heat exhaustion on the downhill sweep back to the club house despite there being ample water stations.

Pre race favourite Harry Coates who originates from Conistone Cold but competes for the Wallsend Athletics Club where he is studying, took an early lead on the road to Grassington Bridge and gradually pulled away from the field winning by close to 3 minutes in a time of 1.28.31. Harry was a little disappointed with his time as he had won the race 2 years ago in a faster time and was hoping to beat the course record set in 2012 by Quentin Lewis 1.25.07. There was an added bonus of ?100 for breaking the record in both the Men?s and Ladies races. The consolation for Harry is if he returns next year the bonus for beating the record will be doubled! Skipton based runner Julian Hood continued his fine run of form gaining 2nd position for a third time and also the first local prize.

In the ladies race, Carmen Bryne led from start to finish in a time of 1. 48.37, however, she was some way shy of the excellent course record of 1 hour 37.34 set by Sarah Jarvis (2011). First local lady was Karen Chown, Skipton AC, in a very pleasing time of 1.59.38 and 5th placed Lady overall.

Once again thank you to everyone for taking part, we hope to see you all next year. Thank you to our Checkpoint Marshalls, our team of helpers who make the event run so smoothly on the day. Thanks go to our main sponsors Malhamdale Holidays who have sponsored the event for 8 years with support from Up and Running, Skipton Hire Centre, Brook Taverner, Oldfield Electrics and Harrogate Spring Water.

The 13th running of the Off Road Half Marathon Trail Race brought record numbers to the event with the race limit of 500 runners reached for the first time. Once again we had runners entering the race from all over the country for this most scenic of events.

Although the weather was fine and dry the runners had to contend with unseasonably strong winds that seemed to be in the runner's faces for most of the race, however, it was at its worst on the punishing 2 mile climb of Mastile's Lane.

Local athlete Julian Hood from Skipton ran well throughout to take 2nd overall and first local in a new best time of 1.31.21. A special mention must go to Vet 65 runner Neil Scrunten from Scarborough who posted an amazing time of 1.55.38!

In the ladies race, Pudsey runner Karen Pickles led from start to finish in a time of 1. 47.25, but was some way shy of the course record of 1 hour 37.34 set by Sarah Jarvis (2011). Karen was not only first lady but also the first vet 40. She was closely followed by Sarah Louise Cumber, Halifax Harriers and unattached runner Lorena Lozano who for the second year in a row gained 3rd place. First local lady was Anne Marie Bullcock Skipton AC in a very pleasing time of 1.57.38.

Once again thank you to everyone for taking part in the event, we hope to see you all next year. If you have not taken part in this race (it is one you must do) get your entry in early as our race limit of 500 was reached.

Thank you to our Checkpoint Marshals and our team of helpers who make the event run so smoothly on the day and thanks go to our main sponsors Malhamdale Holidays who have sponsored the event for 7 years with support from Skipton Hire Centre, Up and Running, Brook Taverner, Oldfield Electrics and Harrogate Spring Water.

The 12th running of the Off Road Half Marathon brought record numbers to the event with over 470 runners from all over the country pre-entering this most scenic of races.

The forecast for the day was terrible with the threat of serious thunder storms and lightening. Thankfully the storms did not arrive, but one hour into the race the heavens opened and all runners got quite a soaking.

Conditions did not deter race winner Harry Coates, who originates from Coniston Cold near Skipton, but is studying in the North East and running for Wallsend. By the first check point Harry had a one minute lead over East Hull runner Michael Hargreaves and course record holder Quentin Lewis from Baildon Runners. Harry really pushed on up the punishing two mile climb of Mastiles Lane, opening a two minute gap which he maintained to the finish. His winning time of 1 hour 26.59 was excellent in the conditions but was outside the record of 1hour 25.07 (2012)

Hargreaves ran very strong throughout and pulled away from Lewis to gain an excellent second place with Quentin Lewis once again on the podium in a race he clearly enjoys and always returns to year after year.

The ever improving local athlete Julian Hood from Skipton ran well throughout to take 4th overall and first local. A special mention must go to 5th place runner Shaun Wilkinson who has run this event more than any other runner. Now a Vet 50 but what a run!

In the ladies race, Catherine Farrow from Ilkley Harriers, won for a second time in 1 hour 46.25, but was some way shy of the course record of 1 hour 37.34 set by Sarah Jarvis (2011). Jane McCarthy ran a very solid race to finish second behind her Ilkley team mate as the Harriers dominated most of the top finishing positions in the event. First local lady was Sarah King Skipton AC in a time of 2 hours 7.33. Sarah regularly trains on the course and was keen to take part in her local event.

Once again thank you to everyone for taking part in the event, we hope to see you all next year. If you have not taken part in this race (it is one you must do) get your entry in early as this year we were close to our maximum number of entries allowed.

Thank you to all the Checkpoint Marshals and the team of helpers who make the event run so smoothly on the day and thanks also go to our main sponsors Malhamdale Holidays who have sponsored the event for 6 years now with support from Skipton Hire Centre, Up and Running, Black Sheep Brewery and Harrogate Spring Water.