Addingham Gala fell race back after 20 years ILKLEY HARRIERS AC RACES
Back in October, when the Addingham Gala Committee asked Ilkley Harriers to help reinstate the Gala fell race on Saturday 10 July after a gap of 20 years, it was unexpected and a bit of a challenge as the Club was already committed to a program of organising more races than in previous years. We first offered the race to Wharfedale Harriers, who had taken on the Beamsley Beacon fell race as a sort of replacement for the Gala race in recent years, but Gala Day clashed with the key BOFRA event at Alva. The Gala Committee were so enthusiastic about a race that it was impossible to say no, and when Graham Maud offered to help with the race organisation we were set.
Graham brought his ‘3 Peaks Race’ organisational abilities to the event, and that and the support of the Gala committee and their helpers meant that the race had many ‘big race’ features: there was thorough planning and organisation; the race was started by the local MP; there were road closures with police support through the village; the race was presented everywhere as an important part of the Gala; the Gala provided free refreshments for a ll runners, and race medals for the race leaders; and Up & Running provided professional numbers, tape, and race prizes. But there were moments … it soon became apparent that the only viable route was almost identical to that of the Beamsley race, which was scheduled for a date just a few weeks before the Gala. But Wharfedale Harriers and the Beamsley organiser David Hird cheerfully promoted our race and Gareth Hird, who won both races, has been crowned ‘King of Beamsley’.
Another ‘moment’ was when the Gala date was found to be the same as that of the junior club trip to the athletics at
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Gateshead, taking with them many of our regular helpers. Eek!
And then when we realised just how many other events, running and otherwise, were on that same weekend. Double Eek! Come Gala Day, the sun was shining, the bunting was flapping gaily, as were the 400 or so course marker flags we’d placed on the course that morning, and the Ilkley Harriers Club tent and flag had pride of place at the head of the Gala field. 44 runners entered, which we’re telling ourselves was not bad for a first effort and given all the above factors. We had just enough volunteers, THANK YOU to every one of them. And despite some excessive heat, the race went without mishap. Every runner we spoke to said they’d enjoyed it and would ‘bring a friend or two’ next year – I think 100 runners would be a nice number.
Hight spots? The numbers building up at Registration and a good mix of competitors from top BOFRA athletes, to club runners from far and wide, to some local runners. The Gala crowd shouting the countdown then the runners circling the Gala field to cheering crowds. The first runner returning in a classy time. A new Finish team working smoothly. The last runner returning safely. Great feedback from all the competitors on the course, the marshals, and the overall experience. And embarrassing my daughter by taking the Gala stage to read out the prizewinners. What would we do better next year? If it as hot, we would have a drinks station on the way to the summit. I would like to see a few more Harriers running, a few more helpers, and 100 runners. But it was a great day and a great start to what will hopefully be an annual event.
Paul Wood ILKLEY HARRIERS NEWSLETTER • JULY–AUGUST 2010
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