ILKLEY INCLINE Winning marrows, straight up!
Fortunately the weather was good for this year’s race, one mile and 560ft up Keighley Lane on Wednesday 8 September even though the lack of a breeze meant that the midges were out in force.
Many competitors from previous years turned out keeping the field within ten of last year’s record entry of 74 including a runner who came all the way from St Neots in Cambridgeshire (and then went back again on the 7.40pm train). Who knows? One year we might even go international. This year Tom Adams and Alison Bennett were a clear winners with Ilkley winning both men’s and ladies team prizes. The Incline was again very generously sponsored by The Bicycle Shop, Skipton, The Complete Runner and by Bernie Connor (providing the event’s trade mark prize marrows), thanks to them there were a third as many prizes as there were runners. As this was the last year of the Complete Runner’s sponsorship, on behalf of the Club, I would like to express our appreciation to Terry Lonergan for his support over several years. Massive thanks to the dozen club
fact that this was actually a ’mare of a race. One of those that gives you long, long drags up with frustratingly quick descents, and is relentless in its ability to drain you of not only the will to live, but the ability to actually force one foot in front of the other. We chatted for a bit, got startled by the gun and ran. You don’t need to know the awfulness of this race, but I started my walk up the hills and run the flat bits early … about 400m in! It seemed to be a strategy that was adopted by those around me so sheep-like I continued,
members who volunteered in advance to perform roles essential for holding the event and to those who turned up on the day to offer support. Geoff Howard
Geoff Howard (left), Ilkley Incline race organiser, presents Tom Adams, 2010 winner with his prize marrow. Tom ran the one mile incline, climbing 560ft, in 7:12.
briefly enjoying the sights of Grassington (run tall, think good, there are lots of tourists around), Threshfield (tempting pub), Linton (oh God look at the size of that hill) then back to Burnsall and straight into the Red Lion for a refreshing cider and half a pound of beef in a bun. A good day’s work.
Just for the record I posted a top 100 finish … that’s the least embarrassing stat I could find … and hey learn to love hills for what they are – an opportunity for a little walk and an admire of the scenery. Happy running! Soobedoo x
ILKLEY HARRIERS NEWSLETTER • SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2010 27
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