This race is always a challenge, but it has a habit of producing some great performances from those who welcome a challenge. This year, Victoria Wilkinson rose to that challenge and she produced what can only be described as an absolutely amazing performance. For a man to finish in the top ten is quite an achievement in itself, but for a women to do so is unheard of. Well today, history was made and Victoria proved that she was more than a match for the men, finishing in 3rd position overall and absolutely smashing the women's record. Not only did she come home in 3rd place, but running down the track towards the finish, she was still looking strong.
The race was won by Chris Holdsworth of Clayton who had a superb race. He ran out from Barley along the track with Jack Wood of Ilkley and both were already ahead of the chasing pack. However, as the race progressed, Chris gradually pulled more and more lead until he finished in first place looking quite comfortable.
In respect of Barlick, it was a good day. There was a great atmosphere amongst those who took part and there were lots of people all the way round the course supporting our runners. Great performances from Danny Mills and David Mirfield secured them both a top ten finish.
Further down the field, last year's winner, Lorraine Slater, once more showed her grit and determination by finishing as third woman and first LV40, as well as first LV45. Victoria Peel, who only started running around 12 months ago, put on an amzing to show to win the first LU23 prize. Another runner, new to fell running, Jacqueline Collins also put in a great effort with the result that our ladies came away with the prize for the second ladies team.
Amongst our men, Nick Treitl and John Whiteside, backed up the strong performances of Danny Mills and David Mirfield to take the third team prize.
All in all, it was a good day out on the fells in conditions which were unusually kind for this race.
The first three plus all the Barlick runners finished as follows:
1 Chris Holdsworth (Clayton) 2:19:16
2 Jack Wood (Ilkley) 2:22:56
3 Victoria Wilkinson (Bingley) 2:23:25 First woman and new record.
6 Danny Mills 2:25:23
10 David Mirfield 2:30:31
17 Nick Treitl 2:39:13
31 John Whiteside 2:47:09
33 Andy Berry 2:48:29
58 Stephen Shorrock 2:54:24
86 Tom Beebe 3:02:32
99 Lorraine Slater 3:05:05 (3rd woman, first LV40 & first LV45)
142 John Boothman 3:14:40
169 Gary Bradley 3:20:31
196 Ben Hoyle 3:26:32
232 Victoria Peel (1st LU23)
236 Paul Elcock 3:32:38
253 Jacqueline Collins 3:36:10