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

Report of the day by junior member Jenna Boothman

A beautiful setting along with equally beautiful weather, a hilly course for all the races, with trails, tracks, woods and plenty of mud.

First to set off were the 10k runners (me, Emily Shuttleworth, Richard Starkie, Tony Duffy, Billy Haines and Gary Parkinson). Next up were the 10 mile runners (James Austin, Andrew Smith and Shirley Smith). Then the half marathon runner (John Boothman). Finally, the 2 mile fun run commenced (Lucille Pickles, Chloe Boothman and Ciara Duffy). The 10k runners got off to a good start but stumbled upon a problem about 3k into the race. The Barlick runners (and many more) managed to take a wrong turn! This added around 2k on to their run making it 12k rather than 10k.

2 Mile Fun Run
9 Lucille Pickles (1st girl) 17:28
10 Ciara Duffy (2nd girl) 17:49
22nd Chloe Boothman (5th girl) 19:46
132 ran – 34 girls

10k
19 Billy Haines 49:54
118 Jenna Boothman (1st FJUN) 1:05:40
134 Tony Duffy 1:06:48
153 Emily Shuttleworth (2nd FJUN) 1:07:58
183 Gary Parkinson 1:09:47
659 ran

10m
9 James Austin 1:19:31
215 Shirley Smith, 2.24.41
222 Andrew Smith 2.24.56
307 ran

Half Marathon

37 John Boothman, 1.55.45 (4th V55)
264 ran