Holmfirth Harriers host the English Junior FRA Championship race for the first time in 10 years and welcomed a field of 250 runners in the junior races and in the Over 70 senior race.

First away were the Under 8s, some of whom were trying out fell-running for the first time, while the Under 10s had to run to the far end of Royd Edge, conquer a short but steep climb, before making their way back along the track.

In a competitive age-group, the Bowen twins from Ambleside took the honours, with James finishing just ahead of brother Harry.

For the girls, Horwich RMI’s Ella Pendlebury was first back, ahead of Sophie Rylance from Ambleside, and the top Harrier in the 53 finishers being Isabel Richardson.

The Under 12s were the first race that had to climb all the way to the top of Royd Edge, which was a stern test for the 55 starters.

Samuel Almond, from Eden Runners, is the current Championship leader and he won in 15.44.

For the girls, first back and finishing an excellent seventh overall in a time of 17.16 was Briony Holt, from Clayton-le-Moors.

Callum Durrans was the highest-placed Holmfirth athlete with an excellent fourth overall in 17.08.

A dip in the waters of Royd Edge Clough awaited the Under 14s.

Joshua Boyle is currently running away with the Championship and is also placing well in senior races, so it was no surprise that he was first back in 18.47.

Eden Runners provided another winner in the girls, with Esme Davies first back. Holmfirth’s Sunnivah Waterman was 22nd in 23.21.

Top Harrier was Harry Shelbourne, seventh overall in 20.27 from a field of 48 runners.

Two climbs of Royd Edge faced the 43 Under 16 runners as part of their 5.6km race.

Holmfirth’s Chris Law was was handily placed in second before a heavy landing after a slip in the river forced him to retire.

This left the way clear for Jack Denton, of Calder Valley, to cross the line first in 29.05.

Erica Byram stayed on her feet and was Holmfirth’s proud winner of the girls race, who was ninth overall in 32.36, pipping Elizabeth Greenwood, of Blackburn Harriers, 10th overall in 33.03 and Scarlet Dale, from Lancaster & Morecambe, 11th overall in 33.44.

Byram was also the highest-placed Harriers finisher, a notable achievement in a fiercely competitive category.

The Seniors and Under 18s not only climbed Royd Edge twice, but headed out to the summit of West Nab.

Having watched his son Oliver contest the Under 8s race, Mercia’s current English Champion Simon Bailey returned to West Nab to show everyone how it should be done and won in 40.01.

Jack Willis from Middlesborough & Cleveland was the closest finishing second overall and first Under 18 in a great time of 40.55.

The next two Under 18s had a good tussle around the course, with Jack Hindle, of Blackburn Harriers, back in 45.06 in fifth overall, ahead of Jacob Boyle, from Clayton, who finished in 45.27 (sixth overall).

For the ladies, Holmfirth’s Helen Berry was first, finishing 19th overall in 51.21, just ahead of Sally Newman from Calder Valley, 23rd overall in 51.32 and another Holmfirth athlete, Lucy Needham, who was 37th overall in 54.52.

The Under 18 girls perhaps found the course slightly longer than usual  and were a little further back, but still worked hard, with Rosie Dale of Lancaster & Morecambe first GU18 (41st overall) in 55.16, followed by Lucy Williamson of Ilkley Harriers, 46th overall in 57.17 and Jennifer Willison, 47th overall in 57.41.

The 88 of the 90 starters completed the race and most seemed to enjoy themselves, commenting that it was not as complicated as, but harder than it looked on the map! Holmfirth had some good representation throughout the categories, with first Harrier home being Jonny McLean, seventh overall in 47.10, ahead of Chris Beadle, third V40 (11th overall) in 49.55, Andy Shaw, second V50 (14th overall) in 50.10 and John Ewart, third V50 (29th overall) in 52.38.

The team prizes both went to Holmfirth, with Jonny McLean, Chris Beadle and Andy Shaw taking the Mens, while Helen Berry, Lucy Needham and Fran Whitworth (2nd FV40) took the Ladies.

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