Here you go! Like a race with a difference? Speak to Dan Jenkins because he certainly knows how to find them. This event is a competition between runners and cyclists, two feet versus two wheels with (usually) the first 10 in each category to score. The winning team holds the Fisherman Trophy for one year. The trophy is named after The Fisherman Inn from where the race starts and where the prize giving takes place afterwards. With both runners and cyclists turning up to pay a reasonable £8 entry fee on the day only. What more fun can you have for that value? The Harriers (aka runners) versus cyclists’ race is a peculiarly English event pitching cyclocross racers against cross-country or fell runners over the same course.This year’s race takes place for the Fishermans Cup in the Pennine hills near Bingley in west Yorkshire. The race was first held as long ago as 1927 and is organised by the well-known Bingley Harriers running club with the trophy awarded to either ‘the runners’ or ‘the cyclists’. The course is naturally designed to give each discipline a roughly even chance, with steep climbs or soft ground where the cyclist will have to carry, but also fast sections where they will have an advantage. The route climbs steadily to the top of Hope Hill, rocky at the top, and is six miles (10km) in length. Bingley Harriers are one of the oldest English running clubs – founded in 1893. Mick Watson, who wrote the club’s history, says “The race ran for a few years from 1927, but then disappeared for decades. I rediscovered it whilst researching the club’s centenary and decided to revive the race in 1988.” On the few occasions where a bucket of lukewarm water is not provided in the pub cellar to shift all that ground in dirt, ample washing facilities can be found in the nearby Leeds-Liverpool canal! The course route measures 8.3 Km or 5.3 miles and has an elevation of 288 m or 945 feet. Dan finished this very tough challenge in 53:49
Brilliant effort Dan, well done!
