Not letting the grass grow under his feet this Bank Holiday weekend, Dan Jenkins completed his third consecutive race in three days representing the Blue and White’s. Hosted by Ilkley Harriers, this one is a tribute to a remarkable fellow runner. This year’s race is in memory of their friend and fellow Harrier Pete Shields who died during the Covid pandemic in 2020, when the many restrictions in place prevented them from showing their gratitude for what he had given to running and to their club in particular. A gifted runner and an outstanding coach, Pete had guided runners from far and wide, also leading training sessions for athletes at club, national and international levels over many years. Their race is a superb 6.9 mile trail race with spectacular views over the Wharfe Valley and across to Ilkley Moor. It’s an out-and-back route with 810 feet of climbing (FRA category CM), on tracks, through woodland, fields and moors, interspersed with some short road sections. Virtually all of the climb is on the way out, but runners will be reinvigorated by the views over the Wharfe Valley and across to Ilkley Moor. Profits from the race will be shared between Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for people living with a terminal illness, and the Revival Centre and Orphanage in Matugga, Uganda, which has been supported since the race started in 2008. On one of the hottest days of the month, fueled by self determination and plenty of in-between largers not to mention a sponsorship by McDonald’s, Dan finished this one in (doesn’treally matter as Dan used this as a recovery race) A great end to a fantastic weekend of running Dan, well done!
