Young runners step up for Royal race challenge (From Wharfedale Observer)

Young runners step up for Royal race challenge

9:10am Saturday 26th May 2012 in News By Jonathan Redhead, Ilkley/Otley Reporter

Scouts from across Wharfedale competed for a brass torch created for the silver jubilee of George V and a trophy donated by an Olympic marathon runner.

Scouts and Explorers ran the traditional annual relay races from Otley to the top of Otley Chevin on Friday, upholding a tradition which began in 1935.

One of the trophies, a brass torch, was created by Sam Ives as a Jubilee Torch for the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary on May 6 1935.

It was carried on that occasion by the Scouts from Otley, from the Jubilee Clock to the summit of the Chevin. It was then used to light the Beacon on the Surprise View which was one of a chain throughout Britain to celebrate that Jubilee.

After the 1935 celebrations the torch was presented to the Scouts of Otley, and on the second Friday of May each subsequent year the Scouts have arranged to hold a relay from the Jubilee Clock to a flagpole placed on the site of the original beacon.

Explorers teams of seven raced on Friday evening. Burley-in-Wharfedale won, with Ilkley in second, and runners from the Otley Parish unit were third.

The second trophy was donated some years ago by runner Richard Nerurkar, himself a former Menston Scout and torch race competitor, who went on to run in the 10,000m at the 1992 Olympics and the marathon at the 1996 games.

His mother, Iris Nerurkar, attended the event on Friday.

The winners were 1st Ben Rhydding, who retain the trophy for another year, second came Menston and third placed were runners from the 2nd Otley.

The district commissioner, Roger Banister carried out an inspection before the race, judging the Menston team to be the smartest overall.