OTLEY AC members turned out in force last Thursday in the first running of the 2016 Harrogate and District Summer Race League in Ilkley.

Perfect conditions saw 47 Otley AC runners taking part, with eight finishing in the top 20. Jamil Parapia and Scott Harrington took first and second place respectively, in times of 26:16 and 26:40.

A group of 17 Otley AC runners made the short trip into the city to run in the Plusnet Leeds half marathon on Sunday. The hilly course brought fresh challenges as runners battled through the soaring temperatures to get to the finish line. Fantastic support around the course, along with regular water stations and hose pipe showers helped ease the toil.

Hannah Lupton, who broke the two hour barrier for the first time, explained: “The heat doesn’t usually do me any favours and when I finished, I wasn’t sure I’d managed it but I soon got my results text which confirmed I had. I’m ecstatic!”

Otley results: Robin Outtersides, 1:21:38; Michael Hastings, 1:41:41; Andrew Webster, 1:48:42; Sara Elliott, 1:51:48; Beth Leitch, 1:55:18; Malcolm Ward, 1:57:35; Andrew Rayner, 1:59:50; Hannah Lupton, 1:59:50; Isla Hurd, 2:01:24; Ged Peacock, 2:01:53; Ann Yeadon, 2:04:56; Laura Hind, 2:05:01; Joanna Hobson, 2:05:05; Sara Richard, 2:09:02; Nicky Gifford, 2:13:21; Claire Hastings, 2:18:47; Louise Penny, 2:32:39.

The race was won by Mohammad Aburezeq (unattached) in 1:07:12; first lady, Hannah Oldroyd (Saltaire Striders) in 1:23:04.

Last Wednesday saw the start of the John Carr 5k series in Esholt. Four OAC members ran this competitive race, Paul Kaiser, 18:12; Dominic Egan, 21:16; Andrew Rayner, 24:10 and Angela Srivastava, 26:48. The race was won by Tom Adams (Ilkley Harriers) 15:06; First lady was Claire Duck (Leeds City) in 16:50.

Jim Sneath and Rob Fearnley were chosen as Otley AC’s runners of the month for April. Jim for his epic run around the Dales in the Fellsman race and Rob for running all of the Bunny runs as well as the Yorkshire Vets race at Honley, improving with every race.