Auld Lang Syne attracts a bumper crowd of runners (From Keighley News)

Auld Lang Syne attracts a bumper crowd of runners

6:21pm Wednesday 3rd January 2007 in Sport By Daryl Ames

The last race of the year, the 13th Auld Lang Syne, attracted a bumper crowd of 452 competitors to Penistone Hill and the highest cricket ground in Yorkshire on a windy, cold but fine New Year's Eve.

Former British and English champion Simon Bailey of Mercia AC, second to 11-time winner Ian Holmes of Keighley last year, turned the tables on his rival by finally getting away up the steep wet field from Sladen Beck.

For his efforts, Bailey will be immortalised on next year's beer bottle label (given out as prizes), an honour that was held by Holmes and Natalie White this year.

Second placed Holmes was the V-40 winner and his son Louis (dressed as SpongeBob SquarePants) started the race.

Meanwhile, ladies winner Olivia Walwyn of Altrincham broke Natalie White's course record by 13 seconds.

Bingley's new recruit, Alison Raw, came second with Lisa Lakin third and 22-year-old Haworth woman Helen Glover having a storming run to finish fourth.

Race organiser David Woodhead said: "I was worried about the forecast up to the race but for Penistone Hill it was a near perfect day. What a fantastic turnout and a cool way to end the year.

"The race is about racing but more about socialising and having fun which is what fell running and life is all about."

It was a great day for 36-year-old Keighley & Craven AC member Sue Wilson of Haworth.

Wilson, who has run the event three times now, won a pair of fell shoes donated by Leeds company Crosstrax in the beer and chocolate prize-giving held at the Old Sun Hotel.

Another local winner was Christine Preston, 42, who is a regular competitor at fell races all over the country.

Results for the six and a half mile race with 1,000 feet of climbing are as follows: 1st Simon Bailey, Mercia, 40.55; 2nd (1st V-40) Ian Holmes, Bingley Harriers, 41.29; 3rd Tim Werratt, Mercia, 43.12; 4th Dave Milliken, Salford, 43.21; 5th Ted Mason of Skipton, Wharfedale Harriers, 43.46; 14th Tim Midge, Bingley Harriers, 45.48; 15th Lloyd Kellett, Keighley & Craven, 46.06; 17th Martin Peace, Bingley Harriers, 46.20; 33rd Steve Frazier, Bingley Harriers, 47.51; 36th Stewart MacDonald, Bingley Harriers, 48.17; 49th Stephen Brock, Keighley & Craven, 49.11; 50th Gary Bailey, Keighley & Craven, 49.13; Ladies section: 1st Olivia Walwyn, Altrincham, 49.15 (record); 2nd (1st V-40) Alison Raw, Bingley Harriers, 51.18; 3rd Lisa Lakin, Holmfirth, 52.14; 4th Helen Glover, Keighley & Craven, 53.16; 11th Shona Brash, Aire Valley, 57.36; 15th Becky Wright, Bingley Harriers, 59.13; 16th Christine Preston of Oakworth, Todmorton, 59.22; 19th Holly Williams, Keighley & Craven.

The next race at Penistone Hill will be the Soreen Stanbury Splash on January 28.

l Sharon Taylor, who runs for Bingley Harriers, won the women's section of the Wansfell Race held at Ambleside on December 27.

She finished with a time of 25.32 and finished 36th overall.

Tamara Hird of Silsden, who runs for Wharfedale Harriers, finished fifth in the women's section and was 70th overall with a time of 28.48.