Running log

There was sad news this week about popular local runner Liz Tomes, who has died as a result of a brain tumour.

Friends John Dennis and Tizz Woffenden said: “Liz was an exceptional athlete and a Keighley & Craven AC stalwart.

“The club organised a tribute run on Wednesday evening, to which virtually the whole club took part.”

* The T&A’s Crocus Cancer Appeal will be the official charity beneficiary of this year’s Bradford City Runs on October 26.

The 5K, 10K and half-marathon options remain but this autumn includes a run for children in school years three to six.

* The Bradford Athletics Network held their quarterly meeting last night, with long-time chairman Mike Moss (Saltaire Striders) standing down.

Moss leaves the group as the most sustainable, self-funding network in the country, with a recent grant from England Athletics for club development – and social enterprise arm SportsShare – generating unrivalled funds.

This allows strategic development of BAN’s main projects of infrastructure, the 14-25 age group, enhanced training for adult runners, recreational running groups and local mass races.

* The Airedale Athletics partnership, comprising half of the BAN clubs, held their annual meeting at Bradford fire station on Monday.

Matt Gurney (Baildon) was elected secretary to replace Alison Hartley (Eccleshill), with Simon Forde (Bradford-Airedale) elected chairman.

The group’s off-road composite team have enjoyed great success this year. Anna Smith (Queensbury) organises AA’s half-yearly inter-club Off-Road Challenge Series, which drew 104 members over the winter.

Steve Watkins reported on how the enhanced training programme had grown to 30 members.

He said: “There is now a high proportion of non-club runners. These are either relative beginners, people looking to return to running after a break (to have children, for example), or athletes from other sports, such as mountain biking.

“With the support and advice of coaches Brian and Ilona, we’ve had a good stream of successes and PBs from group participants.

“Speaking personally, I know that the training I’ve been able to do with the group has been a major part of improving my running to the level where I was able to win age-group British Orienteering Championship races last year.”