Ilkley Harriers' charity races in Honour of former coach

Sunday, 28 April 2024 11:09

Ilkley Harriers is hosting two races over the next couple of months in honour of a much-loved former coach and member who died early in 2020 - and both will be raising money for charity.

First up is the Pete Shields Ilkley Trail Race on Bank Holiday Monday 27th May.

It's a superb 6.9-mile (11km) route on tracks, through woodland, fields and moors and some short road sections, offering spectacular views over the Wharfe Valley and across to Ilkley Moor.

Just £13 to enter at this point, all 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.

And then on Sunday 9th June there's the Pete Shields Ilkley 10k.

This is a brand new event and will be run on fully closed roads between the Lido in Ilkley and the turn off to Denton.

Pete Shields was a gifted runner himself and an outstanding coach. He was exceptional at getting the best out of all runners and especially skillful at encouraging young enthusiastic runners, who are the lifeblood of the sport.

So it's hoped the new race will attract a wide range of abilities and ages - as a fast, flat, out-and-back two-lap course, it offers the chance to run a new PB. But the course's style, with minimal climbing, also means it is a good opportunity for those less experienced wanting to tackle a 10k for the first time to give it a go.

All the profits from this race will be given to Marie Curie Cancer Care in appreciation of the help and care they gave to Pete and his family when he was very poorly - and to enable them to help other sufferers and their families in the same way, when it is most needed.

The Harriers believe the event will grow to be a fixture of the local sporting calendar and you can enter the very first running of it here.