Another weekend comes and it’s time for the family of Bingley Fell juniors to don the Blue and White and fell shoes. This time it was off to Burnsall for their Sports Fest Day and the classic fell race, which was the final Club Championship race (just 3 bonus races left). Leaving Bingley the heavens had opened and it was looking like a wet afternoon in Burnsall, but on arrival the sun was out and conditions looked good for running.
A change by the organisers from age on 1st January to age on day made it difficult for us as Olivia Roper was moved into the U16 category when normally running in the U14 in the Bingley championship. This didn’t put Olivia off and relished the challenge of running in the older age group. All races were based on an out and back route up the classic hill and fell side of Burnsall. A further change had the U8 and U10 running the same race and route, with the U12’s and U14’s racing together, then the U16’s and U18’s.
Events started with the U8 and U10 race. 3 Bingley team members raced with Lilly Smith continuing her great form winning the girls U8 race. In the boys, Samuel Mantle had a great run in the U10 with Charlie Miller following him home but in the U8’s race.
The U12’s and 14’s were then on the start line with 9 team members ready for the gun. It was great to see Joseph Carnelley back for this race, seems a long time since Joe last wore the Bingley vest due to injury. This turned out to be a great race for Bingley with Ruben Mantle leading from start to finish and taking a great 1st place. Lucy Miller and Katie Smith again had a good race and showing the U14’s is a strong age group. In the U12’s, Jonathan Sutcliffe edged out Joe Carnelley on the finish line with Joseph Childs also finishing strongly. Jack Bradley also had a good race with Nathanial Taylor finishing off our 9 runners in his first Bingley Fell race.
To round off the day of junior races, Matt and Vicki Merrick, Olivia Roper, Abigail White and Ryan Bradley took to start line for the U16 and 18’s race. This was a longer race which took in some of the senior route, so looked like it could be challenge. As in the U14 race with Ruben, Matt Merrick led from the start to finish taking a great win. He was followed home by twin Vicki, who took a great 3rd overall and 1st girl. Olivia Roper then showed she will handful next year coming home 2nd girl, with Abigail and ever improving Ryan finishing off the Bingley team.
Overall, a fantastic day for the team, a 1st in the U8 girls, 1st in the U14 boys, 1st in the U16 boys and 1st and 2nd in the U16’s girls. Some great individual performances on the day with fabulous team spirit before and after the races.
Well done to you all.