Yorkshire Championships

As has been the case for recent years the Yorkshire Junior Fell Championships once again took place at the Hellifield Gala this year. Calder Valley managed to take what can only be described as a select bunch who managed some great results. All the races start in the gala field and after a fast flat section climb a short sharp hill which is still in view of the crowds. All the races follow a traditional out and back style course with each progressive age group getting longer and hillier runs. Calder only had 3 juniors Jack Denton running in the U14 race and Edan Whitelaw and Molly Jagger racing in the U16. Both age groups set of together and all 3 were soon to the fore. Edan settled in behind International runner James Hall of Wharfedale and reached the point where the runners disappeared from view in 2nd place. Jack also went out of view lying in second place in his race and Molly was in 3rd. After a short wait the U14 who were racing over a 2 mile course came back over the crest of the hill with Jack now well clear in silver medal position. He was not able to catch the winner despite a valiant chase and crossed the line in second. Jack has been training with Calder Valley for some time now but due to other sporting commitments has only recently managed to get in some serious fell racing so taking Silver medal in the Yorks Champs is a fantastic result.

In the U16 race both Edan and Molly had slipped one place on the longer 3 mile route which takes in 4 tough climbs however as they came back into view with just the last decent and the flat run in to go it was clear that Edan was not prepared to settle for Bronze as he entered the gala field he still had some 25m to make up which to the delight of the crowd he managed to do crossing the line just ahead in the chase and taking a well deserved Silver medal as well. Molly wasn’t able to get back into a medal position however she too was made to the finish the race with a sprint to take 4th place. Despite missing out she Molly can take some comfort from making a 3 minute improvement on last years time.

Two silver medals in the Yorkshire Championships is a great result from Calders Juniors well done Jack, Edan and Molly.