Keighley Sport

Adams makes a splash as he fells rivals

11:36am Thursday 26th January 2012

There was a new winner in the Soreen Stanbury Splash last Sunday as Ilkley Harrier Tom Adams triumphed for the first time.

The 29-year-old pipped Bingley Harrier Rob Jebb by ten seconds, while the locals trophy was finally won by Haworth’s Andy Peace, who also clinched the veteran crown ahead of Ian Holmes.

Nearly 370 competitors took part in the 29th running of the seven-mile event from Penistone Hill, which featured 1,200 feet of climb.

With defending champion Chris Steele absent, it was Peace, Jebb, Pudsey & Bramley runner Graham Pearce and Adams who led the way, working cycle peleton style into the fierce wind as each took it turns to set the pace.

Adams said: “Around Ponden Kirk valley skyline, Rob had gained 30 metres and it was Graham who told me to go get him.

“By the Heights, we were together, but Rob pulled away up the climb out of Sladen Beck. On the run back to Penistone Hill I knew I had to give it my all.

“It was amazing to win it. I felt strong all the way and it was one of those days when it all came together and, after my recent injuries, it was great to be back.

Former British and English fells champion Rob Jebb was reasonably happy with his finish, especially since it was only his second race back after dislocating his shoulder five months ago at the Whittle Pike race.

Jebb, 36, said: “The race was too fast for me.

“I was expecting to climb to Stanbury trig point and didn’t realise the route had changed but Tom ran well.”

Peace, who won the event in 1989 and 1990, earned bragging rights by beating Bingley Harriers team-mate Holmes to the veteran crown. The Keighley ace – a 15-time Soreen winner – had to settle for seventh, one place behind Peace.

Last year’s local winner Paul Crabtree had an excellent run to finish 33rd, especially since the previous day he had won the Hebden 15-mile race.

Withins Skyline winner Jo Buckley retained her ladies’ Soreen title after a head to head with two-time winner Sharon Taylor.

The 35-year-old Haworth GP said: “It was nip and tuck all the way with Sharon.

“On any of the climbs, I had the advantage, alth-ough on the long climb out of Ponden Beck to the skyline I just sat in behind her.

“Sharon was just a metronome running up there.

“I knew once we returned to the Pennine Way I had to hammer it down the track, and I did, sprinting like mad!

“Once into the beck, I literally dragged my body up that last climb, knowing I had to stay away.”

Bingley triumphed in the men’s team event while Ilkley’s won the the ladies’ competition.

Well over 100 youngsters also took part in junior races of shorter distances, battling gamely in extremely windy conditions.

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