All roads led to Skipton for the third round of the West Yorkshire Winter League. Not technically in West Yorkshire but near enough, the Pumas On Tour Express was nevertheless ready to roll once more, and with resident driver Neil Coupe now sporting a peaked cap one would be forgiven for thinking he was enacting the role of Stan Butler from Seventies classic sitcom ‘On The Buses’. He looked the part, and just as cheeky (ask Nicola Pennington, nudge, nudge, wink, wink!). There were those who also saw a resemblance to the moustachioed Leatherman in the Village People. Take your pick.

All buckled up, the passengers were in good spirits, and with several team members making their way in other modes of transport, the Pumas line-up was a healthy one; all told there were 27 making up the team. Destination was initially Sandylands Sports Centre, and in keeping with the ‘On The Buses’ theme, we set off ‘almost on time’, arriving a good forty minutes before the race which was scheduled for a 10.30 start. This was important because it gave certain runners the chance for a loo call and dress code adjustments. Here, we had Alan Sykes having to re-pin his vest number having originally threaded it through front and back, and Paul Bottomley putting his shorts back on the right way around. Needless to say, these two were WYWL debutants, but I’m sure they’ll get the hang of it, though I hasten to add, other newcomers to this kind of event, Paula Snee, Debbie Fox and Alison Pearce had little trouble, Alison’s panic being reserved for the return journey.

In Memory of Helen

We all donned black armbands in remembrance of club member Helen Silson, who sadly passed away recently far too young, and there was a thought for our regular co-ordinator Tracey Ann, who was absent due unforeseen circumstances. Taking on her mantel of pocket organiser for the day was Simon Wilkinson, who not only supplied the first-timers with their race numbers, but also brought along one of those giant shopping bags for use of Pumas tops and other non-running attire, indicating the steady progress the club is making.

Whilst we’d all headed for the Sandylands, the course itself was a short walk away at Aireville Park, a nice place for a picnic, but not on a day like this. We milled around as the minutes ticked by before being called to order. We made our way to the starting line where the other club runners were about to find this Northowram team not so accommodating as before; we held our positions near the front as opposed to being straggled at the back, much to the delight of Andrew Tudor, who, on more than one occasion in the run up to the event, had reminded us that, “This is a race, you know.”

This race was preceded by the presentation to the best dressed runner in Christmas outfit, and ten were plucked out of the pack, among them our very own Luke Cranfield and Helen Jackson. Being near the front had other advantages, for in another throwback to days of yore, the old ‘clap-o-meter’ method was used to determine the winners. Helen, dressed as an angel (what else?) received the loudest cheer, particularly from those of us at the front, and she duly received her customary tub of Celebrations. Also receiving his best dressed ‘male’ prize, which was exactly the same as Helen’s, was Queensbury’s Lee Tidswell, clad in a classic inflatable Santa outfit. And fair play to him; once he’d got into the costume, he was going to get his money’s worth, and shuffled his way around the course wearing it.

Once these runners had rejoined the throng, it was time for the serious stuff. While the presentations were being made, the rest of the field had had chance to survey what lay ahead. It looked kind of intimidating. A gentle incline up the field was just what everyone needed (sic) and before we knew it, we were off, a mass stampede heading out and beyond.

The Course

The course itself was loosely a figure-of-eight, three laps of which covered four-and-a-half miles. Why, just an extended parkrun, I hear some of you exclaim. Those that ran it might beg to differ. From the start, as I’ve hinted, there was several hundred yards of gentle uphill climbing before we turned a sharp left and a welcome downhill stretch. Before we rose again in the adjacent field (which happened to be the pitch and putt golf course) we sampled the first heap of not so glorious mud, several inches deep. We would trudge through this six times in total. The course then swung (did you see what I did then?) left to take us around the perimeter of the golf course, making the steep descent before turning sharp right, perhaps the most treacherous part of the course. We entered the first woodland and came out of the other side to cross the field before tackling the hardest section, a hill that began in more woodland and continued higher to the top of the field. Once we’d reached the summit, the sight was more appealing, the descent towards the entrance (and THAT mud) back into the main section of the park. We bore left up the field, then almost turned back on ourselves. One further climb and we were into the final woodland trail, the most welcome part of the course. That’s if you could keep your balance, mind, as there was a pretty nifty camber to negotiate, not to mention the tree roots. But once you’d made your way across the top of the woodland, there was the descent where you had the chance to build up some speed, and before you knew it, you were back at the start.

Though I started near the front I wasn’t there for long, being swallowed by the pack, and I quickly realised that this was no cake walk, despite the claims in some quarters that this was perhaps the easiest course on the circuit. I can’t speak for everyone, but for me it was tough going from start to finish. As we approached the first turn, I could see ahead of me Luke and Tim Brook making their way towards the front. Down the incline, we cagily negotiated the mud before entering the pitch and putt course. The field settled down once we’d made the sharp turn towards the wooded area, where we ran in single file. The sight of the tough hill we had to climb, however, was intimidating, even at this early stage. To think we had to attempt this twice more before we were done (in). And running up here wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed. Getting a decent grip was a challenge in itself, and I found the best way of manoeuvring was to climb almost sideways, a bit like a crab, only not as fast. All the time, the energy being sapped from my legs.

Having reached the top without stopping, there was the canter down the slope, through the mud and into the main park. Around this point, I was passed by Jenny Hopkinson and Matt Newton, though any notion I might have had of trying to keep pace with them at this stage was quickly put to bed. My legs felt as if they could hardly move. Slowly, I followed the course around and entered the longest woodland section, knowing that when I came out of the other side, I’d be starting the second lap. It was slightly worrying, even if one marshal tried to encourage us all by calling out, “Only another two laps.”

As I entered the pitch and putt course for the second time, I was joined by Alison Pearce, who seemed to me to be running a lot more freely than I was. Yet we swapped positions several times through the rest of the course, and in fact, were of the same mind when we climbed the biggest hill once more. Halfway up there was a handy resting place. Not that I’m suggesting that was what it was officially called, nor that it was put there deliberately, but we found ourselves stopping for a quick breather, as well as to gather our senses, before continuing the assault. On the other side of the hill, I was lapped by leader Ben Mounsey of Stainland Athletic, and through the woods I was reminded by a couple of spectating youths.

The second lap felt a lot tougher than the first, but doubtless the last lap would be even harder still as the legs grew more tired. I braced myself, whilst keeping my feet through the longest woodland section, for the last circuit, consoling myself that there was just one and half miles to go. But it was a slog, there was no other way to describe it. The major hill looked and felt even bigger, and once more, me and Alison found ourselves taking another breather. By this time, we’d caught up Matt Newton, as he too was finding the going tough. I told myself that we were on the last leg once we’d reached the top and then there was the run for home. But still there were anxious moments. Back in Aireville Park we made our way across the field to the point where we doubled back on ourselves. I tried to keep focussed, daring not to look across to see who was behind me. But it was unavoidable. Whilst myself and Alison were locked in battle, Matt had drifted off behind us, but closing down on all of us were Jane Cole and Alan Sykes. I wasn’t up for losing any more places if I could help it, and suddenly found the drive to push myself up the last climb and into the final trail section. I even found it within myself to pass a couple of other runners, and once the wooded area bent around to the left, I knew the finish wasn’t far away. There was no looking back. I emerged into daylight with Alison in hot pursuit and the shouts from fellow Pumas who had long since finished certainly spurred me on as I put my head down for the sprint – loosely termed – to the line. I pipped Alison by a nanosecond, and felt nothing but total exhaustion. I began my immediate recovery and therefore missed the battle royale behind me as Jane, Alan and Matt raced each other home, Jane just managing to stride out and win that particular battle (I think Alan dipped too early).

Ben Mounsey cruised to victory, but Luke Cranfield can once again be satisfied with his nineteenth place finish – his best so far – making up for being overlooked in the pre-race Christmas outfit contest. As he crossed the line he swiftly whipped on his red face mask and had it not been for his race number, why, nobody would have known it was him. Tim Brook was next to finish in 41^st place, the first of the Male Veterans. Andy Haslam (61^st), whose dart to the line warded off any potential threat, and Adam Standeven (76^th), who in contrast ambled home, also scored as a Veteran in the Men’s team, And Richard Ogden, coming 93rd and Shaun Casey, in 96^th, were the next open age Males home to score. Andrew Tudor clearly had reserves left in the tank for a monumental charge to line where he took out two rivals (one of whom had another lap to run!) to complete the Male scoring. He finished in 100^th position, four places behind a more composed Shaun Casey.

Excelling once again to be the first female Puma home was Veteran Jenny Hopkinson, who came in 139^th (and fifteenth in her field), whilst Alison Pearce, on her debut, was next home in 189^th. Jane Cole, despite feeling she had to fend off the challenges of club mates, had already done enough to bag some points, as had Paula Snee, further down the field, outmanoeuvring Simon Wilkinson one place behind. In the Supervets category, Paul Hopkinson proved once again to be the super Supervet Puma, finishing 152^nd.

Other Winter League newcomers saw Paul Bottomley finish a tidy 196^th, and Debbie Fox in 219^th, pipped to the line by Julie Bowman, whilst it’s only fair to mention the ‘angelic’ Helen Jackson, who showed she had a real mean streak to pass Craven’s Bridget Slater on the line (a wave of her wand would have been easier, but perhaps not as satisfying). It was pleasing to see Tom O’Reilly have a better time of things after his injury-riddled runout at Pudsey, whilst Ally Canning kept Queensbury’s Julie Hepworth at bay. Carine Baker set off with antlers, but had long since discarded them before the finish, for fear of being mugged by a moose. Tiffany Lewis may have been the last Puma home, but she was afforded the biggest cheer.

After several stewards’ enquiries, the results were ratified, and the Female Pumas were confirmed in seventh place in their category, as opposed to – as if the ladies couldn’t help reminding us – the men, who finished ninth. All told, Northowram Pumas finished the day in eighth position, and in the overall standings, lie eighth out of the thirteen competing teams.

There was still time for drama on the way home. Neil Coupe had to put his foot down when word got back to us that the pizza delivery man was closer to the clubhouse than we were. Happily, he was stalled in the car park, enabling us all relax for the next hour or two as we replenished ourselves. Then, after departing, Alison Pearce was texting Neil, worrying that she’d left her trainers on the bus, only to find out she’d left them in her car. Would you believe it?!

Results and our next outing

Next race is in three weeks’ time, hosted by the Huddersfield-based Stadium Runners. Word on the street is that the course will be staged at Oakwell Hall, a course familiar to many of us. The Pumas On Tour Express may be in operation once more. Fares please…

Full list of participating Pumas and finishing positions;

• 19 Luke Cranfield (M)
• 41 Tim Brook (MV)
• 60 Andy Haslam (MV)
• 76 Adam Standeven (MV)
• 93 Richard Ogden (MV)
• 96 Shaun Casey (MV)
• 100 Andrew Tudor (MV)
• 123 Tom Moran (M)
• 139 Jenny Hopkinson (FV)
• 152 Paul Hopkinson (MSV)
• 168 Neil Coupe (MV)
• 174 Tom O’Reilly (MV)
• 188 Jonathan Meynell (MSV)
• 189 Alison Pearce (FV)*
• 191 Jane Cole (FV)
• 192 Alan Sykes (MSV)*
• 193 Matt Newton (M)
• 196 Paul Bottomley (MV)*
• 199 Paula Snee (FV)*
• 200 Simon Wilkinson (M)
• 205 Ally Canning (F)
• 213 Helen Jackson (FV)
• 218 Julie Bowman (FV)
• 219 Debbie Fox (FV)*
• 254 Nicola Pennington (FV)
• 257 Carine Baker (FV)
• 267 Tiffany Lewis (FV)

* Denotes first Winter League race.