The 38th edition of this classic 8.4km navigational fell race across Ilkley Moor saw 188 runners accept the challenge on a beautiful spring evening.
2025 was a year for youth with both the Senior Men’s and Women’s races being won by runners in the U23 age class.
First overall and winner of both the Men’s Senior Jack Bloor trophy and the Arthur Dolphin Men’s U23 trophy was Sam Bentham of Ilkley Harriers. At just 18yrs of age and with an impressive time of 38:31, Sam could well be a future challenge to Greg Hull’s course record of 38:04 that has stood since 2007. Proving that experience counts, MV40 Graham Rush of Leeds City AC came second to also win the Bloor Family trophy for first man over-40. Ilkley Harrier Oli Murphy took 3rd place.
Representing North Leeds Fell Runners, Matt Calvert was 1st MV50. Bingley Harrier Steve Webb led the MV60 class and Keith Brewster of Valley Striders was 1st MV70.
Charlotte Rawstron of Skyrac was 18 th overall and winner of the Women’s Senior Jack Bloor Trophy plus the Pat Bloor Women’s U23 trophy in a time of 46:48. Wharfedale Harriers claimed both 2nd and 3rd positions through Molly Browne and Sophie Martin.
In the women’s veteran categories, Masako Kondo of Abbey Runners claimed the Mike Rose trophy winning the FV40 class, whilst Ilkley Harriers Jane McCarthy and Joyce Marshall took the FV50 and FV60 titles respectively.
Overall 1st , 2nd , and 3rd, male and female winners together with class winners each received one of the classic Jack Bloor ‘small trophies’. Made by artist James Fonquernie, each year these unique trophies feature a different rock carving found on Ilkley Moor. The 2025 trophy illustrates the ‘Mile Stone Rock’.
In the team competitions, Jenny Roberts, Niamh Jackson and Ellis Maguire of North Leeds Fell Runners took top spot for the women. Ilkley Harriers were 2 nd and Abbey Runners 3rd . Ilkley Harriers were the first men’s team thanks to performances by Sam Bentham, Oli Murphy and Jack Cummings. Second place went to Leeds City AC and third to Pudsey & Bramley.
Earlier in the evening 80 enthusiastic youngsters tackled the Junior races. In the U9’s race, Samuel Milner of Keighley & Craven shaved 34 seconds off his previous time to win in 3:48. Otley AC’s May Wray-McCann was the leading girl just 5 seconds ahead of Lauren Martin from Wharfedale Harriers. Just three seconds separated the top three runners in the U11’s race with Ronnie Brewer of Keighley & Craven coming out on top. First girl was Isobel Moore of Ilkley Harriers.
All the U13, U15 and U19 runners enjoy a single mass start then head up to Rocky Valley with the U19s climbing beyond to the Cairn. In the U13 class Robyn Cooper of Keighley & Craven took the girls’ title whilst Bingley Harrier Benjamin O’Mahoney won the boy’s race in a time of 8:05. Max Moody of Pudsey & Bramley was leading U15 boy whilst Otley AC’s Lily Richards was first U15 girl. The 2.2km U19 race climbs 185m with splendid views over Wharfedale. Bethan Buckley of Keighley & Craven won the girls’ race whilst Ilkley Harrier Joseph Bentham took the boy’s title winning in 11:55.
The team from Outside The Box, Ilkley’s renowned community café, did the juniors proud with each runner receiving a voucher and the leading girls and boys being presented with certificates and the ultimate in sustainable prizes – beautiful, edible, hand-crafted ‘cookie medals’. Thank you OTB!
The Jack Bloor Race was established in 1985 to commemorate the life of an acclaimed Yorkshire sportsman. In addition to his own sporting accomplishments, Jack Bloor was renowned for encouraging young people to engage in outdoor sport. Along with donations and legacies, all monies raised from these annual races go to the Jack Bloor Fund that helps support young Yorkshire athletes to develop their physical and technical skills in any recognised outdoor adventure sport.
Applicants must be under-26, either from or based in Yorkshire and be a member of a Yorkshire sports club or a national sport governing body. Applications are welcome at any time. Further details can be found at www.jackbloor.co.uk.
Since the last race the Fund awarded a record 29 grants supporting activities ranging from major international competitions, be it orienteering in Bulgaria or climbing in Slovenia, to qualifying as a mountain leader, plus training opportunities for triathlon, running at altitude and advanced rope skills & crevasse rescue. All a fitting legacy for Jack.
Huge thanks go to our regular band of volunteers be they from Jack’s Gritstone Club, who marshal the senior race checkpoints, keyboard-tappers, tent-erectors, clipboard-wielders, first-aider, cake-bakers, course-sweepers, etc. Thank you all.
As Linda Kelly (Junior Races) and myself step-down after many years we are very hopeful that a new organising team will take this fantastic fixture into it’s 5th decade.
Rob King
Race Organiser & Jack Bloor Fund Trustee
Jack Bloor Race & Fund 