The Eldwick & Gilstead Gala and Fell Race have run alongside each other for over 50 years and the Race was one of the first registered when the Fell Runners Association was founded in 1970 and was part of the FRA’s 50@50 series in 2020. A very traditional Village Gala ‘sport’ to race to the local hill and back.
It’s a short (4.8km) out & back race so the opportunity for route choice or getting lost should be limited, but we all know that if there is a possibility some runners will take it, even local runners who have done the race many times before. And so it was for 2025. 85 runners lined up including 34 Bingley Harriers (BH, I had a ‘three line whip’ out to help or run!) and 11 ‘Local’ runners from Eldwick, Gilstead or Bingley (U/A).
As RO I am clear, once over the bridge at the bottom of Saltaire Road on the way out, the route choice is yours as long as you go around the Trig point on Hope Hill. Just above the road crossing on the way up the path splits to give two ways up the steep bracken and grass bank. The left is slightly longer. The leading group with most of the top finishers, including Rob Jebb and Sharon Taylor (ex-locals), all went to the left and it was left to brother Andy Jebb, virtually running in his back yard, to take the later runners up the shorter path to the right. Well done Andy.
At the Trig point Matthew Cardus (M, Settle H) was first, Harry Bebb (U15B, U/A) was first Junior boy, Yasmin Small (F, Bingley H) first lady, and Sophie Edwards (U15G, Bingley H) first Junior girl. Matt and Harry finished first and second, while Sharon Taylor’s (W40, Helm Hill) more experienced downhill legs overhauled Yasmin to finish as First lady.
As some later runners got back to the bottom of the fell, one decided a different way back was in order and three followed. They took a path to the right, down across a footbridge over a small stream, through a narrow stone stile, across a couple of horse fields, onto Spring Lane and down to Otley Road to re-join the usual race route. Speaking to the one of the group later, she said they thought they hadn’t come that way, but decided to continue and stick together, and she still won the Local Lady (U/A) prize ;-).
But overall the race went fine with warm, bright windy weather and a great marshalling team in place. Jake Norris (BH U19) and Yasmin Small (BH, WSEN) were looking to repeat last year’s wins but despite both leading some of the way up Hope Hill and Yaz being first Lady to the Trig point, they were overhauled on the way down by faster down hill legs, Jake coming in third, and Yaz second to England Mountain Running vest holder and former Bingley runner, Sharon Taylor – so no disgrace there!.
We had a fantastic Bingley turnout with 34 runners in the Senior race including 11 ‘Juniors’ (U15, U17 and U19). One of my favourite parts of organising a Short race <5km is that it allows Junior runners to try out a Senior event in a familiar environment, and give the Seniors a run for their money. This year 7 of our Junior runners were in the top half of the race. The Junior races had another 24 Bingley Harriers in; look out for a separate report on them.
The Races were also part of the Bingley Senior & Junior Fell Championship so lots of points up for grabs. Watch out for the Championship Standings tables to be updated.
For the full results see under the Results page on the BH Site https://bingleyharriers.teamapp.com/clubs/567035/custom_pages/7745-results?detail=v1
The runners are only half the story – we also had over 40 volunteers, mostly Bingley Harriers, friends and families, helping out. Setting up, marshalling, registering runners, filling water containers, fetching cups of tea, timing, facilitating road crossings, managing the road closure, guiding the Junior races, sorting the results, doing presentations. A huge thankyou to everyone who helped out, and especially to Helder Goncalves and Quentin Emery who managed the teams on the Road Closure and Road Crossings, to Barbara Carney, Mary Green and Trish Emery in the Registration Tent who had to put up with me with my Race Organiser head on :-), and to Tony Kingham and team who had to move the gala crowds from their comfortable grassy bank overlooking the kids play area to set up the finish onto the Gala field. All done with infinite grace and good humour.
So well over 100 Bingley Harriers out, with 58 competing, and the rest helping and supporting – one of our biggest club turn out events.
There are lots of photos on the Bingley Harriers Gallery https://bingleyharriers.teamapp.com/clubs/567035/photos?list=v1 Many thanks to Dave & Eileen Woodhead (Woodentops) for most of the photos; and there are many more of the Senior and Junior Races, and the Gala, on the their site. See links from BH Facebook site or as below :
The Climb – https://photos.app.goo.gl/TQqtzKXPBHSBqhV89
The Descent – https://photos.app.goo.gl/DzC3Sdzg2sZEcATL6
Start, Finish & Winners – https://photos.app.goo.gl/C2i6NMUGf6RzDewL7
U9 Fell race – https://photos.app.goo.gl/JThaxwiyBaVdJ9Gn9
U11, U13 & U15 Fell race – https://photos.app.goo.gl/cb5K47ubPcsdLTmD7

The Gala and Race date are already set for next year for Sat 27 Jun 2026, the last Saturday in June – so book it in for 2026 now. It’s a great event to be involved in, supporting your local village, your community, your sport, and your club. If you would like to help out with the organising in 2026, let me know.
Becky Weight
Race Organiser