When we wrote the Development Plan our aim was to have a full team in a least 3 out of the five West Yorkshire Winter League events. This is what we actually achieved:

First event at Dewsbury on 17^th November 02: Our first ever cross-country race and we had 23 runners, many of whom had never run a cross-country race before. Ian made his first appearance for the club and claimed his first win in an Idle vest. Donna finished in an impressive 8^th place. We finished 5^th in both the men’s and women’s events, 7^th in the vets and 5^th overall.

Second event at Pudsey on 15^th December 02: This festive event had 24 of us at the start line, many of us in fancy dress and wearing silly hats, including Ian who, dressed as a Scouser, provided us with our second win. In addition we had Steve Bottomley in second place and Stefan Macina in sixth. Donna improved her previous position by finishing in 5^th place. On the day the men’s team finished in 3^rd position and in 3^rd overall with the women in 5^th position. We finished 5^th overall over two events.

Third event at Stainland on 19^th January 03: This race showed that despite having a few members missing we were still able to field a strong team of 24 members, including 6 women. Ian Fisher provided us with our third consecutive with Steve Bottomley finishing fourth. In the women’s race Donna Edmondson again finished in the highly respectable 5^th place. On the day the men’s team finished in 4^th position and in 3^rd overall with the women in 5^th Position and the vets in 6^th. After three events we were still in overall 5^th position.

Fourth event at Esholt on 9^th February 03: We had a record turn out for the ‘local’ event with 26 of us on the start line although sadly Neil was forced to pull out due to injury. Once again Ian won the race and many Idle members improved their individual positions considerably including Peter Vickers, Steve Britton, John Nellist, Tony Blythe and Dave Currie who all had good runs. Despite a few of the field going the wrong way Donna still finished in 9^th position and Jo Belcher substantially improved her previous position. On the day the men’s team finished in 4^th, the women in 5^th, vets in 7^th and 4^th position overall. After four events we were in overall 5^th position.

Final event at Skipton on 23^rd February 03: This final event saw 22 of us line up in the spring like weather to run a final race in which we improved both as a team and in many cases individually. We were firstly delighted when Ian came back from the National Cross Country in London, where he finished 25^th,ⁱⁿ order to run the final event. Ian once again won and is now overall male winner for the 2002/3 season. There were great runs from a number of members including Chris Smith, Richard Raistrick, Tony Blythe, Dave Lewis, and Martin Burnside. However the most improved runner at Idle AC ended up being the most improved runner of the WYWL and we were thrilled and proud that Peter Vickers achieved the Dave Turpin Memorial Trophy for the most improved male runner. Through this and the Paul Dowson trophy, we remember two well known league competitors who both died suddenly, indeed within days of each other, during the 1999 -2000 season.

The women’s team all ran well finishing in 5^th position on the day and only one point behind Pudsey Pacers. The vets team also ran well, finishing 5^th on the day, our best position to date. On the day the men finished in 4^th position and as a team we were 4^th overall.

The final overall results after 5 events were as follows:

Men		Vets
LBT	6567	Dewsbury	2375
Pudsey	6412	Pudsey	2301
Dewsbury	6063	LBT	2296
Idle A C	5960 (4^th)	Skipton	2144
Skipton	5802	Baildon	2008
Stainland	5364	Stainland	1941
Baildon	4774	Idle A C	1840 (7^th)
St.Bede's	4298	St.Bede's	1759
Women		Overall
Dewsbury	1466	LBT	7965
Skipton	1396	Pudsey	7756
LBT	1392	Dewsbury	7529
Pudsey	1344	Idle A C	7221 (4^th)
Idle A C	1261 (5^th)	Skipton	7198
Stainland	1160	Stainland	6524
Baildon	1157	Baildon	5455
St.Bede's	259	St.Bede's	5033

All individual results are available at the club or via our website. Our individual trophy winners are: Ian Fisher (1^st male), Peter Vickers (Winner of Dave Turpin Memorial trophy), Steve Little (3^rd M45) and Donna Edmondson (5^th Female).

When we started the season we hoped to field a team, in fact we showed the League that despite our small size we are capable of achieving a great deal, and finishing 4^th overall is a brilliant achievement for the whole club.

NB: Many thanks to Suzanne Vickers for assisting with the finishing tags at all five events.

West Yorkshire Winter League Presentation Night – Friday 14^th March.

After all the hard work of running in our first cross-country season what better than a night out to celebrate our first season. In addition to the 24 seater mini bus which sets off at 6.45 pm from the Green in Idle there will be other members coming via their own transport to the Presentation evening at Skipton (Rugby Club). Tickets cost £5 each, which includes presentation of club and individual awards, buffet, disco and late bar until 1pm. The coach is £5 per person and will be returning from Skipton at approx 1.15 am. It will be a good Club night out and an opportunity to support individual trophy winners from Idle AC and from other clubs within the League.

Club Kit - As modelled on Idle AC website!

We still have a limited number of small Idle AC fleeces at the original price of £23 and a further supply of medium fleeces will soon be available. All new fleeces will be £25 each. We also have a further supply of Idle AC T-shirts at £6.50 or long sleeved T Shirts at £7.50 each. There are also some vests still available at £14 each - vests should be worn at all races.

London Marathon – Men’s Team.

The 13^th April 2003 will see our first men’s team in a marathon as Chris Smith, Peter Vickers and Peter Helliwell all run at London. They hope to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Infact the photo on the front of this edition of Idle Gossip shows the start of their fund raising campaign which we hope will hot up in the coming weeks!!. In addition Joanne Belcher is running her first marathon and is also running for a charity. Please speak to them individually if you would like to sponsor them. Ian Fisher will be on the elite start running for his first claim club, Otley AC. We wish them all every success.

Coming Events March, April and May 03:

Events in bold indicate a ‘club’ event which members are encouraged to run.

Date	Event
8^th March 03	Dent 14.3, 1pm, Saturday race. Or: Vets Race - Causeway Foot (see Vets Bill or Steve Little for details).
16th March 03	Spen 20, 10am If you can do this you can run a marathon!
22^nd March 03	Coniston 14 (Saturday), 11am.
23rd March 03	Ackworth Half marathon, 10.30 am.
1^st April 03	Bunny Run1, 3mile ‘Fell’ race, 7.00 pm. Tues.
6^thApril 03	Wakefield 10k, 10am.
6^thApril 03	Baildon Boundary Way Half, 10.30am.
8^th April 03	Bunny Run 2, 3 mile Fell Race, 7.15 pm. Tues.
12^th April 03	Meanwood Valley Trail 8, 10.30am. Saturday.
15^th April 03	Bunny Run 3, 3 mile Fell Race, 7.30 pm. Tues.
20^th April 03	Guiseley Gallop 10k, 10.30am.
22^nd April 03	Bunny Run 4, 3 mile Fell Race, 7.30 pm. Tues.
4^th May 03	Keswick Half Marathon, 11.30 am.
7^th May 03	Hare & Hounds Fell Race, 7.30, Wed. Lothersdale (Skipton)
11^th May 03	Leeds Full & Half Marathon, 10 am.
11^th May 03	Fountains 10 mile Race (Black Sheep Series).
14^th May 03	John Carr 5k race, Race 1, Esholt, 7.30 pm.
21^st May 03	John Carr 5k race, Race 2, Esholt, 7.30 pm
25^th May 03	Melmerby 10k, (Black Sheep Series).
28^th May 03	John Carr 5k race, Race 3, Esholt, 7.30 pm.

Attendance Scheme - Updated

Top Fifteen Club Races for 2003: Handicap/ Attendance Scheme -6 out of 15 possible races to count. Please don’t forget to sign in the book each time you attend a club session (but only pay once per week) as each attendance at a club training session is worth 1 point and to be eligible for a trophy members must accumulate at least 30 attendance points during the year. Each attendance at a “Club” designated race earns you 5 points (see below). 50% of the required points must be achieved by attendance at training sessions.

The Febuary standings are as follows:

	Att	Race	Att	Race	Total	Att: Race	To Qualify
Name	February		Totals		Grand	%	>50%
Kay Gambles	8	9	16	11	27	59.3%	J
Davina Smith	5	9	14	11	25	56.0%	J
Donna Edmonson	5	9	12	11	23	52.2%	J
Martin Burnside	6	9	14	9	23	60.9%	J
Chris Smith	6	4	14	6	20	70.0%	J
David Lewis	5	9	11	9	20	55.0%	J
Joanne Belcher	7	4	14	6	20	70.0%	J
Peter Vickers	7	4	13	6	19	68.4%	J
Simon Bellwood	6	9	8	11	19	42.1%	L
Amnuay Scott	8	4

The West Yorkshire Winter League Cross Country – Review of our first season!

West Yorkshire Winter League Presentation Night – Friday 14th March.

Club Kit - As modelled on Idle AC website!

London Marathon – Men’s Team.

Coming Events March, April and May 03:

Attendance Scheme - Updated

West Yorkshire Winter League Presentation Night – Friday 14^th March.