On Monday 25th August 2025, fell runners, families and friends gathered in Hebden, in Upper Wharfedale, for the annual Hebden Sports. The weather was glorious and alongside flat races for boys and girls, games stalls and Skipton Brass band, there were some extremely competitive fell races, with 39 seniors and 96 juniors taking part.
Hebden Sports runs both junior and senior fell races. The U9s run around an adjacent field, while the U12s and U14s run part of the senior route – a short category A climb (2 miles) which starts and finishes in the Sports field. The senior race route leaves the Sports field heading North for about half a mile up Hebden Gill, before crossing the beck and climbing to Scar Top where a flag marks the turn. Then you watch the runners race along the skyline through fields and stiles before dropping back down to the beck and returning, via an uphill finish and a cheering crowd, back to the Sports field.
Senior Race Results
The senior race was won by Ted Mason of Appletreewick and Wharfedale Harriers, who led from the turn at Scar Top and finished strongly in 11 minutes 31 seconds. This was a return to form for Ted, who last won the men’s race in 2021 and regularly finishes in the top three. The first lady home was Jean Powell from Threshfield near Grassington, also of Wharfedale Harriers, who finished in 15 minutes 52 seconds. This made for a memorable ‘local’ double-win in the senior race this year.
Two U17s entered this year and ran with the seniors. James Bastow from City of York AC finished 1st U17, and 4th overall, in a remarkable 12 minutes 22 seconds. Max Hird from Hebden and Wharfedale Harriers also finished well as second U17, and 10th overall, in 14 minutes 39 seconds.
Junior Results
In the U14 category, Raffy Schofield from Keighley and Craven AC finished first in the boys race in 9 minutes 44 seconds. He was closely tracked by Alice White, also of Keighley and Craven, who was the first girl home in 9 minutes and 53 seconds.
There was an exceptional turnout for the U12 race this year with 35 runners in total. Frankie Allen from Keighley and Craven AC was the first boy home in 6 minutes 43 seconds, while Phoebe Glowdansky from Trawden AC won the girls U12 race in 7 minutes 51 seconds.
Once again, there was an enthusiastic U9s race with a turnout of 51 runners. Ronnie Brewer from Keighley and Craven won the U9 boys race in 1 minute 40 seconds, going one better than his second place finish in 2024. Maisey Dyson of Ilkley Harriers won the U9 girls race in 1 minute 58 seconds