With special thanks to our two historians, Rob Grillo and Debbie Spurr. Please feel free to send us any additions as we have a long history and we know that we will missed some things.
Keighley & Craven Athletics Club has its roots in two former clubs, Keighley Road Runners, founded in 1984, and Keighley Hill Runners, which followed two years later. The Road Runners’ founding members were Jonnie Butler, Tony Knowles, Pete Carr, Tony Heap, John Fay, Mick Cooper and Geoff Hey, gents who had, in the main, made a name for themselves in other sports and who were at the time running for Bingley Harriers.
These male athletes never actually trained at Bingley’s Nab Wood base and began talking about forming a Keighley club instead. This came to fruition in 1984, during the first great running boom in the UK when club running was no longer the domain of the elite runner, and thanks to the London Marathon became a sporting choice of the jogger, fun runner and other types of non-elite participant. No longer did you have to prove to the organisers that you could run a sub 3-hour marathon in order to get your entry accepted.
Keighley’s sporting colours have traditionally been green and red, so the club adopted a green vest with a red sash from the start. This would later change to narrow bands of red, white and green in the late 90's, before being revamped into wider and brighter bands of red, white and green in a much kinder and modern fabric. Athletes from other clubs often questioned who our club members were at racing events as the vest, rather untypically, had no logo. This often provoked debate amongst members and, more recently, the vest has finally had the club name added.
In an era when a local 10k would be won in around 29 minutes and you had to run under 32 minutes just to get in the top 20, the Road Runners soon made a name for themselves and membership grew rapidly in the early years. The likes of Cath Fawcett, Sheila Turbitt, and Margaret Harbourne among the women, and Alan Imeson, Chris Proctor, Jonnie Butler and Dave Throup among many others would appear high up in the results of local road and cross country races.
The club was, initially, based at Keighley Leisure Centre, with traditional training runs on Sunday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Long Sunday morning runs were the norm for most clubs at the time, and there were many instances of packs of runners from different clubs coming across each other in the middle of nowhere with a cheery wave of acknowledgement to like-minded folk.
Later on, the new Skipton Road facilities at Keighley RUFC were used, before a relocation back to Keighley Leisure Centre, whose "headquarters" there, merely, consisted of members congregating in the foyer of the Leisure Centre at 6.30pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and at 9.30am on Sunday mornings, next to a display board sporting a multitude of different advertisement posters, including an A4 sheet for KCAC with 5 or 6 members names listed and their home landline contact numbers. Keith Waddingham was subjected to all sorts of calls from would-be interested runners as his name was at the top of the list. His patter to callers was simple - just turn up at the Leisure Centre and membership was £12 a year if they decided to join. Debbie Spurr was one of the callers and joined the club in October 1998, paying a negotiated 3 months' subscription until the end of the year by cheques to Charlie Marshall who was holder of the purse strings at the time.
1986 was a significant year for local clubs. KRR was renamed ‘Keighley Road Runners and Athletic Club’ in 1986 in an attempt to revive track & field athletics in the town. Around this time Jimmy Ashworth joined the club, the former Bingley Harrier going on to achieve a top 10 placing in the London Marathon and Great North Run in the colours of KRR, while at the same time setting club records from everything from 800 metres up to the 26.2 mile distance.
Meanwhile, 1986 saw the old Keighley Athletic Club, which had been based on the cinder track at Marley, and which mainly catered for juniors, finally fold, but a new name on the scene was Keighley Hill Runners. Keighley Hill Runners was, initially, a social club which had no intention of applying for membership of the Amateur Athletics' Association, and its aim was to promote fell running in the Keighley district. Its members took part in the numerous races organised by BOFRA (British Open Fell Running Association) which was also experiencing an increase in popularity after having previously been known as the Northern Sports Promoters' Association, and due to the laws over professionalism having gradually been relaxed (but not entirely abandoned) by then.
As KHR became more established its runners achieved massive success, not just in BOFRA events, with the likes of Jeff Emmott, Kirstin Bailey, Robert Hudson, Gareth Hird, Craig Bottomley, Jill Teague and Jo Prowse winning a whole host of popular events and / or gaining international honours.
1986 also saw the first running of the KRR-organised Keighley 10K, which was initially run on a multi-lap route around the town centre from Sainsbury’s Car Park (in the days when shops were shut on a Sunday and people either went to church or went for a run instead). The event went on to become one of the top road races in the North of England, attracting runners from around the world. Jimmy Ashworth managed runner-up spot in 1988, and Rob Grillo third place in 1990, while Cath Fawcett and Sheila Turbitt produced amazing first and third places in 1989.
Thanks to the efforts of the likes of Martin Horbury (KRR) and David Hird (KHR) the two Keighley clubs finally merged in 1998 – at the second time of asking following a surprise rejection of the idea by some members of the Hill Runners the previous year – to form Keighley & Craven Athletic Club. Those against the idea were concerned that a merger would mean a greater emphasis on road running and went on to form Wharfedale Harriers, also a successfully active club. Ironically, still today the vast majority of KCAC's races are over the fells/ multi-terrain. Given that the sport was experiencing a massive dip in popularity, which had led to many clubs either merging or folding, this was perhaps the best move that could have been made at the time.
It was, surely, no coincidence that later in that same year, the Keighley Ladies’ team of Freda Tate, Liz Tomes and Jo Prowse took silver medals in the English Fell Running Championship and the men’s road team qualified for the National 12-stage road relay championships for the first time. The silver medal won by Freda, Liz and Jo was a remarkable achievement at the time for KCAC, given that the club was still relatively small and the lady runners in the club were of low capacity numbers. It was by sheer hard work with the training, and determination they had, which gave them such a team triumph. At the time in 1999, there were probably around 30 senior women in the club, yet only a sprinkling willing to run in competitive situations as a team and, arguably, this was in the main down to lack of coaching, direction and confidence. On the female junior front there were only 2 or 3 girls, including Emma Hopkinson (who had totted up various medals and trophies, including a county title and having been the youngest ever runner to race in the 1995 Home International fell races, aged 14).
Things were about to change dramatically. In January 1999, at the AGM in the Pop and Pasty Social Club upstairs room, John Dennis shared his vision for KCAC going forward. This included an astonishing revelation that the only junior member in the club's history of going on to senior status running (as far as he was aware) was a young lad by the name of Liam Spencer. He inspired everyone present and then pulled another few rabbits out of his KCAC Vision Box - to promote more "wimmin" members to join and race competitively for the club, and to develop the junior section massively.
KRR had initially been formed for over 16s only, but by 1987 it had entered its first junior team in the Northern Young Athlete’s League, thus sowing the seeds of several decades of junior coaching at the club. Over the years, the junior side has ebbed and flowed before the steady resurgence from 2000 onwards with more focus on marketing the junior side, and the introduction of club sponsorship for members to undertake coaching qualifications.
In more recent years, it has gone from strength to strength thanks to the incredible efforts of so many coaches who have given up so much valuable time, turning out in all weathers. Multiple international honours have followed with our junior runners representing the country on numerous occasions. A visit to the club on a Tuesday or Thursday evening shows what a vibrant juniors' section we have today.
It was the Olympian Peter Elliot who opened the new tartan track at Greenhead School in October 1987, a year after the bulldozers had obliterated the Marley track in order to make way for the Aire Valley Trunk Road. It was a sad end to what had been Keighley's "athletics' hub" and home to the local footballers and rugby players too. "Old Dick", the quirky groundsman there during the 70's would have been turning over in his grave.
Greenhead School has been the base for KCAC ever since then - although, of course, it has been better known more recently as University Academy Keighley (UAK) and, currently, Carlton Keighley - its head quarters starting out in a tiny stockroom opposite the tennis court and track, adjacent to the gym at the old school.
Due to the efforts of John Dennis and his powers of persuasion, he managed to secure car parking, the sports' hall, showers and gym facilities for members at the old Greenhead School premises before the new school was built. He then went on to ensure KCAC remained able to use the new school premises, complete with a cafe and working area for parents whose children were juniors in the club, extended opening times for track and field facilities and a reception area. The reception area was originally manned by Wendy Holder and then by Val Waddingham, who also managed and distributed the multitude of different kit items now on offer to members, including the (ubiquitous) hoodies, hats and shorts, etc. Cycling gear was also added to the sporting attire available, offering runners an alternative club activity if suffering with injury issues, or just plain old age creeping up on the more mature members.
KCAC have hosted two of the most successful races on the off road calendar with the long running Haworth Hobble being taken over by the club under the Race Directorship of Brett Weeden in 2002 and the Yorkshireman Off Road Marathon, which was created in the early 1990’s by Colin Crane. The latter was managed by various club members and an off road half marathon was added before Charlie Marshall took over in 2007 and built it up enormously with a change of venue to Haworth Primary School from Westfield Lodge on Peniston Hill. These races sell out very quickly and bring people to the area from all over the UK and even Europe.
Over recent years, they have raised tens of thousands for local charities and good causes as well as put KCAC’s name firmly on the map. Indeed, the club has always donated monies through race proceeds and has become well known over the years for its links to local charities with significant fund raising efforts going on all year for our ‘Charity of the Year’ now.
Yet KCAC still continue to organise 5 low key firm favourites, the Bronte 5m road race, the Bronte Way point to point, Kildwick and Stirton fell races and Gathering Winter Fools, which always attract other clubs' attentions.
Despite the recognised club running nights being Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings, other "spin-offs" were always on offer for club runners, sometimes not inclusive to both genders, one being the "Saturday Lads" afternoon of a long run, possibly "putting another loop in" if it wasn't deemed long enough. A wonderful character and gentleman, Tony Minikin, was a regular on these Saturday runs along with the 3 Petes' - Fisher, "Mac" and Carr, Keith Waddingham, Colin Crane, Tony (Tonk) Knowles and Alan Drew. A better "spin-off", inclusive to all members, was the 6.30pm Wednesday run in the winter months, starting off at the White Lion pub in Kildwick, a 7 mile loop around Farnhill, Sutton and Crosshills with get-out clauses for members who wanted a shorter run - "after a hard session on the track the previous night" was a regular excuse. This run had a very tough start up Priestbank until Brett Weeden came up with the idea of tossing a coin as to which way it was tackled so that some weeks it was an easier, longer incline in a clockwise direction to the top.
Afterwards, the landlord rustled up free platters of chips and baps at 8pm for the runners. The lads remained sweaty, yet the lasses always tended to freshen up in the loo afterwards and change their clothes.
These Wednesday evenings, as soon as the clocks changed, became even more joyous events as runners swapped fluorescent jackets and head torches for altercations with shire horses, barbed wire, herds of cattle, nettle stings and the occasional wrong turn. The likes of Brett Weeden and Kevin Hopkinson orchestrated a timetable of meeting up at a different pub every week so members could enjoy the beautiful Keighley and Craven area. Brett was Mr IT extra-ordinaire back then when mobiles phones were for the filthy rich.
After the first KCAC AGM in 1999, both the ladies and men's teams and personal achievements flourished, beginning with Jo Prowse, Liz Tomes and Cath Fawcett winning first team at Otley 10m, Jo and Liz being 1st and 2nd placed in this Yorkshire Vets' event. In June Jo, Liz and Cath did it again winning 1st ladies team in the Bronte 5 Mile with Rachael Sharples in 4th. In the same race, James Callaghan produced a fantastic 4th place time of 27 minutes and 30 seconds. Martin Horbury (5th), Loz Helliwell (7th) and Liam Spencer (9th) made it 1st men's team too. In July Jo was on winning form again at White Rose Skipton 10k this time with Debbie Spurr and Vera Ostojic helping to gain 1st ladies team prize.
But, undoubtedly, the best result of year was the ladies winning gold in the West Yorkshire Cross Country League - Jo, Karen Slater, Liz and Debbie. Led by Zip Jones the men came 4th, narrowly missing out on a medal.
Jo was called up to represent England at the home international in Snowdonia and Karen won the Yorkshire Vets' Fell championship.
Meanwhile, newcomer Christine Preston had found a passion for running up some big hills herself in Scotland, becoming best placed English woman at Braemar and winning the day after in Blairgowrie (being the only woman brave enough to have a go). It was only fitting that both she and Tony Minikin were featured on America's CNN coverage of the event, along with Queen Elizabeth the second and Tony and Cherie Blair!
The men, James, Loz and Martin, rounded off this satisfying year for the club with a third placed team win at the Abbey Dash.
In 2000, Loz and James were joined by Ian Taylor, a Skipton triathlete, and Will Smith, Oakbank Sport's centre manager, and Liam to win 1st team price at the Bronte 5m, whilst Jo, Liz and Debbie secured first ladies team. Sports Camps, owned by Will, was taking off and the junior section was seeing some strong up and coming talents, especially on the girls' side with Helen Glover, twins Laura and Kaisleigh Greenham, twins Nicola and Charlotte Leng and Rachel Hanson. John Dennis set up track coaching sessions for the girls and senior women on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings and so began the era of fartlek, pyramids and threshold training. The enthusiasm was contagious and the teamwork between these girls and women was to increase the level of personal and team successes.
The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in February of the following year had a devastating effect upon running and racing, especially on the fells. Even the canal towpath was out of bounds. In March Coniston 14m was cancelled, an event that 17 members of the club had entered. The athletes still managed to enjoy the weekend in and around the country lanes near Ulverston and Cartmel, the ubiquitous disinfecting mats strewn everywhere across the tarmac. Rivock Edge fell race was also cancelled in the November due to ongoing issues with the disease.
However, some things were still achived. Helen Glover was crowned British under 18 fell champion in Belfast, and Helen, Debbie and Christine P were third in the Yorkshire team championships and the men, Zip, Will and Liam were Yorkshire Road race team champions. In the under-17 ladies race, the juniors won gold, with Helen in second place. Fellow participants were Laura and Kaisleigh, Nicola and Rachel.
In January 2002 it was gold again for the U-17 ladies, Helen, Laura and Rachel. The track sessions were clearly paying off as in March a trip to Littleborough to do the Jim Rhodes St Ann's Hospice mile. Helen in 5.17', Kaisleigh in 5.33', Laura in 5.38' and Debbie in 5.44'. John Dennis was absolutely delighted with the results (via a brick sized Nokia phone text).
It was a joyous occasion to be back on the fells and at Withins Skyline Skyline in November, Jaqui Foster, Debbie and Cath were first team.
Calderdale Way relay had always traditionally caused much angst from the captains who were in charge of cajoling members into running in this event, especially on the women's side. It had always been a difficult task to find 12 ladies willing to run, primarily due to increasing, yet still low numbers of competitive females in the club, along with the lack of appeal of the cold, never ending ascents, snow and bogs in December. Many athletes did a whoop of joy when it was moved to May a year or two later.
Helen, Laura and Kaisleigh had all reached senior status by now and in December 2002, it was decided to try two mixed KCAC selections based on the current running form of athletes, and two further men's teams. This, in itself, was an incredible achievement - getting 48 willing members to participate. One of the mixed teams won first mixed team prize in 22nd place out of a whooping 92 teams entered, with the remaining 3 teams in 32nd, 38th and 73rd places. Some of "new to the club" or "back on racing form" included Paul Hindle, Neil Bland, Johnnie Butler, Steve Curtis, Richard Nelson, Sam Cann, Neville Whittingham, Heather Hamblin, Hiliary Barber and Ian Smith. Many of these would be instrumental in future club successes. As was tradition back then, the evening was celebrated in the Globe pub at the end of Parkwood Street with beers and a buffet.