The 2021 Ilkley Half Marathon raised more than 35,000 dollars for local charities and helped the local environment.
The 2021 event gave runners the choice of a finishers gift or planting a tree. 1,600 trees will now be planted in the area by the National Trust.
The planting of trees can help address the major challenges associated with climate change and carbon capturing, flooding, and ash death. The National Trusts goal is to create open woodland areas in the Wharfe Valley that are resilient and diverse. This will help to reduce the flow of rainwater into the River Wharfe. These woodland areas will be used as a seed source for future trees. They will spread out from the gills onto the open fells to create scrub woodland in a patchwork that supports wildlife such as rare black grouse.
Ilkley Half Marathon 2022 and beyond will see the Ilkley Round Table team build on its positive environmental legacy and continue to find ways to make the event enjoyable and sustainable for our community. Runners in 2022 will be once again given an opportunity to plant a tree rather than receive a finishers gift and anyone interested in taking part can find information at www.ilkleyhalfmarathon.co.uk.
Trevor Yong is Chairman of Ilkley Round Table. He said, “We’re thrilled to support our local environment by planting many trees.” We look forward to doing this every year with your support.
If you are aware of a local cause that you would like to be considered for funding, get in touch with the Ilkley Round Table by emailing [email protected] to obtain an application form.