08/06/2026
Mighty Atom Idle AC Mixing It With the Big Clubs!
The Bradford Millennium Way Relay is one of Yorkshire's toughest team challenges – 47 miles of rugged trails, over 6,000 feet of climbing, and five hard-earned legs that test every runner who takes it on.
Up against some of the region's biggest clubs – Bingley, Pudsey, Saltaire, Wakefield and Keighley among them – Idle AC once again showed that you don't need huge numbers to make your mark. A bit of grit, plenty of team spirit and a willingness to get stuck in goes a long way.
This year was a special one for the club. For the first time ever, Idle AC fielded two teams in the relay – a real milestone and a sign of how far the club has come in recent years.
At the sharp end, Team A put together a cracking run to finish 11th out of 46 teams, rubbing shoulders with some of Yorkshire's strongest running clubs all day.Overall honours went to Wharfedale Harriers.
Things got off to a flying start on Leg 1 thanks to family duo Sam and Theo. Taking on the longest and toughest section of the route, with the biggest climb of the day, they set off like they'd nicked something and got Idle right in the mix from the off.
They handed over to Graham ("G-Man") and Dan for Leg 2, including the infamous slog up from Goose Eye to Laycock. Dan tackled his first ever off-road race with real determination, while Graham's experience helped steer them to a superb run that lifted Idle into 8th place.
Sean D and ultra-running machine Graham then took over on Leg 3. Despite a brief unscheduled pit stop, they dug in, held off the chasing teams and kept Idle firmly in contention.
Leg 4 belonged to Ben and Sean H. Ben battled through injury to pull on the Idle vest and do his bit for the team, while Sean once again proved why he's one of the club's most reliable performers – quietly getting the job done without any fuss.
Bringing Team A home were club stalwart Leon and the ever-calm Andrew B. Leon emptied the tank over the final miles, while Andrew showed remarkable commitment by travelling back from France to make sure he could represent the club. Together they battled all the way to the finish and secured an excellent 11th-place finish.
But this year's relay was about much more than one result.
For the first time in club history, Idle AC had a second team on the start line – and that might just be the biggest achievement of the day.
Team B got things underway with Naomi and her cousin tackling the opening leg and taking on one of Yorkshire's hardest relay events head first.
They handed over to Sam and Chris for Leg 2, with Sam somehow finding enough energy for a second stint after already completing the brutal first leg for Team A earlier in the day. Running one leg of the Millennium Way is hard enough. Running two is proper commitment.
Bianca and Jess took on Leg 3 with plenty of determination, before Mark and Ellie battled through Leg 4.
Odi and Liam then brought the team home on the final leg, rounding off a historic day and making sure both Idle teams crossed the finish line with plenty to be proud of.
Team B's achievement was never really about finishing positions. Every runner who pulled on an Idle vest played a part in club history. The willingness of members to step up, support one another and have a crack at such a tough event says everything about the spirit running through the club.
The Bradford Millennium Way Relay is never just about times and positions. It's about the stories that come out of nearly 50 miles of Yorkshire countryside.
And there were plenty this year.
There were reports of runners getting so cooked in the heat that tactical wardrobe changes became necessary, with two of our team members sensibly deciding a sports bra was preferable to melting somewhere between checkpoints.
Elsewhere, one pairing discovered that a field containing calves also came with a very protective bull. Let's just say their pace picked up considerably for a few minutes.
There was also the now traditional emergency comfort break, proving that even the best-laid race plans occasionally need adjusting when you're spending hours bouncing across moorland.
The route dished out its usual share of punishment too. There was mud deep enough to swallow legs, enough stinging nettles to keep Yorkshire supplied for months, and more than a few runners discovering entirely new places capable of chafing after hours in soaring temperatures.
The award for commitment probably goes to Sam, who completed a remarkable double shift by running Leg 1 for Team A before turning out again on Leg 2 for Team B. A proper effort and one that summed up the spirit of the day.
By the finish there were tired legs, sore feet, aching muscles and plenty of battle scars, but there were also smiles all round and another chapter added to Idle AC folklore.
And if there's one thing Yorkshire runners know, it's that a good story lasts far longer than a finishing time.
