Whittle Pike was the destination on a wet Wednesday evening for the 20 Harriers who joined a record field of 170 runners at Cowpe for the 4½ mile fell race. The course, which has previously hosted the English Championships, is reputed to have no flat sections and features several climbs and steep descents which were made even more treacherous by the muddy conditions underfoot.
The heavy downpour that greeted the start did nothing to dampen the pace, or the spirits, as the race started with a rapid dash up a ½ mile road section before climbing sharply into the fells. John Brown of Salford led an elite group up to the high point at Whittle Pike which was lost in cloud, with Todmorden’s Andrew Wrench and Chris Smale in close attendance. On the descent though, it was Pudsey’s Gary Devine who held his nerve on the severe ground and finished nearly a minute ahead of Brown in a time of 41:57.
Andrew Wrench crossed the line in 3rd place with Chris Smale 7th. Sean Carey continued his progress in senior races and won the U16 category, finishing 11th overall. In the team standings Todmorden narrowly missed out to Rossendale.
First Todmorden lady to finish was Kath Brierley whose lightening descent was rewarded with 2nd in the LV45 category and 7th lady overall. She was followed in by Mel Blackhurst, who won the LV40 prize, and Helen Hodgkinson which resulted in a 3rd place for the ladies team.
Prior to the main event, several junior races were held which whilst run over shorter distances were just as testing. Todmorden’s Jack Crummet again showed good promise and ran an excellent race to win the U10 race.
Full Tod results - 3 Andrew Wrench (43:19); 7 Chris Smale (44:33); 11 Sean Carey (46:19); 18 Alistair Rhodes-Dawson (47:06); 31 Dave Collins (50:27); 50 James Riley (53:26); 55 Simon Galloway (54:09); 69 Duncan Ritchie (55:28); 70 Kath Brierley (55:42); 78 Phil Hodgson (56:33); 79 Richard Butterwick (56:35); 90 Andrew Bibby (57:30); 106 Mel Blackhurst (1:00:15); 123 Helen Hodgkinson (1:02:50); 136 Sue Roberts (1:06:29); 147 Moyra Parfitt (1:09:46); 151 Dave O'Neill (1:11:38); 155 Mandy Goth (1:13:40); 166 Derek Clutterbuck (1:26:01); 169 Ian Stansfield (1:39:11)
Improved weather was welcomed on Sunday for the seven mile Norland Moor Trail Race, as many Harriers completed a double for the week. The varied terrain course started with a lap of the Old Rishworthians rugby pitch before it climbed stiffly up through woodland and along a bridleway. A short road section then led onto a loop around Norland Moor. This was followed by a stony descent down to and across the River Calder and ended with a fast flat finish that returned the runners to the rugby field. Andi Jones of Salford won the race in a new record time of 40:28, five minutes ahead of his nearest rivals.
Nick Barber led the Todmorden contingent home in 13th place in a time of 51:03, having gained several places in the latter stages. Kath Brierley was again first Todmorden lady with another dazzling descent that landed her the LV45 prize.
Full Tod results - 13 Nick Barber (51:03); 28 Richard Butterwick (53:26); 39 Duncan Ritchie (55:10); 43 Kevin Booth (56:09); 46 Phil Hodgson (56:48); 49 Kath Brierley (57:00); 53 Claire Duffield (58:36); 55 Jeremy Godden (59:44); 71 Kevin Coughlan (1:03:20); 85 Helen Hodgkinson (1:06:25); 86 Peter Ehrhardt (1:06:56); 92 Mel Siddall (1:07:37); 96 Steve Burnip (1:09:23); 107 Myra Wells (1:15:36); 108 Mandy Goth (1:16:13); 109 Dave O'Neill (1:17:36); 115 Derek Clutterbuck (1:20:54); 121 Ian Stansfield (1:33:52);
Thursday 28 August 2008
Thursday 21 August 2008
21 aug 08
Todmorden Harriers sent representatives to take part in the Lakeland 100 and the Lakeland 50, a pair of ultra long distance running challenges that are sure to become landmark events in the future.
This was the inaugural running of this event and attracted 30 competitors for the 100 miler and 41 competitors for the 50 miler. It certainly lived up to the expected reputation of being the toughest race in Britain. Although it follows tracks and paths for the entire route these are often very rough and rocky. The combination of rough terrain, exacerbated by torrential rain during Saturday which made many of the paths more like rivers, navigational skills required, night running and 24,000 feet of ascent/descent added up to a gruelling test of strength and endurance.
Only 11 competitors finished the Lakeland 100 race, which was won by Steve Birkenshaw who led from the start and amazingly achieved his objective of getting under 24 hours. His phenomenal time of 23 hrs 40 mins will take some beating. Nick Gracie and Warren Bates came in joint second in 27hrs 03mins. Todmorden Harriers, Ozzie Kershaw and Phil Hodgson, had an impressive run to come in joint sixth in 29hrs 44mins.
Most of the competitors completed the Lakeland 50 despite the tough conditions. The race was won by Gerrard Moore and Phillip Pearson in 12hrs 3mins, an outstanding time in such bad weather. Over an hour separated them from the next group of 4 runners who came in together in joint third. Todmorden Harriers, Richard Leonard and Rhys Watkins were the next runners home, putting in a great performance to win the team prize in a time of 14hrs 35mins.
A pair of Harriers travelled to the Howgills on Sunday for the Sedburgh Hills Fell race, a 14 mile circuit that takes in 6000 feet of ascent with several climbs including the highest point, the Calf, and visits the impressive Black Force waterfall. Despite suffering shoe problems, Alistair-Rhodes Dawson managed to hold on for 23rd place in a time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. Kath Brierley had to contend with the mist and drizzle that came along as she finished around an hour later.
This was the inaugural running of this event and attracted 30 competitors for the 100 miler and 41 competitors for the 50 miler. It certainly lived up to the expected reputation of being the toughest race in Britain. Although it follows tracks and paths for the entire route these are often very rough and rocky. The combination of rough terrain, exacerbated by torrential rain during Saturday which made many of the paths more like rivers, navigational skills required, night running and 24,000 feet of ascent/descent added up to a gruelling test of strength and endurance.
Only 11 competitors finished the Lakeland 100 race, which was won by Steve Birkenshaw who led from the start and amazingly achieved his objective of getting under 24 hours. His phenomenal time of 23 hrs 40 mins will take some beating. Nick Gracie and Warren Bates came in joint second in 27hrs 03mins. Todmorden Harriers, Ozzie Kershaw and Phil Hodgson, had an impressive run to come in joint sixth in 29hrs 44mins.
Most of the competitors completed the Lakeland 50 despite the tough conditions. The race was won by Gerrard Moore and Phillip Pearson in 12hrs 3mins, an outstanding time in such bad weather. Over an hour separated them from the next group of 4 runners who came in together in joint third. Todmorden Harriers, Richard Leonard and Rhys Watkins were the next runners home, putting in a great performance to win the team prize in a time of 14hrs 35mins.
A pair of Harriers travelled to the Howgills on Sunday for the Sedburgh Hills Fell race, a 14 mile circuit that takes in 6000 feet of ascent with several climbs including the highest point, the Calf, and visits the impressive Black Force waterfall. Despite suffering shoe problems, Alistair-Rhodes Dawson managed to hold on for 23rd place in a time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. Kath Brierley had to contend with the mist and drizzle that came along as she finished around an hour later.
Thursday 14 August 2008
14 aug 08
Many Todmorden Harriers turned out to assist race organiser Clive Greatorex for the Crow Hill fell race at Mytholmroyd last Tuesday. With no let up in the heavy rain all evening it was probably a more attractive proposition to be running rather than marshalling the course.
The 5 mile race which is a favourite with many runners climbs up from Mytholmroyd to Crow Hill, with a total ascent of 1000 feet, before returning to the finish with a steep descent back through the woods.
It was no surprise that local runners excelled in the increasingly all too common poor conditions for this summer, with Calder Valley’s Karl Grey eventually triumphing over Todmorden’s Chris Smale.
Harriers’ Chairman Mandy Goth, who is more usually seen competing in long and ultra races, completed the short course in 57th place with Dave O’Neill hot on her heels in 58th.
Afterwards at race HQ in Mytholmroyd Community Centre, Clive thanked all the helpers.
The following night a pair of Harriers took part in Rossendale Harrier’s Golf Ball fell race, named after the distinctive landmark structure passed on route. The 140 runners were led in by Andy Buttery from the host club. Simon Galloway had a strong run for Todmorden to finish in 44th place with Jeremy Godden in 82nd.
With just one race to go in the English Fell Running Championships the Todmorden club are once again well placed in several categories and may yet have their best showing. The Ladies team lie in 4th place, with some good individual standings, including Ali Richards in 23rd position overall and Chris Preston in 36th. Jane Leonard is currently in 3rd place in the Ladies V50 category.
Chris Smale is also holding 3rd place in the men’s V40 class. The men’s V50 team are also having a good season and are currently ranked in 6th place.
This year’s Championships will close with a short steep race at Dufton at the end of this month.
The 5 mile race which is a favourite with many runners climbs up from Mytholmroyd to Crow Hill, with a total ascent of 1000 feet, before returning to the finish with a steep descent back through the woods.
It was no surprise that local runners excelled in the increasingly all too common poor conditions for this summer, with Calder Valley’s Karl Grey eventually triumphing over Todmorden’s Chris Smale.
Harriers’ Chairman Mandy Goth, who is more usually seen competing in long and ultra races, completed the short course in 57th place with Dave O’Neill hot on her heels in 58th.
Afterwards at race HQ in Mytholmroyd Community Centre, Clive thanked all the helpers.
The following night a pair of Harriers took part in Rossendale Harrier’s Golf Ball fell race, named after the distinctive landmark structure passed on route. The 140 runners were led in by Andy Buttery from the host club. Simon Galloway had a strong run for Todmorden to finish in 44th place with Jeremy Godden in 82nd.
With just one race to go in the English Fell Running Championships the Todmorden club are once again well placed in several categories and may yet have their best showing. The Ladies team lie in 4th place, with some good individual standings, including Ali Richards in 23rd position overall and Chris Preston in 36th. Jane Leonard is currently in 3rd place in the Ladies V50 category.
Chris Smale is also holding 3rd place in the men’s V40 class. The men’s V50 team are also having a good season and are currently ranked in 6th place.
This year’s Championships will close with a short steep race at Dufton at the end of this month.
Thursday 7 August 2008
7 aug 08
Todmorden Harriers joined the elite field of 460 fell runners that gathered on Saturday for the Borrowdale Fell Race, a counter for both the British and English Fell Running Championships.
The 17 mile race starts and finishes at Rosthwaite taking competitors up 6500ft of total ascent over some of the hardest Lakeland terrain including Bessyboot, Great Gable, Dale Head and England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike whose rocky summit was treacherously wet underfoot.
Weather conditions were relatively good for much of the route but low cloud made navigation difficult with even some of Britain’s top fell runners struggling to find their way. Rob Jebb had led the race until Great Gable but after losing considerable time on the descent allowed Simon Booth from Borrowdale Fell Runners to take the win for a record 10th occasion in 2.49.50. This added challenge also led to a high number of retirements from the race with nearly a tenth of the starters not completing the full distance, making the Todmorden performances all the more creditable.
Triumphing against the hard going in 39th place was Todmorden’s first man home, Jon Wright. He was followed in by team mates Alistair Rhodes-Dawson in 127th and just a few minutes further back by Chris Smale, and Phil Hodgson who along with Dave Collins and Mick Craven contributed to the V50 team finishing in an exceptional 5th place.
For the ladies Chris Preston was first over the line. After warming up on Tuesday with the 6.5 mile Whalley Nab Trail race, she completed the testing Borrowdale course with an excellent placing as 32nd lady. Jane Leonard continued a fine season finishing as 41st lady.
Provisional Todmorden Results:
39 Jonathan Wright (3.26.53); 127 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson (3.53.59); 131 Christopher Smale (3.57.17); 132 Phil Hodgson (3.57.38); 171 Dave Collins (4.07.16); 257 Christine Preston (4.34.39); 291 John Preston (4.39.50); 294 Mick Craven (4.40.05); 300 James Riley (4.41.14); 313 Jane Leonard (4.45.50); 416 Mandy Goth (5.47.10); 417 Louise Abdy (5.47.10).
Closer to home it was the roads of Cliviger that tempted four Harriers to pull on their running shoes on Sunday morning for the 30th Cliviger Recreation and Community Association’s 6 mile race. Starting at Mount Lane Sports Field the hilly route travelled via Red Lees Road towards Burnley before crossing Towneley Park and returning to the start via the main Todmorden road and a tough final climb up Red Lees.
First of the 115 runners completing the course in the warm conditions was Marc Hartley for Staffordshire Moorlands AC in 33:22.
Finishing in 98th overall and as first female V50 was Myra Wells in 55:06, ahead of Katie Jukes who was competing in her first race for the Todmorden club. A previous finisher of the New York Marathon, Katie completed the shorter distance in 57:07. For the men, Richard Butterwick was first Harrier home in 27th place, in a time of 40:02, followed in by Kevin Coughlan in 45:43 and 59th place.
The 17 mile race starts and finishes at Rosthwaite taking competitors up 6500ft of total ascent over some of the hardest Lakeland terrain including Bessyboot, Great Gable, Dale Head and England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike whose rocky summit was treacherously wet underfoot.
Weather conditions were relatively good for much of the route but low cloud made navigation difficult with even some of Britain’s top fell runners struggling to find their way. Rob Jebb had led the race until Great Gable but after losing considerable time on the descent allowed Simon Booth from Borrowdale Fell Runners to take the win for a record 10th occasion in 2.49.50. This added challenge also led to a high number of retirements from the race with nearly a tenth of the starters not completing the full distance, making the Todmorden performances all the more creditable.
Triumphing against the hard going in 39th place was Todmorden’s first man home, Jon Wright. He was followed in by team mates Alistair Rhodes-Dawson in 127th and just a few minutes further back by Chris Smale, and Phil Hodgson who along with Dave Collins and Mick Craven contributed to the V50 team finishing in an exceptional 5th place.
For the ladies Chris Preston was first over the line. After warming up on Tuesday with the 6.5 mile Whalley Nab Trail race, she completed the testing Borrowdale course with an excellent placing as 32nd lady. Jane Leonard continued a fine season finishing as 41st lady.
Provisional Todmorden Results:
39 Jonathan Wright (3.26.53); 127 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson (3.53.59); 131 Christopher Smale (3.57.17); 132 Phil Hodgson (3.57.38); 171 Dave Collins (4.07.16); 257 Christine Preston (4.34.39); 291 John Preston (4.39.50); 294 Mick Craven (4.40.05); 300 James Riley (4.41.14); 313 Jane Leonard (4.45.50); 416 Mandy Goth (5.47.10); 417 Louise Abdy (5.47.10).
Closer to home it was the roads of Cliviger that tempted four Harriers to pull on their running shoes on Sunday morning for the 30th Cliviger Recreation and Community Association’s 6 mile race. Starting at Mount Lane Sports Field the hilly route travelled via Red Lees Road towards Burnley before crossing Towneley Park and returning to the start via the main Todmorden road and a tough final climb up Red Lees.
First of the 115 runners completing the course in the warm conditions was Marc Hartley for Staffordshire Moorlands AC in 33:22.
Finishing in 98th overall and as first female V50 was Myra Wells in 55:06, ahead of Katie Jukes who was competing in her first race for the Todmorden club. A previous finisher of the New York Marathon, Katie completed the shorter distance in 57:07. For the men, Richard Butterwick was first Harrier home in 27th place, in a time of 40:02, followed in by Kevin Coughlan in 45:43 and 59th place.
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