Todmorden’s Andrew Wrench triumphed at the Turnslack fell race on Saturday after a race long battle with Calder Valley’s Shaun Godsman. The tough 8 mile course features over 2000 feet of ascent and is considered one of the most testing of the local fell races with several streams, stiles and moorland bogs to negotiate. With the race featuring in Todmorden’s Fell Championship this year, there was a strong turnout of 23 Harriers amongst the 100 strong field.
Starting from Calderbrook Church the runners soon turned off the Pennine Bridleway and climbed over Turn Slack Hill before making a long gradual climb up to Trough Edge End. They then turned for home with a steep descent via Ramsden Wood Reservoir before a tough climb over Ramsden Hill. An air of déjà vu followed as another sharp descent was followed by yet another demanding climb up Noon Hill. It was then all downhill across the moor and through head high bracken back to the church yard.
After tracking Godsman on the final climb, Wrench comfortably pulled away on the descent to take the win by 25 seconds in 1:09:40. Dave Collins was next Harrier to finish in 8th place overall and first Vet50. Paul Hobbs and Ben Crowther then assisted the club into 2nd placed team behind Clayton le Moors.
Calder Valley’s Jo Buckley was in a class of her own, as she won the ladies race, finishing well ahead of Middleton’s Ginny Willey and Calder teammate Sharon Godsman. Sarah Glyde was first Todmorden lady in 4th, followed by Louise Abdy in 5th and first Vet45. Emma Osenton was the next Harrier to cross the line to hand the ladies team prize to Todmorden.
The result has moved Andrew Wrench up to the top of the club’s Fell Championship, to add to his lead in the Road and Grand Prix tables as he looks towards a potential clean sweep of club trophies this year.
Todmorden Results: 1 Andrew Wrench 1:09:40; 8 Dave Collins 1:18:45; 18 Paul Hobbs 1:21:15; 23 Ben Crowther 1:22:00; 30 Jeff Walker 1:24:34; 31 Kevin Booth 1:25:00; 33 Darren Tweed 1:25:17; 36 Simon Galloway 1:25:55; 43 Phil Cook 1:28:19; 50 Phil Hodgson 1:34:40; 57 Richard Leonard 1:36:20; 59 Mick Craven 1:36:50; 63 Sarah Glyde 1:39:46; 69 Louise Abdy 1:40:44; 70 Peter Marshall 1:40:52; 72 Peter Ehrhardt 1:41:36; 77 Emma Osenton 1:44:15; 80 Elise Milnes 1:45:54; 82 Richard Blakeley 1:49:25; 83 Chris Drinkwater 1:54:10; 88 Dave O'Neill 1:56:18; 89 Mandy Goth 1:58:22; 91 Barry Chapman 1:59:29.
Thursday 30 July 2009
Thursday 23 July 2009
Widdop | Cuerden Valley Badger 10k
On Wednesday several Todmorden Harriers entered the Calder Valley Fell Runners organised fell race at Widdop. The 7 mile moorland route features over 1200 feet of climbing as it winds its way around Gorple and Widdop reservoirs.
Dave Collins was first Todmorden man home in 19th place overall, the same position that he finished the year before, but this time knocking over 2 minutes off his previous time to cross the line in 57:57 and finish 2nd Vet50. Paul Burnett was next Todmorden finisher in 25th place at 59:43, with Jeff Walker completing the course in 1:03:55. Emma Osenton was the first Todmorden lady to finish in 1:16:10.
The following evening saw the next round of the Harrier’s Road Championship, with the Cuerden Valley Badger 10k multi terrain race at Bamber Bridge. Organised by local runner Clare Kenny for Lancashire Wildlife Trust, this was the third of four races that are held monthly over the summer and it attracted over 150 runners.
In addition to road and tracks, runners also had to contend with fields, hills, stiles and the odd patch of mud. Andy Buttery of Rossendale won the race in a time of 35:40. First Todmorden runner to finish was Andrew Wrench who was just edged out on the line by Richard Howarth of Horwich as they battled for second place. Paul Brannigan continued his return to form to finish in 21st place. The next Harrier to finish was Phil Cook, who was the only one to brave both the Widdop race and this one on consecutive nights. This took the men’s team into 3rd place.
Sarah Glyde led the way for the Todmorden ladies, followed by Mel Siddall and Bev Wright to also take 3rd placed team.
Todmorden Results: 3 Andrew Wrench 36:27; 21 Paul Brannigan 41:06; 54 Phil Cook 46:36; 58 Sarah Glyde 47:15; 73 Melanie Siddall 50:02; 77 Beverley Wright 50:59; 88 Peter Marshall 52:41; 107 Paula Haworth 55:58; 118 David O'Neill 57:47; 148 Ian Stansfield 1:09:29.
Dave Collins was first Todmorden man home in 19th place overall, the same position that he finished the year before, but this time knocking over 2 minutes off his previous time to cross the line in 57:57 and finish 2nd Vet50. Paul Burnett was next Todmorden finisher in 25th place at 59:43, with Jeff Walker completing the course in 1:03:55. Emma Osenton was the first Todmorden lady to finish in 1:16:10.
The following evening saw the next round of the Harrier’s Road Championship, with the Cuerden Valley Badger 10k multi terrain race at Bamber Bridge. Organised by local runner Clare Kenny for Lancashire Wildlife Trust, this was the third of four races that are held monthly over the summer and it attracted over 150 runners.
In addition to road and tracks, runners also had to contend with fields, hills, stiles and the odd patch of mud. Andy Buttery of Rossendale won the race in a time of 35:40. First Todmorden runner to finish was Andrew Wrench who was just edged out on the line by Richard Howarth of Horwich as they battled for second place. Paul Brannigan continued his return to form to finish in 21st place. The next Harrier to finish was Phil Cook, who was the only one to brave both the Widdop race and this one on consecutive nights. This took the men’s team into 3rd place.
Sarah Glyde led the way for the Todmorden ladies, followed by Mel Siddall and Bev Wright to also take 3rd placed team.
Todmorden Results: 3 Andrew Wrench 36:27; 21 Paul Brannigan 41:06; 54 Phil Cook 46:36; 58 Sarah Glyde 47:15; 73 Melanie Siddall 50:02; 77 Beverley Wright 50:59; 88 Peter Marshall 52:41; 107 Paula Haworth 55:58; 118 David O'Neill 57:47; 148 Ian Stansfield 1:09:29.
Thursday 16 July 2009
Stoodley Pike Fell Race
The shortest of Todmorden Harriers’ Fell Races took place last Tuesday and Calder Valley’s Alex Whittem celebrated his first win over the speedy 3.5 mile course. Starting adjacent to Lumbutts Mill the runners quickly climbed the causeway stones and continued past Withens Gate and along the Pennine Way to Stoodley Pike. A nerve testing steep descent to London Road followed, before a fast flat return to the finish at the Top Brink Inn. For the first time in many years the race experienced rain instead of its usual legendary blue skies and finishers quickly retired to inside the Inn for refreshments and the presentation afterwards.
Whittem took an early lead and held it to the end despite the quality pursuit from James Logue and Chris Smale. The men’s team prize went to Calder Valley Fell Runners.
Todmorden’s Sarah May won the ladies race, with teammate Claire Duffield in 3rd place just behind Clayton’s Tracy Mitchell. Calder Valley also looked on course to take the ladies team prize, with 5th, 6th and 7th places. However, Laura Sutcliffe just edged out Janette Dowling to be the ladies 3rd counter for the team prize, propelling Todmorden to the prize.
The race once again attracted some of the North’s top young fell runners with 4 of the top 16 runners aged under16 years old. Todmorden’s Sean Carey took the category win, and finished an excellent 4th overall, ahead of 8th placed Joseph Crossfield and 12th placed Bradley Traviss, both of Halifax Harriers. Rossendale’s Elliot Wylie finished in 16th overall with club mate Sam Walsh finishing first U18.
Todmorden Results: 4 Sean Carey 20:56;19 Paul Burnett 23:16;31 Peter Bowles 24:19;34 Sarah May 24:49;52 Dan Taylor 25:47;63 Claire Duffield 26:23;100 Ray Poulter 29:56;108 Laura Sutcliffe 30:44;109 Jeanette Dowling 30:49;117 Paula Haworth 32:17;120 Mandy Goth 33:10;127 David O'Neill 36:03;139 John Newby 47:40.
Whittem took an early lead and held it to the end despite the quality pursuit from James Logue and Chris Smale. The men’s team prize went to Calder Valley Fell Runners.
Todmorden’s Sarah May won the ladies race, with teammate Claire Duffield in 3rd place just behind Clayton’s Tracy Mitchell. Calder Valley also looked on course to take the ladies team prize, with 5th, 6th and 7th places. However, Laura Sutcliffe just edged out Janette Dowling to be the ladies 3rd counter for the team prize, propelling Todmorden to the prize.
The race once again attracted some of the North’s top young fell runners with 4 of the top 16 runners aged under16 years old. Todmorden’s Sean Carey took the category win, and finished an excellent 4th overall, ahead of 8th placed Joseph Crossfield and 12th placed Bradley Traviss, both of Halifax Harriers. Rossendale’s Elliot Wylie finished in 16th overall with club mate Sam Walsh finishing first U18.
Todmorden Results: 4 Sean Carey 20:56;19 Paul Burnett 23:16;31 Peter Bowles 24:19;34 Sarah May 24:49;52 Dan Taylor 25:47;63 Claire Duffield 26:23;100 Ray Poulter 29:56;108 Laura Sutcliffe 30:44;109 Jeanette Dowling 30:49;117 Paula Haworth 32:17;120 Mandy Goth 33:10;127 David O'Neill 36:03;139 John Newby 47:40.
Thursday 9 July 2009
Todmorden Triathlon | Howgills 10 | Cragg Vale Fell Race
In addition to the usual running, Todmorden Harriers donned their swimming goggles and hopped on their bikes for the Todmorden Triathlon organised by Calderdale Tri Club on Sunday. A 400m pool swim at Todmorden Sports Centre led onto a 20k cycle ride up the valley towards Burnley, turning up Mount Lane for a steep climb and returning back to Todmorden, for a 2 lap 5k run around Centre Vale Park.
In the relay event Simon Anderton led off on the swim handing over to Andrew Horsfall for the cycle and Andrew Wrench then set the fastest run time of the day to win the relay category. In the individual standings, Jon Wright set a similar time to the relay team. Mark Anderton and Simon Galloway both fared well, setting respectable times. Karen Gray was the Harriers sole female entrant and paced herself well, with a strong run to finish 2nd Female40. Dan Taylor completed his first triathlon ahead of his predicted time and Ian Stansfield rounded off the Todmorden entries in the main event. Lizzie Wrench, Emily, Edward and Jack Galloway, Rachel and Sarah Brierley had earlier taken part in the junior events.
Also on Sunday, six Harriers joined a 100 strong field for the inaugural Howgills 10 mile Road Race in the Yorkshire Dales. Starting from Sedbergh the route followed a hilly rural route through the Lune Valley and the Howgill hills, with picturesque views of the Lake District.
Mel Blackhurst was first Todmorden lady and John Metcalfe first Todmorden male. Rachel Henthorne set an excellent time as she returned to fitness after injury, followed by Myra Wells, Barry Chapman and David Henthorne.
Last Wednesday, several Harriers took part in the popular Cragg Vale Fell Race, a 4 mile circular route with 800feet of ascent. First Harrier to finish was Sean Carey in 10th, with Paul Hobbs 12th and Peter Bowles 14th, just losing out to Halifax Harriers for the team prize.
Bingley’s Sue Becconsall won the ladies race with Todmorden’s Lucy Hobbs finishing 3rd lady, just 3 seconds behind Calder Valley’s Claire Hanson after a close battle. Sarah Warburton followed just behind to finish 4th lady. Louise Abdy finished 8th lady to help take the ladies team prize for Todmorden.
In the preceding junior races, Jack Crummet finished 3rd in the under 10’s and Isaac Rhodes-Dawson recorded a 4th place in the under8’s, with his brother Noah in 7th.
In the relay event Simon Anderton led off on the swim handing over to Andrew Horsfall for the cycle and Andrew Wrench then set the fastest run time of the day to win the relay category. In the individual standings, Jon Wright set a similar time to the relay team. Mark Anderton and Simon Galloway both fared well, setting respectable times. Karen Gray was the Harriers sole female entrant and paced herself well, with a strong run to finish 2nd Female40. Dan Taylor completed his first triathlon ahead of his predicted time and Ian Stansfield rounded off the Todmorden entries in the main event. Lizzie Wrench, Emily, Edward and Jack Galloway, Rachel and Sarah Brierley had earlier taken part in the junior events.
Also on Sunday, six Harriers joined a 100 strong field for the inaugural Howgills 10 mile Road Race in the Yorkshire Dales. Starting from Sedbergh the route followed a hilly rural route through the Lune Valley and the Howgill hills, with picturesque views of the Lake District.
Mel Blackhurst was first Todmorden lady and John Metcalfe first Todmorden male. Rachel Henthorne set an excellent time as she returned to fitness after injury, followed by Myra Wells, Barry Chapman and David Henthorne.
Last Wednesday, several Harriers took part in the popular Cragg Vale Fell Race, a 4 mile circular route with 800feet of ascent. First Harrier to finish was Sean Carey in 10th, with Paul Hobbs 12th and Peter Bowles 14th, just losing out to Halifax Harriers for the team prize.
Bingley’s Sue Becconsall won the ladies race with Todmorden’s Lucy Hobbs finishing 3rd lady, just 3 seconds behind Calder Valley’s Claire Hanson after a close battle. Sarah Warburton followed just behind to finish 4th lady. Louise Abdy finished 8th lady to help take the ladies team prize for Todmorden.
In the preceding junior races, Jack Crummet finished 3rd in the under 10’s and Isaac Rhodes-Dawson recorded a 4th place in the under8’s, with his brother Noah in 7th.
Thursday 2 July 2009
Trawden 7 | Nice Ironman Triathlon
Andrew Wrench was victorious at the Trawden 7 mile multi terrain race on Sunday. The race, which was the latest counter towards Todmorden Harriers Road Championship, attracted a good turnout of 14 Harriers in the hot humid cloudy conditions.
Starting from Trawden recreation ground the route took runners down to Laneshawbridge before a long climb up the old herders’ road in the direction of Haworth. After 4 miles on the road, they turned off onto a stony farm track descending into Wycoller. A brief riverside section then led to final climb on the road, before the dash across the recreation ground field to the finish.
Andrew Wrench had a well controlled run from the front and crossed the line comfortably ahead of the next runner. Second Harrier to finish was Phil Cook, with Andrew Bibby hot on his heels.
Keighley & Craven’s Amy Green was first female, with Sarah Glyde first Todmorden lady to finish as 5th female overall. Mel Blackhurst and Elise Milnes were next to finish as Todmorden tussled with Clayton le Moors for first ladies team.
In similarly hot conditions, three Harriers were in Nice for the Ironman France Triathlon on Sunday. A 3800m sea swim was followed by a 180km cycle, and finished off with a full marathon on a 4 lap promenade course.
Phil Hodgson exited the swim first of the closely matched trio in a time of 1:24:54, over 3 minutes ahead of Emma Osenton, with John Preston a further 90 seconds back. Emma demonstrated the value of a perfect transition as she overhauled Phil and started the cycle ride a few seconds ahead of him.
Emma used her strength in the middle event to open up the gap and another fast transition saw her start the marathon run 31 minutes ahead of Phil, with John Preston trailing 7 minutes behind.
At the end of the first lap of the run John had started to close the gap on those ahead, and managed to overtake Phil by the end of the 2nd lap. The tough 3rd lap saw John and Emma slowing as Phil revived slightly.
Going into the last lap of the run Emma’s lead over John had been cut to just 11 minutes, with Phil 5 minutes behind John. Despite a tremendous effort from John, Emma managed to find the strength to pick her pace back up and crossed the line in a total time of 13:13:08 followed by John in 13:14:50. Phil continued to speed up right to the end, and recorded his fastest run lap to cross the line in 13:16:22.
Whilst the three will be looking forward to a well earned rest, particularly Emma for whom it was her 2nd Ironman event within the past month, several Harriers are now looking ahead to next Sunday’s, thankfully shorter, Todmorden Triathlon organised by Calderdale Tri Club - www.calderdaletriclub.co.uk
Starting from Trawden recreation ground the route took runners down to Laneshawbridge before a long climb up the old herders’ road in the direction of Haworth. After 4 miles on the road, they turned off onto a stony farm track descending into Wycoller. A brief riverside section then led to final climb on the road, before the dash across the recreation ground field to the finish.
Andrew Wrench had a well controlled run from the front and crossed the line comfortably ahead of the next runner. Second Harrier to finish was Phil Cook, with Andrew Bibby hot on his heels.
Keighley & Craven’s Amy Green was first female, with Sarah Glyde first Todmorden lady to finish as 5th female overall. Mel Blackhurst and Elise Milnes were next to finish as Todmorden tussled with Clayton le Moors for first ladies team.
In similarly hot conditions, three Harriers were in Nice for the Ironman France Triathlon on Sunday. A 3800m sea swim was followed by a 180km cycle, and finished off with a full marathon on a 4 lap promenade course.
Phil Hodgson exited the swim first of the closely matched trio in a time of 1:24:54, over 3 minutes ahead of Emma Osenton, with John Preston a further 90 seconds back. Emma demonstrated the value of a perfect transition as she overhauled Phil and started the cycle ride a few seconds ahead of him.
Emma used her strength in the middle event to open up the gap and another fast transition saw her start the marathon run 31 minutes ahead of Phil, with John Preston trailing 7 minutes behind.
At the end of the first lap of the run John had started to close the gap on those ahead, and managed to overtake Phil by the end of the 2nd lap. The tough 3rd lap saw John and Emma slowing as Phil revived slightly.
Going into the last lap of the run Emma’s lead over John had been cut to just 11 minutes, with Phil 5 minutes behind John. Despite a tremendous effort from John, Emma managed to find the strength to pick her pace back up and crossed the line in a total time of 13:13:08 followed by John in 13:14:50. Phil continued to speed up right to the end, and recorded his fastest run lap to cross the line in 13:16:22.
Whilst the three will be looking forward to a well earned rest, particularly Emma for whom it was her 2nd Ironman event within the past month, several Harriers are now looking ahead to next Sunday’s, thankfully shorter, Todmorden Triathlon organised by Calderdale Tri Club - www.calderdaletriclub.co.uk
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