Two Todmorden Harriers travelled to the volcanic island of Lanzarote at the weekend, but there was no time for relaxing in the sun as a 3800m swim, followed by a 122km mountainous cycle ride and then a full marathon run lay ahead for 1300 competitors in the Lanzarote Ironman Triathlon.
Simon Anderton completed the sea swim in 1:14:32 with Emma Osenton 5 minutes behind, before a strong cycle section of 6:28:27 put Emma 50 minutes ahead of her teammate and with a 4:39 marathon run Emma completed the course in 12:52:32 to finish 9th in her age category. Simon’s 4:09 in the marathon closed the gap and he crossed the line in 13:05:13.
Travelling a little less far, but still enjoying warm sunshine were the Harriers that took part in the 11 mile Helvellyn Fell Race. Starting from Bram Crag farm the race climbs extremely steeply up before a long undulating ridge run to the summit and back, finishing with a breath taking descent that tests runners’ nerves and endurance.
First Todmorden Harrier to finish was John Preston in 2:20:43, followed by Dan Taylor 6 minutes later and Chris Preston, taking 3rd ladies V40, a further 4 minutes later. Peter Ehrhardt completed the distance in 2:42:04.
Thursday 28 May 2009
Thursday 21 May 2009
Geoff Doggett Littleborough 5k | Eyam Half Marathon | Great Manchester Run | Blackstone Edge | Old Counties Tops | Keswick Triathlon
Todmorden Harriers’ Road Championship was the centre of attention last week with two races in five days. The undulating Geoff Doggett Memorial 5k Race in Littleborough on Tuesday, which was bathed in pleasant evening sunshine, enticed 37 Harriers including some of the club’s junior runners.
Willy Smith of Keighley and Craven won the race in a time of 15:20 ahead of previous winners Ian Grime and John Brown. Jon Wright was the first Harrier over the line in 7th place, and together with Andrew Wrench and Nick Barber, in 13th and 14th, Todmorden finished as 2nd men’s team.
The ladies went one better with Lauren Jeska, Claire Duffield and Lucy Hobbs taking the ladies first prize.
Todmorden Results: 7 Jonathan Wright 17:03; 13 Andrew Wrench 17:27; 14 Nick Barber 17:40; 23 Sean Carey 18:45; 28 Paul Brannigan 19:05; 32 Duncan Ritchie 19:17; 37 Dave Collins 19:42; 42 Dan Taylor 20:00; 47 Roger Haworth 20:21; 50 Darren Tweed 20:29; 54 Lauren Jeska 20:43; 57 Phil Hodgson 20:59; 59 Phil Cook 21:06; 65 Andrew Bibby 21:20; 67 Claire Duffield 21:30; 70 Lucy Hobbs 21:40; 85 Sarah Glyde 22:25; 91 Melanie Blackhurst 22:41; 97 Bev Wright 23:01; 100 Helen Hodgkinson 23:15; 106 Peter Ehrhardt 23:32; 108 Peter Marshall 23:49; 112 Helen Wilson 24:00; 126 David Wilson 24:48; 132 Moyra Parfitt 25:28; 133 Ray Poulter 25:29; 135 Richard Blakeley 25:42; 139 Mandy Goth 26:05; 142 Jeremy Godden 26:11; 148 David Henthorne 26:34; 151 Rachel Henthorne 26:47; 158 Myra Wells 27:29; 165 David O'Neill 28:29; 169 Derek Clutterbuck 29:17; 179 Joseph Brannigan 30:40; 180 Ian Stansfield 30:45; 181 Skye Wilson 35:27.
The second road championship race of the week was on Sunday, when 450 runners gathered for the tough hilly Eyam Half Marathon which snaked its way around the picturesque Peak District scenery where Nick Barber continued his current good spring form to finish 20th in a time of 1:27:39. Andrew Bibby was the next Harrier to finish with Roger Haworth just pipping Todmorden’s first lady Mel Blackhurst.
Todmorden Results: 20 Nick Barber 1:27:39; 114 Andrew Bibby 1:41:25; 160 Roger Haworth 1:45:40; 161 Melanie Blackhurst 1:45:55; 191 Kevin Coughlan 1:48:43; 207 Lauren Jeska 1:50:16; 443 Ian Stansfield 2:38:59;
Also Sunday, three Harriers joined the 33,000 runners for the Great Manchester Run and all put in excellent performances, despite a tough headwind in the second half of the race. Duncan Ritchie was hot on the heels of Haile Gebrselassie to finish in 210th place overall in a time of 39:22, Dan Taylor continued with his progress in his first year at the club in 362nd place, improving his personal best time to 40:44, and Kerry Edwards finished in 44:10 to be 74th female.
On Wednesday evening several Harriers swapped their usual weekly club social run to tackle the Blackstone Edge Fell Race, this year attracting a more modest field of 90 following its selection as an English Championship race last year. Ian Holmes of Bingley won in a time of 28:55. Sean Carey was the first Todmorden runner home a couple of minutes behind and in 7th place overall, taking the Under 16 prize ahead of a strong challenge from Joseph Crossfield of Halifax Harriers. Alistair Rhodes-Dawson in 18th and Martin Roberts in 25th, and 3rd Vet50, were the next Todmorden runners to follow him in. Lauren Jeska finished 2nd lady and Sue Roberts 1st lady Vet45.
Chris Preston and Claire Duffield had a successful day out in the lakes on Saturday, at the Old Counties Tops Fell Race, where they finished first ladies pair. This classic 37 mile epic, features over 10,000feet of ascent as it takes in the 3 highest peaks of the former Lake District counties: Helvellyn (Westmoreland), Scafell Pike (Cumberland) and Coniston Old Man (Lancashire).
Cold conditions for the Keswick Triathlon, also on Saturday, meant the planned 750m swim in Derwentwater was shortened slightly but competitors still had the 35km bike ride around the Lakeland hills and a 10km run to follow in showery blustery conditions. First Todmorden entrant to finish was John Preston 3 minutes ahead of both Simon Galloway and Sarah Warburton, who was 3rd lady. Phil Hodgson completed the course a minute further back and Kath Brierley set a respectable time as she enjoyed her first triathlon despite the unfavourable conditions.
Willy Smith of Keighley and Craven won the race in a time of 15:20 ahead of previous winners Ian Grime and John Brown. Jon Wright was the first Harrier over the line in 7th place, and together with Andrew Wrench and Nick Barber, in 13th and 14th, Todmorden finished as 2nd men’s team.
The ladies went one better with Lauren Jeska, Claire Duffield and Lucy Hobbs taking the ladies first prize.
Todmorden Results: 7 Jonathan Wright 17:03; 13 Andrew Wrench 17:27; 14 Nick Barber 17:40; 23 Sean Carey 18:45; 28 Paul Brannigan 19:05; 32 Duncan Ritchie 19:17; 37 Dave Collins 19:42; 42 Dan Taylor 20:00; 47 Roger Haworth 20:21; 50 Darren Tweed 20:29; 54 Lauren Jeska 20:43; 57 Phil Hodgson 20:59; 59 Phil Cook 21:06; 65 Andrew Bibby 21:20; 67 Claire Duffield 21:30; 70 Lucy Hobbs 21:40; 85 Sarah Glyde 22:25; 91 Melanie Blackhurst 22:41; 97 Bev Wright 23:01; 100 Helen Hodgkinson 23:15; 106 Peter Ehrhardt 23:32; 108 Peter Marshall 23:49; 112 Helen Wilson 24:00; 126 David Wilson 24:48; 132 Moyra Parfitt 25:28; 133 Ray Poulter 25:29; 135 Richard Blakeley 25:42; 139 Mandy Goth 26:05; 142 Jeremy Godden 26:11; 148 David Henthorne 26:34; 151 Rachel Henthorne 26:47; 158 Myra Wells 27:29; 165 David O'Neill 28:29; 169 Derek Clutterbuck 29:17; 179 Joseph Brannigan 30:40; 180 Ian Stansfield 30:45; 181 Skye Wilson 35:27.
The second road championship race of the week was on Sunday, when 450 runners gathered for the tough hilly Eyam Half Marathon which snaked its way around the picturesque Peak District scenery where Nick Barber continued his current good spring form to finish 20th in a time of 1:27:39. Andrew Bibby was the next Harrier to finish with Roger Haworth just pipping Todmorden’s first lady Mel Blackhurst.
Todmorden Results: 20 Nick Barber 1:27:39; 114 Andrew Bibby 1:41:25; 160 Roger Haworth 1:45:40; 161 Melanie Blackhurst 1:45:55; 191 Kevin Coughlan 1:48:43; 207 Lauren Jeska 1:50:16; 443 Ian Stansfield 2:38:59;
Also Sunday, three Harriers joined the 33,000 runners for the Great Manchester Run and all put in excellent performances, despite a tough headwind in the second half of the race. Duncan Ritchie was hot on the heels of Haile Gebrselassie to finish in 210th place overall in a time of 39:22, Dan Taylor continued with his progress in his first year at the club in 362nd place, improving his personal best time to 40:44, and Kerry Edwards finished in 44:10 to be 74th female.
On Wednesday evening several Harriers swapped their usual weekly club social run to tackle the Blackstone Edge Fell Race, this year attracting a more modest field of 90 following its selection as an English Championship race last year. Ian Holmes of Bingley won in a time of 28:55. Sean Carey was the first Todmorden runner home a couple of minutes behind and in 7th place overall, taking the Under 16 prize ahead of a strong challenge from Joseph Crossfield of Halifax Harriers. Alistair Rhodes-Dawson in 18th and Martin Roberts in 25th, and 3rd Vet50, were the next Todmorden runners to follow him in. Lauren Jeska finished 2nd lady and Sue Roberts 1st lady Vet45.
Chris Preston and Claire Duffield had a successful day out in the lakes on Saturday, at the Old Counties Tops Fell Race, where they finished first ladies pair. This classic 37 mile epic, features over 10,000feet of ascent as it takes in the 3 highest peaks of the former Lake District counties: Helvellyn (Westmoreland), Scafell Pike (Cumberland) and Coniston Old Man (Lancashire).
Cold conditions for the Keswick Triathlon, also on Saturday, meant the planned 750m swim in Derwentwater was shortened slightly but competitors still had the 35km bike ride around the Lakeland hills and a 10km run to follow in showery blustery conditions. First Todmorden entrant to finish was John Preston 3 minutes ahead of both Simon Galloway and Sarah Warburton, who was 3rd lady. Phil Hodgson completed the course a minute further back and Kath Brierley set a respectable time as she enjoyed her first triathlon despite the unfavourable conditions.
Thursday 14 May 2009
Flower Scar Fell Race | The Fellsman | Mytholmroyd Fell Race | Pendle's Clough | Fred Whitton
The first of Todmorden Harriers’ series of summer fell races began with the Flower Scar Race, incorporating 1400 feet of ascent and descent and a wide variety of terrain into its short 4 mile distance. With free entry and a tough but enjoyable course the race is a growing hidden gem in the fell calendar.
In mild and dry conditions the 102 runners set off with a dash across Todmorden High School’s playing field before beginning the relentless climb up to Flower Scar Hill on grassy paths, muddy tracks and open moorland. After turning at the summit the route plunges down into the valley and traverses back to the start, with a short sting in the tail climb above Robinwood to test tiring legs.
Todmorden’s speedy postman Alex Whittem quickly established a lead from the start over Calder Valley teammate Steve Smithies and gradually extended it during the race to cross the line one and a half minutes clear in a time of 30:34. First Todmorden Harrier to finish was Sean Carey in 4th place after a well judged run. Alistair Rhodes Dawson and Nick Barber followed in 8th and 9th places. The club was well represented in the top twenty with Paul Burnett, Dave Collins and Paul Brannigan all placing well. First Todmorden lady was Lauren Jeska as 3rd lady behind Wigan Phoenix’s Deborah Wright.
Ultra distance event The Fellsman, a 60 mile plus fearsome undertaking in any conditions was all the tougher this year with gales, torrential rain and hail showers to contend with. A trio of Todmorden tough guys – Rhys Watkins, Colin Duffield and Jeff Walker - battled their way around the Yorkshire Dales to complete the course, achieving a time of just over 20 hours.
Dave Collins was close to recording a 2nd win of the year on Sunday, at the Mytholmroyd Fell Race after the leading group of runners went slightly astray. However the leaders quickly rejoined the optimum line, leaving Dave to settle for an excellent 6th place. Dan Taylor finished in 34th place, having set a 5k PB at Salford the previous day, and Lucy Hobbs was 52nd, also winning the ladies 3rd prize, with Mick Craven finishing in 59th.
Helen Hodgkinson added another ladies 3rd prize at the Pendle’s Clough navigational fell race at the weekend.
A sizeable group of Harriers hopped on their bikes for the Fred Whitton Challenge, a gruelling 112 mile sportive cycle ride around the Lake District taking in several steep mountain climbs and exhilarating descents. With unfavourable windy conditions, and rain and hail showers, Emma Osenton had an exceptionally strong ride to finish as 4th lady, and 155th overall, in time of 7 hours 11 minutes just 20 minutes behind the ladies winner. Sarah May was next to finish, as 7th lady followed by Keith Parkinson.
In mild and dry conditions the 102 runners set off with a dash across Todmorden High School’s playing field before beginning the relentless climb up to Flower Scar Hill on grassy paths, muddy tracks and open moorland. After turning at the summit the route plunges down into the valley and traverses back to the start, with a short sting in the tail climb above Robinwood to test tiring legs.
Todmorden’s speedy postman Alex Whittem quickly established a lead from the start over Calder Valley teammate Steve Smithies and gradually extended it during the race to cross the line one and a half minutes clear in a time of 30:34. First Todmorden Harrier to finish was Sean Carey in 4th place after a well judged run. Alistair Rhodes Dawson and Nick Barber followed in 8th and 9th places. The club was well represented in the top twenty with Paul Burnett, Dave Collins and Paul Brannigan all placing well. First Todmorden lady was Lauren Jeska as 3rd lady behind Wigan Phoenix’s Deborah Wright.
Ultra distance event The Fellsman, a 60 mile plus fearsome undertaking in any conditions was all the tougher this year with gales, torrential rain and hail showers to contend with. A trio of Todmorden tough guys – Rhys Watkins, Colin Duffield and Jeff Walker - battled their way around the Yorkshire Dales to complete the course, achieving a time of just over 20 hours.
Dave Collins was close to recording a 2nd win of the year on Sunday, at the Mytholmroyd Fell Race after the leading group of runners went slightly astray. However the leaders quickly rejoined the optimum line, leaving Dave to settle for an excellent 6th place. Dan Taylor finished in 34th place, having set a 5k PB at Salford the previous day, and Lucy Hobbs was 52nd, also winning the ladies 3rd prize, with Mick Craven finishing in 59th.
Helen Hodgkinson added another ladies 3rd prize at the Pendle’s Clough navigational fell race at the weekend.
A sizeable group of Harriers hopped on their bikes for the Fred Whitton Challenge, a gruelling 112 mile sportive cycle ride around the Lake District taking in several steep mountain climbs and exhilarating descents. With unfavourable windy conditions, and rain and hail showers, Emma Osenton had an exceptionally strong ride to finish as 4th lady, and 155th overall, in time of 7 hours 11 minutes just 20 minutes behind the ladies winner. Sarah May was next to finish, as 7th lady followed by Keith Parkinson.
Thursday 7 May 2009
Stuc a’ Chroin | Coiners Fell Race
At the British Championship race at Stuc a’ Chroin, James Riley was the sole Todmorden representative to make the long journey to Perthshire for the extremely tough and boggy 14mile route that included over 5000 feet of ascent. In a high quality field, and with occasional sleet showers, James was rewarded with a time of 3:22:21 and 214th place.
Closer to home, on Monday, a Todmorden quartet joined the field for Calder Valley Fell Runners’ Coiners Fell Race. Starting from Mytholmroyd the route is a 7.5 mile tour of Coiners’ country on paths, tracks and moorland, taking in Erringden Moor, Stoodley Pike and Bell House Moor and passes by the old coiners cottages of Bell House and Keelam.
The race was won by former Harrier Chris Smale in 47:51, with Nick Barber putting in an excellent top ten performance to finish in 52:13. Next Harrier home was Derek Donohue in 59:08. Clare Duffield battled hard with Michelle Dew of Rossendale throughout the race to finish in 60:55, just missing out on a top three ladies finish on the line. Mick Craven rounded the Todmorden entries off in 63:12 to take the men’s team into 5th place.
Closer to home, on Monday, a Todmorden quartet joined the field for Calder Valley Fell Runners’ Coiners Fell Race. Starting from Mytholmroyd the route is a 7.5 mile tour of Coiners’ country on paths, tracks and moorland, taking in Erringden Moor, Stoodley Pike and Bell House Moor and passes by the old coiners cottages of Bell House and Keelam.
The race was won by former Harrier Chris Smale in 47:51, with Nick Barber putting in an excellent top ten performance to finish in 52:13. Next Harrier home was Derek Donohue in 59:08. Clare Duffield battled hard with Michelle Dew of Rossendale throughout the race to finish in 60:55, just missing out on a top three ladies finish on the line. Mick Craven rounded the Todmorden entries off in 63:12 to take the men’s team into 5th place.
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