A wind of change blew Todmorden’s ladies road championship wide open at the weekend with a 40 second advantage at the finish of the Accrington 10k allowing Sarah Glyde to edge past closest rival Mel Blackhurst in the overall standings.
Over 300 runners took to the hilly course fighting their way through windy conditions, with Wesham’s Steve Littler taking the win in 33:53. First Harrier to finish was a resurgent Paul Brannigan in 20th strengthening his claim for 2nd place in the men’s championship, followed by Richard Butterwick in 43rd and Andrew Bibby in 85th.
Sarah led in the ladies ahead of Mel. Elise Milnes was next to finish, taking the prize for 1st vet45, and Moyra Parfitt had a strong run to win the vet60 prize.
Rachel Henthorne held off a late challenge from husband David, as he overtook Helen Hodgkinson in the run in to the line, with Graham Milnes rounding off the Todmorden entry.
Todmorden results: 20 Paul Brannigan 39:22; 43 Richard Butterwick 41:51; 85 Andrew Bibby 45:11; 105 Sarah Glyde 46:15; 115 Mel Blackhurst 46:55; 165 Elise Milnes 50:19 (1st v45); 199 Moyra Parfitt 52:29; 223 Rachel Henthorne 54:53; 224 David Henthorne 54:55; 225 Helen Hodgkinson 55:12; 247 Graham Milnes 57:14.
At the OMM two day event in mid-Wales, Harriers achieved considerable success with Mandy Goth and Sue Roberts winning the ladies pairs in the long score event. Helen and David Wilson finished 2nd in the veteran mixed pairs and Jon Wright and Andrew Horsfall were 13th in the men’s pairs, also in the long score which attracted nearly 200 entries.
Ben Crowther and Nick Barber finished 2nd in the medium score event, after a sensational 2nd day performance that saw them move up from 25th place.
A little further north, two Harriers took on the Snowdonia Marathon. The 26 mile course is reputed to be the most scenic marathon course in the UK. However, the wild windy wet weather meant there was little chance of sight-seeing for the 1800 runners as the route circumnavigated the Snowdon peak. Emma Osenton finished in a time of 4:24 and Julie Wyant in 4:38.
Closer to home on Saturday, a quartet of Harriers braved the stormy conditions for the Race to the Summit Fell Race. The short 4 mile course is a steep dash up from the Summit pub to the Whitehouse pub and back. Former Harriers Sean Willis led Chris Smale at the turnaround, with the positions reversed at the finish as Smale took the win by 4 seconds in a time of 29:14. Todmorden’s Sean Carey was in close attendance throughout and gained a place on the descent to finish 3rd only a few seconds behind. Lauren Jeska won the ladies race in 35:17 with Dan Taylor finishing 29th and Phil Cook 43rd.
On Sunday, several Harriers made their way to Haworth for the Withins Skyline Fell Race. The 7 mile route is a loop from Penistone Country Park out into the moors past Top Withins. Andrew Wrench was first Todmorden man to finish, just behind winner Tom Addison.
Thursday 29 October 2009
Thursday 22 October 2009
British Fell Relay | Bronte Way
Todmorden Harriers put out three relay teams at the British Fell Relay Championships on Sunday, held in the Lake District’s Ennerdale Hills. The relays are run in teams of six with a single runner leading off in the first leg, followed by two pairs for legs 2 & 3 and a final individual runner completing the team. Conditions could not have been much more testing, as mist quickly closed in after the first leg reducing visibility down to 20 metres for times.
On a day that favoured those with keen navigational skills, it was an achievement just to finish and several of the top contenders were disqualified for missing checkpoints in the clag, including current Triathlon World Champion Alistair Brownlee running for Bingley.
Todmorden’s men’s team put in a solid performance to finish 27th overall, with the men’s veteran team finishing 26th in their category. The ladies team capped a good season with a 9th place, narrowly missing out on 8th.
Closer to home, Harriers’ John & Christine Preston were organising the Bronte Way Fell Race at Haworth. The race follows a rare point to point route from Wycoller to the finish at the door of the Fleece Inn on Haworth’s Main Street. 168 runners took to the course to be rewarded with a hot soup and a bottle of beer at the finish. Martin Roberts was the first Harrier to finish in 24th, followed by Richard Gilbert in 39th. Mick Craven was 69th and John Medcalf 102nd. First Todmorden lady was Sue Roberts, followed by Kirsten Arlie and Hannah Januszczyk.
On a day that favoured those with keen navigational skills, it was an achievement just to finish and several of the top contenders were disqualified for missing checkpoints in the clag, including current Triathlon World Champion Alistair Brownlee running for Bingley.
Todmorden’s men’s team put in a solid performance to finish 27th overall, with the men’s veteran team finishing 26th in their category. The ladies team capped a good season with a 9th place, narrowly missing out on 8th.
Closer to home, Harriers’ John & Christine Preston were organising the Bronte Way Fell Race at Haworth. The race follows a rare point to point route from Wycoller to the finish at the door of the Fleece Inn on Haworth’s Main Street. 168 runners took to the course to be rewarded with a hot soup and a bottle of beer at the finish. Martin Roberts was the first Harrier to finish in 24th, followed by Richard Gilbert in 39th. Mick Craven was 69th and John Medcalf 102nd. First Todmorden lady was Sue Roberts, followed by Kirsten Arlie and Hannah Januszczyk.
Thursday 15 October 2009
Langdale
Kath Brierley was the toast of Todmorden after the final English Championship Fell Race at Langdale on Saturday, as she secured a bronze medal in the LV45 category. Starting the day laying in equal third position with Clayton le Moors legendary runner Wendy Dodds, and with Clayton’s Anna Kelly just 1 point behind, the 14 mile course was a fittingly tough decider with poor visibility adding to the challenge.
After 3 hours of racing over some the Lake District’s highest peaks, just 8 minutes separated the trio. Wendy Dodds was ahead of Kath on the line, but the championship is decided upon the best four scores out of the six races, and after some mind bending mental arithmetic it became clear that Kath had clinched the medal, with the Clayton pair finishing joint 4th just 2 points adrift.
Lauren Jeska had another fine run finishing 7th lady on the day, to move her up the ladies overall table to 19th. Kath’s performance also took her up to 25th and Sarah May finished the year in 31st. With all three having suffered injuries this year, there will be much to look forward to in next year’s championship.
The first Todmorden man to finish was Andrew Wrench in 35th, with Alistair Rhodes-Dawson having an inspired run to finish just 2 minutes back in 42nd. Ben Crowther and Dave Collins also made it into the top 100.
Todmorden Results: 35 Andrew Wrench 2.26.02; 42 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 2.28.37; 81 Ben Crowther 2.42.18; 97 Dave Collins 2.46.19; 125 Lauren Jeska 2.50.51; 180 Peter Bowles 3.10.31; 210 Kath Brierley 3.16.42; 211 Phil Hodgson 3.16.45; 243 David Wilson 3.27.19; 244 Christine Preston 3.30.17; 292 Mandy Goth 4.07.00; 294 Sue Roberts 4.08.00.
After 3 hours of racing over some the Lake District’s highest peaks, just 8 minutes separated the trio. Wendy Dodds was ahead of Kath on the line, but the championship is decided upon the best four scores out of the six races, and after some mind bending mental arithmetic it became clear that Kath had clinched the medal, with the Clayton pair finishing joint 4th just 2 points adrift.
Lauren Jeska had another fine run finishing 7th lady on the day, to move her up the ladies overall table to 19th. Kath’s performance also took her up to 25th and Sarah May finished the year in 31st. With all three having suffered injuries this year, there will be much to look forward to in next year’s championship.
The first Todmorden man to finish was Andrew Wrench in 35th, with Alistair Rhodes-Dawson having an inspired run to finish just 2 minutes back in 42nd. Ben Crowther and Dave Collins also made it into the top 100.
Todmorden Results: 35 Andrew Wrench 2.26.02; 42 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 2.28.37; 81 Ben Crowther 2.42.18; 97 Dave Collins 2.46.19; 125 Lauren Jeska 2.50.51; 180 Peter Bowles 3.10.31; 210 Kath Brierley 3.16.42; 211 Phil Hodgson 3.16.45; 243 David Wilson 3.27.19; 244 Christine Preston 3.30.17; 292 Mandy Goth 4.07.00; 294 Sue Roberts 4.08.00.
Thursday 8 October 2009
Autumn Leaves | Burnley Fire 7
Autumn weather arrived with a vengeance for the two Todmorden Harriers who entered the Autumn Leaves Fell Race at Diggle on Saturday. The 8.5 mile course wound its way between several reservoirs on Marsden Moor taking in 1700 feet of ascent. With gale force winds and rain behind the runners for much of the first half of the race they knew they were in for a tough return. Sadly it was too tough for one competitor who retired with a broken ankle after a nasty fall.
Organised by Saddleworth runners, the home club provided the winner in Colin Bishop after a race long battle with teammate – and former Harrier – Sean Willis.
Paul Hobbs was the first Todmorden representative, finishing in 18th place just 10 minutes behind, with Mick Craven revelling in the conditions to finish 55th a further 10 minutes back.
A calmer side of autumn was experienced on Sunday with cool sunny conditions winning out after early showers for the Burnley Fire Station 7 mile road race. The event raises funds for the Firefighters Charity and Pendleside Hospice and was comfortably won by Steve Littler of Wesham in a time of 37:19.
Three Harriers took part, with Richard Butterwick finishing in 19th place, Peter Ehrhardt in 85th and Ian Stansfield – completing his 59th race of this year - in 112th.
Organised by Saddleworth runners, the home club provided the winner in Colin Bishop after a race long battle with teammate – and former Harrier – Sean Willis.
Paul Hobbs was the first Todmorden representative, finishing in 18th place just 10 minutes behind, with Mick Craven revelling in the conditions to finish 55th a further 10 minutes back.
A calmer side of autumn was experienced on Sunday with cool sunny conditions winning out after early showers for the Burnley Fire Station 7 mile road race. The event raises funds for the Firefighters Charity and Pendleside Hospice and was comfortably won by Steve Littler of Wesham in a time of 37:19.
Three Harriers took part, with Richard Butterwick finishing in 19th place, Peter Ehrhardt in 85th and Ian Stansfield – completing his 59th race of this year - in 112th.
Thursday 1 October 2009
Thieveley Pike | Macclesfield Half
Holme Chapel in Cliviger was the venue on Saturday, as the latest round of Todmorden Harriers’ Fell Championship took in the Thieveley Pike Fell Race. The 4.25 mile route features several sharp climbs, totalling over 1300 feet, and is run in part over private land with the kind permission of landowners.
A brief dash across the start field was followed by a short section along the Pennine Bridleway, leading to the first, and steepest, of the day’s climbs, with the runners scrambling up the rough bank to Stone House Edge. After a short grassy downhill section and a stream crossing, the next moorland climb led to a traverse along the ridge to the Pike. A steep descent to Dean Scout punctuated by a small climb preceded the final rise of the day, which crossed the earlier route and then dropped the runners back down to the Bridleway for the fast run in to the finish.
Calder Valley’s Ben Mounsey was victorious for the 2nd successive year, in a time of 32:26, ahead of Horwich’s James Logue. Andrew Wrench was the first of the 26 Harriers to finish in 3rd place, followed by Sean Carey in 12th. Paul Brannigan narrowly edged out Nick Barber for 18th place.
Todmorden Ladies dominated the female finishers, holding five out of the top nine places, lead by an excellent victory for Lauren Jeska. Claire Duffield was 2nd lady and Kath Brierley 4th to easily take the team prize. Lucy Hobbs and Louise Abdy finished 6th and 9th ladies respectively.
Todmorden Results: 3 Andrew Wrench 33:46; 12 Sean Carey 35:57; 18 Paul Brannigan 37:20; 19 Nick Barber 37:23; 21 Dave Collins 37:49; 27 Paul Burnett 40:51; 28 Lauren Jeska 40:58; 34 James Riley 42:07; 38 Andrew Bibby 42:35; 40 Claire Duffield 43:08; 47 Kath Brierley 44:47; 54 Richard Butterwick 45:57; 64 Lucy Hobbs 47:08; 71 Peter Marshall 48:40; 73 Louise Abdy 48:56; 78 Peter Ehrhardt 50:06; 79 Elise Milnes 50:17; 82 Kevin Coughlan 50:33; 83 Mel Siddall 51:23; 87 Fiona Armer 51:38; 89 Helen Hodgkinson 52:03; 90 Sue Roberts 52:07; 96 Graham Milnes 53:27; 98 Barry Chapman 55:43; 99 Dave O'Neill 55:53; 112 Ian Stansfield 1:14:20.
With so many racing on Saturday, Sarah Glyde was the sole representative of the club at Sunday’s Macclesfield Half Marathon, despite the race featuring in the club’s Road Championship. Sarah took full advantage, finishing in a time of 1:44:22 to close the gap on ladies championship leader Mel Blackhurst to less than a point.
A brief dash across the start field was followed by a short section along the Pennine Bridleway, leading to the first, and steepest, of the day’s climbs, with the runners scrambling up the rough bank to Stone House Edge. After a short grassy downhill section and a stream crossing, the next moorland climb led to a traverse along the ridge to the Pike. A steep descent to Dean Scout punctuated by a small climb preceded the final rise of the day, which crossed the earlier route and then dropped the runners back down to the Bridleway for the fast run in to the finish.
Calder Valley’s Ben Mounsey was victorious for the 2nd successive year, in a time of 32:26, ahead of Horwich’s James Logue. Andrew Wrench was the first of the 26 Harriers to finish in 3rd place, followed by Sean Carey in 12th. Paul Brannigan narrowly edged out Nick Barber for 18th place.
Todmorden Ladies dominated the female finishers, holding five out of the top nine places, lead by an excellent victory for Lauren Jeska. Claire Duffield was 2nd lady and Kath Brierley 4th to easily take the team prize. Lucy Hobbs and Louise Abdy finished 6th and 9th ladies respectively.
Todmorden Results: 3 Andrew Wrench 33:46; 12 Sean Carey 35:57; 18 Paul Brannigan 37:20; 19 Nick Barber 37:23; 21 Dave Collins 37:49; 27 Paul Burnett 40:51; 28 Lauren Jeska 40:58; 34 James Riley 42:07; 38 Andrew Bibby 42:35; 40 Claire Duffield 43:08; 47 Kath Brierley 44:47; 54 Richard Butterwick 45:57; 64 Lucy Hobbs 47:08; 71 Peter Marshall 48:40; 73 Louise Abdy 48:56; 78 Peter Ehrhardt 50:06; 79 Elise Milnes 50:17; 82 Kevin Coughlan 50:33; 83 Mel Siddall 51:23; 87 Fiona Armer 51:38; 89 Helen Hodgkinson 52:03; 90 Sue Roberts 52:07; 96 Graham Milnes 53:27; 98 Barry Chapman 55:43; 99 Dave O'Neill 55:53; 112 Ian Stansfield 1:14:20.
With so many racing on Saturday, Sarah Glyde was the sole representative of the club at Sunday’s Macclesfield Half Marathon, despite the race featuring in the club’s Road Championship. Sarah took full advantage, finishing in a time of 1:44:22 to close the gap on ladies championship leader Mel Blackhurst to less than a point.
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