The streets of London beckoned for Todmorden Harriers on Sunday as a handful of Harriers took part in the London Marathon.
Andy McFie was the first Harrier to complete the course in a time of 3:15:33. Helen Wilson, raising funds for the Ear Foundation, was next to finish in 4:17:14.
Rhys Watkins, 4:26:04, Dan Taylor, 4:28:51, and Carla Williamson, 4:44:33, were Todmorden’s other representatives amongst the 37,000 finishers.
No less of a challenge was faced by four Harriers on Saturday at the Three Peaks Fell Race. The 24 mile route features over 4,500 feet of climb as it passes over the iconic Yorkshire peaks of Pen Y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.
Peter Bowles was the first to complete the epic in a time of 4:20:12 followed by Paul Cotton in 4:36:43. Elise Milnes was Todmorden’s sole female entrant finishing in 5:08:26 with John Medcalf rounding off the quartet with 5:18:16.
The third Bunny Run last Tuesday saw Martin Stork comfortably lead in the Todmorden contingent in 19:41, with Clive Greatorex, 20:17, just edging out James Riley in 20:26 and Peter Clarke 20:37 respectively. Sarah Warburton was Todmorden’s first lady in 21:34, ahead of Kath Brierley in 22:08 and Andrea Marshall in 26:00. Ian Stansfield completed the club’s entry in 36:28.
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Coledale Horseshoe | Bunny Run 2
On Saturday, Todmorden Harriers were out in force at the Coledale Horseshoe Fell Race, where the ladies team were rewarded with victory in glorious weather.
The 9 mile circular route from Braithwaite took in over 3000’ feet of ascent as it first climbed up Grisedale Pike. After a brief respite with a short downhill section, the runners then rose up to the highest point of the course at Crag Hill. The long descent back to the village was punctuated with a further two smaller rises.
Sarah Warburton, Kath Brierley – who also finished 3rd vet 40 - and Chris Preston proved an unbeatable combination to take the ladies team prize.
Andrew Wrench led in the Todmorden men with 17th place overall and Dave Collins also took home 3rd prize in the vet 50 category.
At the 2nd Haworth Bunny Run on Tuesday, Sean Carey was the first Harrier, finishing in 9th place. Shaun Pickard knocked 28 seconds off his time from the previous week to finish in 46th. Martin Stork made his bunny debut with a respectable 20:09 and was followed over the line by James Riley and Peter Clarke.
Jonny Medcalf improved his time by over 2 minutes to finish ahead of Jack Crummett and Todmorden’s first lady was once again Kath Brierley, ahead of Chris Preston as they warmed up for their weekend triumph.
The 9 mile circular route from Braithwaite took in over 3000’ feet of ascent as it first climbed up Grisedale Pike. After a brief respite with a short downhill section, the runners then rose up to the highest point of the course at Crag Hill. The long descent back to the village was punctuated with a further two smaller rises.
Sarah Warburton, Kath Brierley – who also finished 3rd vet 40 - and Chris Preston proved an unbeatable combination to take the ladies team prize.
Andrew Wrench led in the Todmorden men with 17th place overall and Dave Collins also took home 3rd prize in the vet 50 category.
At the 2nd Haworth Bunny Run on Tuesday, Sean Carey was the first Harrier, finishing in 9th place. Shaun Pickard knocked 28 seconds off his time from the previous week to finish in 46th. Martin Stork made his bunny debut with a respectable 20:09 and was followed over the line by James Riley and Peter Clarke.
Jonny Medcalf improved his time by over 2 minutes to finish ahead of Jack Crummett and Todmorden’s first lady was once again Kath Brierley, ahead of Chris Preston as they warmed up for their weekend triumph.
Thursday 15 April 2010
British Champs Silent Valley | Bunny Run1 | Cowm Reservoir | Wardle Skyline
Lauren Jeska made a flying start at the first of this year’s British Fell Championship Races in Northern Ireland’s Mourne Mountains at the weekend with a hard earned 2nd place in the Silent Valley Mountain Race. The Todmorden runner put in a tremendous performance to split last year’s ladies gold and silver medallists in a close contest to the end.
The 10 mile route, which packed in a substantial 4500 feet of ascent and descent, had been specifically designed for this year’s Championship and proved a worthy test.
Current champion Phillipa Maddams of Keswick was first lady in a time of 2:09:35, with Lauren in close attendance with a time of 2:10:53 ahead of Calder Valley’s Helen Fines in 2:12:22.
Whilst Lauren was the only Harrier to make the trip over the Irish Sea, Todmorden Harriers found plenty of other local races to enjoy in the spring weather.
On Tuesday the first of the weekly Bunny Runs at Haworth attracted a strong turnout from the club. The 3 mile races held every April are a fast dash around the Dimples Quarry area and are famed for their chocolate prizes.
First Todmorden Harrier was Shaun Pickard in 32nd place in a time of 18:45, followed by Martin Roberts in 72nd and Peter Clarke in 96th. Jack Crummett was the first Todmorden junior finishing in 125th in a time of 21:59. Todmorden’s first lady was Kath Brierley in 23:09, edging out Chris Preston.
A trio of Harriers were in Whitworth on Wednesday evening for the Ken Taylor Cowm Reservoir Race. First to finish the two lap circuit was James Riley in 20:34, 13 seconds ahead of Keith Parkinson, with John Newby in 32:14.
On Saturday twelve Harriers joined the biggest field in the past 10 years for the 25th Wardle Skyline Fell Race. Starting from Wardle Square the 7.2 mile route circles the hills around Watergrove Reservoir and features 1250 feet of ascent.
Dave Collins led in the Todmorden contingent in 32nd place out of the 239 starters, with Clive Greatorex pipping Steve Brandwood by 2 seconds to snatch 53rd. Kevin Booth finished 71st before a 4 way battle saw Lee McCluskey lead in Mick Craven, Peter Clarke and James Riley all within a minute. Mandy Goth finished first Todmorden lady ahead of Kathy Bridger.
The 10 mile route, which packed in a substantial 4500 feet of ascent and descent, had been specifically designed for this year’s Championship and proved a worthy test.
Current champion Phillipa Maddams of Keswick was first lady in a time of 2:09:35, with Lauren in close attendance with a time of 2:10:53 ahead of Calder Valley’s Helen Fines in 2:12:22.
Whilst Lauren was the only Harrier to make the trip over the Irish Sea, Todmorden Harriers found plenty of other local races to enjoy in the spring weather.
On Tuesday the first of the weekly Bunny Runs at Haworth attracted a strong turnout from the club. The 3 mile races held every April are a fast dash around the Dimples Quarry area and are famed for their chocolate prizes.
First Todmorden Harrier was Shaun Pickard in 32nd place in a time of 18:45, followed by Martin Roberts in 72nd and Peter Clarke in 96th. Jack Crummett was the first Todmorden junior finishing in 125th in a time of 21:59. Todmorden’s first lady was Kath Brierley in 23:09, edging out Chris Preston.
A trio of Harriers were in Whitworth on Wednesday evening for the Ken Taylor Cowm Reservoir Race. First to finish the two lap circuit was James Riley in 20:34, 13 seconds ahead of Keith Parkinson, with John Newby in 32:14.
On Saturday twelve Harriers joined the biggest field in the past 10 years for the 25th Wardle Skyline Fell Race. Starting from Wardle Square the 7.2 mile route circles the hills around Watergrove Reservoir and features 1250 feet of ascent.
Dave Collins led in the Todmorden contingent in 32nd place out of the 239 starters, with Clive Greatorex pipping Steve Brandwood by 2 seconds to snatch 53rd. Kevin Booth finished 71st before a 4 way battle saw Lee McCluskey lead in Mick Craven, Peter Clarke and James Riley all within a minute. Mandy Goth finished first Todmorden lady ahead of Kathy Bridger.
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Liver Hill Fell Race | Robinsons 5k | Salford 10k | Pendle Fell Race
A busy Easter week for Todmorden Harriers started off on Tuesday with the Liver Hill Fell Race. The 5mile race features 800 feet of ascent and the 140 competitors were rewarded with a crème egg for their efforts.
Sean Carey continued his recent good form with 2nd place overall, and first under 18, in the senior race with Kath Brierley finishing 7th lady, and 1st vet45.
In the junior races Jack Crummett recorded a hard fought victory in the Under 12s race narrowly edging out Calder Valley’s Tom Nelson by 5 seconds.
On Wednesday a trio of Harriers warmed up with the Colin & Brenda Robinson 5k at Littleborough. Andrew Horsfall was the first to cross the line in 18:50 and 38th place, with Keith Parkinson in 79th at 20:59 and Myra Wells in 191st with a time of 29:08.
The Club’s Road Championship took to the streets of Salford for Friday’s fast flat 10k, which attracted a high quality 600 strong field around its two lap course. Holmfirth’s Mark Buckingham won the race in 29:59; just 8 seconds ahead of team mate Matthew Pierson.
Jon Wright led the Todmorden entry with 24th place, ahead of Andy Wrench in 32nd. Martin Stork edged out Mark Anderton in the final straight to retain his position at the top of the road championship table. Sarah May led in the Todmorden ladies finishing as 7th female.
Todmorden Results: 24 Jon Wright 33:54; 32 Andy Wrench 34:22; 125 Martin Stork 39:15; 129 Mark Anderton 39:21; 140 Sarah May 39:45; 153 Richard Butterwick 40:01; 180 Darren Tweed 41:02; 272 Mel Blackhurst 44:47; 325 Mel Siddall 46:56; 453 Mel Robertson 54:16; 523 Myra Wells 59:08.
On Saturday it was the turn of the Club Fell Championship to take centre stage at Pendle Hill for the 4.5 mile short race, where both of Todmorden’s star performers of 2010 once again rose to the challenge.
Starting from Barley, the route climbed part way towards the summit before plunging down and then taking the runners up a lung busting climb back up the steep side of Big End, followed by a fast descent back to the village.
Salford’s John Brown took the win ahead of Pudsey & Bramley’s Graham Pearce as more than 200 runners turned out. Sean Carey was once again first Todmorden finisher in 12th place with Lauren Jeska recording another fine first place in the ladies race.
Todmorden Results: 12 Sean Carey 37:02; 25 Lauren Jeska 38:40; 37 Andrew Horsfall 39:55; 43 Ben Crowther 40:35; 58 Stephen Brandwood 42:13; 73 Kevin Booth 43:26; 95 James Riley 45:20; 124 Keith Parkinson 47:26; 138 Richard Leonard 49:10; 142 Peter Jackson 49:23; 158 Jane E Leonard 51:17; 204 David O'Neill 1:03:57.
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