Todmorden Harriers had further success this week with Chris Smale 1st V45, Sean Carey 1st U18 and Sarah May 3rd lady as 27 Harriers joined a record 400 strong field for the Ilkley Moor Fell Race on Sunday. The 5 mile race with 1300 feet of ascent and descent, which has a reputation for being demanding and not for beginners, took place in mild and breezy conditions.
The route started from Wells Road on the outskirts of the town and after a bottle neck past The Tarn, the runners soon spread out on the climb past the Cow and Calf Rocks. A further climb to the Pancake Stone was followed by a fast and tricky descent down Backstone Beck; before a bridge crossing and a long climb all the way back up the other side of the beck. After a level section interrupted with a short steep scramble, a further level section took the field to a longer steep ascent up to the Badger Stone at the highest point of the race. A fast descent followed before a sting in the tail final climb led onto a second fast plunge down the aptly named Weary Hill to the finish.
Ian Holmes of Bingley Harriers soon took up the lead and held it to take a comfortable win. Chris Smale was first Todmorden runner in 10th, closely followed by Andrew Wrench. Sean Carey finished in 16th winning the U18 prize, following on from his earlier win in the U16 junior races which themselves had attracted over 250 youngsters. Craig Stansfield made a promising debut for the Harriers with a solid run to finish 76th.
Sarah May was first Todmorden lady home, continuing her profitable start with the club. With Jo Waites of neighbouring club Calder Valley taking the ladies prize, Sarah had to settle for 3rd on this occasion. Lauren Jeska and Claire Duffield were the next Todmorden ladies as the team made a strong showing.
Todmorden results: 10 Chris Smale (40:37); 11 Andrew Wrench (41:00); 16 Sean Carey (42:29); 62 Dave Collins (46:37); 76 Craig Stansfield (47:52); 91 Martin Roberts (48:29); 95 Sarah May (48:58); 108 Simon Galloway (49:37); 114 Kevin Booth (50:02); 124 Nick Wigmore (50:52); 128 Lauren Jeska (51:11); 149 Claire Duffield (52:20); 156 Dan Taylor (52:47); 171 Andrew Bibby (53:46); 178 Jeremy Godden (54:07); 194 Peter Jackson (55:33); 202 Mick Craven (55:54); 211 Chris Preston (56:31); 262 Peter Marshall (59:20); 282 Kevin Coughlan (1:00:48); 297 Helen Hodgkinson (1:01:31); 306 Louise Abdy (1:01:57); 313 John Medcalf (1:02:32); 324 Sue Roberts (1:03:18); 333 Helen Wilson (1:04:54); 357 Barry Chapman (1:09:24); 387 Myra Wells (1:22:58).
Another race with a tough reputation for experienced fell runners only is the Harriers own Pennine classic, the Noon Stone Fell Race, which take place on Saturday 28th February. Details can be found on the club’s website www.todharriers.co.uk
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