Andrew Wrench moved into a near unassailable position at the top of Todmorden Harriers’ Road Championship after the latest qualifying round at the Stainland 7. The challenging, and well organised, race features several steep climbs in the latter stages after a long downhill start. Whilst it leaves many runners saying “never again” at the finish, it is a favourite of many who return year after year, particularly after post race reflection in race HQ, The Red Lion. Ben Mounsey of organising club Stainland Lions set a new course record as he won in a time of 40:52, in ideal warm and cloudy conditions.
Todmorden put in a strong showing and won both the men’s’ and women’s team prizes. Andy Wrench led the way in 4th place, followed by Nick Barber and Dave Collins. The ladies team, Mel Blackhurst, Lucy Hobbs and Sarah Glyde, took 4th, 5th and 6th places to repeat the club’s achievement of the previous year.
Once again the Harriers also took many of the individual prizes with Andy Wrench 1st vet40, Mel Blackhurst 1st FV40, Lucy Hobbs 1st FV35 and Elise Milnes 1st FV45. Adding to this, were respectable positions for Sarah Glyde 2nd FV35, Rachel Henthorne 2nd FV40 and Moyra Parfitt 2nd FV60.
Tod Results: 4 Andy Wrench 44:02; 8 Nick Barber 46:47; 11 Dave Collins 48:25; 17 Richard Butterwick 50:48; 21 Darren Tweed 51:25; 32 Phil Cook 54:10; 39 Dan Taylor 55:56; 41 Mel Blackhurst 56:31; 48 Lucy Hobbs 57:15; 53 Sarah Glyde 58:18; 62 Elise Milnes 59:34 ; 76 Kevin Coughlan 1:02:09; 81 Peter Ehrhardt 1:03:47; 90 Moyra Parfitt 1:05:17; 100 Graham Milnes 1:10:05; 101 Dave O'Neill 1:10:37; 104 Dave Henthorne 1:11:02; 105 Rachel Henthorne 1:11:06; 115 Ian Stansfield 1:22:42.
Conditions were far from ideal on Saturday for the 9 Harriers who took on the challenge of the Ben Nevis Fell Race. Despite the sub zero temperatures on the summit and freezing rain and poor visibility, there was a record 464 finishers. With the 10 mile race featuring in the Skyrunning World Series a high quality international field assembled to tackle the 4400 feet climb up to the highest point in Britain and straight back down to Fort William.
Bingley’s Rob Jebb and Spanish runner Augusti Roc were together at the summit, before a fall by the Spaniard allowed Jebb to pull away and complete the course in a time of 1:32:33, three minutes ahead of Pudsey and Bramley’s Danny Hope.
Not far behind was the first Todmorden runner, Jon Wright, who finished in an excellent 18th place winning the Wallace Plaque in the process, in a time of 1:44:28. Andrew Horsfall was next home, in 118th, just past the 2 hour mark.
Lauren Jeska celebrated her birthday in style with 12th lady in a time of 2:14:12, and along with Sue Roberts and Mandy Goth, helped the Todmorden Ladies team into an excellent 3rd place.
Closer to home on Saturday several Harriers took part in the Blackshaw Head Fell Race, organised by Harrier Patsey Reilly. The 5.5 mile course featured 900 feet of ascent and was comfortably won by James Logue of Horwich RMI Harriers in a time of 37:28, exactly 3 minutes clear of Steve Oldfield in 2nd. First Harrier to finish was Paul Hobbs in 10th, followed by Scott Lapish in 20th and Dan Taylor in 30th.
On Thursday evening, it was Derek Clutterbuck in the organising role for the ever popular Hades Hill Fell Race. Despite starting in torrential rain and with high winds and hail to contend with on the 1200 feet climb up and down Hades Hill, 86 runners braved the conditions with Rossendale’s Ashley Holt victorious over the 5 mile route in a time of 33:35. Sean Carey was the first Todmorden runner in 4th place in a time of 35:01. Paul Burnett edged out Scott Lapish as they finished 17th and 18th respectively, with Dan Taylor in 25th, with Peter Ehrhardt in 79th.
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