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.
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