Blackstone Edge Fell Race | Cowm Reservoir 5k

Todmorden Harriers Ladies took first and second places at the 3.75 mile Blackstone Edge Fell Race on Wednesday evening. Starting from Lydgate Hamlet the race climbed almost straight up to the Trig point with the terrain increasingly steep. After a brief traverse along the top, runners were then faced with a sharp and tussocky descent back to the finish.

After a close contest for much of the race, Kath Brierley won in 40:30 after she managed to open up a gap in the last mile to finish a minute ahead of team mate Jane Leonard. Andrea Marshall was the ladies 3rd counter to take the team prize.

The men’s team finished 2nd behind Calder Valley with Sean Carey in 4th, and first U18, and Jon Wright just 2 seconds behind in 5th leading the way. Wright had held the upper hand on the climb up to Blackstone Edge but once past the trig point, Carey made a move and held the advantage to the line despite being pushed all the way. Newcomer Jackson Cowie showed considerable promise with 14th place, and 3rd junior, finishing ahead of Dave Collins in 18th place.

Geoff Read made the not inconsiderable trip all the way from Japan to finish in 42nd place just ahead of Phil Cook.


On the same evening at Whitworth four Harriers tackled the 5km Ian Casey Memorial Cowm Reservoir Race. James Riley finished in 30th in a time of 20:07 with Mel Siddall finishing 5th lady in 22:22. Ian Stansfield finished 101st and Jon Newby in 106th place.