Ennerdale Horseshoe | Hebden Bridge Fell Race | Otley 10

Todmorden Harriers’ Ladies won the team prize at the English Fell Championships on Saturday. The Ennerdale Horseshoe Fell Race was the third of the six races that make up the championship, and was also the longest at 23 miles, with over 7,500 feet of ascent and descent. Starting and finishing at Ennerdale Scout Camp the epic route travelled over the many peaks surrounding Ennerdale Water, with warm weather adding to the challenge.

Lauren Jeska maintained her challenge for a medal with 5th place, in what is unfolding as one of the most competitive ladies championships in recent years. The next counter is in a fortnight with the first short race in the series at Sedburgh, but the destiny of the medals is not likely to be settled until the final race in September.

Jane Leonard continued her comeback from injury with 15th place, and 2nd V50, with Sarah Warburton and Kath Brierley the other victorious team prize winners.

Rob Jebb of Bingley won the men’s race, holding off Dark Peak’s fast finishing Lloyd Taggart. Jon Wright was Todmorden’s first counter in 14th, with Alistair Rhodes-Dawson and Nick Barber in 61st and 67th respectively.

Todmorden Results: 14 Jonathan Wright 4:03:02; 61 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 4:36:38; 67 Nick Barber 4:40:16; 74 Lauren Jeska 4:44:25; 108 Oz Kershaw 5:02:04; 136 Phil Hodgson 5:13:00; 137 Dave Collins 5:14:04; 151 Clive Greatorex 5:19:11; 157 Jane Leonard 5:22:42; 195 Sarah Warburton 5:38:16; 221 Kath Brierley 5:48:05; 239= Ben Crowther 5:55:56; 239= Richard Leonard 5:55:56; 247 Kevin Booth 5:59:36; 267= Louise Abdy 6:47:45; 278 David Wilson 7:28:23.

The Hebden Bridge Fell Race, organised by Todmorden Harriers, took place in cool and breezy conditions last Thursday evening. Starting and finishing at Calder Holmes Park the 5.8 mile race followed a looping route over Erringdon Moor up to Stoodley Pike taking in 1150 feet of ascent.

The race quickly developed into a two way battle between Calder Valley’s Karl Gray and Alex Whittem, with Gray eventually pulling out a 40 second lead on the descent to win in a new course record time of 42:41.

Todmorden’s Sean Carey finished in 4th place narrowly losing out to Pudsey’s Colin Walker in their race long tussle for 3rd. Paul Hobbs was the next Harrier in 8th with Peter Bowles in 14th.

Chris Preston finished 2nd lady and Patsy Reilly 3rd lady for Todmorden behind Calder Valley’s Jackie Scarf.

The club’s final summer fell race is the 3.5 mile Stoodley Pike Fell Race, which takes place on Tuesday 6th July.

Todmorden Results: 4 Sean Carey 44.49; 8 Paul Hobbs 48.03; 14 Peter Bowles 50.32; 18 Martin Roberts 53.36; 22 Paul Brannigan 55.14; 28 Paul Cotton 55.47; 32 Deon Bamford 56.35; 34 Lee McCluskey 57.03; 37 Peter Clarke 57.18; 38 Andrew Bibby 57.29; 40 Paul Cruthers 57.42; 45 Richard Blakeley 60.36; 52 Chris Preston 61.58; 54 Derek Donohue 62.27; 60 Patsy Reilly 66.42.


On Tuesday, the latest round of the club’s Road Championship took place, with the Otley 10. Six Harriers tackled the 10 mile undulating scenic route with Paul Brannigan first Harrier home. Mel Blackhurst was next ahead of Nigel Hanson and 1st V65 Moira Parfitt. Mel Siddall was next to finish with Ian Stansfield completing the club entry.