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Tuesday 28 January 2014

Northern Cross Country Championships | Kinder Trail



by PB

Three Tod Harriers travelled to Knowsley to compete in the prestigious Northern Cross Country Championships. The persistent heavy rain of recent weeks ensured a mix of mud bath and bog underfoot.

Nick Barber had a great run finishing 138th in 49.35 in a race won by last year’s bronze medallist Dan Garbutt in 41.17. Next in for Tod was Robin Tuddenham in 277th posting a time nearly 4 minutes quicker than last year. Third Tod Harrier home was Martin Stork, who one eye witness said “looked in a state of shock” after enduring such a long run in that kind of mud.

Robin Tuddenham commented “Being part of a start where 600 of the North of England’s finest cross country runners head up the first hill is life affirming”.

Results:
Nick Barber 138th 49.35
Robin Tuddenham 277th 54.01
Martin Stork 345th 56.42


At the Kinder Trial on Saturday 25th January Mandy Goth applied her excellent navigational skills to take 1st place in the Ladies V50 category. 

This 20km orienteering event from Hayfield on the edge of the Peak District saw Mandy’s husband Phil Hodgson finish 52nd out of 130 runners. 

The winner is the quickest to visit all 15 checkpoints in any order you choose and this year’s winner was Tom Brunt.

Todmorden Harriers welcome and look after runners of all ability. Check out www.todharriers.co.uk for details.

Monday 20 January 2014

Stanbury Splash



The 31st annual Stanbury Splash fell race took place on Sunday 19th January in typically seasonal conditions, with over 400 runners turning out to take on the mud and to take home the prize of a malt loaf. 

The event certainly lived up to its name. Todmorden Harriers maintained their strong presence at this popular local event. The rain that has characterised the winter so far meant that the 7 mile senior course and the shorter Junior course promised to be very muddy – neither course disappointed. 

Both events began in the ankle deep mud at the bottom of the quarry before a short climb. The Junior course then took in the paths round the perimeter of the quarry. 

The senior route took runners across the main road and down the track in the direction of the ruined Withen’s farm. Before the farm, runners were taken down through a field to cross Sladen Beck; they would also cross the beck on the return journey) before climbing out of the valley. They were then taken on a loop around the Ponden Kirkvalley skyline, including a splash through the swollen stream at the, before dropping back into the valley. The route back in retraced the runners’ steps, including a re-crossing of Sladen Beck before the final hard to the finish back at the cricket club in Penistone County Park.

Todmorden Harriers juniors were well represented at the event. Head Coach, Ben Crowther, was on hand to make sure everyone was ready for the run. 

There were strong performances from Todmorden’s runners in all age categories. This was their first taste of a competitive fell race for some of the Juniors.

Junior results
Ollie Davidson (under 8s) 28th 4.38
Ben Hodgkinson (under 8s) 33rd 4.50
Rebecca Haworth (under 8s) 35th 4.52
Rachel Davis (under 8s) 37th 4.56
Laurie Gee (under 10s) 63rd 9.10
Linus Mulhern (under 10s) 69th 9.19
Oonagh Brooks (under 10s) 111th 10.36
Thea Crowther (under 10s) 132nd 11.33

In the senior ladies race Laura Sutcliffe had the honour of being first Toddie home, placing 312th in 73.12. Jane Leonard (FV50) was the second Todmorden lady home in 314th in 75.44. 

First senior male, and also first V50, for Todmorden was Martin Roberts in 102nd place in 58.20. Dave Collins was second V50 and second senior male for Todmorden in 122nd place (60.01). 

Kevin Booth (V40) and Roger Haworth competed hard for the honour of 3rd senior male for Todmorden. They passed each other several times over the last 3 miles, Kevin eventually taking 3rd senior male for Todmorden (178th overall) in 64.27 with Roger finishing 184th in 64.44. 

Joe Daniels, who couldn’t quite keep up pace with Kevin and Roger in the final mile of the course, finished 191st in 65.12.

Senior results
Martin Roberts 102nd 58.20
Dave Collins 122nd 60.01
Kevin Booth 178th 64.27
Roger Haworth 184th 64.44
Joe Daniels 191st 65.12
Laura Sutcliffe 312th 73.12
Jane Leonard 314th 75.44

Todmorden Harriers welcome and look after runners of all ability. Check out www.todharriers.co.uk for details.


JD

East Lancashire 10k



22 Todmorden Harriers kicked off their new Grand Prix season at Great Harwood in the East Lancs Hospice 10k Trail Race, which raised more than £3000 for the hospice. 

First harrier home was Nick Barber in 3rd place, an excellent performance considering he is in heavy training for the Manchester Marathon. 

First Tod lady home was Lucy Hobbs, 14th lady overall, making a welcome return to racing after injuries meant a year or so cycling. 

The multi-terrain of tarmac and mud attracted a mix of Tod’s road and fell specialists including Simon Galloway, in 111th place, who made a solid return to racing having recently recovered from pleurisy. 

Tod’s strong ladies section was added to with good runs from recent recruits Melanie Whitmore and Nina Fedorski.


Results:
3rd
Nick Barber
Todmorden Harriers
0.35.10
 8th
Paul Brannigan
Todmorden Harriers
V45
0.37.49
 58th
Michael Harper
Todmorden Harriers
V45
0.43.46
62nd
Andrew Bibby
Todmorden Harriers
V60
0.44.05
64th
Guy Whitmore
Todmorden Harriers
V45
0.44.39
90th
Lucy Hobbs
Todmorden Harriers
LV40
0.46.31
94th
Kevin Coughlan
Todmorden Harriers
V50
0.46.49
111th
Simon Galloway
Todmorden Harriers
V45
0.48.26
118th
Richard O'Sullivan
Todmorden Harriers
V50
0.49.10
132nd
Darren Graham
Todmorden Harriers
V45
0.51.03
138th
Melanie Whitmore
Todmorden Harriers
LV45
0.51.17
149th
Elise Milnes
Todmorden Harriers
LV50
0.52.09
158th
Helen Wilson
Todmorden Harriers
LV45
0.52.51
159th
Louise Abdy
Todmorden Harriers
LV50
0.53.00
172nd
Peter Ehrhardt
Todmorden Harriers
V65
0.54.19
174th
Nigel Hanson
Todmorden Harriers
V55
0.54.29
182nd
David Wilson
Todmorden Harriers
V55
0.55.12
185th
Julie Wyant
Todmorden Harriers
LV45
0.55.19
190th
Mandy Goth
Todmorden Harriers
LV50
0.55.52
240th
Graham Milnes
Todmorden Harriers
V55
63.13
242nd
Nina Fedorski
Todmorden Harriers
LV50
63.49
243rd
David O'Neil
Todmorden Harriers
V50
63.59









Todmorden Harriers welcome and look after runners of all ability. Check out www.todharriers.co.uk for details.

PB