11 sep 08

The latest chapter of Todmorden Harrier’s road championship was contested over Stainland Lions’ tough undulating 7 mile course on Sunday. After a fast downhill start the route climbed steadily upwards to Barkisland before three steep hills in the last couple of miles tested runners’ stamina to the limit. The race was won by Ben Mounsey of the host club in 41:34.
After Richard Butterwick had led the Todmorden contingent round, Paul Brannigan made a supreme push on the final steep rise to take the honours as first Todmorden finisher. The event’s unofficial reputation as a ‘fell race on the roads’ even persuaded Jeremy Godden into his first road race and he was rewarded by breaking the hour mark.
However, it was the ladies who walked away with armfuls of prizes. Claire Duffield transferred her recent excellent fell performances to the road as she finished as 3rd lady overall. Mel Blackhurst followed her in as 4th lady, and 1st V40, and together with Elise Milnes Todmorden took the ladies team prize. Moyra Parfitt added another V60 win to round off a very successful outing.
Full Todmorden results - 19 Paul Brannigan (50:40); 21 Richard Butterwick (50:47); 31 Andrew Bibby (54:07); 36 Claire Duffield (55:04); 37 Mick Craven (55:45); 40 Mel Blackhurst (56:03); 45 Richard O'Sullivan (58:06); 50 Jeremy Godden (59:43); 51 Kevin Coughlan (1:00:02); 53 Elise Milnes (1:00:33); 71 Stephen Burnip (1:05:11); 81 Moyra Parfitt (1:07:00); 91 Graham Milnes (1:09:33); 98 Derek Clutterbuck (1:12:36); 100 Myra Wells (1:13:08); 116 Ian Stansfield (1:19:41);

Sunday also saw three Harriers tackle the roads of Leeds for the reprieved half marathon. First Todmorden runner home was Nick Barber in an excellent time of 1 hour 21 minutes with Rachel Lockley and Katie Jukes also completing the course.

On Saturday, several Harriers were in sunny Scotland tackling the Ben Nevis race that attracted a quality international field, as it was also part of the World Sky Running Championship. In pleasantly warm dry conditions, 450 runners set off to the strains of a traditional pipe band straight up to the top of Britain’s highest peak before the torturous descent back down to Fort William. Spaniard Agusti Roc won the prestigious race by just 13 seconds ahead of Bingley’s Rob Jebb who had led for nearly all the race.
Todmorden’s Andrew Wrench and Jon Wright did the club proud finishing in 23rd and 24th places respectively with just 11 seconds separating them after a close battle throughout. Andrew Horsfall was third Todmorden runner to finish, squeezing home under the 2 hour mark.
Full Todmorden results - 23 Andrew Wrench 1.46.36; 24 Jon Wright 1.46.47; 94 Andrew Horsfall 1.59.16; 197 John Preston 2.15.03; 227 Phil Hodgson 2.17.59; 263 Richard Leonard 2.24.10; 276 Jane Smith 2.25.48; 311 Rhys Watkins 2.34.26; 401 Mandy Goth 2.55.44.

Less comfortable weather was experienced in the Lake District on Saturday for the Grisedale Horseshoe at Glenridding. The normal 10 mile route, with over 5000 feet of ascent, had to be extended by a mile due to a swollen river and 78 runners braved the gale force winds and poor visibility. Amongst them Todmorden runner Ali Richards navigated brilliantly through the wet conditions to finish an exceptional 2nd lady. Kath Brierley and Sue Roberts finished together enabling the ladies to secure the team prize. James Riley was the sole Todmorden male entrant with a quality performance that was close to matching his previous best time, despite the extra distance.

Proving that variety is the spice of the club, three Todmorden Harriers were amongst the 500 who managed to complete the Helvellyn Triathlon on Sunday. Justifiably ranked as one of the toughest triathlons in the country the event held no fear for the local trio that took on the multi-disciplinary endurance challenge. Starting with a mile swim in the ever cold Ullswater, competitors then transferred to their bikes for a hard 38 mile ride including a steep climb out of Ambleside over Kirkstone Pass that would not be out of place on the Tour de France, before a 9 mile fell run over the summit of Helvellyn.
Simon Anderton, competing in this event for Rochdale Tri, finished in 177th in 4 hours 7 minutes. Just 3 minutes behind was Sarah Warburton, continuing her superb development in the sport, in 199th overall and after taking several places on the run finished as 10th female. Simon Galloway was the third Todmorden finisher a further 5 minutes back in 233rd.