Todmorden Harriers Annual Presentation Evening and Christmas Party, held at Todmorden Cricket Club, was a particularly special occasion this year as it marked the 30th anniversary of the club’s inception.
More than 100 members turned out to reflect on a year, assisted by an excellent presentation by Phil Hodgson, that had seen many tremendous highlights that included an individual English Championship bronze medal, a Lakeland Classics trophy, entrants in international marathons as well as on a less competitive note many members taking part in a special 30k anniversary run in the summer and even commemorative ale being produced by Bare Arts Brewery for the club. On a sadder note, honorary club president and founding member Eric Stuttard had passed away at the start of the year.
It was in his honour that a new award for the best performance in the English Fell Championships was named, and the first recipient was Chris Smale. Chris had had an outstanding year and was rewarded for his hard work with a coveted bronze medal for finishing 3rd in the Vet 40s.
Also on the national scene, Jon Wright had become the Series winner in the Lakeland Classics, which comprised of six of the toughest long fell races in the Lakes.
In the English Fell Championships the ladies team once again continued their recent years’ progress to finish in their best ever 6th placing. Jane Leonard and Moyra Parfitt narrowly missed out on individual medals both finishing 4th in their categories, with Kath Brierley and Chris Preston finishing 7th and 11th respectively in their age groups. Ali Richards finished the season in an admirable 23rd place in the overall standings.
The men’s veteran 50 team matched the ladies with their own 6th place, with the overall men’s team finishing 13th and the Vet 40 team in 9th. In terms of individual performances as well as Chris’s medal, Dave Collins had finished 17th in the V50.
Current President Jim Smith highlighted the good work of many members in running the club and assisting at the club’s many races. After a vote on the night club secretary Derek Donohue was named ‘Clubman of the Year’ for his contribution.
The club’s own Championships attracted a high number of entrants with a record 20 achieving qualification for the Club’s Grand Prix and 84 taking part in at least one race.
Kath Brierley triumphed to be named GP Champion and was also successful in the club’s Fell Championship, with Chris Smale winning the corresponding men’s Fell award. Other awards went to Andrew Wrench as runner-up and Alistair Rhodes-Dawson in 3rd, Ali Richards as ladies runner-up, Claire Duffield (1st LV35), Jane Leonard (1st LV50) and Peter Ehrhardt (1st V60).
In the Road Championship trophies went to Mel Blackhurst, who retained the ladies title for the 3rd consecutive year, and to Richard Butterwick, in his first year at the club. Other awards went to Duncan Ritchie as runner up, Claire Duffield (1st LV35), Mel Siddall (1st LV45), Myra Wells (1st LV50), Richard O’Sullivan (1st V45), Steve Burnip (1st V50), Peter Ehrhardt (1st V60) and Ian Stansfield (1st V65).
Paul Brannigan was awarded the ‘Club Champion’ trophy, which requires excellent all round ability across road and fell, as well as a variety of distances.
Claire Duffield was named ‘Most Improved Runner of the Year’, assisted in part by the club’s weekly training sessions conducted by seniors coach Graeme Wrench.
After the presentations were concluded, whilst Club Chairman Mandy Goth was referring to members participation in ultra races, triathlons, long distance cycle races, and many other interests when commenting that the club could now accurately be described as “More than just a Running Club”, many members demonstrated an alternative interpretation of the motto when displaying their athletic prowess on the dance floor to Harrier Simon Anderton’s band ‘Big Noise’ before ‘DJ Branny’ played the evening out with an eclectic mix of tunes from the past 30 years.
Todmorden Harrier’s highly rated road race, the ‘Hot Toddy’, takes place on Sunday 28th December. Whether you are an aspiring 2012 Olympian or just want to get out of the house after a few days of stir crazy Christmas TV, details and entries are still available from www.todharriers.co.uk
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