31 dec 08

A bumper turnout of 300 runners, cheered along by many supporters all around the course, enjoyed dry and milder than usual conditions for Todmorden Harriers’ annual winter road race the ‘Hot Toddy’ on Sunday.
Todmorden youngster Sean Carey set the early pace as the race emerged from Dale Street and travelled along Rochdale Road.
After turning off at Walsden Post Office, Ian Grime of Newham & Essex Beagles took control up the long climb to the Shepherd’s Rest Inn, closely shadowed by Jonathon Ferguson of Rossendale Harriers. The pair opened up a substantial lead on the next group of runners who were left to battle for 3rd place.
Following a steep descent the race then returned to the town centre along Halifax Road, with Grimes opening up an unassailable lead of nearly a minute eventually crossing the finish line in 29 minutes and 41 seconds. First Todmorden Harrier was Sean Willis in 7th place.
First female was Karen Pickles, who after taking the lead up early on Rochdale Road quickly established a strong lead that she held to the finish, almost a minute ahead of her nearest rival Amy Green of Keighley and Craven. Previous winner on several occasions, Sue Becconsall came in just behind as 3rd lady. First Todmorden lady to finish was Laura Sutcliffe.
Todmorden Harriers: 7th Sean Willis 31.44; 40th Sean Carey 35.51; 49th Joe Stansfield 37.16; 59th David Baldaro 37.39; 70th Phil Cook 38.20; 71st Richard Butterwick 38.23; 90th Scott Lapish 39.21; 101st Jeff Anderson 40.25; 139th Dan Taylor 42.50; 184th Laura Sutcliffe 45.51; 191st Karen Gray 46.48; 205th Mick Hennigan 47.26; 236th Myra Wells 50.32; 253rd Rachel Henthorne 52.17; 258th Graham Milnes 52.38; 261st Katy Moore 52.51; 268th Rachel Kenney 54.43; 273rd Rachel Allen 55.18; 274th Derek Clutterbuck 55.31; 277th Laurence Bristow 57.02; 281st Ian Stansfield 58.10; 290th Lauren Butler 67.53.

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The previous weekend had seen 21 Harriers make the short trip to Haworth for ‘The Stoop’ fell race.
Almost 300 runners, many in festive fancy dress, took to a windy and muddy Haworth Moor for 800ft of climbing over the 5 mile course.
British Champion Rob Hope of Pudsey & Bramley made it a 6th victory in 8 years, despite strong pressure from 10-time winner Ian Holmes of Bingley. First Todmorden man was Andrew Wrench in 7th place, with Sean Carey in 25th narrowly missing out on 1st under 18.
Aptly for a race famed for its chocolate prizes the ladies race was won by Swiss student Sabine Hauswirth, running for Ilkley Harriers, despite suffering a few falls on the slippery descents.
Ladies Club Fell Champion Kath Brierley was first Todmorden lady home nosing in front of team mate Christine Preston on the line. Todmorden’s Jane Leonard took home the LV50 prize for the 2nd year running, although the heavy going meant there was little danger of her breaking her own course record of the year before.