It was a weekend for the long distance specialists as Todmorden Harriers tackled two of the country’s highest profile running events off and on the road.
First up on Saturday was the Three Peaks Fell Race in the Yorkshire Dales. The 24 mile circuit starts from Horton-in-Ribblesdale and passes over the summits of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough adding up to a total ascent, and descent, of 5300 feet.
Rob Jebb of Bingley Harriers won this year’s race which attracted 700 starters, followed by Ellenborough’s Ricky Lightfoot and Karl Gray of Calder Valley, all of whom broke the 3 hour mark.
First Todmorden runner to finish was Andy McFie who completed the course in 3 hours 57 minutes, breaking under the 4 hour mark that had narrowly eluded him in the previous two attempts. Next over the line was Derek Donohue who overtook Kath Brierley on the final climb of Ingleborough and held the advantage to the finish.
Todmorden Results: 114 Andy McFie 3:57:25; 243 Derek Donohue 4:17:32; 261 Kath Brierley 4:21:50; 316 Richard Gilbert 4:30:06; 390 Paul Cotton 4:42:15; 506 Alistair Chant 4:57:25; 574 Karen Gray 5:18:51
On Sunday, six Harriers joined the masses for the London Marathon. First to complete the 26 mile course was Mel Blackhurst in a time of 3 hours and 36 minutes. A trio of John Medcalf, Chris Preston and Rhys Watkins followed in quick succession a further 7 minutes back. Richard O’Sullivan and Laura Sutcliffe completed the Todmorden contingent.
Todmorden Results: Melanie Blackhurst 3:36:02; John Medcalf 3:43:10; Christine Preston 3:43:11; Rhys Watkins 3:43:27; Richard O'Sullivan 3:53:49; Laura Sutcliffe 4:20:01
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Caldervale 10 | Anniversary Waltz
Todmorden Harriers swopped Calderdale for Caldervale on Good Friday for the latest round of the club’s road championship. Six Harriers took part in the undulating Caldervale Country 10 mile race near Garstang in a 250 strong field. Matt Nuttall of Blackburn Harriers set the pace and won in a time of 55:01.
First Harrier to finish was Dan Taylor, who rounded off a busy week with his 4th race and was rewarded with 65th place and a time of 1:10:19, with Jeff Anderson next over the line. A close three-way battle ensued throughout the race with Mel Siddall edging ahead of Bev Wright and Peter Ehrhardt, with less than 30 seconds separating them at the end. Barry Chapman completed the Todmorden contingent.
Full Todmorden Results: 65 Dan Taylor 70.19; 120 Jeff Anderson 76.57; 149 Mel Siddall 81.06; 152 Bev Wright 81.23; 153 Peter Ehrhardt 81.35; 228 Barry Chapman 99.48.
On Saturday, 18 Harriers set off from Stair Village Hall in the Lake District on the Anniversary Waltz Fell Race. The scenic 11 and a half route covers the Newlands Valley Horseshoe taking in several summits including Robinson, Dale Head and Catbells giving a total ascent of over 3,600 feet. Morgan Donnelly of Borrowdale won the race in a time of 1:35:59.
First Harrier to finish was Martin Roberts in 100th place and a time of 2:07:36, with James Riley, Derek Donohue and Mark Harris a further 10 minutes back. Kath Brierley was first Todmorden lady to finish a few seconds later, with Chris Preston and Lucy Hobbs following on.
First Harrier to finish was Dan Taylor, who rounded off a busy week with his 4th race and was rewarded with 65th place and a time of 1:10:19, with Jeff Anderson next over the line. A close three-way battle ensued throughout the race with Mel Siddall edging ahead of Bev Wright and Peter Ehrhardt, with less than 30 seconds separating them at the end. Barry Chapman completed the Todmorden contingent.
Full Todmorden Results: 65 Dan Taylor 70.19; 120 Jeff Anderson 76.57; 149 Mel Siddall 81.06; 152 Bev Wright 81.23; 153 Peter Ehrhardt 81.35; 228 Barry Chapman 99.48.
On Saturday, 18 Harriers set off from Stair Village Hall in the Lake District on the Anniversary Waltz Fell Race. The scenic 11 and a half route covers the Newlands Valley Horseshoe taking in several summits including Robinson, Dale Head and Catbells giving a total ascent of over 3,600 feet. Morgan Donnelly of Borrowdale won the race in a time of 1:35:59.
First Harrier to finish was Martin Roberts in 100th place and a time of 2:07:36, with James Riley, Derek Donohue and Mark Harris a further 10 minutes back. Kath Brierley was first Todmorden lady to finish a few seconds later, with Chris Preston and Lucy Hobbs following on.
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Pendle | Ampleforth Legwarmer Triathlon
Twelve Harriers took part in the short and steep Pendle Fell Race on Saturday. Cramming a total ascent, and descent, of 1500 feet into its four and a half mile length the race is a fast and tough workout. The Ladies team were once again successful with Claire Duffield, Helen Hodgkinson, Moyra Parfitt and Paula Howarth making up the winning quartet.
Simon Galloway was first over the line in a time of 42:23, with Claire Duffield 40 seconds further back to take 5th place in the women’s standings. Moyra Parfitt finished first lady vet60 to add to the prize haul.
There was also success for Todmorden Harriers growing band of triathlon enthusiasts at the Ampleforth Legwarmer Triathlon this weekend. A competitive field of 200 gathered near Helmsey for the inaugural event, which was a British qualifier for this year’s age group European Championships.
Sarah May and Sarah Warburton both recorded wins in their respective age categories with Chris Preston 7th in her category.
Sarah May, competing under Monmouth Triathlon Club’s flag, exited the 750m pool swim in 23rd place, but after recording the fastest time over the two lap 39k cycle route had moved up the standings, and a quick second transition put her within 22 seconds of the lead. After a solid performance in the 10k run she was rewarded with a tremendous 3rd place in the women’s standings.
Further down the field three Harriers were having an exciting battle all of their own. Sarah Warburton exited the pool swim ahead of John Preston, before Phil Hodgson moved ahead of the pair by the end of the cycle section. The run then turned things on their head as John Preston led the trio in across the line, all finishing within 2 minutes of each other.
Simon Galloway was first over the line in a time of 42:23, with Claire Duffield 40 seconds further back to take 5th place in the women’s standings. Moyra Parfitt finished first lady vet60 to add to the prize haul.
There was also success for Todmorden Harriers growing band of triathlon enthusiasts at the Ampleforth Legwarmer Triathlon this weekend. A competitive field of 200 gathered near Helmsey for the inaugural event, which was a British qualifier for this year’s age group European Championships.
Sarah May and Sarah Warburton both recorded wins in their respective age categories with Chris Preston 7th in her category.
Sarah May, competing under Monmouth Triathlon Club’s flag, exited the 750m pool swim in 23rd place, but after recording the fastest time over the two lap 39k cycle route had moved up the standings, and a quick second transition put her within 22 seconds of the lead. After a solid performance in the 10k run she was rewarded with a tremendous 3rd place in the women’s standings.
Further down the field three Harriers were having an exciting battle all of their own. Sarah Warburton exited the pool swim ahead of John Preston, before Phil Hodgson moved ahead of the pair by the end of the cycle section. The run then turned things on their head as John Preston led the trio in across the line, all finishing within 2 minutes of each other.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Midgeley Moor | Bradford 10k | Coniston 14
Chilly conditions returned on Saturday for the Midgeley Moor Fell Race. Starting from Booth above Luddenden Foot the runners had to navigate across pathless heather moorland, leading to a variety of routes being chosen between the checkpoints and much debate over the best lines.
Matt Speak of Dark Peak won in a time of 37:49, trumping local Calder Valley runners Karl Gray and Shaun Godsman.
Calling on his excellent navigational skills once again, first of the ten Todmorden Harriers to finish was Dave Collins in 25th place in a time of 47:40, with James Riley three minutes behind. New signing Richard Gilbert finished a further three minutes back, in a time he will surely beat next year, after recently moving to the area.
Jane Leonard was the first Todmorden lady, and won the vet50 category outright, after a strong finish.
The weekend also saw another handful of Harriers spread far and wide with Rachel and David Henthorne posting respectable times in the Bradford 10k. Meanwhile in the Coniston 14 John Preston, Chris Preston and John Medcalf enjoyed beautiful Lakeland views as they circumnavigated Coniston Water.
Matt Speak of Dark Peak won in a time of 37:49, trumping local Calder Valley runners Karl Gray and Shaun Godsman.
Calling on his excellent navigational skills once again, first of the ten Todmorden Harriers to finish was Dave Collins in 25th place in a time of 47:40, with James Riley three minutes behind. New signing Richard Gilbert finished a further three minutes back, in a time he will surely beat next year, after recently moving to the area.
Jane Leonard was the first Todmorden lady, and won the vet50 category outright, after a strong finish.
The weekend also saw another handful of Harriers spread far and wide with Rachel and David Henthorne posting respectable times in the Bradford 10k. Meanwhile in the Coniston 14 John Preston, Chris Preston and John Medcalf enjoyed beautiful Lakeland views as they circumnavigated Coniston Water.
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