Turnslack

Todmorden’s Andrew Wrench triumphed at the Turnslack fell race on Saturday after a race long battle with Calder Valley’s Shaun Godsman. The tough 8 mile course features over 2000 feet of ascent and is considered one of the most testing of the local fell races with several streams, stiles and moorland bogs to negotiate. With the race featuring in Todmorden’s Fell Championship this year, there was a strong turnout of 23 Harriers amongst the 100 strong field.
Starting from Calderbrook Church the runners soon turned off the Pennine Bridleway and climbed over Turn Slack Hill before making a long gradual climb up to Trough Edge End. They then turned for home with a steep descent via Ramsden Wood Reservoir before a tough climb over Ramsden Hill. An air of déjà vu followed as another sharp descent was followed by yet another demanding climb up Noon Hill. It was then all downhill across the moor and through head high bracken back to the church yard.
After tracking Godsman on the final climb, Wrench comfortably pulled away on the descent to take the win by 25 seconds in 1:09:40. Dave Collins was next Harrier to finish in 8th place overall and first Vet50. Paul Hobbs and Ben Crowther then assisted the club into 2nd placed team behind Clayton le Moors.
Calder Valley’s Jo Buckley was in a class of her own, as she won the ladies race, finishing well ahead of Middleton’s Ginny Willey and Calder teammate Sharon Godsman. Sarah Glyde was first Todmorden lady in 4th, followed by Louise Abdy in 5th and first Vet45. Emma Osenton was the next Harrier to cross the line to hand the ladies team prize to Todmorden.
The result has moved Andrew Wrench up to the top of the club’s Fell Championship, to add to his lead in the Road and Grand Prix tables as he looks towards a potential clean sweep of club trophies this year.

Todmorden Results: 1 Andrew Wrench 1:09:40; 8 Dave Collins 1:18:45; 18 Paul Hobbs 1:21:15; 23 Ben Crowther 1:22:00; 30 Jeff Walker 1:24:34; 31 Kevin Booth 1:25:00; 33 Darren Tweed 1:25:17; 36 Simon Galloway 1:25:55; 43 Phil Cook 1:28:19; 50 Phil Hodgson 1:34:40; 57 Richard Leonard 1:36:20; 59 Mick Craven 1:36:50; 63 Sarah Glyde 1:39:46; 69 Louise Abdy 1:40:44; 70 Peter Marshall 1:40:52; 72 Peter Ehrhardt 1:41:36; 77 Emma Osenton 1:44:15; 80 Elise Milnes 1:45:54; 82 Richard Blakeley 1:49:25; 83 Chris Drinkwater 1:54:10; 88 Dave O'Neill 1:56:18; 89 Mandy Goth 1:58:22; 91 Barry Chapman 1:59:29.