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Thursday, 20 August 2009

Pilgrim's Cross | Saddleworth 6 | Worsthorne Moor

A handful of Harriers took part in the Pilgrim’s Cross Fell Race at Holcombe last Wednesday. The 6 mile race which includes 1100 feet of climb was won in 37:36 by Calder Valley’s Karl Grey, 3 seconds ahead of Bury’s Mark Shakeshaft in a 200 strong field.
Sean Carey completed the course as first under 16, and 9th overall in a time of 40:16. He was followed in by Jon Wright in 18th, Andrew Horsfall and Paul Burnett. James Riley rounded off the Todmorden entries in 94th and 1st v35.

At the same time, three other Todmorden runners were also racing 6 miles, but with fewer hills to contend with, on the roads of Greenfield for the increasingly popular Saddleworth 6 which attracted 272 runners this year. Sale’s Gareth Raven won in 29:07 a few seconds ahead of previous winner Andi Jones of Salford.
First Harrier to finish was Richard Butterwick in 41:02, followed by Bohuslav Barlow in 47:15 and the evergreen Ian Stansfield in 1:03:09, knocking 5 minutes off his time from two years earlier.

On Sunday, several Harriers made the short trip for the Worsthorne Moor fell race. The fast 7 mile race takes in 900 feet of climb as it circles the moor, skirting Cant Clough and Hurstwood reservoirs.
Clayton le Moors’ Gary Shaw won the race in 41:48 in another close finish, just 4 seconds ahead of Blackburn’s John Sutton.
First Harrier to finish was Dan Taylor who continued his progress in his first year with the club, stopping the clock in 50:40. Mick Craven was next to finish just ahead of Sarah Warburton, who took the 3rd place ladies prize. Jeremy Godden and Peter Ehrhardt were Todmorden’s other finishers.

Friday, 14 August 2009

Crow Hill | Whittle Pike | Cliviger 6

Many Todmorden Harriers turned out to assist race organiser Clive Greatorex for the Crow Hill fell race at Mytholmroyd last Tuesday. The 5 mile race, featuring 1000 feet of ascent was run in a reverse route this year.
Chris Smale won the race in a time of 31:15, ahead of Calder Valley Fell Runners’ Gavin Mulholland and Steve Smithies.
First Harrier to finish was Paul Hobbs in 14th place, followed by Paul Burnett and Derek Donohue. Sarah Warburton finished 3rd lady and 53rd overall with Emma Osenton in 71st.


The following evening saw Sarah May win the ladies category in the 4½ mile Whittle Pike Fell Race at Cowpe as the club made a strong showing. Calder Valley’s Alex Whittem won the race overall in a time of 41:10.
Andrew Wrench was the first Harrier to finish in 4th place and 1st Vet40. Sean Carey won the under18 category, as he knocked 2½ minutes off his time form the year before, and finished 6th overall. Andrew Horsfall narrowly missed out on a win in the vet45 by just 7 seconds with Dave Collins 2nd vet50.

Todmorden Results: 4 Andrew Wrench 42:19; 6 Sean Carey 43:52; 9 Alistair Rhodes-Dawson 45:51; 16 Andrew Horsfall 47:29; 17 Dave Collins 47:49; 20 Paul Brannigan 48:09; 27 Paul Burnett 49:41; 38 Sarah May 50:49; 45 Darren Tweed 51:58; 57 Dan Taylor 53:36; 59 James Riley 53:47; 113 Richard Leonard 1:00:56; 124 Peter Marshall 1:03:33; 137 Mel Siddall 1:09:39; 141 David O'Neill 1:11:19; 154 Ian Stansfield 1:36:04.


On Sunday, it was the road championship that was the centre of attention as 21 Harriers made the short trip for the Cliviger 6 mile road race. Starting at Mount Lane Sports Field the runners had a steep uphill start, followed by a long downhill towards Burnley before turning into Towneley Park. An undulating return via the main Todmorden road followed with a short final climb up Red Lees Road.
The race was won by Marc Hartley of Staffordshire Moorlands AC, repeating his performance of last year. First Todmorden Harrier to finish was Andrew Wrench who was just edged into 3rd place in the final few paces, winning the Vet40 prize in the process. Paul Brannigan continued his rapid return to form, finishing in 16th with Dave Collins in 26th.
Sarah Glyde timed her run to perfection as she overhauled Claire Duffield just before the line to finish 7th female overall and 2nd Vet35. Mel Blackhurst finished 1st vet40 and Moyra Parfitt was 1st vet60.

Todmorden Results: 3 Andrew Wrench 34:37; 16 Paul Brannigan 37:55; 26 Dave Collins 39:22; 38 Mark Anderton 40:49; 51 Darren Tweed 41:51; 58 Richard Butterwick 42:43; 60 Martin Stork 42:53; 65 Phil Cook 43:58; 75 Sarah Glyde 44:41; 76 Claire Duffield 44:47; 83 Mel Blackhurst 45:37; 88 Kevin Coughlan 46:12; 104 Peter Marshall 50:14; 109 Lucy Hobbs 50:59; 112 Richard Blakeley 52:05; 118 Moyra Parfitt 53:49; 119 Melanie Robertson 54:07; 126 David O'Neill 57:02; 127 Barry Chapman 57:06; 129 Philip Southwell 59:13; 140 Ian Stansfield 1:07:45.