Good Shepherd

Todmorden Harriers were on familiar ground on Saturday as Calder Valley Fell Runners’ Good Shepherd Fell Race featured in the club’s Fell Championship. The 14 mile race, which had a slight route change this year, featured over 2000 feet of ascent and descent made all the tougher by the warm sunny weather.

Starting at Dauber Bridge in Cragg Vale, the runners immediately climbed up through Spring Wood and made the first of two visits of the day to Stoodley Pike. A quick descent to Withens Clough led to the next moorland climb up to the Cloven Stone checkpoint. There was then a choice of routes taken to reach the next checkpoint at London Road, with the leading group of Horwich’s James Logue, Todmorden’s Andrew Wrench and Calder Valley’s Gavin Mulholland opting to retrace their steps back to Withens Clough and climb back up through Withens Gate, whilst much of the field took the flatter but longer option around Warland Drain. After a short section along London Road, a tough climb back up to Stoodley Pike – which allowed Logue to establish a small lead - was followed by a long descent through Sunderland Pasture and Spa Wood to Cragg Vale. The final climb of the day took the runners to Robin Hood Rocks before they returned to the finish at the Good Shepherd in Mytholmroyd.

James Logue retained his narrow lead to the Rocks before a wrong turn by the following pair allowed him to open up a 5 minute gap at the finish. Andrew Wrench finished in second place ahead of Gavin Mulholland.
Dave Collins was the next Harrier to complete the course in 7th. Andy McFie and Paul Brannigan battled to the line with McFie just edging out his teammate into 12th which helped Todmorden win the team prize just one point ahead of Calder Valley.
The situation was reversed as Calder Valley Ladies took the women’s team prize by one point ahead of Todmorden. Anne Johnson was first lady to finish with Todmorden’s Claire Duffield in 2nd. Lucy Hobbs finished 6th lady after a strong finish, with Mel Blackhurst 8th lady.

Tod Results: 2 Andrew Wrench 1:50:33; 7 Dave Collins 1:58:25; 12 Andy McFie 2:01:11; 13 Paul Brannigan 2:01:13; 17 Ben Crowther 2:02:16; 27 Paul Hobbs 2:13:05; 28 Andrew Horsfall 2:13:15; 39 Claire Duffield 2:20:33; 40 Peter Bowles 2:20:47; 45 Darren Tweed 2:21:07; 58 Dan Taylor 2:26:03; 68 Lucy Hobbs 2:33:19; 70 Richard Butterwick 2:34:22; 74 Mel Blackhurst 2:36:07; 86 Peter Marshall 2:46:32; 91 Peter Ehrhardt 2:54:51; 94 Sue Roberts 3:00:38; 96 Elise Milnes 3:04:04; 97 Moyra Parfitt 3:04:11.