Ice Ice Baby

Todmorden Harriers saw out the old year with the Auld Lang Syne Fell Race over the Haworth Moors on New Year’s Eve. With the course reverting to the old route to avoid the worst of the icier paths around Top Withins, it was heavy going with significant drifts of snow along the summit ridge. Almost 400 runners made their way around the course, with many of the country’s best fell runners in attendance. World Triathlon Champion Alistair Brownlee made his move at the turnaround point and despite Ian Holmes’ legendary descending skills was able to hold his Bingley club mate off to the line. Younger brother, and European Junior Triathlon champion, Jonathon Brownlee made it a clean sweep for the club coming in third.
First Todmorden man to finish was Paul Hobbs in 56th, just ahead of Dave Collins in 58th who was 3rd vet50. Simon Galloway continued his good run of form to finish in 100th, ahead of Martin Roberts and Clive Greatorex.
Chris Preston was first Todmorden lady to finish, and 2nd vet40, ahead of Jane Leonard who was 3rd vet 50.

The club then welcomed in the New Year with even snowy conditions experienced at the Nine Standards Fell Race at Kirby Stephen the following day. Lauren Jeska had the run of the day beating Holmfirth’s Lisa Lacon to claim first lady and 13th place overall. Sarah Warburton was Todmorden’s other representative battling a near white out snowstorm at times to finish 4th lady.

Also on New Year’s Day was the Giant’s Tooth fell race, organised by Chris and Kathryn Smale, at Ogden Reservoir. The 3 mile circuit around the iced up reservoir featured 400 feet of ascent up to the distinctive stone that the race is named after. A close battle at the front was eventually won by Matthew Roberts of Welsh club Eryri in a time of 18:17, with Todmorden’s Sean Carey finishing in 4th place, taking the junior category.
Shaun Pickard carried on his recent good performances to finish 22nd, 20 seconds ahead of Sarah May who finished 2nd lady behind Eryri’s Sarah Ridgeway. Gareth Vickers completed the Todmorden entry with 37th place.

Three Harriers travelled to Cowm Reservoir at Whitworth for the Joe Salt New Year Awakener. The 4 mile race climbed up to take in a short flat loop around the icy water before second longer loop took them up into the hills above the reservoir, and a final hair raising slippery descent to the road finish. Richard Butterwick was first Todmorden man to cross the line in 27th, with Myra Wells in 90th and Ian Stansfield in 93rd.