Todmorden to host the English Fell Championships

The country’s finest fell runners will be picking their way around the hills of Todmorden on Saturday after Todmorden Harriers’ Noonstone Fell Race was selected as the prestigious opening counter for this year’s English Fell Championship.

Whilst many Todmorden Harriers will be busy helping out race organiser Andrew Horsfall, those taking part in the race will hope that the advantage of being on home ground will start off their 2010 Championship campaign on the right foot as the club seeks to build on past triumphs.

Many of the biggest names in the sport will be present, including current British and English Champion Rob Hope, as well as the upcoming talent of U23 Men’s Champion James Kevan and Ladies U23 Champion Emma Clayton. Ladies Team Champions Calder Valley will also be hoping their local knowledge will set them on their way to further success this year.

The 9 mile race, which features 2300 feet of ascent and descent, will start at noon on Saturday 27th February from Mankinholes. The first steep climb up Coldwell Hill should spread out the expected 500 competitors before they drop back down to London Road.

A climb up past Stoodley Pike will lead onto the fast descent to Withens Clough Reservoir. The third and longest gradient of the day takes the runners out onto private ground over the pathless Turley Holes and Higher House Moor with only the Two Lads Stones and the Little Holder Stones to assist with navigation.

After briefly following the Pennine Way from Warland Reservoir, a descent over Langfield Edge will lead to the final climb of the day past the Noon Stone on the way back up to Coldwell Hill and a steep testing decent to the finish at Mankinholes.

The presentation ceremony will be held after the race at the Top Brink Inn, Lumbutts.