Belper Rugby Rover | Pilgrim's Cross

Todmorden Harriers travelled to the Derbyshire for the longest race in this year’s Road Championship. Once voted the 11th best race in the UK, the Belper Rugby Rover is a hilly 30km trail race that weaved its way through the heart of the Derwent Valley along the Midshires Way, roman roads, paths and tracks.

Nick Barber was the first Harrier to finish in 5th place, in 2 hours 11 minutes and 55 seconds, just 5 minutes behind race winner Richard Pattison. He was followed by Mark Anderton with first Todmorden lady Elise Milnes finishing in 3 hours 9 minutes and Julie Wyant completing the quartet who had made the journey.

Todmorden Results: 5 Nick Barber 2:11:55; 150 Mark Anderton 2:52:45; 206 Elise Milnes 3:09:26; 303 Julie Wyant 3:36:46.

Sean Carey recorded another senior win at the Pilgrim’s Cross Fell Race on Wednesday. The race is part of Rossendale Harriers mid week series and followed his 2nd place a week earlier at the Whittle Pike Fell Race. The Todmorden runner was a comfortable winner in 39:16 ahead of fellow under 18 Joe Johnston, of Rossendale, who finished 36 seconds behind.

Cliviger 6 | Healey Reservoir 5k

Todmorden Harrier’s Road Championship continued on Sunday with the Cliviger Six. Starting from Mount Lane Sports Field the route began with a stiff climb up Red Lees Road. A gentle downhill then took the runners into and through Towneley Park. More uphill followed as they passed by Towneley Hall and exited the park for an undulating return along Todmorden Road, which led to the last climb back up Red Lees Road to the finish in the sports field.


Jon Wright was the first Harrier to finish in 7th place closely followed by Nick Barber in 9th and Paul Brannigan in 14th. After Martin Stork had crossed the line, a close battle between Mark Anderton, Kevin Booth and Darren Tweed saw just 6 seconds between them at the end.

Maria Prescott finished first Todmorden lady followed by Elise Milnes, who won the first v50 prize, and Mel Robertson.

Todmorden Results: 7 Jon Wright 34:53; 9 Nick Barber 35:09; 14 Paul Brannigan 37:02; 25 Martin Stork 38:38; 38 Mark Anderton 39:44; 39 Kevin Booth 39:47; 40 Darren Tweed 39:50; 72 Richard Butterwick 43:19; 87 Maria Prescott 45:12; 96 Phil Cook 46:24; 112 Elise Milnes 48:39; 117 Melanie Robertson 49:59; 118 Peter Ehrhardt 50:05; 130 David O'Neill 54:57; 131 Graham Milnes 55:11; 141 Myra Wells 1:00:08; 147 Ian Stansfield 1:05:12.

The previous Tuesday had seen five Todmorden Harriers take on the Emily Hughes Healey Reservoir Dash at Whitworth. The 5k multi terrain race included sections of road, rocky track and two laps of the reservoir with Richard Butterwick first Harrier back in 13th place, followed by Peter Ehrhardt in 27th and first v60. Myra Wells was the sole Todmorden lady in 34th, with Ian Stansfield in 39th and Jon Newby in 44th.