Ron Hill 72nd Birthday 5k | Thieveley Pike Fell Race | Langdale Half Marathon

Eleven Todmorden Harriers joined over 300 runners at Littleborough on Thursday evening to celebrate the 72nd birthday of Ron Hill with the annual 5k race organised by Andy O’Sullivan.

Jon Wright finished in 6th place, and first v40, in a time of 16:36, a minute behind winner Andy Norman of Altringham. Martin Stork recorded a time of 18:53 to finish in 33rd just ahead of Paul Hobbs in 40th, making a rare appearance on the road, crossing the line at 19:11.

Emma Osenton was the first Todmorden lady in 23:49, followed by Mel Robertson stopping the clock at 24:48 and Bev Wright in 25:08.



Picture by Keith Parkinson

Steve Bateson's Ron Hill Birthday 5k Pics...
 

Todmorden Harriers turned out in force at the Thieveley Pike Fell Race on Saturday. The 4.25 mile route from Holme Chapel features over 1300 feet of ascent including a near vertical scramble up to Stone House Edge. After a brief respite, a further climb took them to a ridge traverse to the Pike. A steep descent tested the nerves before the final climb took them back to Stone House Edge and a rough descent led to the undulating finish along the Pennine Bridleway.



Andrew Wrench finished in 6th place to claim the v45 prize and Lauren Jeska finished in 12th and 1st lady. The ladies team once again won the team prize, with Claire Duffield 3rd lady and Maria Prescott 14th. Moyra Parfitt added a v65 win to another successful club outing.



Nick Barber finished less than a minute behind Wrench in 8th place, with Dave Collins in 30th and Paul Hobbs in 42nd amongst the 13 Todmorden finishers.

Steve Bateson's Thieveley Pike Pics...

Only two Todmorden runners travelled to the Great Langdale Half Marathon for the latest Road Championship counter. After Elise Milnes was forced to withdraw mid-way with an injury, Mel Blackhurst was the sole Todmorden runner, completing the hilly course in 1:46:37, finishing 2nd v45.

Garstang Half | Boggart Hole Chase 10k | Rombald's Romp | High Peak 40 | Cowm 5k

Robin Tuddenham warmed up for the Garstang Half Marathon on Sunday, by finishing in first place at the Heaton Parkrun on Saturday covering the 5k course in 16:48.

The relentless rain overnight on Saturday led to flooding on the half marathon course and the race was shortened to 11.75 miles with the Todmorden man finishing in 9th place in a time of 1:08:55.

Bohuslav Barlow and Ian Stansfield also completed the Saturday Parkrun at Heaton Park, whilst Richard Butterwick and Myra Wells plumped for the Oldham Parkrun. After leading for the first kilometre, Richard was unable to hold onto the lead to make it a double win for the club and had to settle for 2nd place.

Richard and Myra then took on the very wet Boggart Hole Chase 10k on Sunday at Moston. Richard completed the hilly course in 43:32 with Myra finishing just past the hour mark.

The Rombald’s Romp Trail Race took place on Saturday at Ilkley Moor. This is rather a unique race, in that the runners did not find out the course route until they arrived. Even the length was a mystery, knowing in advance only that it would be between 6 and 9 miles.

Harriers Julie Wyant and Darren Graham both completed what turned out to be just over seven miles in 1 hour 17 minutes.

Colin Duffield and Elise Milnes knew exactly how far they would be travelling, at the High Peak 40, a 40 mile ultra race that follows a circular route through the Peak District from Buxton. Colin completed the tough challenge in 8 hours and 26 minutes with Elise finishing in 10 hours 13 minutes.

On Wednesday, James Riley led the way for the Harriers at the Derek Howarth and Arthur Walsham 5k at Cowm Reservoir, held to celebrate the 80th birthdays of the two veteran athletes, both of whom are still racing. James finished in 15th place in a time of 19:55, half a minute ahead of Richard Butterwick in 17th place. Myra Wells finished in 56th and Ian Stansfield in 31:22.

Cowm Reservoir 4.2 | Hades Hill | Good Shepherd | Norland Moor

Todmorden Harriers' Road Championship was back on the agenda this week with the shortest of this year’s counters, the 4.2 mile multi terrain Graham Wright Cowm Reservoir Race at Whitworth on Wednesday.

After living with the early pace of Barnsley’s Shaun Dimelow, who won in a time of 23:23, Jon Wright had to settle for 2nd place in 24:00 with Nick Barber in 5th in 24:41. Paul Brannigan managed to edge in front of Martin Stork as they fought over 13th place to the end.

Mel Robertson was the first Todmorden lady to finish, followed by Myra Wells.

Tod results: 2 J. Wright 24:00; 5 N. Barber 24:41; 13 P. Brannigan 26:51; 14 M. Stork 26:52; 17 D. Tweed 27:45; 21 M. Anderton 28:35; 23 J. Riley 28:46; 31 R. Butterwick 30:07; 43 R. Blakeley 31:42; 67 Melanie Robertson 35:35; 71 N. Hanson 35:49; 74 P. Ehrhardt 37:22; 81 D. O'Neil 38:33; 91 Myra Wells 42:47; 96 I Stansfield 48:49; 98 J. Newby 56:48.


On the other side of the Whitworth valley, Sean Carey put in a strong performance on Thursday at the Hades Hill Fell Race. Organised by Harrier Derek Clutterbuck, the 5 mile route climbed up and over Brown Wardle Hill. After dropping down there was then a further climb to the top of Hades Hill, before a return via the same route to the finish near Lobden Golf Club.

Traditionally the race is the last evening fell race of the summer, and whilst held in pleasant warm sunny conditions, recent rainfall meant there were plenty of boggy patches to negotiate and it was heavy going underfoot at times.

Sean was in control from the steep start up Whitworth Rake, holding his lead throughout to cross the finish line in 34:18, 38 seconds ahead of Steve Smithies of Calder Valley. James Riley was the next Harrier to finish in 26th with Simon Galloway in 29th. Dan Taylor and Richard Butterwick completed the Todmorden men’s turnout in 43rd and 67th respectively.

Mandy Goth was the first Todmorden lady in 76th just ahead of Myra Wells in 78th.


On Saturday, the Good Shepherd Fell Race from Mythomlroyd featured in the club’s Fell Championship. The 14 mile route included over 2000 feet of ascent and runners experienced an unwelcome early drenching from a heavy shower as they climbed up from the start at Dauber Bridge through Spring Wood towards Stoodley Pike. After a loop passing around Withens Clough, a climb up to the Cloven Stone and along Warland Drain, they reached London Road for another climb towards Stoodley Pike again. A long descent into Cragg Vale led to the final climb of the day past Robin Hood Rocks and the long run into the finish at the Good Shepherd in Mytholmroyd.

Won by the host club’s Steve Smithies in 1:57:14, Darren Tweed and Peter Bowles led the Harriers home in 6th and 7th places. Mel Blackhurst was the first lady overall, and along with Jane Leonard and Sue Roberts they won the ladies team prize.

Tod results: 6 Darren Tweed 2:10:55; 7 Peter Bowles 2:12:03; 19 Clive Greatorex 2:19:15; 22 Mick Craven 2:23:29; 27 Melanie Blackhurst 2:27:10; 31 Richard Leonard 2:33:34; 32 Jane Leonard 2:35:59; 34 Richard Blakeley 2:40:50; 35 Paul Carruthers 2:44:11; 42 Sue Roberts 2:52:32; 43 Peter Ehrhardt 2:59:30; 46 Elise Milnes 3:09:03; 47 Moira Parfitt 3:09:06.



It was another local race on Sunday with Halifax Harrier’s Norland Moor Trail Race. The 6.3 mile route started at Copley and climbed through woodland for a circuit around the moor. After a steep descent, runners returned via the Calder riverbank for the run in to the finish.

Robin Tuddenham found the terrain to his liking and finished in 2nd place, and first v40, with Martin Stork and Martin Roberts both finishing in the top 15. After Dan Taylor had crossed the line, Mel Robertson took the honour of being first Todmorden lady ahead of Andrea Marshall.

Shelf Moor | Ben Nevis | Blackshaw Head | Alice's Run

Todmorden Harriers were celebrating two English Champions after this year’s final English Championship Fell Race at Shelf Moor on Sunday.

Picture by John Crummett

Lauren Jeska went into the race knowing that only a win would be sufficient to overhaul Olivia Walwyn’s 4 point lead, but also having to guard her position from Eyrie’s Jackie Lee and Calder Valley’s Helen Fines who were close behind in the standings.

A close battle ensued as first Lauren set the pace before Helen Fines took up the lead on the climb up and retained it for much of the race. In a sprint finish, Lauren managed to outpace Fines by 3 seconds to clinch the overall Ladies English Championship Gold Medal.

Minutes later, the club’s delight was doubled as Moyra Parfitt crossed the line to clinch the vet65 Gold Medal.

A sizeable turnout from Todmorden had made the trip to the Peak District for the 5.8 mile race and although they put in an excellent performance to finish 2nd team on the day, a win for Calder Valley meant Todmorden ladies finished just outside the medals in 4th place for their highest ever placing in the Championships. The Ladies v40 team also finished 4th veteran team.

Ladies Results: 1 Lauren Jeska 48.49 ; 7 Sarah May 53.56 ; 27 Claire Duffield 58.58 ; 30 Kath Brierley 59.24 ; 32 Sarah Warburton 59.47 ; 33 Rachel Skinner 59.52 ; 47 Emma Osenton 1.01.43 ; 55 Melanie Blackhurst 1.04.19 ; 62 Elise Milnes 1.07.00 ; 71 Fiona Armer 1.10.42 ; 72 Maria Prescott 1.10.54 ; 75 Moyra Parfitt 1.11.34 ; 76 Isobel Pollard 1.11.36 ; 80 Melanie Robertson 1.19.19.

Whilst the limelight was firmly fixed on the ladies, Todmorden’s men were well represented in the 2nd separate race of the day with Alistair Rhodes-Dawson leading them home in 45th and Dave Collins in 76th – to finish 8th in the overall v50 Championship standings - and Nick Barber in 92nd.

Men’s Results: 45 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 48.01; 76 Dave Collins 51.21; 92 Nick Barber 52.53; 104 Martin Stork 54.07; 122 Paul Brannigan 56.30; 142 Lee McCluskey 1.00.24; 157 Richard Blakeley 1.03.29; 173 Peter Ehrhardt 1.11.19; 174 Graham Milnes 1.12.31; 175 Barry Chapman 1.13.52; 181 Ian Stansfield 1.55.03.


On Saturday, several Harriers were in Scotland for the annual Ben Nevis Mountain Race which attracted a world class entry of nearly 500 competitors. Jon Wright put in an outstanding run to finish in 4th place completing the 10 mile route up to Britain’s highest summit and back, in 1:43:29, to retain the Wallace Plaque for the highest placed police runner.

Andrew Horsfall finished in 99th, with first Todmorden lady Jane Leonard in 235th ahead of husband Richard Leonard. Mick Howard was the next Todmorden runner with Sue Roberts and Mandy Goth also successfully finishing the course.


Much closer to home on Saturday, several Harriers tackled the 5.5mile Blackshaw Head Fell Race. Featuring over 900 feet of climb, over 70 runners were headed by a close battle between Halifax’s Ben Crowther and Rossendale’s Brendon Taylor, who were separated by only 1 second at the finish.

The Todmorden runners were led in by Andy McFie in 14th place. Martin Robert edged out Mark Harris for 23rd and 25th respectively, with Mick Craven in 31st. Four Harriers then came in within a minute of each other with Dan Taylor 45th, Duncan Ritchie 47th, Angus Barclay 48th and Ali Richards in 49th.


Also staying local, on Sunday several Harriers completed Alice’s Run from Mytholmroyd. The 10k multi-terrain race, organised by Epilepsy Action, weaved its way up one side of the valley to Hebden Bridge and back on the other taking in several small climbs.

First Harrier to finish was Richard Butterwick in 21st, followed by David Leslie in 78th. Eric Wrathall was next over the line followed by Myra Wells and Matthew Wrathall.

August Round-up

Todmorden Harriers saw out August in fine form, including several winning performances.


Sean Carey won the Rossendale Harriers mid week series of fell races, with a measured 6th place at the final event, the Golf Ball Fell Race, being sufficient to take the series after a 1st and 2nd in earlier races.

Despite missing the last race - at Worsthorne Moor - of the 12 race Pendle & Burnley GP, Ian Stansfield won the v65 category after completing all of the first 11 races.

Alistair Rhodes-Dawson won the v40 trophy at the Grasmere Sports Senior Guides Fell Race, a short and steep up and down featuring a 900 foot climb in its 1.5 mile course.

Dave Collins won the v50 category at one of the longest standing fell races, the Burnsall Feast Sports Classic Fell Race which has been a fixture since the mid 19th century. It also covers a 900 foot climb over a 1.5 mile up and back course. James Riley, Peter Clarke and Peter Ehrhardt were Todmorden’s other representatives in the 150 strong field.

Robin Tuddenham finished 6th overall, and first v40, at the Round Latrigg fell race in Keswick on Wednesday – to follow his first place at the Oldham Parkrun the previous Saturday. Elise Milnes was first lady v50, with Ali Richards and Graham Milnes also completing the 5.5 mile course, which featured over 800 feet of ascent.

Also on Wednesday, Todmorden narrowly missed out on the ladies team prize at the Chunal Fell Race in Glossop. The 4 mile route included 950 feet of climb and Sarah Warburton led the way for the Harriers in 2nd place, only 8 seconds behind ladies winner Mary Edgerton of Pennine Fell Runners. Kath Brierley was a few seconds further back in 3rd with Emma Osenton finishing 10th lady.

On Saturday, five Harriers travelled to Clitheroe for the five mile Pendleton Fell Race, with Jon Wright in 7th and Dwane Dixon in 15th place.
Mick Craven finished 78th, with Dan Taylor making a return from injury in 104th and Andrea Marshall in 166th.

Sarah May meanwhile has been setting the triathlon world alight with two consecutive wins. First up was the Lakeland Triathlon, made up of a 1500 metre open water swim in Bassenthwaite Lake, and a hilly 40km cycle and a 10km run. She then followed that up just a week later with first female at the Clitheroe Triathlon over a slightly shorter course with a 400 metre swim, 30km bike and 9km run.