Withins Skyline Fell Race

Todmorden Harriers enjoyed a successful Sunday winning both the men’s and ladies team prizes at the Withins Skyline Fell Race at Haworth. Despite the sunny weather, there were still plenty of boggy sections to negotiate.

The 7 mile course headed out from Penistone Quarry to climb up to Oxenhope Stoop Stone. After a flat section across the moors passing Top Withins ruin the runners descended to Bronte Bridge and a steep climb back up past the waterfalls. They then returned to the finish with a final steadier climb taking the day’s total ascent past the 1000 feet mark.

The Harrier’s men put in a strong showing with 5 finishers in the top 20. Sean Carey, Andrew Wrench, and Nick Barber crossed the line in quick succession. Alistair Rhodes-Dawson and Dwane Dixon were not far behind.

The ladies took the team prize with Sarah May, Sarah Warburton and Jane Leonard – who was also first v50.

Todmorden Results: 8 Sean Carey 45.53; 10 Andrew Wrench 46.02; 11 Nick Barber 46.07; 16 Alistair Dawson 46.43; 18 Dwane Dixon 46.55; 53 Dave Collins 50.20; 72 Martin Stork 52.00; 98 Martin Roberts 54.18; 101 Sarah May 54.28; 150 Simon Gallaway 58.03; 157 Angus Barclay 58.54; 165 Sarah Warburton 60.01; 188 Peter Clarke 61.39; 195 Keith Parkinson 62.03; 198 Richard Leonard 62.19; 230 Jane Leonard 64.48; 236 John Metcalf 65.14; 240 Emma Osenton 65.30; 265 Elise Milnes 67.53; 280 Peter Ehrhardt 69.04; 281 Stuart Boulton 69.06; 287 Graham Milnes 70.09; 293 Maria Prescott 71.10; 296 Patsy Riley 72.18; 299 Sue Roberts 72.46; 309 David O'Neill 74.29; 315 Barry Chapman 75.16; 317 Mandy Goth 75.28; 322 Melanie Robertson 77.40; 326 Julie Wyant 78.52; 330 Shaun Pickard 79.20; 339 Myra Wells 81.35; 341 Kathy Bridger 82.42.

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Watergrove Reservoir 3m

Todmorden Harriers’ Ladies collected another team prize at the weekend at the Clare Ryder Memorial Watergrove Reservoir Race.

The 3 mile course started at Wardle with a climb up a cobbled road to the reservoir. After a half circuit of the reservoir, the route then turned into woodland and followed a twisting course around the other side of the water, with several gates to negotiate.

A grassy path across the dam led to a descent down the cobbles to the finish for the 122 runners that enjoyed glorious sunshine.

Richard Butterwick was the first Harrier to finish in 18th place.

Mel Siddall finished 4th lady, and 34th overall, just ahead of Bev Wright in 37th and Louise Abdy in 43rd, making up the winning team.

Myra Wells crossed the line in 54th just ahead of Mandy Goth in 55th to complete the Todmorden turn out.

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Langdale Fell Race

Todmorden Harriers’ Ladies Team picked up the team prize at the Langdale Horseshoe Fell Race on Saturday. Starting at Old Dungeon Ghyll the 14 mile route took in over 4000 feet of ascent as the runners made their way between the 7 checkpoints, including the summits of Esk Hause, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Pike O’Blisco.

Eleven Harriers completed the race in fine autumnal sunshine, with Alistair Rhodes-Dawson leading the way in 30th place out of over 350 runners in a time of 2:28:51. Paul Hobbs was next to finish in just under 3 hours.

The victorious ladies team was lead in by Kath Brierley in a time of 3:15:12, a few seconds ahead of Jane Leonard, with Ali Richards and Sue Roberts completing the winning quartet.

Todmorden Results: 30 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 2.28.51; 113 Paul Hobbs 2.59.05; 176 Kath Brierley 3.15.12; 178 Jane Leonard 3.15.40; 230 Alison Richards 3.27.12; 251 Richard Leonard 3.30.12; 268 Andrew Bibby 2.36.49; 279 Sue Roberts 3.41.31; 323 Helen Hodgkinson 4.00.55; 324 Fiona Armer 4.03.12; 332 Mandy Goth 4.08.40.

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Smarna Gora | Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay | Burnley Fire 7 | Ravenstones

Lauren Jeska travelled to Slovenia for the final race in the World Mountain Running Grand Prix at the weekend. The 10k Smarna Gora Race near Ljubljana featured two climbs but only one descent meaning over 2000 feet of ascent but only 1000 feet of descent with an uphill finish.

Austria’s Andrea Mayr, who already had an unassailable lead in the series, put on an outstanding display to lead from start to finish, winning in a time of 48:48. Despite suffering from illness in the days leading up to the race which nearly led to her withdrawal, Lauren completed the course in 54:23 to take 5th place on the day ahead of Anna Frost of New Zealand and fellow English runner Emma Clayton. This was sufficient for Lauren to finish the >world series in 2nd place marking another high point in her exceptional year.



Todmorden sent two teams to Brotherswater in the Lake District for the Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay on Sunday. The relay features 4 legs each run in pair over a total distance of 25 miles featuring 8500 feet of ascent and descent. Rain and wet conditions underfoot together with patches of cloud on the hill tops meant for a tough day out.

Borrowable left it late as they overhauled Pudsey & Bramley on the final leg to win by just 26 seconds in an aggregate time of 3:44:21, with Calder Valley finishing in 3rd place just under the 4 hour mark.
Todmorden Men’s team finished in 16th place and the ladies team were 10th ladies team.

Also on Sunday, twelve Harriers took part in the Burnley Fire 7 mile race which was a counter in the club’s Road Championship. The route started from the Fire Station, passing Turf Moor and climbing up past Towneley Park. After an undulating stretch along Todmorden Road the race turned up Red Lees Road for a final steep climb. The last 3 miles were then mainly downhill as the route returned to the fire station. Runners splashed their way around the course with torrential rain throughout.

Darren Tweed was the first Harrier to finish, ahead of Richard Butterwick and Mick Craven. First Todmorden lady was Maria Prescott followed by Mel Robertson and Mel Blackhurst, with Moyra Parfitt winning the v65 prize.



On Saturday, a handful of Harriers had the pick of the weekend weather at the Ravenstones Brow Fell Race. The 10 mile route featured over 1250 feet of ascent and though conditions underfoot were wet and muddy, including a deeper than usual stream crossing, there was at least dry and sunny weather overhead for the 71 runners.

Martin Roberts was the first Todmorden runner in 12th place, with James Riley in 19th and Angus Barclay in 38th. Louise Abdy finished in 57th and Sue Roberts in 63rd, being 9th and 10th ladies respectively.