Dunnerdale

A sizeable contingent of 19 Todmorden Harriers helped swell a record field of 276 for the Dunnerdale Fell Race in the South Western Lakeland Fells. Starting from the small village of Broughton Mills the 5 mile route steadily climbed over The Knott and Raven’s Cragg with little respite. Heavy overnight rain that saturated the ground meant that the descent that followed was underwater in many parts and deep mud for the rest.
A stiff climb up to the distinctive peak of Stickle Pike took runners briefly onto slightly rockier ground before a final boggy climb over Great Stickle took the total ascent to 1800 feet and a final muddy descent back to the village.
Tom Addison of local club Helm Hill and Lloyd Taggart of Dark Peak headed the field throughout with only 6 seconds between them at the end with Addison crossing the finish line in 39:36, a creditable time in the conditions.
Martin Roberts led in the Todmorden entry in 59th place with Jeff Walker in 81st. Claire Duffield held off a late challenge from Richard Butterwick as they finished in 103rd and 104th respectively with Phil Hodgson in 110th.
Rachel Skinner was Todmorden’s 2nd lady finisher, before Dan Taylor was followed in by Sarah Warburton and Kath Brierley in quick succession.

Todmorden Results: 59 Martin Roberts 52:12; 81 Jeff Walker 54:47; 103 Claire Duffield 56:27; 104 Richard Butterwick 56:30; 110 Phil Hodgson 56:56; 132 Rachel Skinner 58:28; 144 Dan Taylor 59:34; 146 Sarah Warburton 59:43; 147 Kath Brierley 59:45; 161 John Preston 1:01:10; 167 Christine Preston 1:01:25; 175 Mick Howard 1:02:09; 182 Richard Leonard 1:03:00; 210 Louise Abdy 1:05:41; 223 Richard Blakeley 1:08:19; 236 Mandy Goth 1:10:22; 243 Barry Chapman 1:12:28; 246 Mel Siddall 1:13:28; 252 Kirsten Airlie 1:15:15.