2 oct 08

Running legend Ron Hill was joined by around 500 other runners in celebrating his 70th birthday with a 5k race in Littleborough on Thursday evening. Whilst he maintained his remarkable record of taking a daily run for the past 44 years he was unable to claim to be the oldest runner in the race, with over 10 others more senior taking part including Todmorden Harriers Derek Clutterbuck and John Newby.
After a short delay whilst a live TV interview with Ron was carried out by BBC local news, the start was broadcast live giving runners the added challenge of dodging the camera crew on the crowded starting straight.
A fast and furious penultimate race in Todmorden Harriers road championship developed as Duncan Ritchie turned up the heat on Richard Butterwick, who currently heads the standings, to ensure that the title will not be decided until the final counter in November.
In the quest to be ladies road champion, Claire Duffield applied similar pressure upon current leader Mel Blackhurst to close the gap at the top, although the honour of first Todmorden lady on the night went to Kath Brierley with a sensational sprint finish.
Todmorden provisional results: 77 Duncan Ritchie 19:51; 113 Simon Galloway 20:30; 142 Richard Butterwick 21:13; 147 Kath Brierley 21:18; 149 Claire Duffield 21:39; 150 Rhys Watkins 21:39; 156 Eric Emerson 21:44; 164 Keith Parkinson 21:53; 184 Kevin Coughlan 22:21; 185 Jeremy Godden 22:22; 186 Melanie Siddall 22:24; 188 Melanie Blackhurst 22:26; 227 Bev Wright 23:10; 256 Stephen Burnip 23:47; 292 Peter Ehrhardt 24:50; 308 Helen Hodgkinson 25:18; 326 Mandy Goth 25:56; 336 Myra Wells 26:12; 345 David O'Neill 26:28; 381 Derek Clutterbuck 28:26; 404 Jenny Ehrhardt 29:44; 424 Ian Stansfield 30:52; 449 John Newby 34:58;

In the club’s fell championship races are coming thick and fast with last weekend’s Whernside race being preceded the week before with the Three Shires fell race. The championship will reach its climax with the Bronte Way Fell race next weekend at Haworth.
Andrew Wrench is putting in a strong late challenge to try to dislodge English Championship Bronze Medallist Chris Smale from the top spot. Long time ladies leader Kath Brierley has also come under some recent late pressure from Ali Richards and the destiny of both titles will go to the wire.

In the Three Shires race, the Harriers had an excellent showing with two runners, Jon Wright and Andrew Wrench, placing in the top ten of a 300 plus field. Ali Richards also put in an excellent performance to finish 8th lady.
The modern Lakeland Classic, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary, takes in a 12mile route from Little Langdale over Wetherlam, Pike O’Blisco and Lingmoor with over 4000ft of ascent.
Although some mist was encountered on the summits early on, the sun shone brightly as the race unfolded. However, wet conditions persisted underfoot as even the recent dry spell had not been enough to mask the effects of the exceptionally wet summer that had nearly forced the cancellation of the event.
After a close race Ricky Lightfoot of Ellenborough was the overall winner in just under 2 hours. Not far behind was first Todmorden man Jon Wright who finished in 6th place edging out team mate Andrew Wrench. Alistair Rhodes-Dawson completed another solid run in 26th place to earn the Todmorden team 3rd place.
Todmorden results: 6 Jon Wright 2:06:18; 9 Andrew Wrench 2:08:40; 26 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 2:16:10; 113 Alison Richards 2:37:55; 135 James Riley 2:42:11; 151 Simon Anderton 2:45:39; 171 Kath Brierley 2:48:47; 196 Sarah Warburton 2:53:01; 235 Jane Leonard 3:05:12; 251 Richard Leonard 3:07:35; 290 Louise Abdy 2:25:45; 291 Mandy Goth 3:26:02; 292 John Metcalf 3:27:53.

Starting and finishing at the village of Dent in the Yorkshire Dales, the Whernside Fell Race was another tough 12 mile test with Andrew Wrench leading in the Todmorden runners in 6th place.

Closer to home on Saturday, the Thieveley Pike Fell Race attracted almost 100 entrants to its short steep 4 mile course that climbed up from Holme Chapel in Cliviger. Calder Valley runners Ben Mounsey and Shaun Godsman held a clear lead from team mate Alex Whittem throughout before Mounsey managed to open up a small gap at the finish to take the win.
A late decision to switch from the junior race to the senior course proved profitable for Todmorden’s Sean Carey, who despite making the wrong footwear choice, was still able to finish in 11th place overall and first U16. Matt Crowley also switched to the senior race and finished 2nd U16 and 40th overall. Jane Leonard finished 2nd lady, and 1st LV50, after holding off a strong challenge from Rossendale’s Karen Taylor throughout the race. The ladies race was won by Sharon Godsman of Calder Valley.