The Hot Toddy Road Race 2010

Whilst many races were cancelled due to the wintery weather Todmorden Harriers’ Hot Toddy Road Race took place on Monday.

Even an early morning snowfall that turned to sleet did not deter over 250 runners tackling the hilly course. Starting from Todmorden town centre, the race travelled up Rochdale Road, turning at Walsden Post Office for a long steady climb up to the Shepherd’s Rest.

The race quickly developed into a two way battle between David and Matt Proctor of Rochdale Harriers.

A slushy descent via Woodhouse Road took them to Halifax Road and a return back to the finish, with David edging the victory by just 2 second from his brother in a fast time of 29:22. John Brown of Salford Harriers finished in 3rd place, with Salford also winning the men’s team prize.

The ladies race was also a close contest with Anna Lupton of Radcliffe AC crossing the finish line in 34:15, just six seconds ahead of Rotherham’s Nicola Squires.

Sean Carey was the first Todmorden runner to finish in 19th place with Dwane Dixon in 25th and Martin Stork 46th.

Maria Prescott was the first Todmorden lady in 119th – winning the 2nd v45 prize – with Hatty Nylan in 155th just ahead of Mel Robertson in 167th. Moyra Parfitt won the v65 category prize. The ladies team prize was won by Stainland Lions who had sent a 33 strong contingent to the race.

Todmorden Results: 19 Sean Carey 34.12; 25 Dwane Dixon 34.42; 46 Martin Stork 36.47; 83 Darren Graham 39.46; 87 Peter Clarke 40.05; 88 Richard Butterwick 40.07; 119 Maria Prescott 42.58; 141 Kevin Coughlan 44.35; 155 Hatty Nylan 46.23; 167 Melanie Robertson 47.05; 183 David Leslie 48.58; 192 Graham Milnes 49.52; 197 Moyra Parfitt 50.17; 201 Julie Wyant 50.34; 237 Myra Wells 57.57; 239 Kathy Bridger 58.35.


Keith Parkinson's Hot Toddy Pics...

Steve Bateson's Hot Toddy Pics...

and a Royton video...

Whinberry Naze

The Stoop | Lynne Edmondson Cowm Reservoir 4.2

Todmorden Harriers took to the hills again at the weekend with the snow and ice making for some challenging running.

Eleven Harriers made their way to a very cold and misty Penistone Hill Country Park at Howarth for The Stoop Fell Race.

For the second consecutive year the 5 mile course was slightly shortened but they still had 1200 feet of ascent to contend with, in the well below zero conditions.

Martin Roberts was the first Harrier to finish in 48th, with Dan Taylor in 59th and Phil Hodgson 74th.

Sue Roberts made it a family double as she narrowly finished first Todmorden lady in 146th, with Elise Milnes and Maria Prescott hot on her heels. 

Photo by Julie Wyant

Todmorden Results: 48 Martin Roberts 38:08; 59 Dan Taylor 39:19; 74 Phil Hodgson 41:16; 81 Darren Graham 41:46; 123 Richard Blakeley 46:09; 145 Graham Milnes 50:02; 146 Sue Roberts 50:20; 147 Elise Milnes 50:23; 150 Maria Prescott 50:36; 162 Louise Abdy 52:16; 164 Mandy Goth 52:53.

David Brett's Stoop Photos...

Paul Wood's Stoop Photo's outbound...  and on return...



By contrast, blue skies and sunshine greeted a trio of Todmorden runners at Cowm Reservoir for the 4.2 mile Lynne Edmondson Memorial Race.

The compacted snow meant it was heavy going on the two lap course, particularly on the climbs of the longer second loop.

James Riley finished in 10th to take the honour of first Harrier, in a time of 32:29, with Richard Butterwick crossing the line in 37:05 for 23rd place.

Myra Wells celebrated her 50th race of the year by finishing in 50th place, winning the first LV50 prize in the process, in a time of 49:07.

Steve Bateson's Cowm Pictures...


The Hot Toddy 5.8mile road race takes place on Monday December 27th.  Alternatively, there is a mile-long fun run which follows an off-road route close to Todmorden town centre. The Hot Toddy starts at 11am and the fun run gets underway at 10.30am.


Registration once again takes place at the Todmorden Working Mens Social Club on Halifax Road[map]. Advance entries have now closed, but entries are accepted on the day.


All finishers, over 18 years old, will be rewarded with a hot toddy drink at the Social Club, where the prizegiving presentation will also take place after the race.

Further details are on the club’s website http://www.todharriers.co.uk/

Todmorden Harriers 2010 Presentation Evening

Todmorden Harriers’ annual presentation evening took place at Todmorden Cricket Club, on Saturday, as the club celebrated an extremely successful year.

Outgoing club president Jim Smith handed over to new president Graeme Wrench, as they made a joint presentation to mark Lauren Jeska and Moira Parfitt’s gold medal winning performances in the English Fell Championships.

Phil Hodgson then proposed a toast to two former Todmorden Harriers who had sadly passed away during 2010, Brian Hargreaves and John McDonagh. A memorial 5k race in their honour is to be held in Littleborough, organised by Andy O’Sullivan, on Sunday 27th February 2011.

Phil then continued to give a review of the year, highlighting the many successes of both individuals and teams, particularly in the English Championships where, in addition to the individual gold medallists, all of Todmorden’s teams had improved their positions from the year before.

Club Chairman Mandy Goth then announced the winners of the club competitions, with awards being handed out by Graeme Wrench.

Jon Wright was awarded the men’s Fell Champion Trophy, with Lauren Jeska receiving the ladies Fell Champion Trophy.

Age category awards were also made to Andrew Horsfall (v45), Dave Collins (v50, Peter Ehrhardt (v60) and Richard Blakely (v65). Kath Brierley (lv45) and Jane Leonard (lv50) were category winners for the ladies in the fell championship.

Nick Barber was crowned club Road Champion, with Mel Blackhurst adding her name onto the Ladies Road Trophy once again.

Age category awards in the road championship went to Mark Anderton (v45), Nigel Hanson (v50), Peter Ehrhardt (v60), Ian Stansfield (v65), Mel Robertson (lv45) and Elise Milnes (lv50).



The Grand Prix Champion, awarded for performance on road and fell, went to Jon Wright. Dave O’Neill received a tankard to mark his 10th qualification for the Club Grand Prix.

Nick Barber was crowned Club Champion, a trophy that reflects all round ability on the road and fells at a range of short, medium and long distances.

Not surprisingly, Nick was also awarded the ‘Most Improved Runner of the Year’ award to reflect the effort and progress he has made this year.

On a less athletic front, Nick was also awarded the ‘Toilet Seat’ trophy which is awarded to the Harrier who has the most running related mishaps during the year.

Club Secretary Derek Donohue then stepped in to make the final award of the evening, that of ‘Clubman of the Year’ which is voted for by Harriers on the evening. This year it was presented to Graeme Wrench to reflect the enormous contribution he makes as club coach towards the improvement of its runners at all levels.

Wesham 10k

Todmorden Harriers 2010 Club Road Championship reached a dramatic climax at the Wesham 10k on Saturday, as Nick Barber snatched the trophy from yearlong leader Martin Stork.
Seventeen Harriers travelled across to a chilly Fylde Peninsular to join 436 runners for this popular undulating race.
Nick Barber, who was attempting his first 10k road race, stuck to his race plan to finish in 12th place, in a time of 34:44.
Martin Stork ran a personal best time for the distance in 37:58 and 38th place, to finish the year in 2nd place in the Championship.
Sarah May completed the course in 38:54 to claim the prize for second female and 55th overall, with Mark Anderton finishing in 62nd.
After Richard Butterwick finished in 114th, Mel Blackhurst crossed the line in 147th, and 21st lady, to confirm her as the Ladies Road Champion.

Todmorden Results: 12 Nick Barber 34:44; 36 Martin Stork 37:56; 55 Sarah May 38:54; 61 Mark Anderton 39:37; 114 Richard Butterwick 43:11; 143 Melanie Blackhurst 44:47; 178 Richard Blakeley 46:01; 209 Elise Milnes 48:11; 224 Peter Ehrhardt 48:47; 231 Melanie Robertson 49:01; 236 Bev Wright 49:25; 287 Mandy Goth 52:33; 301 Wayne Morrison 53:28; 322 Moyra Parfitt 54:03; 339 Graham Milnes 55:05; 352 Myra Wells 55:52; 369 Barry Chapman 58:06.

SportSunday Pics...

Steve Bateson's Pics...