Liver Hill Fell Race | Vera Hirst 5k | Lad's Leap Fell Race | Pendle Fell Race

On Tuesday, the start of Spring was marked with the first evening fell race of the year with Rossendale Harriers’ 5.1 mile Liver Hill Fell Race.

Starting from Marl Pits, the race quickly gained height before a flattish section across the Moors and a final climb up and around Liver Hill.

Returning by the same route, it proved a lottery at the many stiles to negotiate as the leading runners crossed paths with those still climbing up.

In drier than usual conditions, the race was won by Pudsey’s Danny Hope in a new course record of 31:56.

Sean Carey led the way for Todmorden in 4th place in 33:31. Richard Butterwick finished in 58th, with Kath Brierley 6th lady, in 74th overall, and Derek Donohue in 84th.

Jack Crummett put in a strong showing in the U14 junior race, finishing in 2nd place.

Liver Hill photos by Dave Haygarth...



On Wednesday, the Vera Hirst Littleborough 5k marked another tradition of spring as local race organiser Andy O’Sullivan returned with the first of his mid week races.

Martin Stork recorded a personal best time for the distance with 17:52 taking him into 12th place out of over 200 runners. Martin then added another new best time for 10k, with 36:54 at the Wakefield 10k at the weekend.

Paul Brannigan was 2nd Todmorden man at Littleborough in 16th, with Dan Taylor also recording a new personal best of 18:59 for 35th.

Richard Butterwick followed them in with 64th, with Keith Parkinson crossing the line 85th.

Maria Prescott was first Todmorden lady in 126th, with Andrea Marshall in 47th – with another personal best of 24:36 - and Myra Wells in 187th.


The Lad's Leap Fell Race at weekend formed the latest round in the club’s Fell Championship and 12 Harriers made the trip to Crowden Campsite for the 5.9 mile race.

After a quick starting dash past the youth hostel, the runners were faced with a tough steep climb up to Lads Leap Rocks. They then crossed the moors and plunged down a steep slope, losing much of the height initially gained. A second climb looped them back up to rocks and a downhill return the finish via the initial route.

Jon Wright finished in 2nd place, a minute behind Dark Peak’s Mark Tuckett, with John Lloyd in 7th place. Paul Brannigan crossed the line in 25th place, just ahead of a fast finishing Dave Collins who gained several places on the final descent.

Kath Brierley won the ladies race in a time 1:04:42, with Jane Leonard finishing 3rd lady.

Todmorden Results: 2 Jon Wright 49:17; 7 John Lloyd 53:15; 25 Paul Brannigan 00:57:20; 26 Dave Collins 00:57:36; 50 Simon Galloway 01:03:26; 55 Kath Brierley 01:04:42; 58 Richard Butterwick 01:05:52; 66 Jane Leonard 01:09:14; 75 Richard Blakeley 01:10:44; 80 Richard Leonard 01:11:48; 107 Barry Chapman; 111 Peter Ehrhardt.

LL photos by Myra...
LL photos by Shaun...

Lauren Jeska was crowned Lancashire Ladies Fell Champion at the 4.5 mile Pendle Fell Race on Saturday, completing the course in 37:11, a minute ahead of her nearest rival.

The day also saw the first round of the Fell Running Association Junior Championship Series with several Todmorden juniors taking part.

Pendle photos by Steve Bateson...

Pendle photos by Run and Ride...

Robin Tuddenham recorded his third win at the weekly Heaton parkrun 5k on Saturday to add to the club’s excellent start to spring.