Whittle Pike [English Champs] | Harakiri Mountain Race | Lakeland 100 | Cowm Reservoir 4.2m

Todmorden Ladies clinched the English Fell Championship team gold medal at the Whittle Pike Fell Race on Saturday. With one race to go in the six race series they now hold an uncatchable lead.

The 5.1 mile race started with a half mile road section, before the first of three steep climbs, the second of which took the runners to the high point of Whittle Pike.

In hot and sunny conditions Sarah May led the way for the Harriers in the ladies race finishing in an excellent 5th place, behind Holmfirth's Katie Walshaw who won in a time of 45:47.

Jane Leonard was the next Todmorden lady in 44th place.  After a close battle Lucy Hobbs edged out Fiona Armer on the final run in to finish 51st and 54th respectively.  Karen Gray completed the course in 69th place.

In the men's race, Dark Peak's Lloyd Taggert won in a time of 37:30 after catching the early leader Rob Jebb, of Bingley Harriers, who retired after a late fall.  Jon Wright was the first Todmorden runner in 28th, ahead of Sean Carey in 49th, who was also 2nd U18. 

A strongly finishing Paul Brannigan edged out Alistair Rhodes-Dawson as they finished 59th and 68th respectively.
 
Todmorden men's results: 28 Jon Wright 42:38; 49 Sean Carey 44:59; 59 Paul Brannigan 45:49; 68 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 46:36; 90 Dave Collins 48:46; 102 Peter Bowles 50:19; 122 Marcel Ellison 53:27; 125 Andrew Bibby 53:36; 141 Mick Craven 56:17; 161 Richard Blakeley 59:34; 167 Phil Cook 1:00:22; 184 Peter Ehrhardt 1:05:15; 188 Kevin Coughlin 1:07:30.

Ladies results: 5 Sarah May 48:23; 44 Jane Leonard 59:18; 51 Lucy Hobbs 1:00:38; 54 Fiona Armer 1:01:38; 69 Karen Gray 1:09:02.


Lauren Jeska was in Mayrhofen, Austria for the Harakiri Mountain Race, the fourth race in the World Mountain Running GP. In a highly competitive race, Lauren finished 12th lady, and 2nd v35, completing the tough uphill only course in 1:15:09.  
 

Elise Milnes completed the Lakeland 100 in 38 hours and 49 minutes at the weekend.  The 100 mile 'Ultra Tour of the Lake District' followed a circular route from Coniston that included over 6000 feet of ascent.  With less than half the starters finishing the full distance, it lives up to its reputation as the toughest race in the UK.

On Wednesday, Martin Stork finished 4th at the Linda Crabtree Cowm Reservoir Race.  Martin completed the 4.2 mile multi terrain race in 25:49, with James Riley in 21st place in a time of 29:44.

Mel Robertson recorded 35:03 for 47th, with Myra Wells stopping the clock at 42:48 for 65th.

Ian Terry 5k | Widdop Fell Race | Elswick Express 10 | Turnslack Fell Race | Snowden Race | Gorski tek na Grintovec

Todmorden Harriers started a busy week with success at the Ian Terry Memorial 5k in Littleborough which attracted 150 runners on Tuesday evening.

John Lloyd finished in 5th place in 17:04, with Lauren Jeska in 7th setting a new PB of 17:15. The time also represented the second fastest time by a woman on the popular hilly course.

Martin Stork recorded 18:02 for 10th place.

Todmorden Results: 5 John Lloyd 17.04; 7 Lauren Jeska 17.15; 10 Martin Stork 18.02; 25 David Baldaro19.54; 52 Richard Butterwick 22.38; 65 Mel Robertson 23.53; 112 Myra Wells 30.02.


On Wednesday night, the ladies team finished first at the Widdop Fell Race. The seven mile moorland route included 1200 feet of ascent as it looped around Gorple and Widdop reservoirs.

Alistair Rhodes-Dawson led the way for the Harriers with 6th place in 54:18. Ben Crowther finished 15th, with Shaun Pickard in 20th just under the hour mark.

Chris Preston led in the victorious ladies trio, finishing 4th lady, with Jane Leonard 6th lady and Elise Milnes was 12th lady.

In the junior races Sophie Taylor completed the 0.4 mile under eights course in 6:31 and Jack Crummett finished 4th in the under fourteens 2.6 mile race.

Todmorden Results: 6 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 54:18; 15 Ben Crowther 58:03; 20 Shaun Pickard 59:43; 61 Chris Preston 1:11:37; 63 Paul Cotton 1:11:52; 69 Jane Leonard 1:13:48; 86 Elise Milnes 1:20:00; 89 Helen Hodgkinson 1:21:11; 102 Graham Milnes 1:30:05.



On Saturday, the club’s Road Championship returned to the fore with a new race on the Fylde Peninsular, the 10 mile Elswick Express.

Robin Tuddenham finished in 58:26 for 8th place, with John Lloyd hot on his heels in 10th. Paul Brannigan was 18th, with Sarah Glyde completing the course in 1:16:41 for 12th lady. Peter Ehrhardt rounded off the Todmorden entry in 81st.

Todmorden Results: 8 Robin Tuddenham 58.26; 10 John Lloyd 59.02; 18 Paul Brannigan 1:01.16; 63 Sarah Glyde 1:16.41; 81 Peter Ehrhardt 1:22:29.



Closer to home on Saturday, eight Harriers tackled the tough eight mile route of the Turnslack Fell Race at Calderbrook.

Darren Graham finished first Todmorden man in 1:24:04 for 34th place, with Mick Craven in 51st and Marcel Ellison in 62nd.

Chris Preston once again led the Todmorden ladies to another team prize, finishing in 1:36:05 and 4th lady. Elise Milnes, Issy Pollard and Moyra Parfitt finished together for 8th, 9th and 10th ladies respectively.

Graham Milnes completed the Todmorden entry with 97th place in a time of 1:56:33.

Todmorden Results: 34 Darren Graham 84.04; 51 Mick Craven 90:42; 62 Marcel Ellison 93.21; 68 Chris Preston 96.05; 90 Elise Milnes 113.00; 91 Issy Pollard 113.01; 92 Moyra Parfitt 113.02; 97 Graham Milnes 116.33.



A pair of Harriers were in Wales, also on Saturday, for the International Snowdon Race. Paul Hobbs finished in 95th place in a time of 1:27:19 and James Riley recorded 1:39:50 for 218th place.


Lauren Jeska was in Slovenia for the latest race in the WMRA Grand Prix on Sunday. Due to severe weather, with snowfall on the upper part of the mountain, the uphill only course was shortened to an intense 1200m climb over 6.5km. Lauren finished in 3rd place in 58:38, taking her into 3rd place in the series.

Waugh's Well | Radcliffe 3 Day Challenge | Heaton parkrun

Sean Carey finished in second place at Waugh's Well Fell Race on Tuesday in 34:04, behind Wharfedale's James Hall.  The 4 mile race near Edenfield took a new revised longer route that included an additional early steep climb before passing over Whittle Pike twice.

Marcel Ellison completed the course in a time of 41:48 for 26th, with Richard Butterwick crossing the line in 48:42 for 59th.  Helen Hodgkinson finished 8th lady in 50:52.

Steve Bateson's Waugh's Well Photos... (coming soon)


Mel Siddall finished first lady v45, and 31st overall, at the Radcliffe 5 mile trail race on Saturday in 39:49. Myra Wells completed the Irwell Valley course in 54th in a time of 57:45, having earlier that day recorded 30:48 at the Oldham parkrun 5k.

The trail race was the final element of Radcliffe AC's three day challenge, that also featured Thursday's 5.5 mile Bull Hill Fell Race and the 5 mile Giant's Seat Summer Cross Country on Friday evening.

Richard Butterwick was the sole Todmorden entrant, finishing the series in 9th place, and second v40, in a combined time of 2:08:46 for the three races.

Mark Murphy's Bull Hill Fell Race 2011 Photos...


Myra's rainy Giant's Seat Summer XC 2011 Photos...


Radcliffe AC's Giant's Seat and Radcliffe Trail Photo's...

Todmorden Harriers dominated the weekly parkrun at Heaton Park, with Robin Tuddenham winning in 17:37. 

Lauren Jeska finished first lady, and third overall in 18:03, with Martin Stork 9 seconds behind in fourth.

Ian Stansfield continued his return from injury with 34:45, finishing 197th of the 240 runners.

Stoodley Pike Fell Race | Ras Yr Aran [British Champs] | Heptonstall Festival Fell Race

Todmorden Harriers claimed both the men’s and ladies team prizes at the Stoodley Pike Fell Race last Tuesday.

The 3 mile race successfully dodged the showers to start under a rainbow. The runners tackled the tough climb up Long Causeway and travelled along the ridge to Stoodley Pike. A nerve testing steep descent to London Road followed, before a fast flat return to the finish at the Top Brink Inn.

Ilkley’s Tom Adams established an early lead on the climb and held it to the end, to finish in 19:09.
Calder Valley’s Max Wharton crossed the line 30 seconds behind for second place, and first under-18, just ahead of last year’s winner Alex Whittem.

Jon Wright was the first Harrier in 6th place, and first vet40, with Sean Carey in 8th place. Todmorden took the team prize with Dwane Dixon in 10th and John Lloyd in 11th place making up the winning quartet.

Todmorden’s Lauren Jeska repeated her win from last year in the ladies race, ahead of Tara Krzywicki of Accrington and Anne Johnson of Calder Valley.

Gemma Kendall finished in 4th and Hatty Nylan in 9th as the ladies narrowly won the team prize from Calder Valley and Accrington, with all three clubs having their three counting runners in the top ten.

Todmorden Results: 6 Jon Wright 20.41; 8 Sean Carey 20.58; 10 Dwane Dixon 21.21; 11 John Lloyd 21.34; 13 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 21.40; 21 Lauren Jeska 22.36; 40 Marcel Ellison 24.08; 54 Dan Taylor 25.14; 58 Gemma Kendall 25.28; 93 Mick Craven 27.01; 97 Hatty Nylan 27.23; 136 Jane Leonard 29.30; 138 Matt Edwards 29.38; 177 Louise Abdy 36:00.

Stoodley Pike Fell Race Results 2011...

Stoodley Pike Photos...

Todmorden posted a strong showing at Saturday’s British Championship Fell Race in Wales. The second race in this year’s championship was the Ras Yr Aran near Bala.

Todmorden ladies finish 3rd team to repeat their result from round one in Northern Ireland and keep hopes high of a team medal this year, with two races remaining.

Lauren Jeska finished 4th lady in 1:44:32, with Jane Leonard and Kath Brierley crossing the line together for 27th and 28th places and Sue Roberts completing the course for 42nd lady.

Jon Wright led a strong showing from the men with 1:33:46 taking him into 31st place, with Alistair Rhodes Dawson in 39th. Nick Barber finished in 53rd with John Lloyd one place behind.

Todmorden Results: 31 Jon Wright 1:33:46; 39 Alistair Rhodes-Dawson 1:37:12; 53 Nick Barber 1:41:05; 54 John Lloyd 1:42:11; 67 Lauren Jeska 1:44:32; 122 James Riley 2:04:01; 161 Jane Leonard 2:14:40; 162 Kath Brierley 2:14:40; 164 Richard Leonard 2:15:56; 190 Sue Roberts 2:31:40.

Ras Yr Aran Results...

Ras Yr Aran Al Tye Photos(up)... Photos (down)

Graham Spencer's Yr Aran Photos..

Closer to home on Saturday the inaugural Heptonstall Festival Fell Race attracted over 90 runners to its 6 mile testing course.


Todmorden’s Sean Carey set the pace and won the race in 53:01, with Paul Hobbs in 8th and Ben Crowther in 9th, allowing Todmorden to also win the team prize.

Hatty Nylan finished 8th lady and Louise Abdy 13th lady.

Todmorden Results: 1 Sean Carey 53:01; 8 Paul Hobbs 56:11; 9 Ben Crowther 56:21; 20 Shaun Pickard 59:32; 30 Jeff Walker 1:01:56; 32 Duncan Ritchie 1:02:10; 62 (lady 8) Hatty Nylan 1:11:40; 67 Richard Butterwick 1:14:00; 86 (lady 13) Louise Abdy 1:31:04.

Hepstonstall Festival Fell Race Results...

From Azerbaijan to Heptonstall – Festival Fell Race wins friends far and wide

by Steve Grimley...

Another bumper Heptonstall turnout saw Todmorden Harriers take local honours in first ever Heptonstall Festival Fell Race on Saturday. The race was conceived by local runners Heptonstall Hurriers to support the Heptonstall village festival and was the result of a tremendous community effort as friends, neighbours, and families pulled together to act as marshals, time keepers, and race officials. An informal running group comprised of local Tod Harriers and Calder Valley members, the Hurriers were delighted at the success of the race having planned the event only 4 weeks earlier. Featuring 1500 feet of ascent the race was specifically designed to qualify for Fell Running’s “Category A” status, the highest difficultly level in the sport. The challenging route helped to attract a field of 93 runners from across the region, with many runners travelling from as far afield as Kent and Leicestershire to swell ranks at the White Lion start. 

Photographs by Ed Lister

Stephen Heath took the prize for the furthest flung entrant; travelling from Azerbaijan as the only representative of Baku Hash House Harriers he finished in a creditable 63rd place. The BP employee used to running through the arid badlands of Baku oil fields, in temperatures topping 40’C, noticed the Heptonstall Fell Race website and decided to include the race in his preparations for his up coming ultra marathon in the High Caucasus Mountains in Georgia. The Hash House Harrier, based in Baku since 2004, was full of praise the event, “I was back in the UK for a week or two for the birth of my daughter and thought it would be great opportunity to have a go at my first fell race – the whole village festival-fell race format made it a great day out, the route was pretty formidable, but the village and local landscape made it a memorable run. The Calder Valley is a wonderful place with warm and generous people”. Stephen’s wife Rebecca gave birth to their daughter Georgia 5 days before the race, both were on hand to cheer him on as he finished the race in 71 min. The much travelled Hash House Harrier promised he would spread the word of Heptonstall’s new race across the hills and mountains of Central Asia.


Both Calder Valley and Todmorden Harriers were well represented to add friendly local rivalry to the event. Calder Valley had previously dominated proceedings at the inaugral 15 mile Heptonstall Fell Race in March, but Todmorden Harriers turned the tables on their local rivals to take the Festival Honours.

 

As torrential rain gave over to bright sunshine, 17 year old Todmorden Harriers Sean Carey ran a dazzling race to finish in 1st place ahead of Calder Valley’s Andy Thorpe. Leading the field from Heptonstall on the “white knuckle” descent to the Blue Pig, before a 1000 foot ascent to High Brown Knoll, Carey showed he had stamina in his young legs as he skipped up the daunting 500 foot ascent to the finish line, setting a new race record of 53.01mins. The up and coming Todmorden runner has recently won a host of short races, and his victory helped secure team honours for Todmorden as Paul Hobbs and Ben Crowther finished 8th and 9th respectively to out score Calder Valley’s 3 highest placed runners.

 

Some pride was restored for Calder Valley, as Anne Johnson, Gayle Sugden, and Trudi Entwhistle took the ladies team prize. But Calder ladies didn’t have it all their own way as highly talented Holmfirth Harrier Katie Walshaw set a stunning pace to finish first lady beating off many of the stronger male runners to take 7th place overall in the ladies course record of 55.42min.

A number of beginners and none attached runners from the village also ran including new Hurrier Sam Swindells who lent a pair of fell-trainers to run his first ever race.The Manchester University student finished in an impressive 15th place winning the honour of fastest Heptonstall Hurrier (of 10 running either as Hurriers or official clubs).
 

Runners and motorists may have been surprised to be confronted by a troop of clowns marshaling the Draper Corner road crossing as the village volunteers were dressed for the their later roles in the Festival fun; not to be out done, a bunch of leading (but unnamed) Calder Valley clowns were heard to have completely missed the well flagged route to find themselves wading through brambles and nettles to emerge 100 yards short of the official road crossing on Lee Road.

Heptonstall Results: 15  Sam Swindells 57:19; 40 Jo Daniels 1:04:26; 43  Gavin Lee  1:04:53; 47  Chris Cavey  1:06:52; 60  Paul Cruthers 1:10:58.

Heptonstall Festival Fell Race

Beginners encouraged to run to the hills as new Fell Race kicks off Heptonstall Festival by Steve Grimley...

Excitement is building in Heptonstall as the village prepares to stage its second major fell running event of 2011 this Saturday 9th July. Following the success of the epic 15 mile Heptonstall Fell Race in March Heptonstall Hurriers were asked to organise a new short, fun, fell race for Heptonstall Festival.


The Hurriers rose to the challenge, working with land owners, Calder Valley Fell Runners, Todmorden Harriers, plus a host of friends and neighbours to make the new race a reality. Heptonstall Festival Fell Race will kick off a day of family fun including live music, folk dancing, local food, and children’s entertainment.


The 6 mile course should be an instant hit with fell runners, featuring some of the best scenery in the area on little known paths and rights of way; The unusual double-descent format starts at the White Lion Pub with a quick run up the cobbles, followed by a 500 ft descent to the Blue Pig. After the 1000 ft ascent to High Brown Knoll runners turn tail and head back to the Heptonstall the way they came.


Set against the iconic backdrop of Hardcastle Craggs, Heptonstall, and Stoodley Pike, Peckett Well War Memorial is a real highlight. As the race progresses from Peckett Well to the summit of High Brown Knoll runners will be clearly visible from Heptonstall. Standing at 1453 feet, and 120 feet higher than Stoodley Pike, High Brown Knoll and its moorland flanks provide classic fell running, whilst offering festival-goers with binoculars the unique opportunity to monitor the race from the comfort of the finishing field in Town Field Lane. (weather permitting!). The return ascent to Heptonstall should be a real test of runner’s endurance on the final, and steepest climb from Midgehole to Lee Bank.


The race will swell the crowds at the Heptonstall Village Festival, as runners from across the region are expected to join locals on the start line. Race Organisers hope the race will become an annual community event, inspiring local runners, new to fell running, to experience the exhilaration of racing over hills. Beginners will find the route easy to follow, fully flagged, and well marshalled, whilst seasoned fell runners will enjoy the 1500 feet of climbs and descents over wide variety of terrain.


Runners can register from 9.00, race starts at 11.00; followed by prize giving at 12.45 in White Lion Pub. Village gala, food stalls, music, and beer kick off at 12.00. Full details and map; www.heptonstallfestivalrace.org.uk/