Hebden Bridge Fell Race | Naden Valley Trail

The Hebden Bridge Fell Race was held under heavy rain on Thursday evening, with the number of runners vastly down on last year’s record turnout.


For race organiser Andrew Bibby it capped a busy week, after he had successfully completed the Joss Naylor Challenge the previous weekend.

Joss’s challenge involves climbing 30 Lakeland peaks, crossing some 48 miles of mountain terrain and ascending nearly 17000 feet within a set time limit. The run starts in Pooley Bridge, Ullswater and finishes at Greendale Bridge, Wasdale.

Back in Hebden, Andrew saw off 51 hardy runners taking on the 9.6 kilometre rain lashed route, which started and finished in Calder Holmes Park and included over 350m of climb as it looped around Erringdon Moor to the highest point at Stoodley Pike.

Calder Valley’s Ben Mounsey led the way to finish in 44:35, two minutes clear of team mate Alex Whittem.

Todmorden’s Dwane Dixon claimed third place, with Ivan Gee in sixth position and Marcel Ellison in 13th.

Jane Leonard led in a trio of Todmorden ladies for 5th, 6th and 7th ladies respectively, with Maria Prescott and Sue Roberts following her across the line after Julie Field of Stainland Lions had claimed the ladies win in 60:49.

Todmorden Results: 3 Dwane Dixon 46.5; 6 Ivan Gee 48.46; 13 Marcel Ellison 52.1; 20 Dave Collins 56.44; 22 Clive Greatorex 58.33; 27 Joe Daniels 61.12; 33 Jane Leonard 67.19; 34 David Leslie 68.59; 36 Maria Prescott 70.33; 38 Sue Roberts 73.1; 40 Peter Ehrhardt 74.19; 42 Fiona Armer 76.04.



In equally wet conditions, the Naden Valley 6 mile trail race at Norden formed the latest round in the club’s Trail Championship on Saturday.

The route featured over 300 metres of ascent across a variety of terrain from roads, tracks, fields and woodland paths, much of which were covered in water. With stiles and slippery wooden bridges to also contend with, runners had to keep their minds alert to stay on their feet.

John Lloyd showed no signs of tiredness following his recent performance at the Cork Marathon to finish in second place behind race winner Danny Walsh of Rossendale Harriers.

Paul Brannigan ran a well paced race to snatch third place on the last corner with Paul Hobbs finishing in 8th place, a result that makes him favourite to claim the crown of club trail champion, with two races remaining.

Dave Collins was the next Harrier to finish, winning the v55 prize in the process with Peter Ehrhardt also claiming first in the v65 category.

Todmorden Results: 2 John Lloyd 40:42; 3 Paul Brannigan 41:53; 8 Paul Hobbs 43:37; 22 Dave Collins 47:24; 28 Richard Butterwick 48:50; 37 Simon Galloway 51:10; 39 Phillip Cook 51:53; 51 Chris Drinkwater 58:12; 53 Peter Ehrhardt 58:38.