Hot Toddy Road Race

Over 300 runners descended on Todmorden for the annual Hot Toddy Road Race on Sunday.


The 8.9km race followed a circular route from the town centre, along Rochdale Road to Walsden Post Office and a climb up past the Shepherd’s Rest Inn. A fast descent to Halifax Road then took the runners back to the finish line.

A new race headquarters at Todmorden Cricket Club meant a new improved route for the 1 mile fun run that attracted a further 50 runners to a circuit of Centre Vale Park.

Photos by Keith Parkinson

The Mayor of Todmorden, Counsellor Abid Hussain, then started the runners in the main race and was on hand to congratulate the finishers after they had completed the course.

Damian Nicholls of Wilmslow quickly established a gap and was in a race of his own as he won in a time of 29:50, to repeat his victory of 2007.

It was a much closer battle for second place, with Mike Flatley of Middleton Harriers crossing the line in 31:19, just four seconds ahead of Salford Harrier Mark Russell.

Ivan Gee was the first Todmorden Harrier to finish, holding off a late challenge from Trevor Davies as they finished 19th and 22nd respectively, followed by Paul Hobbs in 31st place.

Halifax Harrier Sarah Louise Cumber also enjoyed a comfortable win as she finished first lady in a time of 34:44, followed by Victoria Bailie of Edinburgh AC in 36:13 and Stainland Lion Julie Field in 37:03.

Helen Wilson was the first Todmorden lady followed by Myra Wells.

Todmorden results: 19 Ivan Gee 34.37; 22 Trevor Davis 34.42; 31 Paul Hobbs 35.36; 39 Richard Butterwick 36.24; 56 Dan Taylor 37.50; 63 Paul Alexander 38.23; 79 Phil Cook 39.42; 96 Joe Daniels 40.29; 103 Kevin Coughlan 40.51; 118 Guy Whitmore 42.11; 181 David Leslie 46.07; 233 Helen Wilson 49.46; 254 Graham Milnes 51.53; 259 Myra Wells 52.14.

The Stoop Fell Race

Todmorden Harriers joined 270 runners at Penistone Country Park for The Stoop Fell Race near Haworth.


The route followed an out and back course to the Stoop Stone with all runners being issued with a Santa Hat for the 5 mile race.

John Lloyd was the first Harrier in 10th place, followed by Peter Bowles in 43rd and Dave Collins in 78th.

Simon Galloway and Andrew Bibby battled to the end for 92nd and 93rd places with just a few seconds between them at the line.

Joe Daniels led in another trio of Todmorden runners in quick succession, with Mark Whitaker and Phil Cook close behind.

Jane Leonard was the first Todmorden lady in 197th, followed by Sue Roberts in 225th and Chris Preston in 253rd position.

Todmorden Results: 10 John Lloyd 35:43; 43 Peter Bowles 39:39; 78 Dave Collins 42:34; 92 Simon Galloway 43:46; 93 Andrew Bibby 43:53; 132 Joe Daniels 46:38; 137 Mark Whitaker 47:01; 138 Phil Cook 47:07; 197 Jane Leonard 51:28; 225 Sue Roberts 56:26; 253 Christine Preston 64.55.


The annual Hot Toddy 8.9k road race takes place in Todmorden on Sunday 30th December at 11am. Entries are welcome on the day and registration takes place from 9:30am at Todmorden Cricket Club on Burnley Road.

The route starts in Todmorden town centre, travelling up Rochdale Road and then turning at Walsden Post Office for a long steady climb up to the Shepherd’s Rest Inn. A descent via Woodhouse Road will then take the runners back along Halifax Road to the finish.

There is a one mile fun run at 10:00am (£1 entry on the day) which follows a new traffic free route around Centre Vale Park.

Full details are on the club’s website www.todharriers.co.uk

Club Duathlon Team Relay

Todmorden Harriers held their club Team Duathlon at the weekend, featuring a fell run, road run and cycle.

The teams of three were seeded to ensure close competition, with the cycle and fell entrants simultaneously setting off from the race HQ at the Summit Inn at one minute intervals, before the fell runner handed over to their road runner.

The winning team, with a combined time of 2:24:17, featured Emma Osenton, Wayne Morrison and Chris Preston.

They held a winning margin of 5 minutes over their closest rivals, but it was a close fight for second place with the combination of Geoff Read, Mel Blackhurst and Richard Butterwick just edging out the trio of Andrew Horsfall, Ray Poulter and Claire Duffield.

Trevor Davies set the fastest cycle time of the day around the 20 mile loop via Mytholmroyd, Cragg Vale and Littleborough, completing the route in breezy conditions with a time of 1:02:35.

Andrew Wrench was the fastest on the 5 mile fell run route, finishing in 29:47.

Robin Tuddenham completed the 5 mile road loop through Calderbrook and Littleborough in 29:24

The day had an added element of a ‘guess your time’ competition, with Alistair Rhodes-Dawson impressively coming within one second of his predicted road time. Richard Leonard was closest to his guess for the cycle, at 28 seconds with Wayne Morrison only 35 seconds away from his expected fell run time.

2012 Presentation Evening | Fallen Heroes 5k

Todmorden Harriers celebrated their successes at their annual presentation evening that took place at Todmorden Cricket Club, on Saturday.

Club Chairman Mandy Goth announced the winners of the club competitions, with awards being handed out by new club president Barry Chapman.

Lauren Jeska was awarded the Eric Stuttard Trophy for her performances in the Ladies English Fell Championships, where she won the gold medal for the third consecutive year, and also was gold medallist in the British Fell Championships.

Nick Barber was awarded the men’s club Fell Champion Trophy, with Helen Hodgkinson receiving the ladies Fell Champion Trophy.

Age category awards in the fell championship were made to Helen Wilson (lv45) and to Paul Brannigan (v45), Dave Collins (v55), Chris Drinkwater (v60) and Peter Ehrhardt (v65).

John Lloyd scored a record total of points as he was crowned club Road Champion, with Sarah Glyde retaining the Ladies Road Trophy once again

Age category awards in the road championship went to Robin Tuddenham (v40), Nigel Hanson (v55), Peter Ehrhardt (v60) and Mel Robertson (lv50).

Paul Hobbs was awarded the Trail Championship Trophy.

The Grand Prix Champion, awarded for performance on road, trail and fell, was won by Paul Brannigan with a total of 22 members receiving trophies and certificates for achieving qualification for this competition.

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.

Chris Drinkwater was named the ‘Most Improved Runner of the Year’ award to reflect the effort and progress he has made this year.

John Lloyd was also awarded the ‘Toilet Seat’ trophy which is awarded to the Harrier who has the most running related misadventures during the year.

A vote was held on the night for the ‘Clubman of the Year’ which was presented to club treasurer Richard Leonard.

The following morning several Harriers were back in action at the Fallen Heroes 5k in Littleborough, held in memory of Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes.

John Lloyd finished in 8th place in a time of 16:57, followed by Robin Tuddenham in 12th with a time of 17:47 and Richard Butterwick crossing the line in 19:32 for 26th position.

Claire Duffield was first Todmorden lady to finish in 22:47 for 68th, with Mel Siddall five places behind in 23:14 and Myra Wells stopping the clock at 27:49 in 128th place.