Todmorden Harriers hit the trail in Reddish Vale with much success at the weekend. Thirty two Harriers joined over 300 runners at the first of the club’s grand prix races for 2013, the five mile ‘Hit The Trail’ race near Stockport.
John Lloyd was the first Harrier to finish, in third place, followed by Robin Tuddenham in seventh position and first v40.
Trevor Davies and Paul Brannigan finished seconds apart in 12th and 14th places respectively, and the quartet were comfortable winners of the men’s team prize.
Richard Blakeley added first v70 prize to the club’s haul.
Mel Blackhurst was the first Todmorden lady to finish, winning the v45 prize, followed by Claire Duffield. Issy Pollard was next across the line, as she won the v35 prize, and Jane Leonard who won the v55 prize.
Together the quartet won the ladies team prize, and Moyra Parfitt claimed the first v65 prize to round off a rewarding outing for the club.
Todmorden Results: 3 John Lloyd 27:54; 7 Robin Tuddenham 28:39; 12 Trevor Davies 30:01; 14 Paul Brannigan 30:09; 19 Craig Stansfield 30:45; 22 Robert Tyson 31:19; 25 Darren Graham 31:27; 38 Dan Taylor 32:29; 39 Richard Butterwick 32:36; 59 Andrew Bibby 34:01; 60 Kevin Booth 34:04; 73 Joe Daniels 34:44; 77 Simon Galloway 35:09; 95 Mel Blackhurst 35:57; 98 Andy Glyde 36:03; 102 Keith Parkinson 36:13; 114 Richard Leonard 37:08; 116 Claire Duffield 37:12; 135 Richard Blakeley 38:21; 138 Chris Drinkwater 38:39; 146 Issy Pollard 39:23; 167 Jane Leonard 40:52; 172 Ray Poulter 41:11; 189 Elise Milnes 41:58; 197 Julie Wyant 42:23; 200 Moyra Parfitt 42:43; 201 Peter Ehrhardt 42:51; 207 Helen Wilson 43:37; 215 Graham Milnes 44:15; 224 David Wilson 45:16; 245 Myra Wells 47:47; 262 David O'Neill 52:22.
The club had seen out the old year at the Auld Lang Syne Fell Race at Penistone Quarry near Haworth on New Years’ Eve, with the race won by Bingley Harrier – and Olympic medallist – Jonny Brownlee.
Martin Roberts was the first Harrier to finish in 102nd place in a time of 59:30, followed by Dan Taylor in 139th and Joe Daniels in 146th position.
Mark Whitaker judges edged out Phil Hodgson with just 7 seconds spanning the pair in 183rd and 186th.
Richard Leonard crossed the line in 210th ahead of Jane Leonard in 233rd, with Chris Preston in 250th place and John Preston in 272nd.
Fiona Armer in 280th, Mandy Goth 309th and Sue Roberts in 327th completed a sizeable club showing.
Two Harriers were up early the following day for the Giant’s Tooth Fell Race at Ogden Reservoir, with Jack Crummett finishing the three mile course in 22:28 for 37th place and Peter Ehrhardt in 103rd position with a time of 29:37