Tour of Pendle | Florence Marathon | FRA Presentation

Saturday dawned and it was a cold crisp day as 12 hardy Todmorden Harriers made their way to Barley for the 30^th Tour of Pendle, the last race in the 2013 Fell and Grand Prix Championships. There was much anticipation among the 430 starters eager to get going on this toughest of South Pennine races.

Conditions were good with large parts of Pendle frozen, providing perfect conditions for fast running on a route more renowned for bogs and tussocks. The race starts with a big climb to the Trig Point near Big End followed by a fast run along the top to the Nick of Pendle. After a short run down to Churn Clough Reservoir the climbing started again up and over Spence Moor. Then came one of the highlights of the day the daredevil descent of ‘Geronimo’ , one of the steepest and most technical descent on the Fell Running calendar. 

After a gentle run back up through the middle of Pendle Hill, the race starts in earnest with 3 big climbs stacked together in the second half of the race. The last of these climbs goes back up ‘Big End’ to the Trig point and is very steep. By the time they reached it many people were suffering with cramp. One of these was Paul Hobbs who was flying in his first outing at the Tour. Despite the cramp Paul managed to keep moving to finish first Harrier in 2hrs 41. Ben Crowther stormed round the course, almost catching Paul at the end to finish next in 2hrs 42.

Next came a trio of harriers who had all been looking to break through the 3 hours barrier for the race. Marcel Ellison was the first to get up Big End and to the Trig Point, but couldn’t match the pace of Dan Taylor and Andy Mcfie on the long descent to the finish. First Dan, then Andy caught and overtook Marcel who also had the beginnings of cramp setting in. Andy didn’t quite have the legs to catch Dan who sprinted home by 2 seconds. All 3 managed to finish in 2 hrs 48 well up on their target. R

ob Gray in his first tour was accompanied round by Dwayne Dixon (who was using the run as training following recent injury layoff) The 2 started steady and managed to  finish in 3hrs 11, Joe Daniels completed the men’s entries just over 3 hrs 30.

The ladies team also used the conditions to record good times. Elise Milnes was well ahead of her 4 hour best for the route in 3hrs.51, with Mandy Goth (who is at her best for years after training for the Joss Naylor Challenge earlier in the year), last harrier home just over 4 hours.  

The other 2 Todmorden starters Craig Stansfield and Kath Brierley (both very experienced Fell competitors) dropped out of the race after not feeling at their best, proving what a difficult race the Tour of Pendle can be to complete.

Further afield and with slightly warmer weather, Andrew Bibby travelled to Italy for the Florence Marathon on Sunday. Andrew showed the good form he has had all year with an outstanding time of 3hours 28 minutes.

Following the Tour of Pendle race on Saturday, Clayton Le Moors Harriers hosted the Fell Runners Associations annual dinner and prize giving at Langho. Richard Blakeley of Todmorden collected his trophy for 1^st Place in the V70 category at the English Championships.

This had been made possible by Richard winning the last 2 races in the series to overtake his rivals for the title. 

Meanwhile in the British Championships the ladies team of Jane Leonard, Kath Brierley, Sarah Vickers, Gemma Ford, Claire Harris and Lauren Jeska took Silver Medals, capping off a good year for the ladies.

Jane Leonard finished off the prizes for the Todmorden party, with Bronze medals in both the English Champs V55’s and the British Champs V50’s. 

DT

Preston 10 | Harriers v Cyclists

Sunday saw the last race in the Todmorden Harriers Road Championships, as 6 harriers travelled to Preston for the Preston 10. With their respective titles already in the bag, Paul Brannigan and Sarah Glyde chose to stay away. Nick Barber looking to get the last race needed for qualification for the Club Championship, was eager for the top 10 finish required to take the title. He set off at a rapid pace and was going well at 5 miles in about 4^th/5^th place just under 28 minutes.  Shortly afterwards he was struck by stomach pains and had to pull out due to sickness ending his chances. Paul Alexander was elevated to the first Todmorden Harrier on the road with relish and continued his season of PB’s knocking 6 minutes off his previous 10 mile best, to finish in 1.06.50. Andy Glyde (Sarah’s husband) finished next, closely followed by Phil Cook and Kevin Coughlan. These 3 have all now qualified for the Harriers Grand Prix prior to the final race at Pendle this weekend.

Todmorden Results: Paul Alexander 1.06.50; Andy Glyde 1.12.35; Phil Cook 1.13.07; Kevin Coughlan 1.14.28 ; Peter Erhardt  1.26.18.

A couple of Harriers made the trip to Leeds on Sunday for the Abbey Dash 10k. The out and back course is well known as a fast flat course and had over 10000 participants. Martin Stork showed he is now back to his best following injury, with a great run and new personal best time of 36.40. Andy Mcfie managed to arrive on time this week and completed the Todmorden entries with a solid run of 38.17.

Saturday saw the annual Harriers v Cyclists race from the Fishermans Inn in Bingley. This involves cyclo crossers versus runners. The runners are quicker up the hill and the cyclists on the way back down, on a well balanced course for the challenge. Tom Adams continued his good form winning for the runners ahead of 1^st bike Andy Peace in 2^nd. First Harrier home was Robin Tuddenham just ahead of Steve Pullen. Emma Osenton was on her Cross Bike and managed a very respectable 163^rd position, showing how much she has improved since taking up the discipline only last year. Chris Preston managed to finish in front of Mandy Goth in the battle of the Tod ladies.

Todmorden Results: 48 Robin Tuddenham 41.13; 52 Steve Pullen 41.33; 163 Emma Osenton 53.45; 184 Chris Preston 56.41; 198 Mandy Goth 1.01.04.

Saturday sees the culmination of the Harriers Grand Prix season with the final race at Barley for the Tour of Pendle. At 17 miles long with nearly 5000 feet of climbing the race (in its 30^th year) is known as the toughest of the South Pennine races, with 3 very steep climbs one after another toward the end. Mud, tussocks and bogs are guaranteed in this season finale.  

Bolton Cross Country | Half Trog | Dunnerdale

by Paul Brannigan

The 3^rd Red Rose League Cross Country event provided mud galore for the 8 Todmorden Harriers who made the journey to Leverhulme Park in Bolton. This vibrant event attracts 700 runners from the age of 8 to 70.

First out of the traps was Jack Crummett in the Under 15 boys race with a consistent 2^nd consecutive 8^th place in a highly competitive group.

In the ladies event Jack’s mother, Kath Brierley, looked strong throughout the entire course finishing 3^rd in the Vet 50 category and 36^th overall. Kath was followed in by Andrea Marshall who put herself in pole position for the Tod ladies Cross Country title with one race remaining.

With the course churned up by the earlier races 200 men risked swallowing mud in a thunderous start that kicked up the contents of the many muddy pools. Dwane Dixon and Paul Brannigan, using the race as training for upcoming races, were the first two counters for Todmorden. Dwane executed a strictly planned tactical race that took him to 42^nd place overall and 6^th veteran over 40. Paul left it to the last lap to make up 35 places to finish 56^th and 6^th veteran over 45. Team captain Martin Stork, refined his pace judgement to finish 63^rd. Club stalwart Simon Anderton was next home in 116^th position followed by Andy McFie who decided to give everyone a head start arriving 5 minutes late. The battle for men’s cross country champion is still wide open with one race to go.

Results: U15 Boys:  Jack Crummett 8^th 17:54

Ladies: Kath Brierley 36^th 26:23; Andrea Marshall 98^th 31:33

Men: Dwane Dixon 42^nd 42:27; Paul Brannigan 56^th 43:56; Martin Stork 63^rd 44:17; Simon Anderton 116^th 48:17

 

Paul Hobbs continued his recent rich vein of form as first Todmorden Harrier home in 7^th place at the Wadsworth Half Trog. The race covers just over 9 miles and 1400 feet of climbing. Ben Crowther, one of Tod’s junior section coaches followed Paul in 14^th place. Rob Tyson completed the Tod team finishing 45^th. In the ladies race Elise Milnes was first home in 12^th place followed by Louise Abdy in 15^th.

Results: Ladies: Elise Milnes 12^th 1:59:00; Louise Abdy 15^th 2:10:00

Men: Paul Hobbs 7th 1:15:11; Ben Crowther 14^th 1:21.10; Rob Tyson 45^th 1:33:30; Phil Cook 63^rd 1:37:32; Mick Craven 73^rd 1:39:57; James Riley 74^th 1:40:31; Reginald Czudek 120^th 2:24:59.

5 Tod Harriers headed up to the lakes for the beautiful Dunnerdale Fell Race near Coniston in the Lakes. The battle of the day was between Sue Roberts and Mandy Goth with only 4 seconds separating them at the finish, but leading them home was Chris Preston in 32^nd place. In the men’s race Marcel Ellison and Martin Roberts finished in 41^st and 64^th places.

Results: Ladies: Chris Preston 32nd 64:29; ; Sue Roberts 40^th 1:07:26; Mandy Goth 41^st 1:07:30

Men: Marcel Ellison 41st 48:30; Martin Roberts 64^th 51.13

Todmorden Harriers welcome and look after runners of all ability. Check out www.todharriers.co.uk for details.

Capesthorne Half Marathon | Shepherd's Skyline Fell Race

by Dan Taylor

Sunday saw the penultimate round of the Todmorden Harriers Road Championship with 6 Harriers taking the trip to Capesthorne Hall for the Cheshire Half Marathon. The weather was bad but cleared just before the start, although rain came towards the end of the race.

Todmorden’s Nick Barber surged to the front straight from the start followed by the Road Champs leader Paul Brannigan. These 2 managed to pull out a bit of a lead and soon realised it was between the 2 of them for the win. Brannigan (who has been in brilliant form in the last few months) made his move after 10 miles slowly catching and overtaking Barber, who couldn’t quite hang on to him. They finished in first and second with very impressive times just under 1 hr 17.

Behind there was a trio of Harriers who used the occasion to re write their Personal Bests. Dan Taylor, in a rare appearance on the roads, continued his recent improvement finishing in 35th place. He knocked over 2 minutes off his best and was the 3rd counter as Todmorden also took the mens team prize.

Paul Alexander sprinted over the line for a sub 1hr 30 minutes time and Sarah Glyde continued a season of great improvement to finish a minute later, knocking over 3 minutes off her best and taking the V35 Ladies prize.

 Andrea Marshall was the last harrier to finish just over her target time of 2 hours. This result means Paul and Sarah are now assured of the Road Championships prior to the final race at Preston 10.

Todmorden Results: 1 Paul Brannigan 1:16:41; 2 Nick Barber 1:16:57; 35 Dan Taylor 1:27:43; 49 Paul Alexander 1:29:54; 55 Sarah Glyde 1:30:57; 524 Andrea Marshall 2:04:40.

Saturday saw the 28th running of the famous Shepherd Skyline Fell Race. Expertly organised as always by the husband & wife team of Phil Hodgson and Mandy Goth, ably assisted by the Todmorden Harriers Crew. The main race for the adults was well attended despite the bad weather, with over 280 people braving the rain.

Tom Adams from Ilkley led the way from the start and was never challenged winning in a little over 41 minutes. There was a close battle for second with Chris Farrell from Horwich narrowly beating Tim Ellis, Shaun Godsman and Alex Whittam of local club Calder Valley.

First Todmorden man was Jon Wright in 8th position (incidentally Jon came 9th as long ago as 1995 so good consistency there).

First lady home was Helen Fines of Calder Valley with first Todmorden lady Rebecca Patrick in 8th.

Junior races were also held with good participation from a number of local clubs. Tod Harriers had some good performances, including Jack Crummett who won the Under 16’s and Jack Willis who was 2nd in the under 8s, as the junior team continues to grow. Junior sessions for 6 – 12 year olds are held on Tuesdays at the Todmorden High School Gym from 5 – 6.30pm. 

Tod Results: 8 Jon Wright 46.07; 46 Craig Stansfield 52.42; 48 Steve Pullan 53.06; 77 Martin Roberts 56.27; 115 Simon Galloway 60.24; 116 Rebecca Patrick 60.37; 172 Jackie Holden 66.33; 199 Kirsty Patten 70.01; 203 Chris Preston 70.29; 207 Laura Sutcliffe 71.03.

Tod Juniors U8’s: 2 Joseph Willis 4.30; 5 Euan Logue 5.25; 8  Ben Hodgkinson 5.55; 11 Jack Suthers 6.37; 12 Erin McGrath 6.38

U10’s: 6 Joseph Hobbs 8.34; 17 Maebe Logue 9.32; 18 Jack Willis 10.03; 19 Oonagh Brooks 10.50; 22 Noah Lane 11.13; 23 Thea Crowther 11.49

U12’s: 7 Jacob Brady 8.40; 13 Jake Blackhurst 12.52

U16’s:  1 Jack Crummett 9.39

Todmorden Harriers next race is the Hot Toddy road race which will be held on Sunday 29th December. Perfect for getting rid of the extra inches put on over the Christmas period.