Northern Cross Country Championships | Kinder Trail

by PB

Three Tod Harriers travelled to Knowsley to compete in the prestigious Northern Cross Country Championships. The persistent heavy rain of recent weeks ensured a mix of mud bath and bog underfoot.

Nick Barber had a great run finishing 138^th in 49.35 in a race won by last year’s bronze medallist Dan Garbutt in 41.17. Next in for Tod was Robin Tuddenham in 277^th posting a time nearly 4 minutes quicker than last year. Third Tod Harrier home was Martin Stork, who one eye witness said “looked in a state of shock” after enduring such a long run in that kind of mud.

Robin Tuddenham commented “Being part of a start where 600 of the North of England’s finest cross country runners head up the first hill is life affirming”.

Results:

Nick Barber 138^th 49.35

Robin Tuddenham 277^th 54.01

Martin Stork 345^th 56.42

At the Kinder Trial on Saturday 25^th January Mandy Goth applied her excellent navigational skills to take 1^st place in the Ladies V50 category. 

This 20km orienteering event from Hayfield on the edge of the Peak District saw Mandy’s husband Phil Hodgson finish 52^nd out of 130 runners. 

The winner is the quickest to visit all 15 checkpoints in any order you choose and this year’s winner was Tom Brunt.

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

Stanbury Splash

The 31st annual Stanbury Splash fell race took place on Sunday 19^th January in typically seasonal conditions, with over 400 runners turning out to take on the mud and to take home the prize of a malt loaf. 

The event certainly lived up to its name. Todmorden Harriers maintained their strong presence at this popular local event. The rain that has characterised the winter so far meant that the 7 mile senior course and the shorter Junior course promised to be very muddy – neither course disappointed. 

Both events began in the ankle deep mud at the bottom of the quarry before a short climb. The Junior course then took in the paths round the perimeter of the quarry. 

The senior route took runners across the main road and down the track in the direction of the ruined Withen’s farm. Before the farm, runners were taken down through a field to cross Sladen Beck; they would also cross the beck on the return journey) before climbing out of the valley. They were then taken on a loop around the Ponden Kirkvalley skyline, including a splash through the swollen stream at the, before dropping back into the valley. The route back in retraced the runners’ steps, including a re-crossing of Sladen Beck before the final hard to the finish back at the cricket club in Penistone County Park.

Todmorden Harriers juniors were well represented at the event. Head Coach, Ben Crowther, was on hand to make sure everyone was ready for the run. 

There were strong performances from Todmorden’s runners in all age categories. This was their first taste of a competitive fell race for some of the Juniors.

Junior results

Ollie Davidson (under 8s) 28^th 4.38

Ben Hodgkinson (under 8s) 33^rd 4.50

Rebecca Haworth (under 8s) 35^th 4.52

Rachel Davis (under 8s) 37^th 4.56

Laurie Gee (under 10s) 63^rd 9.10

Linus Mulhern (under 10s) 69^th 9.19

Oonagh Brooks (under 10s) 111^th 10.36

Thea Crowther (under 10s) 132^nd 11.33

In the senior ladies race Laura Sutcliffe had the honour of being first Toddie home, placing 312^th in 73.12. Jane Leonard (FV50) was the second Todmorden lady home in 314^th in 75.44. 

First senior male, and also first V50, for Todmorden was Martin Roberts in 102^nd place in 58.20. Dave Collins was second V50 and second senior male for Todmorden in 122^nd place (60.01). 

Kevin Booth (V40) and Roger Haworth competed hard for the honour of 3^rd senior male for Todmorden. They passed each other several times over the last 3 miles, Kevin eventually taking 3^rd senior male for Todmorden (178^th overall) in 64.27 with Roger finishing 184^th in 64.44. 

Joe Daniels, who couldn’t quite keep up pace with Kevin and Roger in the final mile of the course, finished 191^st in 65.12.

Senior results

Martin Roberts 102^nd 58.20

Dave Collins 122^nd 60.01

Kevin Booth 178^th 64.27

Roger Haworth 184^th 64.44

Joe Daniels 191^st 65.12

Laura Sutcliffe 312^th 73.12

Jane Leonard 314^th 75.44

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

JD

East Lancashire 10k

22 Todmorden Harriers kicked off their new Grand Prix season at Great Harwood in the East Lancs Hospice 10k Trail Race, which raised more than £3000 for the hospice. 

First harrier home was Nick Barber in 3^rd place, an excellent performance considering he is in heavy training for the Manchester Marathon. 

First Tod lady home was Lucy Hobbs, 14^th lady overall, making a welcome return to racing after injuries meant a year or so cycling. 

The multi-terrain of tarmac and mud attracted a mix of Tod’s road and fell specialists including Simon Galloway, in 111^th place, who made a solid return to racing having recently recovered from pleurisy. 

Tod’s strong ladies section was added to with good runs from recent recruits Melanie Whitmore and Nina Fedorski.

Results:

3rd		Nick Barber	Todmorden Harriers		0.35.10
8th	Paul Brannigan		Todmorden Harriers	V45		0.37.49
58th		Michael Harper	Todmorden Harriers	V45		0.43.46
62nd		Andrew Bibby	Todmorden Harriers	V60		0.44.05
64th		Guy Whitmore	Todmorden Harriers	V45		0.44.39
90th		Lucy Hobbs	Todmorden Harriers	LV40		0.46.31
94th		Kevin Coughlan	Todmorden Harriers	V50		0.46.49
111th		Simon Galloway	Todmorden Harriers	V45		0.48.26
118th		Richard O'Sullivan	Todmorden Harriers	V50		0.49.10
132nd		Darren Graham	Todmorden Harriers	V45		0.51.03
138th		Melanie Whitmore	Todmorden Harriers	LV45		0.51.17
149th		Elise Milnes	Todmorden Harriers	LV50		0.52.09
158th		Helen Wilson	Todmorden Harriers	LV45		0.52.51
159th		Louise Abdy	Todmorden Harriers	LV50		0.53.00
172nd		Peter Ehrhardt	Todmorden Harriers	V65		0.54.19
174th		Nigel Hanson	Todmorden Harriers	V55		0.54.29
182nd		David Wilson	Todmorden Harriers	V55		0.55.12
185th		Julie Wyant	Todmorden Harriers	LV45		0.55.19
190th		Mandy Goth	Todmorden Harriers	LV50		0.55.52
240th		Graham Milnes	Todmorden Harriers	V55		63.13
242nd		Nina Fedorski	Todmorden Harriers	LV50		63.49
243rd		David O'Neil	Todmorden Harriers	V50		63.59

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

PB