Kinder Trog

The hot weather over the weekend made this an even more challenging event than usual. Six Todmorden Harriers made the trip to Hayfield for the 16 mile event, including 3300 feet of climb. 

The runners were taken from the start at the Scout Hut on Swallow House Lane to Lantern Pike. They were then taken to Chunal Junction, Mill Hill, Kinder Downfall, Edale Cross and Big Stone before returning to the Scout Hall. There was little respite from the sun, with only the occasional cloud providing some relief. 

Craig Stansfield was the first Todmorden Harrier home in 2.15.02 finishing in 16^th place overall. 

The sole Todmorden lady was Kirsty Patten who finished in 117^th place in a time of 3.23.33. John Allan was 46^th finisher and second Todmorden male home in 2.35.32. 

Andrew Bibby (53^rd in 2.38.34), Guy Witmore (81^st in 2.56.28) and David Wilson (120^th in 3.24.42) completed the Todmorden males complement. 

Congratulations to all runners on what has a tough day for running.

Full round up of results for Todmorden Harriers

16	Craig Stansfield	M45		Todmorden Harriers & AC	02:15:02
46	John Allan	M		Todmorden Harriers & AC	02:35:32
53	Andrew Bibby	M60		Todmorden Harriers & AC	02:38:34
81	Guy Whitmore	M45		Todmorden Harriers & AC	02:56:28
117	Kirsty Patten	F		Todmorden Harriers & AC	03:23:33
120	David Wilson	M55		Todmorden Harriers & AC	03:24:42

Hendon Brook 13.5 Road Race | British Masters 5k Championship

The British Masters 5K road championship attracted the cream of athletes aged 35 to 85 from all over the British Isles. A one mile road circuit was closed off in Horwich town centre to host a range of running, walking and cycling races as part of the Festival of Racing. 

Todmorden Harriers’ sole representative was North Shields born Paul Brannigan who ran his second quickest time ever of 17.02 finishing a creditable 7^th in a race won by another North Shields athlete Guy Bracken in a phenomenal time of 15.47. 

Eight brave (or daft) Tod Harriers raced in the Hendon Brook Road Race, which is just over a half marathon in distance, but contains 2100 feet of ascent. 

The steepest climb, the ‘Lenches’, occurs in the 12^th mile. In the past the Lenches has reduced some leading runners to a crawl on all fours. 

The winner of each category takes home a t-shirt emblazoned with the race profile and 3 Tod athletes won their age category and secured the much prized t-shirt. 

The first 4 harriers swapped places throughout a race that was only settled in the last 3 miles when Sarah Glyde became Tod’s first counter and 1^st lady V40 annihilating her previous best reducing it by 10 minutes to 1 hour 46 minutes. 

Glyde was followed by Michael Harper in 1:47, 1^st lady V45 Mel Blackhurst in 1:48 and Richard Butterwick in a personal best 1:49. 

English Fell Champion Richard Blakeley took the men’s V70 prize.

Hendon Brook Results:

44th Sarah Glyde 01:46:46

45th Michael Harper 01:47:23

49th Mel Blackhurst 01:48:30

53^rd Richard Butterwick 01:49:36

84^th Kevin Coughlan 02:02:05

92nd David Leslie 02:05:00

100th Richard Blakeley 02:10:11

114th Moyra Parfitt 02:21:15

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

By PB

Ennerdale Fell Race

It was off to the Lake District last Saturday for the Longest Race in this year’s English and British Fell Championships, the Ennerdale Horseshoe. 

The race has 23 miles of running and 7500 feet of climbing in, but due to the forecast thunder and lightning the race was shortened. The new route did not go to any of the mountain summits, instead making its way to Buttermere and back via the cols. The route then had a loop from Black Sail Hut which headed up towards the mountains of Great Gable and Kirk Fell before descending back down to the Black Sail Hut. There was then an 8 mile run down the road/track and then around the edge of Ennerdale to the finish. 

Jon Wright led the way for Todmorden with a solid run finishing just over 3 hours in around 30^th position. Next to finish was Ivan Gee a great result in what was his first big lakeland race. 

The ever improving Ben Crowther finished next after another solid run, (again he was on the cusp of championship points in the V40 category we wait to see the official results for clarification). 

New Toddie Dave Garner was next to finish not far ahead of Dan Taylor, who overtook a tiring Paul HHobbs just yards before the finish. This means the team got the 6 counters around for qualification for the championship.  

 In the ladies race Lucy Burnett stormed up the hills for a 16^th place result and some well earned championship points. Clare Harris and Kath Brierley decided 21 miles wasn’t enough so added an extra mile going back to a checkpoint they had missed.   

A good day out for all, even though the route was changed it was still a tough challenge. 

by DT

Calderdale Way Ultra | Full Bronte 5 | Le Two-r Halves 10

A very busy weekend for Todmorden Harriers included a win for Craig Stansfield in the 50 mile Calderdale Way Ultra. Stansfield’s time of 8 hours 15 minutes was 36 minutes clear of Danny Seal in second place. 

The Yorkshire 5 mile Championships were incorporated in the Full Bronte 5 at Haworth on Thursday. 

Todmorden Harrier Paul Brannigan took silver in the over 50 (V50) category behind Mark Hall of Otley. They finished 5^th and 6^th overall beating the entire over 40s and over 45s competitors.   

Chris Preston was Tod’s lady representative finishing 90^th of 133 runners.

To commemorate the Tour De France passing through Cragg Vale Le Two-r Halves 10 mile race consisted of a 5 mile run up Cragg Road, the longest single gradient in the UK, and then a return back down. 

Half of the 6 Toddies won prizes with Robin Tuddenham finishing 2nd to Blackburn’s Shaun Livesey. 

Elise Milnes took the prize for 1st V50 and Ian Stansfield for 1st V70. 

Other results Richard Butterwick 20^th in 73.37, Michael Harper 22^nd in 74.44 and Julie Wyant 61^st in 94.22.

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


by PB