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.

FRA Awards | Wadsworth Half Trog | Bolton Cross Country

Todmorden Harriers Ladies collected their first ever medals at the Fell Running Association’s Presentation Dinner held at Pennine Manor near Huddersfield at the weekend.


The club collected the team gold medal in the English Fell Championships. Contributing performances had come from Lauren Jeska, Sarah May, Sarah Warburton, Kath Brierley, Gemma Kendall, Jane Leonard, Lucy Hobbs and Mel Blackhurst.

Lauren Jeska also collected the individual ladies trophy and gold medal after winning the English Fell Championship for the second consecutive year.

The ladies team then added the bronze medal for the British Fell Championships, with contributions coming from Kath Brierley, Jane Leonard, Sue Roberts, Lauren Jeska, Sarah May, Elise Milnes, Mandy Goth, Gemma Kendall and Mel Blackhurst.



Photo by Keith Parkinson



There was no let up in the race action at the weekend, despite the awards ceremony. Lauren Jeska was first lady at the Dunnerdale Fell Race, with John Medcalfe, Jane Leonard and Mick Howard also taking on the South Lakeland course.



The Wadsworth Half Trog was run over 9 miles, following a figure of eight route through Cock Hill and Crow hill and passing over High Brown Knoll twice.

Paul Hobbs was the first Todmorden finisher in 21st place, with Ben Crowther in 28th position. Chris Preston finished 10th lady, just ahead of Hatty Nylan and Bev Holmes as the ladies finished second team.

Todmorden Results: 21 Paul Hobbs 1:23:04; 28 Ben Crowther 1:25:16; 69 Mick Craven 1:39:00; 80 (lady 10) Christine Preston 1:41:06; 88 (lady 13) Hatty Nylan 1:43:59; 96 (lady 16) Beverley Holmes 1:45:15; 106 (lady 18) Fiona Armer 1:50:30; 113 Paul Cruthers 1:51:53; 118 (lady 23) Elise Milnes 1:53:13; 121 (lady 25) Helen Hodgkinson 1:55:48; 126 (lady 26) Sue Roberts 1:57:16.



The third round of the Red Rose Cross Country League visited Leverhulme Park in Bolton for the most challenging course so far, including a refreshing stream crossing.

A strong performance from the men’s team saw them finish in 6th place, with the ladies team finishing in 14th position.