Manchester Marathon | Highlander Mountain Marathon | Three Peaks

Pics by Cannonball & Tudds

Todmorden Harriers’ focus was very much on longer distances at the weekend.

A trio of Todmorden runners were in magical form at the Manchester Marathon, with all three setting personal bests for the distance.

Jon Wright was at the sharp end of the 7000 runners, finishing with the 15th fastest time of the day at 2:39:33. Andy McFie completed the 26.2 mile course in 3:10:57 for 387th place.

Julie Wyant improved her marathon time considerably to 3:52:55 for 2112th position.

Todmorden Harriers achieved further success at the two day Highlander Mountain Marathon in Scotland.

Phil Hodgson and Dwane Dixon finished 3rd pair in the Score Class and first veteran team. Mandy Goth and Sue Roberts finished second ladies pair, also in the score class.

In the ‘A’ class, Ben Crowther finished in 8th position overall, partnering Jon Underwood of Calder Valley Fell Runners.


Five Harriers were in the Yorkshire Dales, for the Three Peaks Race. The 24 mile route took in the summits of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-Y-Ghent.

Craig Stansfield finished in 56th place in a time of 3:39:02, followed by Peter Bowles in 182nd with a time of 4:03:51.

Phil Cook and Mel Blackhurst crossed the finish line together, tying for 470th position with the same time of 4:47:43 and Elise Milnes finished in 5:05:47 for 590th place.


On the shorter side of running, Ian Stansfield completed his 50th parkrun, at the 5km Burnley parkrun on Saturday, representing a total of 250km of running at the free weekly events.

On Tuesday evening at the Hilary Craft 5k at Healey near Rochdale, Ian had finished in 30th place, with James Riley 10th and Myra Wells in 24th position over the multi terrain course.

London Marathon | Boston Marathon | Ras Y Moelwyn

Two Todmorden Harriers joined the thousands at the London Marathon at the weekend.


John Medcalf and Jayne Williams both ran well paced efforts to finish in 3:34:55 and 3:45:21 respectively.



The previous Monday, Robin Tuddenham had undertaken the Boston Marathon in high temperatures that forced thousands of runners to drop out.

Robin showed great determination as he completed the course in 3:04:08.



Lauren Jeska continued her current record breaking pace this spring at the Ras Y Moelwyn Fell race, where she finished the 17km course in 1:28:31 to claim another ladies course record by 3 minutes.



Mel Siddall was also in fine form as she won her age group and finished 4th female overall at the Stonyhurst Triathlon, near Clitheroe, on Sunday. Lying in 6th position after the swim, Mel rode a strong cycle section to move up the standings, and finished with a solid run.



Also adding to the Todmorden club’s successes recently, were Mandy Goth and Sue Roberts who won the ladies score class at the two day Highlander Mountain Marathon.