Roddlesworth Roller | Spen 20 | Haworth Hobble | Ian Roberts Fell Race

Todmorden Harriers’ inaugural Trail Championship got off to a flyer on Sunday with the Roddlesworth Roller, with the club winning both the ladies and men’s team prizes.

Nineteen Harriers took on the undulating 6 mile course at Abbey Village near Chorley.

Martin Stork continued his current excellent form to finish in 6th place, with Dwane Dixon in 13th one place ahead of Paul Brannigan.

It was a remarkable run for Dwane, and for Elise Milnes, as both had completed the 32 mile Haworth Hobble the previous day.

Gemma Kendall made a dazzling debut for the club to finish first Todmorden lady, and 6th lady overall, over a minute ahead of Sarah Glyde who was 8th lady, with Jayne Williams 12th lady

Todmorden results: 6 Martin Stork 36:44; 13 Dwane Dixon 37:58; 14 Paul Brannigan 38:22; 30 Dan Taylor 40:27; 50 Simon Galloway 42:50; 52 Gemma Kendall 43:22; 66 Sarah Glyde 44:47; 77 Jayne Williams 46:18; 84 Kevin Coughlan 47:58; 92 Hatty 48:28; 95 Elise Milnes 48:41; 108 Peter Ehrhardt 50:05; 131 Rachel Henthorne 51:45; 136 David Henthorne 51:51; 148 Helen Hodgkinson 53:15; 150 Graham Milnes 53:36; 176 Mandy Goth 57:13; 178 David O'Neill 57:28; 206 James Smith 1:27:40.

Sport Sunday's Roddlesworth photos...

Several Harriers took part in the Spen 20 mile race, a favourite for those training for the London Marathon. Sarah May completed the course in 2:27:07, followed by Mel Blackhurst in 2:44:08, with Johnny Medcalf 2 seconds behind. Mel Robertson and Julie Wyant finished just past the 3 hour mark.

At the Haworth Hobble on Saturday, Oz Kershaw was the first Harrier to finish in 5:12:29 with Nick Barber and Robin Tuddenham, the third pair to complete the distance in 5:27:07.

Sean Carey was the sole Todmorden runner at the Ian Roberts Memorial Fell Race, where he repeated his win from a year ago. It was a hard fought victory as he triumphed in a close finish with Jack Ross of Mow Cop Runners, who was just three seconds behind.

Ian Roberts Fell Race, Windmills Whizz, Haworth Hobble

Sean Carey had an excellent run at the Ian Roberts Fell Race at Marsden on Sunday to take the win by over a minute. The Todmorden Harrier took control from the start to run a near perfect race over the tussocky 6 mile course to finish in a time of 48:07, well ahead of Salford’s Ryan Gould who finished in a time of 49:35. Andrew Bibby was Harriers other representative, finishing in 38th in a time of 62:47 out of the 100 strong field.

Jon Wright continued the Todmorden club’s fine record at the 7 mile Windmill’s Whizz Fell Race at Ogden Water on Saturday with 4th place and first vet 40. Ilkley’s Tom Adams took the win, missing out on the course record by just 2 seconds.

Also on Saturday, many Harriers tackled the 33 mile Haworth Hobble on the moors above Haworth, Hebden and Todmorden. The race that started and finished in Haworth, can be entered either as a pair or solo, and attracted a quality field of over 250 entrants as it formed the first round in the Vasque Ultra Running Series. Phil Hodgson was Todmorden’s first finisher in 41st place in a time of just over 5 hours, with Colin Duffield in 80th. Chris Preston finished 7th lady, and 91st overall. Sue Roberts and Louise Abdy were 4th ladies pair.