Flower Scar Fell Race | Ilkley Moor Fell Race

The Flower Scar Fell Race moved to a new venue of Todmorden Cricket Club and a new route on Saturday.


The longer 10.4km course climbed up Todmorden Edge from Centre Vale Park, and on to Flower Scar Hill. A woodland descent then led runners back along the valley, with a sting in the tail climb before a final descent to the finish at the Cricket Club.

Calder Valley Fell Runners claimed the first three places with Karl Gray edging out Tim Ellis by one second to win in a time of 45:59. Alex Whittem followed over three minutes later in third place.

Photo by Keith Parkinson

Lauren Jeska was comfortably the first lady in a time of 54:25, and the first Todmorden Harrier, with many of the club’s runners assisting race organiser Jon Wright.

Hannah Rhodes Patterson, of Durham University finished over four minutes behind Lauren to claim second place ahead of Horwich’s Lindsey Brindle.

Todmorden also won the ladies team prize, with Jane Leonard and Clare Kenny combining with Lauren to pip Clayton Le Moors by just one point.

Dan Taylor was the first Todmorden man to finish in 36th place, followed by Rob Tyson in 60th and Simon Hollows in 78th position.

Todmorden results: 10 Lauren Jeska 54.25; 36 Dan Taylor 57.22; 60 Robert Tyson 60.06; 78 Simon Hollows 61.38; 111 Nick Ward 66.40; 132 Derek Donohue 68.56; 154 James Riley 72.06; 158 Mick Craven 72.24; 169 Jane Leonard 73.29; 191 David Leslie 76.15; 192 Clare Kenny 76.22; 221 Sue Roberts 85.04.

Keith's Flower Scar Photos...

Woodentops Flower Scar photos...

Steve Bateson's Flower Scar Photos...

The following day Jon Wright had his running shoes back on for the 8.4km Ilkley Moor Fell Race, finishing in 4th place. Claire Duffield was the only Todmorden lady and finished in 136th position.

Mr Sparkle's Dark 'Un | parkrun | Huddersfield 10k | Ilkley Moor Fell Race

Todmorden Harriers had a quiet weekend, with only a few runners in action.


On Friday evening, Marcel Ellison finished eighth in a new night time fell race, Mr Sparkle’s Dark ‘Un, at Tockholes near Darwen.

Full Results...


Sportsunday's Photos...



Several Harriers were in action at the weekly 5k parkruns on Saturday, with Lauren Jeska finishing first lady at Cardiff in 17:24, just 3 seconds slower than her previous outing on the course.

Robin Tuddenham narrowly missed making it a double for the club, finishing in second place at Heaton Park where Jim Smith improved his time from a week earlier by one and half minutes.

Richard Butterwick made a tentative return from injury completing the Oldham parkrun course in 24 minutes exactly, for 21st position.



On Sunday a trio of Todmorden runners tackled the hilly Huddersfield 10k, with Elise Milnes first across the line in 51:37 for 211th place.

Julie Wyatt completed the distance in 57:57 and Graham Milnes in 1:00:38 for 345th and 386th respectively.

Flaming Photography's Photos...


Also on Sunday, three Harriers enjoyed perfect dry and mild conditions at the Ilkley Moor Fell Race, with Peter Jackson completing the 5 mile course in 160th place in 58:32.

John and Chris Preston finished just past the hour mark for 177th and 178th places.

David Brett's photos...

More photo links on the Ilkley Harriers site

Ilkley Moor Fell Race

Several Todmorden Harriers braved snowy and icy conditions at the Ilkley Moor Fell Race on Sunday. Immaculately organised by Ilkley Harriers, the circular 5 mile route features 1260 feet of ascent and an early morning fall of wet snow added to the difficult reputation of the race.

Starting from Wells Road, the runners climbed up past the Cow and Calf Rocks to the Pancake Stone. A treacherously steep descent followed with numerous fallers sliding down on the compacted snow that at times bore a stronger resemblance to an Olympic bobsleigh track than a fell race. After a bridge crossing of Backstone Beck the height lost was soon regained with a long climb back up the other side of the beck. A relatively flat section took the field across to a further steep ascent to the Badger Stone at the highest point of the race, where poor visibility led several runners astray. The final long precarious descent then took the runners to the welcome sight of the finish.

Pudsey and Bramley’s Graham Pearce was in class of his own in the 224 strong field and completed the course in a respectable 39:52, over 2 minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Paul Brannigan was the first Todmorden Harrier in 26th position, half a minute ahead of 28th placed Paul Hobbs, with Dave Collins not far behind in 33rd.

Earlier Jack Crummet was the sole Todmorden representative in the junior races, where he finished 5th – and 1st non-Ilkley runner - in the U12 race.

Todmorden Results: 26 Paul Brannigan 47:42; 28 Paul Hobbs 48:10; 33 Dave Collins 48:45; 42 Steve Brandwood 50:49; 53 Clive Greatorex 53:02; 122 Richard Butterwick 1:00:52; 190 Peter Ehrhardt 1:11:53.