Auld Lang Syne Fell Race | Giant's Tooth | Joe Salt New Year Awakener | Nine Standards

Todmorden Harriers enjoyed a muddy and wet end to the year at the Auld Lang Syne Fell Race at Haworth, where the 400 runners were treated to a dominant performance by Olympic triathlon medal prospects Alistair and Jonathon Brownlee.


The pair quickly opened up a lead from the start at Penistone Quarry and were two minutes ahead of their nearest challengers by the finish, with Alistair taking the win over his brother by a few seconds in 40.28.

The first Todmorden Harrier was Simon Galloway in 147th, completing the 6 mile course in 59:29 with Darren Graham next in 178th place.

Sue Roberts finished in 320th followed by Julie Wyant in 355th, and Peter Ehrhardt in 358th position.

Clive Greatorex and Phil Cook proved four legs are not necessarily better than two, as they completed the course in a reindeer outfit, pulling a sleigh.



Clive was back in solo action the following day, on faster form at the Giant’s Tooth Fell Race on New Year’s Day, finishing the 3 mile loop above Ogden Water in 22:52 for 42nd place.



Maria Prescott was the sole Harrier at Cowm Reservoir, for the Joe Salt New Year Awakener, completing the 4.2 mile trail route in 32:29 to finish 7th lady.



A trio of Todmorden runners travelled to Kirby Stephen for the Nine Standards Fell Race, with Lauren Jeska finishing joint ladies winner with Keswick’s Pippa Maddams just past the hour mark.

Chris Preston finished in 81st position in 1:20:54, with John Preston completing the 8 mile course in 1:27:02 for 95th place.

Auld Lang Syne Fell Race | Joe Salt New Year Awakener

Todmorden Harriers race action for 2010 came to a close with the traditional end of year fell race on New Year’s Eve. The Auld Lang Syne Fell Race followed a 6 mile route around the Haworth Moors with a top class field being headed by Commonwealth athlete Andi Jones, taking his third win over the course, and World U23 Triathlon Champion Jonny Brownlee.

Sean Carey ended an excellent year with 17th place for Todmorden, with Paul Hobbs and Shaun Pickard in 62nd and 65th respectively.

First Todmorden lady was Mel Blackhurst in 198th, followed by Helen Hodgkinson in 326th and Kathy Bridger in 382th.

Clive Greatorex ensured he stayed warm on the windy moors, as he completed the course in a gorilla costume to win the fancy dress prize.

Todmorden Results: 17 Sean Carey 45.30; 62 Paul Hobbs 50.26; 65 Shaun Pickard 50.36; 92 Dave Collins 52.22; 163 Simon Galloway 57.55; 172 Peter Clarke 58.46; 198 Melanie Blackhurst 60.17; 277 John Medcalf 65.45; 283 Clive Greatorex 66.14; 285 Peter Ehrhardt 66.39; 326 Helen Hodgkinson 70.51; 363 Barry Chapman 78.05; 382 Kathy Bridger 85.42.

Steve Bateson's Auld Lang Syne Photos...

David Brett's Auld Lang Syne Photos...

Lots more photo links on the Woodentops site...


A handful of Harriers then made an early start to the New Year as they tackled a 4.2 mile trail race at Cowm Reservoir.

Robin Tuddenham was the first Harrier to finish in 8th place with a time of 26:32, with James Riley in 29:11 for 25th and Richard Butterwick finishing a couple of minutes later in 31:08 for 50th place.

Maria Prescott recorded a time of 33:44 as she took the 2nd fv45 prize, in 74th overall, and Myra Wells crossed the line in 43:33 for 114th to complete the Todmorden entry.

Steve Bateson's Joe Salt Awakener Photographs...