Joss Naylor Challenge | Hebden Bridge Fell Race | Cannonball Hill Roller

Todmorden Harriers chairman Mandy Goth and her husband Phil Hodgson became the first married couple to complete the Joss Naylor Challenge.


Joss’s challenge involves climbing 30 mountain tops, crossing some 48 miles of mountain terrain and ascending over 17000 feet. The route starts in Pooley Bridge, Ullswater and finishes at Greendale Bridge, Wasdale. Each age group has a specific time limit varying between 12 and 24 hours with different times for men and women.

They started at 5am in the morning and it was touch and go as the 14 hour deadline approached. They finished with a nail biting sprint off the final summit to finish at 7pm precisely.

The challenge was particularly significant for Mandy who only two weeks previously had been given the all clear from breast cancer.

They were supported by numerous friends from Todmorden Harriers and Achille Ratti Climbing Club and were met at the finish by Joss Naylor MBE.

The good weather attracted a sizeable entry for the club’s Hebden Bridge Fell Race on Thursday evening, including one runner from the United States.

Ian Holmes of Bingley Harriers won in a time of 45:23, followed by Wharfedale Harrier Christian Holmes in 45:43.

John Lloyd was the first Todmorden runner to complete the 5.8 mile course, followed by Peter Bowles in 16th Rob Tyson in 30th place.

Holly Page of Calder Valley Fell Runners was first woman in a time of 52:56.

Mel Blackhurst was the first Todmorden woman, finishing eighth lady, followed by Kirsty Pattern and Sarah Hughes for the club.

Todmorden Results: 3 John Lloyd 46.50; 16 Peter Bowles 50.50; 30 Robert Tyson 54.01; 32 Dave Collins 55.03; 33 David Baldaro 55.58; 46 Andrew Bibby 58.14; 51 Duncan Ritchie 59.25; 55 Benjamin Beckwith 60.43; 69 Paul Cruthers 63.22; 71 Richard Blakeley 63.32; 72 Mel Blackhurst 63.35; 79 David Leslie 64.26; 91 Graham Milnes 70.58; 98 Kirsty Patten 73.43; 101 Blair McKay 76.30; 104 Sarah Hughes 77.00; 105 Ben Hopkinson 80.14.


Joseph Hobbs was the sole Todmorden representative at the latest round of the junior English Fell Championships, finishing in fourth place at Sedburgh.


At the second Cannonball Hill Roller race, Dan Taylor went one better than the week before and finished first in a combined time of 13:12 for the one mile uphill and one mile downhill race.

Myra Wells finished second lady and seventh overall, with Ian Stansfield in eighth position.

Hebden Bridge Fell Race | Naden Valley Trail

The Hebden Bridge Fell Race was held under heavy rain on Thursday evening, with the number of runners vastly down on last year’s record turnout.


For race organiser Andrew Bibby it capped a busy week, after he had successfully completed the Joss Naylor Challenge the previous weekend.

Joss’s challenge involves climbing 30 Lakeland peaks, crossing some 48 miles of mountain terrain and ascending nearly 17000 feet within a set time limit. The run starts in Pooley Bridge, Ullswater and finishes at Greendale Bridge, Wasdale.

Back in Hebden, Andrew saw off 51 hardy runners taking on the 9.6 kilometre rain lashed route, which started and finished in Calder Holmes Park and included over 350m of climb as it looped around Erringdon Moor to the highest point at Stoodley Pike.

Calder Valley’s Ben Mounsey led the way to finish in 44:35, two minutes clear of team mate Alex Whittem.

Todmorden’s Dwane Dixon claimed third place, with Ivan Gee in sixth position and Marcel Ellison in 13th.

Jane Leonard led in a trio of Todmorden ladies for 5th, 6th and 7th ladies respectively, with Maria Prescott and Sue Roberts following her across the line after Julie Field of Stainland Lions had claimed the ladies win in 60:49.

Todmorden Results: 3 Dwane Dixon 46.5; 6 Ivan Gee 48.46; 13 Marcel Ellison 52.1; 20 Dave Collins 56.44; 22 Clive Greatorex 58.33; 27 Joe Daniels 61.12; 33 Jane Leonard 67.19; 34 David Leslie 68.59; 36 Maria Prescott 70.33; 38 Sue Roberts 73.1; 40 Peter Ehrhardt 74.19; 42 Fiona Armer 76.04.



In equally wet conditions, the Naden Valley 6 mile trail race at Norden formed the latest round in the club’s Trail Championship on Saturday.

The route featured over 300 metres of ascent across a variety of terrain from roads, tracks, fields and woodland paths, much of which were covered in water. With stiles and slippery wooden bridges to also contend with, runners had to keep their minds alert to stay on their feet.

John Lloyd showed no signs of tiredness following his recent performance at the Cork Marathon to finish in second place behind race winner Danny Walsh of Rossendale Harriers.

Paul Brannigan ran a well paced race to snatch third place on the last corner with Paul Hobbs finishing in 8th place, a result that makes him favourite to claim the crown of club trail champion, with two races remaining.

Dave Collins was the next Harrier to finish, winning the v55 prize in the process with Peter Ehrhardt also claiming first in the v65 category.

Todmorden Results: 2 John Lloyd 40:42; 3 Paul Brannigan 41:53; 8 Paul Hobbs 43:37; 22 Dave Collins 47:24; 28 Richard Butterwick 48:50; 37 Simon Galloway 51:10; 39 Phillip Cook 51:53; 51 Chris Drinkwater 58:12; 53 Peter Ehrhardt 58:38.