Lads Leap [English Champs] | Heptonstall Fell Race | Cowm Reservoir 5k

Todmorden Harriers were out in force for the first race in the 2012 English Fell Championships on Saturday. The six race series began with the 6 mile Lad’s Leap Fell Race in the Peak District.

Lauren Jeska put up a strong start to the defence of her ladies title but had to settle for second place behind Bingley’s Emma Clayton.

The pair had quickly opened a gap to the rest of the field by the start of the first climb, and Emma held a small advantage until the halfway point.

Lauren then managed to take the lead on a steep descent but on the long climb back to Lad’s Leap rocks Emma regained the upper hand and pulled back in front.

Despite a strong final descent by Lauren to the finish at Crowden, she was unable to catch her rival.

The ladies team suffered a blow to the defence of their team title, as Chris Preston was forced to retire injured and Jane Leonard and Kath Brierley stopped to assist.

Lucy Burnett in 38th place and Sarah Warburton in 61st place were Todmorden’s other team counters as they were still able to score what may prove to be valuable points.

Todmorden Ladies Results: 2 Lauren Jeska 52.51; 38 Lucy Burnett 65.07; 61 Sarah Warburton 71.02; 66 Melanie Blackhurst 71.47; 91 Sue Roberts 79.26; 93 Helen Hodgkinson 79.43; 99 Moyra Parfitt 84.2; 100 Clare Duffield 84.2; 107 Jane Leonard 89.06; 108 Kath Brierley 89.06.

In the separate men’s race, Jon Wright led the way for the Harriers in 48th position. Dwane Dixon finished in 58th, with Sean Carey in 68th and John Lloyd in 78th position.

Todmorden Men’s Results: 48 Jonathan Wright 50.39; 58 Dwane Dixon 51.5; 68 Sean Carey 52.24; 78 John Lloyd 52.57; 156 Marcel Ellison 59.28; 209 Dave Collins 63.05; 220 Dan Taylor 64.07; 224 Phil Hodgson 64.19; 254 Mick Craven 68.34; 255 Mark Whitaker 68.39; 269 Richard Leonard 71.43; 285 Richard Blakeley 76.45; 288 Chris Drinkwater 78.45; 298 David Wilson 81.22; 302 Peter Ehrhardt 84.23.

Twelve Todmorden runners took on a more local challenge in the shape of the Heptonstall Fell Race on Sunday.

The race which is co-organised by a group of Todmorden Harriers and Calder Valley Fell Runners attracted over 170 runners to its 15 mile course.

Andy McFie was the first Todmorden runner back in 26th position in a time of 2:22:22, with Trevor Davies completing the route in 2:30:42 for 38th place.

New member Becca Marshall was the first Todmorden lady to finish just past the 3 hour mark to claim 9th lady finisher, with Hatty Nylan, 11th lady, a few minutes further back.

Todmorden Results: 25 Andy McFie 2:22:22; 38 Trevor Davies 2:30:42; 54 Darren Graham 2:35:39; 61 Darren Tweed 2:37:05; 75 David Baldaro 2:40:16; 88 Joe Daniels 2:45:32; 89 Dan Taylor 2:46:14; 123 Duncan Ritchie 2:57:23; 127 Phil Cook 2:59:04; 132 Becca Marshall 3:00:33; 135 Paul Cruthers 3:02:41; 138 Hatty Nylan 3:06:38.

SportSunday's Heptonstall photos...


Also enjoying the sunny conditions on Sunday were a quartet of Harriers at the Joe Ashcroft Memorial Cowm Reservoir 5k.

Richard Butterwick was the first Harrier to finish in 20:42 for 29th place, just ahead of Sarah Glyde in 33rd position, who was 5th lady on the day, in a time of 21:00.

Ray Poulter stopped the clock at 24:37 for 65th place, with Myra Wells finishing first v50 lady, and 92nd overall, in 28:52.

Steve Bateson's Cowm Photos...

Liver Hill Fell Race | Vera Hirst 5k | Lad's Leap Fell Race | Pendle Fell Race

On Tuesday, the start of Spring was marked with the first evening fell race of the year with Rossendale Harriers’ 5.1 mile Liver Hill Fell Race.

Starting from Marl Pits, the race quickly gained height before a flattish section across the Moors and a final climb up and around Liver Hill.

Returning by the same route, it proved a lottery at the many stiles to negotiate as the leading runners crossed paths with those still climbing up.

In drier than usual conditions, the race was won by Pudsey’s Danny Hope in a new course record of 31:56.

Sean Carey led the way for Todmorden in 4th place in 33:31. Richard Butterwick finished in 58th, with Kath Brierley 6th lady, in 74th overall, and Derek Donohue in 84th.

Jack Crummett put in a strong showing in the U14 junior race, finishing in 2nd place.

Liver Hill photos by Dave Haygarth...



On Wednesday, the Vera Hirst Littleborough 5k marked another tradition of spring as local race organiser Andy O’Sullivan returned with the first of his mid week races.

Martin Stork recorded a personal best time for the distance with 17:52 taking him into 12th place out of over 200 runners. Martin then added another new best time for 10k, with 36:54 at the Wakefield 10k at the weekend.

Paul Brannigan was 2nd Todmorden man at Littleborough in 16th, with Dan Taylor also recording a new personal best of 18:59 for 35th.

Richard Butterwick followed them in with 64th, with Keith Parkinson crossing the line 85th.

Maria Prescott was first Todmorden lady in 126th, with Andrea Marshall in 47th – with another personal best of 24:36 - and Myra Wells in 187th.


The Lad's Leap Fell Race at weekend formed the latest round in the club’s Fell Championship and 12 Harriers made the trip to Crowden Campsite for the 5.9 mile race.

After a quick starting dash past the youth hostel, the runners were faced with a tough steep climb up to Lads Leap Rocks. They then crossed the moors and plunged down a steep slope, losing much of the height initially gained. A second climb looped them back up to rocks and a downhill return the finish via the initial route.

Jon Wright finished in 2nd place, a minute behind Dark Peak’s Mark Tuckett, with John Lloyd in 7th place. Paul Brannigan crossed the line in 25th place, just ahead of a fast finishing Dave Collins who gained several places on the final descent.

Kath Brierley won the ladies race in a time 1:04:42, with Jane Leonard finishing 3rd lady.

Todmorden Results: 2 Jon Wright 49:17; 7 John Lloyd 53:15; 25 Paul Brannigan 00:57:20; 26 Dave Collins 00:57:36; 50 Simon Galloway 01:03:26; 55 Kath Brierley 01:04:42; 58 Richard Butterwick 01:05:52; 66 Jane Leonard 01:09:14; 75 Richard Blakeley 01:10:44; 80 Richard Leonard 01:11:48; 107 Barry Chapman; 111 Peter Ehrhardt.

LL photos by Myra...
LL photos by Shaun...

Lauren Jeska was crowned Lancashire Ladies Fell Champion at the 4.5 mile Pendle Fell Race on Saturday, completing the course in 37:11, a minute ahead of her nearest rival.

The day also saw the first round of the Fell Running Association Junior Championship Series with several Todmorden juniors taking part.

Pendle photos by Steve Bateson...

Pendle photos by Run and Ride...

Robin Tuddenham recorded his third win at the weekly Heaton parkrun 5k on Saturday to add to the club’s excellent start to spring.