Wadsworth Trog | Winter Hill Fell Race | Liversedge Half | Tarren Hendre

The Wadsworth Trog proved an even harder event than usual with just 135 starters tackling the fell race from Old Town above Hebden Bridge on Saturday.


The 20 mile route featured an amended start and finish to miss some of the ice, but after last week’s freezing rain much of the route was frozen solid with the moorland heather and grass coated in ice, and stiles and tracks treacherously glassy.

Jon Wright led the way for Todmorden in second place behind Calder Valley’s James Logue. Nick Barber finished in fifth and Dwane Dixon in 11th position as the club narrowly lost out to Dark Peak for the team prize.

The ladies team also finished second, with only a single place the difference between themselves and Abbey Runners. Chris Preston continued her return to fitness, finishing 5th lady and 57th overall, with Helen Wilson in 105th and Fiona Armer in 199th position the other counters.

Todmorden Results: 2 Jon Wright 2:57:02; 5 Nick Barber 3:01:40; 11 Dwane Dixon 3:12:01; 24 Ben Crowther 3:25:44; 25 John Lloyd 3:27:07; 33 Phil Hodgson 3:33:46; 39 Ozzy Kershaw 3:40:35; 57 Christine Preston 4:08:43; 79 Darren Graham 4:18:07; 81 Andrew Bibby 4:18:52; 105 Helen Wilson 4:46:52; 108 David Wilson 4:53:33; 119 Fiona Armer 5:22:40; 122 Elise Milnes 5:25:44.



On Sunday, a pair of Harriers had the added challenge of very poor visibility, with low cloud hugging the ground, on a similarly icy course for the Winter Hill Fell Race.

Clive Greatorex finished the 11 mile route in 2:20:25 for 94th place, with Andy McFie in 131st position with a time of 2:34:56.



At the Liversedge Half Marathon, Jayne Williams completed the hilly 13 miles in 1:47:27 with Kevin Coughlan not far behind in 1:48:57.



Lauren Jeska finished first lady at the Tarren Hendre Fell Race in North Wales, completing the 6 mile route in 57:54, over two minutes ahead of her nearest rival.

Liversedge Half Marathon | Wadsworth Trog

Todmorden Harriers club Road Championship got underway on Sunday with the Liversedge Half Marathon. Starting and finishing at Roberttown, the route followed an undulating course with several tough climbs as it weaved its way through Liversedge, Bailiff Bridge and Brighouse en route.
Martin Stork was the first Harrier to cross the line in 23rd place in a time of 1:27:12 with Sarah May three minutes behind in 35th overall and 2nd lady.
Mick Craven and Mel Blackhurst were the next Harriers to finish just 11 seconds apart.

Todmorden Results: 23 Martin Stork 1:27:12; 35 Sarah May 1:30:26; 130 Mick Craven 1:43:59; 134 Mel Blackhurst 1:44:10; 223 Kevin Coughlan 1:52:14; 239 Mel Robertson 1:54:13; 252 Peter Ehrhardt 1:55:41; 293 Nigel Hanson 2:00:57.


On Saturday, Todmorden had a good showing with three runners in the top twenty at the Wadsworth Trog. The 20 mile fell race features over 4000 feet of ascent as it winds around the moors to the north of Hebden Bridge.

Jon Wright led the way for the club in 5th place, behind race winner and Calder Valley runner James Logue who completed the course in 2:48:25.
Nick Barber continued his fine form from last year with 10th place and Dave Collins finished in 20th.
Kath Brierley led the way for Todmorden ladies in 85th, and 6th lady.

5 Jon Wright 2:55:27; 10 Nick Barber 3:14:58; 20 Dave Collins 3:29:37; 43 Ozzy Kershaw 3:52:21; 60 Richard Bellaries 4:02:53; 95 Kath Brierley 4:22:45; 114 Richard O'Sullivan 4:38:43; 116 John Preston 4:40:30; 117 Christine Preston 4:40:32; 120 Elise Milnes 4:43:21; 124 Jane Leonard 4:48:19.

Liversedge Half

Todmorden Harriers 2010 Club Road Championship opened with the Liversedge Half Marathon on Sunday. Twelve Harriers tackled the 13.1 mile race which followed an undulating hilly course starting and finishing at Roberttown, travelling through Liversedge, Bailiff Bridge and Brighouse.


Mark Anderton continued his fine start to the year to finish in 35th place in a quality field of over 400, with the race won by Edward Mitchell in a quick time of 1:13:16.


Martin Stork and David Baldaro battled throughout with just 12 seconds separating them at the finish.


Karen Gray – completing her 2nd half marathon in successive weekends – was Todmorden’s first lady finisher winning the 2nd vet45 prize, finishing just 6 seconds behind club mate Richard O’Sullivan.

Mel Blackhurst followed them home, to also take 2nd prize in the vet40 category.

Todmorden Results: 35 Mark Anderton 01:29:57; 52 Martin Stork 01:32:10; 54 David Baldaro 01:32:22; 79 Richard Butterwick 01:36:01; 111 Richard O'Sullivan 01:40:00; 112 Karen Gray 01:40:06; 130 Mel Blackhurst 01:41:56; 238 Bev Wright 01:53:50; 305 Wayne Morrison 2:02:19; 314 Mel Robertson 2:04:45; 394 Myra Wells 2:24:39.