Lytham 10 | Heptonstall Fell Race

A group of Todmorden Harriers left Sunday’s misty and snowy conditions behind for sunnier conditions on the Fylde Coast as the club Road Championship continued with the Lytham St Annes 10 mile road race.


Over 250 runners took on the flat course that headed down the coast from the North Beach to the Windmill and back again, with a chilly sea breeze to contend with at times.

Trevor Davies led the way for the Harriers, crossing the line in 37th place for a time of 1:04:11 followed by Richard Butterwick in 62nd place four minutes further back.

Sarah Glyde finished sixth lady, and second v35, with a strong run finishing in a time of 1:11:17 for 82nd place overall.

Nigel Hanson and Issy Pollard enjoyed a close battle as they were 165th and 169th respectively, with just half a minute splitting them at the end.

Graham Milnes was the next Harrier to complete the course in 205th place, just ahead of Peter Ehrhardt in 211th and Myra Wells in 224th position.

Todmorden Results: 37 Trevor Davis 1:04:11; 62 Richard Butterwick 1:08:14; 82 Sarah Glyde 1:11:17; 165 Nigel Hanson 1:24:08; 169 Isobel Pollard 1:24:40; 205 Graham Milnes 1:31:56; 211 Peter Ehrhardt 1:33:21; 224 Myra Wells 1:37:08.



Closer to home, overnight snow quickly melted to make for boggy and heavy going at the Heptonstall Fell Race.

Paul Hobbs edged out Andy McFie for the honour of the first Todmorden runner to complete the 15 mile route, with the pair finishing in 17th and 18th places out of the 225 finishers.

Dan Taylor was next across the line in 40th, followed by Rob Gray in 60th and Clive Greatorex in 72nd place.

Kath Brierley was the sole Todmorden woman in attendance, finishing 8th lady on the day.

Todmorden Results: 17 Paul Hobbs 2:17:03; 18 Andy McFie 2:18:31; 40 Dan Taylor 2:25:15; 60 Rob Gray 2:33:43; 72 Clive Greatorex 2:35:59; 87 Robert Tyson 2:39:53; 107 Andrew Bibby 2:45:41; 120 Nick Ward 2:50:53; 134 Phil Cook 2:53:03; 138 Joe Daniels 2:53:49; 150 Kath Brierley 2:58:05; 166 Simon Galloway 3:05:06; 177 Mick Craven 3:08:36.

Fiendsdale | Lytham 10

Lauren Jeska had an inspired run to sensationally finish first lady, and 8th overall, at the Fiendsdale Fell Race on Saturday. An amended route meant the 6.5 mile Lakeland race featured 2200 feet of ascent over boggy ground and was run in rainy conditions.

After an early battle with Emma Clayton, Lauren left the English Championship bronze medallist trailing in her wake as she extended her lead throughout the race to eventually finish 10 minutes ahead of her nearest rival.

Dave Collins was next Todmorden runner to finish in 15th, taking the 3rd vet50 prize. Richard Leonard finished 51st and Jane Leonard, continuing her return from injury in 58th, and 2nd lady vet50.


On Sunday eleven Harriers travelled to the Lytham sea front for the 10 mile out and back road race organised by the local Fire Service. Steve Littler of Wesham won the race in a time of 53:40. Nick Barber was having an inspired run for the Todmorden club lying in 7th place out of over 350 runners, before being forced to retire just a mile short of the end.

Martin Stork was therefore the first Todmorden man over the finish line in a time of 1:06:24 to take 56th place, holding off a late challenge from Richard Butterwick, having a 3 second advantage for the second successive Road Championship race.
Mel Blackhurst was first Todmorden lady home ahead of Elise Milnes.

Todmorden Results: 58 Martin Stork 1:06:24; 59 Richard Butterwick 1:06:27; 133 Mel Blackhurst 1:14:15; 211 Elise Milnes 1:23:03; 217 Peter Ehrhardt 1:23:29; 219 Nigel Hanson 1:23:36; 237 Mel Robertson 1:24:39; 306 Barry Chapman 1:35:48; 321 Graham Milnes 1:38:24; 328 Myra Wells 1:39:34.