Todmorden Harriers joined almost 400 runners in
Littleborough to celebrate the 75th birthday of Dr Ron Hill MBE, with the
annual 5k road race that is held in his honour.
Over thirty Harriers took to the hilly course along Rochdale
Road, Smithy Bridge Road, along the side of Hollingworth Lake and finishing
with a downhill section back into Littleborough.
Nick Barber led the way for Todmorden, finishing in fifth
position with a time of 17:04, ahead of Paul Brannigan at 17:33 for 11th place
and Martin Stork in 30th place stopping the clock at 18:36.
Sarah Glyde was the first Todmorden woman, collecting the
v35 prize with her time of 20:36. Kath
Brierley completed the distance in 22:18 and Mel Blackhurst in 22:36.
Derek Clutterbuck enjoyed a rare race appearance and crossed
the line first v80, after a race long battle that saw him claim a 13 second
advantage over his nearest rival.
Todmorden results: 5
Nick Barber 17:04; 11 Paul Brannigan 17:33; 30 Martin Stork 18:36; 38 Dan
Taylor 19:05; 41 Paul Alexander 19:24; 45 Robert Gray 19:28; 51 Ben Crowther
19:38; 79 Sarah Glyde 20:36; 88 Michael Harper 20:51; 97 Andrew Bibby 21:08;
104 Simon Galloway 21:31; 110 Richard Butterwick 21:34; 135 Kath Brierley
22:18; 138 Kevin Coughlan 22:26; 143 Phil Cook 22:34; 145 Melanie Blackhurst
22:36; 152 Keith Parkinson 22:59; 176 Richard Leonard 23:28; 210 Bev Wright
24:40; 224 Jane Leonard 25:28; 233 Nigel Hanson 25:41; 242 Mandy Goth 25:56;
246 David Leslie 26:02; 248 Julie Wyant 26:06; 258 Ray Poulter 26:28; 263
Andrea Marshall 26:42; 271 Peter Ehrhardt 27:03; 306 David O'Neill 29:00; 346
Derek Clutterbuck 35:26; 349 Ian Stansfield 36:21.
After being rearranged due to snow drifts on the original
scheduled date in the spring, the Edale Skyline Fell Race was blessed with
sunshine and blue skies at the weekend as the 34km Peak District race made up
the final round of this year’s English Fell Championships.
Nick Barber recorded his highest finish in a Championship
race, with 29th place after 3:09:01, with Paul Brannigan finishing
in 49th position in 3:22:27.
Rob Tyson completed the route in 3:58:09 for 129th place.
Mel Blackhurst was the first Todmorden woman in 160th
with a time of 4:08:01, followed by Kath Brierley in 201st in a time
of 4:21:37 and Jane Leonard in 251st at 4:51:00.
David Leslie completed the Todmorden finishers with 270th
position in a time of 5:35:20.
A trio of Todmorden runners were present at the first
fixture of this year’s Red Rose Cross Country League held on a fast dry course
at Leigh Sports Village.
Martin Stork completed the course in 62nd place in a time of
38:59, followed by Dan Taylor in 85th with a time of 40:23.
Andrea Marshall was 83rd in the women’s race, with a time of
27:45.
There was a large entry for the Thieveley Pike Fell Race,
with Andrew Wrench finishing in 6th place, and first v45.
Stephen Pullin just edged out Jamie Wrench as they finished
27th and 29th respectively, with Jamie claiming the first u18 prize.
Martin Roberts was 41st, with James Riley 59th and Phil Cook
in 81st place.
In the junior races, Mayah Brooks finished first U12 girl,
whilst Jaden Riley was second U12 boy.
Todmorden runners dominated the U8 boys race with Alex
Duffield finishing first. Noah Lane was
second, with Harvey Riley third and William Beresford in fourth place.
