Capesthorne Half Marathon | Shepherd's Skyline Fell Race

by Dan Taylor

Sunday saw the penultimate round of the Todmorden Harriers Road Championship with 6 Harriers taking the trip to Capesthorne Hall for the Cheshire Half Marathon. The weather was bad but cleared just before the start, although rain came towards the end of the race.

Todmorden’s Nick Barber surged to the front straight from the start followed by the Road Champs leader Paul Brannigan. These 2 managed to pull out a bit of a lead and soon realised it was between the 2 of them for the win. Brannigan (who has been in brilliant form in the last few months) made his move after 10 miles slowly catching and overtaking Barber, who couldn’t quite hang on to him. They finished in first and second with very impressive times just under 1 hr 17.

Behind there was a trio of Harriers who used the occasion to re write their Personal Bests. Dan Taylor, in a rare appearance on the roads, continued his recent improvement finishing in 35th place. He knocked over 2 minutes off his best and was the 3rd counter as Todmorden also took the mens team prize.

Paul Alexander sprinted over the line for a sub 1hr 30 minutes time and Sarah Glyde continued a season of great improvement to finish a minute later, knocking over 3 minutes off her best and taking the V35 Ladies prize.

 Andrea Marshall was the last harrier to finish just over her target time of 2 hours. This result means Paul and Sarah are now assured of the Road Championships prior to the final race at Preston 10.

Todmorden Results: 1 Paul Brannigan 1:16:41; 2 Nick Barber 1:16:57; 35 Dan Taylor 1:27:43; 49 Paul Alexander 1:29:54; 55 Sarah Glyde 1:30:57; 524 Andrea Marshall 2:04:40.

Saturday saw the 28th running of the famous Shepherd Skyline Fell Race. Expertly organised as always by the husband & wife team of Phil Hodgson and Mandy Goth, ably assisted by the Todmorden Harriers Crew. The main race for the adults was well attended despite the bad weather, with over 280 people braving the rain.

Tom Adams from Ilkley led the way from the start and was never challenged winning in a little over 41 minutes. There was a close battle for second with Chris Farrell from Horwich narrowly beating Tim Ellis, Shaun Godsman and Alex Whittam of local club Calder Valley.

First Todmorden man was Jon Wright in 8th position (incidentally Jon came 9th as long ago as 1995 so good consistency there).

First lady home was Helen Fines of Calder Valley with first Todmorden lady Rebecca Patrick in 8th.

Junior races were also held with good participation from a number of local clubs. Tod Harriers had some good performances, including Jack Crummett who won the Under 16’s and Jack Willis who was 2nd in the under 8s, as the junior team continues to grow. Junior sessions for 6 – 12 year olds are held on Tuesdays at the Todmorden High School Gym from 5 – 6.30pm. 

Tod Results: 8 Jon Wright 46.07; 46 Craig Stansfield 52.42; 48 Steve Pullan 53.06; 77 Martin Roberts 56.27; 115 Simon Galloway 60.24; 116 Rebecca Patrick 60.37; 172 Jackie Holden 66.33; 199 Kirsty Patten 70.01; 203 Chris Preston 70.29; 207 Laura Sutcliffe 71.03.

Tod Juniors U8’s: 2 Joseph Willis 4.30; 5 Euan Logue 5.25; 8  Ben Hodgkinson 5.55; 11 Jack Suthers 6.37; 12 Erin McGrath 6.38

U10’s: 6 Joseph Hobbs 8.34; 17 Maebe Logue 9.32; 18 Jack Willis 10.03; 19 Oonagh Brooks 10.50; 22 Noah Lane 11.13; 23 Thea Crowther 11.49

U12’s: 7 Jacob Brady 8.40; 13 Jake Blackhurst 12.52

U16’s:  1 Jack Crummett 9.39

Todmorden Harriers next race is the Hot Toddy road race which will be held on Sunday 29th December. Perfect for getting rid of the extra inches put on over the Christmas period.

Shepherd's Skyline Fell Race | Through the Villages

The Shepherd’s Skyline Fell Race attracted 272 runners to the hills above Todmorden on Saturday in chilly conditions.


The race climbed up from the Shepherd’s Rest Inn to Langfield Edge and then along the skyline to Stoodley Pike. A brief descent to London Road then lead into a stiff climb back up to the ridge and a return to the finish.

Calder Valley Fell Runners claimed the first three places with Karl Grey winning in a time of 44.56, followed by James Logue and Max Wharton.

Jon Wright was the first Todmorden runner in tenth place, followed by Sean Carey in 13th and Ivan Gee in 17th place.

Chorley’s Lynne Clough won the ladies race in a time of 56:01, ahead of Holmfirth’s Lucy Needham and Wharfedale’s Gill Myers.

Sarah Warburton held off a late challenge from Kath Brierley to finish first Todmorden lady.

Todmorden Results: 10 Jon Wright 48.48; 13 Sean Carey 49.13; 17 Ivan Gee 49.41; 30 Jackson Cowie 51.38; 32 Paul Hobbs 52.12; 34 Marcel Ellison 52.4; 40 John Lloyd 53.31; 47 Steve Pullan 54.24; 71 Martin Roberts 57.38; 101 Simon Galloway 60.45; 122 Sarah Warburton 62.53; 123 Kath Brierley 62.54; 198 Jane Leonard 70.28; 214 Emma Osenton 72.5; 257 David O'Neill 89.23.

My Shepherd's Skyline photo's...

Keith's Shepherds Skyline Photos...

Sport Sunday Shepherds Skyline Photos...





The Through the Villages road race was the penultimate round of Todmorden Harriers’ Road Championship on Sunday.

The 8.5 mile hilly route from Wheelton passed through the West Pennine villages of Brinscall, Abbey Village and Withnell.

Nick Barber finished in fourth place for the club, behind a strong performance by Andi Jones who won in a time of 44:17.

Andy Glyde crossed the line in 80th position followed by Mel Blackhurst who finished first v45 lady, and 91st overall with Phil Hodgson making a rare foray onto the roads in 109th place.

Chris Drinkwater finished 3rd v65 man, whilst Moyra Parfitt was first v65 lady.

Todmorden Results: 4 Nick Barber 49:40; 80 Andrew Glyde 1:03:08; 91 Melanie Blackhurst 1:04:12; 109 Phil Hodgson 1:06:10; 119 Chris Drinkwater 1:07:03; 153 Nigel Hanson 1:12:50; 162 Elise Milnes 1:13:47; 164 Moyra Parfitt 1:14:05; 171 Mandy Goth 1:15:30; 176 Ray Poulter 1:16:25; 190 Peter Ehrhardt 1:19:03; 195 Graham Milnes 1:21:34.

Shepherds Skyline Fell Race | Lancaster Half Marathon

Photo by Myra

The Shepherd’s Skyline Fell Race attracted a large field of 357 runners on Saturday, with Bingley’s Ian Holmes recording another win ahead of Calder Valley Fell Runner James Logue. The junior races also attracted a good turnout with 116 youngsters taking part across the four age groups.


Sean Carey was Todmorden’s first finisher in the main race in 5th position, ahead of Jon Wright in 6th place. John Lloyd was the 16th runner across the line.

Calder Valley’s Anne Johnson was the first lady, with Hatty Nylan the first Todmorden women closely followed by Chris Preston.


Todmorden Results: 5 Sean Carey 44.12; 6 Jon Wright 45.05; 16 John Lloyd 47.21; 42 Andy McFie 51.30; 46 Paul Hobbs 51.46; 66 Peter Bowles 53.33; 87 Dan Taylor 55.17; 98 Darren Graham 56.06; 142 Angus Barclay 60.01; 162 Duncan Ritchie 62.05; 170 Lee McCluskey 62.32; 187 Hatty Nylan 63.38; 189 Richard Leonard 63.39; 203 Garry Quested 64.2; 204 Chris Preston 64.31; 221 Jane Leonard 65.58; 231 Fiona Armer 66.39; 245 Bev Holmes 67.27; 247 Chris Drinkwater 67.41; 253 John Medcalfe 68.12; 282 Ray Poulter 71.15; 295 Jeanette Dowling 72.25; 342 Kathy Bridger 85.21.



Shepherds Skyline Fell Race 2011 Results... 
Shepherd's Skyline Junior Results...


Shepherds Skyline Photos by Keith Parkinson...


Shepherds Skyline Photos by Sports Sunday...


On Sunday the penultimate race of the Club’s Road Championship took a small band of Harriers to the Lancaster Half Marathon, which attracted over 700 runners.


Nick Barber led the way with sixth place in 1:16:52, with Robin Tuddenham in seventh place in 1:18:09.

Dan Taylor completed the 13.1 mile course in 1:34:45, followed by Mel Blackhurst in 1:38:49 as she continued to close in on current club road championship leader Sarah Glyde, who was not running, meaning that the destiny of the ladies title will go the wire at the last race in two weeks time.

Paul Cruthers recorded a time of 1:42:38 and Andrea Marshall completed the Todmorden contingent with a time of 1:57:59.

Shepherds Skyline Fell Race | Lancaster Half Marathon

Todmorden Harriers final fell race of the year took place on Saturday, with the six mile Shepherd’s Skyline taking place under blue skies and autumnal sunshine.

283 runners tackled the 6.25 mile course from the Shepherd’s Rest Inn. The route started with a stiff climb up to Langfield Edge, then along the skyline to the Pike. A steep descent down to and along London Road led to a second tough climb back up to the ridge. After the retracing their footsteps back to Langfield Edge, the final descent took them back to the finish at the Inn.

Pic by Keith Parkinson

After missing the race last year, Bingley’s Ian Holmes continued his incredible record in the race, with his eighth victory in his last eight attempts. Holmes had warmed up by cycling to the race and crossed the line in 40:26 having been tracked all the way by Ilkley’s Tom Adams who was only 14 seconds behind at the finish.

Alistair Rhodes-Dawson improved his time by two minutes from 12 months ago to be the first Todmorden runner in 14th place. Dave Collins was the next Harrier to finish in 36th, and 3rd v50, with Paul Hobbs just edging out Shaun Pickard.

Pic by Keith Parkinson

Holmfirth’s Lisa Lacon finished first lady in 52:51 ahead of Laura Kent from CLC Striders in 54:01.

Sarah Warburton was Todmorden’s first lady, and 6th overall. Jane Leonard finished 2nd v50 and was followed in by Emma Osenton.

Todmorden Results: 14 Alistair Rhodes-Dawson 46.51; 36 Dave Collins 50.15; 46 Paul Hobbs 51.34; 49 Shaun Pickard 51.49; 59 Peter Bowles 52.28; 68 Martin Roberts 53.3; 71 Martin Stork 53.54; 87 Dan Taylor 55.39; 120 Sarah Warburton 58.19; 123 Mick Craven 58.31; 141 Angus Barclay 59.47; 153 Peter Jackson 60.48; 170 John Preston 63.1; 175 Jane Leonard 63.19; 204 Johnny Medcalf 66.34; 221 Emma Osenton 67.45; 241 Karen Gray 69.37; 252 Sue Roberts 72.36; 270 Mel Robertson 80.43.


At the earlier junior races, which attracted a record 120 youngsters, Sophie Taylor finished 2nd in the under eight girls and Jack Crummett finished 2nd in the under twelves, despite losing a shoe in a muddy bog early on.

Shepherd's Skyline Picture Links...
Keith Parkinson | Myra Wells | Kevin | Mick Watson | Steve Bateson

On Sunday, Lauren Jeska put in an outstanding run at the Lancaster Half Marathon to finish in 11th place overall and first lady by over 5 minutes in a time of 1:18:35.

The Harriers next race is the 5.8 mile Hot Toddy Road Race, and Fun Run, on Monday 27th December 2011. Entries are now open and full details are at http://www.todharriers.co.uk/

Lancaster Half | Shepherd's Skyline

The final race in Todmorden Harriers’ Road Championship on Sunday saw Lucy Hobbs crowned ladies champion after an excellent run at the Lancaster Half Marathon.
Paul Brannigan was the first Todmorden runner to finish in 29th out of 666 runners, securing 2nd place in the men’s championship behind winner Andrew Wrench.
Dan Taylor dipped under the 90 minute mark at Lancaster to end the year in 4th place in the final club standings behind Richard Butterwick, and ahead of Phil Cook.
Despite the pressure Lucy ran a well judged race to pip Sarah Glyde and Mel Blackhurst to the title in one of the closest championship finishes in years.
Todmorden Results: 29 Paul Brannigan 1:21:36; 91 Dan Taylor 1:29:55; 168 Lucy Hobbs 1:35:55; 196 Darren Tweed 1:37:56; 335 Mel Siddall 1:46:27; 605 Katy Moore 2:16:21.


The Shepherd’s Skyline Fell Race took place on Saturday once again attracting a large field of over 260 in the main race and a record 83 for the junior races on the hills above the Shepherd’s Rest Inn in wet and muddy conditions.
The 6.25 mile senior race followed a route from the Inn up past Langfield Edge and along the skyline to Stoodley Pike. A hair raising steep descent took the runners down to London Road, for a brief flat section followed by a tough climb back up the hillside to the Stoop and a return back to the Shepherd’s Rest.
Graham Pearce of Pudsey and Bramley won the race in a time of 42:07, just over a minute ahead of Calder Valley’s Ben Mounsey. Sean Carey was Todmorden’s first finisher in 4th place, and first U18, in a time of 44:32. Alistair Rhodes-Dawson finished in 18th, with Ben Crowther just holding off a fast finishing Dave Collins in 32nd and 34th respectively.
Peter Jackson won the Vet60 prize finishing just past the hour mark with Sarah Warburton, the Harriers first female finisher, not far behind.
John Preston nobly sacrificed his race to assist an injured runner off the hills after a fall.
Todmorden Results: 4 Sean Carey 44:32; 18 Alistair Rhodes-Dawson 48:43; 32 Ben Crowther 50:49; 34 Dave Collins 51:20; 40 Paul Hobbs 51:53; 58 Martin Roberts 54:34; 68 Paul Burnett 55:33; 73 Simon Galloway 56:06; 122 Peter Jackson 1:00:32; 126 Gareth Vickers 1:00:50; 136 Sarah Warburton 1:01:33; 167 Christine Preston 1:04:29; 168 John Medcalf 1:04:31; 217 Peter Ehrhardt 1:12:46; 224 Fiona Armer 1:13:39; 234 Julie Wyant 1:16:44; 249 John Preston 1:28:05;