Cragg Vale Fell Race | Todmorden Triathlon

Todmorden Harriers arrived en masse for the Cragg Vale Fell Race last week with 24 Harriers tackling the four mile course. Starting from Cragg Vale Church the race took a woodland path along the river before a long climb up to Bell House Moor. The climbing continued up Dicks Lane before the runners turned and descended via Sunderland Pasture and Swan Bank.


Sean Carey was the first Harrier to finish taking 3rd place, with Nick Barber in 6th and Alistair Rhodes Dawson in 9th. However, with Karl Grey taking the win in 27:08 ahead of Gavin Mulholland the team honours went to Calder Valley Fell Runners.

The ladies mirrored the men’s performance with Claire Duffield 3rd lady, Jane Leonard 6th lady and Chris Preston 9th lady, again finishing 2nd team behind Calder Valley.

Todmorden Results: 3 Sean Carey 28.31; 6 Nick Barber 28.45; 9 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 30.09; 12 Paul Hobbs 30.36; 13 Dwane Dixon 30:52; 16 Andy McFie 31.09; 18 Peter Bowles 31.22; 26 Ben Crowther 32.08; 27 Paul Brannigan 32.12; 32 Dave Collins 32.52; 33 Shaun Pickard 32.54; 38 Martin Stork 34.02; 54 Andrew Bibby 36.13; 58 Claire Duffield 36.29; 60 Jack Crummett 37.09; 63 Richard Butterwick 37.17; 69 Jane Leonard 37.58; 85 Christine Preston 40.10; 91 Elise Milnes 42.40; 95 Peter Ehrhardt 43.35; 96 Graham Milnes 43.47; 97 Louise Abdy 44.11; 99 Sue Roberts 45.41; 100 Melanie Robertson 45.44; 105 Myra Wells 52.30.

Four Harriers tackled the Todmorden Triathlon on Sunday. After a 400m swim in Todmorden Pool, a 20km cycle ride was followed by a 5km run around Centre Vale Park.

Mark Anderton led the way with 18th place, with Shaun Pickard finishing 3rd V50 as he completed his first triathlon. Ben Crowther was the next Harrier to finish with Karen Gray finishing 3rd female V40.

Todmorden Triathlon | Howgills 10 | Cragg Vale Fell Race

In addition to the usual running, Todmorden Harriers donned their swimming goggles and hopped on their bikes for the Todmorden Triathlon organised by Calderdale Tri Club on Sunday. A 400m pool swim at Todmorden Sports Centre led onto a 20k cycle ride up the valley towards Burnley, turning up Mount Lane for a steep climb and returning back to Todmorden, for a 2 lap 5k run around Centre Vale Park.
In the relay event Simon Anderton led off on the swim handing over to Andrew Horsfall for the cycle and Andrew Wrench then set the fastest run time of the day to win the relay category. In the individual standings, Jon Wright set a similar time to the relay team. Mark Anderton and Simon Galloway both fared well, setting respectable times. Karen Gray was the Harriers sole female entrant and paced herself well, with a strong run to finish 2nd Female40. Dan Taylor completed his first triathlon ahead of his predicted time and Ian Stansfield rounded off the Todmorden entries in the main event. Lizzie Wrench, Emily, Edward and Jack Galloway, Rachel and Sarah Brierley had earlier taken part in the junior events.

Also on Sunday, six Harriers joined a 100 strong field for the inaugural Howgills 10 mile Road Race in the Yorkshire Dales. Starting from Sedbergh the route followed a hilly rural route through the Lune Valley and the Howgill hills, with picturesque views of the Lake District.
Mel Blackhurst was first Todmorden lady and John Metcalfe first Todmorden male. Rachel Henthorne set an excellent time as she returned to fitness after injury, followed by Myra Wells, Barry Chapman and David Henthorne.

Last Wednesday, several Harriers took part in the popular Cragg Vale Fell Race, a 4 mile circular route with 800feet of ascent. First Harrier to finish was Sean Carey in 10th, with Paul Hobbs 12th and Peter Bowles 14th, just losing out to Halifax Harriers for the team prize.
Bingley’s Sue Becconsall won the ladies race with Todmorden’s Lucy Hobbs finishing 3rd lady, just 3 seconds behind Calder Valley’s Claire Hanson after a close battle. Sarah Warburton followed just behind to finish 4th lady. Louise Abdy finished 8th lady to help take the ladies team prize for Todmorden.
In the preceding junior races, Jack Crummet finished 3rd in the under 10’s and Isaac Rhodes-Dawson recorded a 4th place in the under8’s, with his brother Noah in 7th.