Todmorden Harriers were on familiar ground on Saturday as Calder Valley Fell Runners’ Good Shepherd Fell Race featured in the club’s Fell Championship. The 14 mile race, which had a slight route change this year, featured over 2000 feet of ascent and descent made all the tougher by the warm sunny weather.
Starting at Dauber Bridge in Cragg Vale, the runners immediately climbed up through Spring Wood and made the first of two visits of the day to Stoodley Pike. A quick descent to Withens Clough led to the next moorland climb up to the Cloven Stone checkpoint. There was then a choice of routes taken to reach the next checkpoint at London Road, with the leading group of Horwich’s James Logue, Todmorden’s Andrew Wrench and Calder Valley’s Gavin Mulholland opting to retrace their steps back to Withens Clough and climb back up through Withens Gate, whilst much of the field took the flatter but longer option around Warland Drain. After a short section along London Road, a tough climb back up to Stoodley Pike – which allowed Logue to establish a small lead - was followed by a long descent through Sunderland Pasture and Spa Wood to Cragg Vale. The final climb of the day took the runners to Robin Hood Rocks before they returned to the finish at the Good Shepherd in Mytholmroyd.
James Logue retained his narrow lead to the Rocks before a wrong turn by the following pair allowed him to open up a 5 minute gap at the finish. Andrew Wrench finished in second place ahead of Gavin Mulholland.
Dave Collins was the next Harrier to complete the course in 7th. Andy McFie and Paul Brannigan battled to the line with McFie just edging out his teammate into 12th which helped Todmorden win the team prize just one point ahead of Calder Valley.
The situation was reversed as Calder Valley Ladies took the women’s team prize by one point ahead of Todmorden. Anne Johnson was first lady to finish with Todmorden’s Claire Duffield in 2nd. Lucy Hobbs finished 6th lady after a strong finish, with Mel Blackhurst 8th lady.
Tod Results: 2 Andrew Wrench 1:50:33; 7 Dave Collins 1:58:25; 12 Andy McFie 2:01:11; 13 Paul Brannigan 2:01:13; 17 Ben Crowther 2:02:16; 27 Paul Hobbs 2:13:05; 28 Andrew Horsfall 2:13:15; 39 Claire Duffield 2:20:33; 40 Peter Bowles 2:20:47; 45 Darren Tweed 2:21:07; 58 Dan Taylor 2:26:03; 68 Lucy Hobbs 2:33:19; 70 Richard Butterwick 2:34:22; 74 Mel Blackhurst 2:36:07; 86 Peter Marshall 2:46:32; 91 Peter Ehrhardt 2:54:51; 94 Sue Roberts 3:00:38; 96 Elise Milnes 3:04:04; 97 Moyra Parfitt 3:04:11.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Stainland 7 | Ben Nevis | Blackshaw Head | Hades Hill
Andrew Wrench moved into a near unassailable position at the top of Todmorden Harriers’ Road Championship after the latest qualifying round at the Stainland 7. The challenging, and well organised, race features several steep climbs in the latter stages after a long downhill start. Whilst it leaves many runners saying “never again” at the finish, it is a favourite of many who return year after year, particularly after post race reflection in race HQ, The Red Lion. Ben Mounsey of organising club Stainland Lions set a new course record as he won in a time of 40:52, in ideal warm and cloudy conditions.
Todmorden put in a strong showing and won both the men’s’ and women’s team prizes. Andy Wrench led the way in 4th place, followed by Nick Barber and Dave Collins. The ladies team, Mel Blackhurst, Lucy Hobbs and Sarah Glyde, took 4th, 5th and 6th places to repeat the club’s achievement of the previous year.
Once again the Harriers also took many of the individual prizes with Andy Wrench 1st vet40, Mel Blackhurst 1st FV40, Lucy Hobbs 1st FV35 and Elise Milnes 1st FV45. Adding to this, were respectable positions for Sarah Glyde 2nd FV35, Rachel Henthorne 2nd FV40 and Moyra Parfitt 2nd FV60.
Tod Results: 4 Andy Wrench 44:02; 8 Nick Barber 46:47; 11 Dave Collins 48:25; 17 Richard Butterwick 50:48; 21 Darren Tweed 51:25; 32 Phil Cook 54:10; 39 Dan Taylor 55:56; 41 Mel Blackhurst 56:31; 48 Lucy Hobbs 57:15; 53 Sarah Glyde 58:18; 62 Elise Milnes 59:34 ; 76 Kevin Coughlan 1:02:09; 81 Peter Ehrhardt 1:03:47; 90 Moyra Parfitt 1:05:17; 100 Graham Milnes 1:10:05; 101 Dave O'Neill 1:10:37; 104 Dave Henthorne 1:11:02; 105 Rachel Henthorne 1:11:06; 115 Ian Stansfield 1:22:42.
Conditions were far from ideal on Saturday for the 9 Harriers who took on the challenge of the Ben Nevis Fell Race. Despite the sub zero temperatures on the summit and freezing rain and poor visibility, there was a record 464 finishers. With the 10 mile race featuring in the Skyrunning World Series a high quality international field assembled to tackle the 4400 feet climb up to the highest point in Britain and straight back down to Fort William.
Bingley’s Rob Jebb and Spanish runner Augusti Roc were together at the summit, before a fall by the Spaniard allowed Jebb to pull away and complete the course in a time of 1:32:33, three minutes ahead of Pudsey and Bramley’s Danny Hope.
Not far behind was the first Todmorden runner, Jon Wright, who finished in an excellent 18th place winning the Wallace Plaque in the process, in a time of 1:44:28. Andrew Horsfall was next home, in 118th, just past the 2 hour mark.
Lauren Jeska celebrated her birthday in style with 12th lady in a time of 2:14:12, and along with Sue Roberts and Mandy Goth, helped the Todmorden Ladies team into an excellent 3rd place.
Closer to home on Saturday several Harriers took part in the Blackshaw Head Fell Race, organised by Harrier Patsey Reilly. The 5.5 mile course featured 900 feet of ascent and was comfortably won by James Logue of Horwich RMI Harriers in a time of 37:28, exactly 3 minutes clear of Steve Oldfield in 2nd. First Harrier to finish was Paul Hobbs in 10th, followed by Scott Lapish in 20th and Dan Taylor in 30th.
On Thursday evening, it was Derek Clutterbuck in the organising role for the ever popular Hades Hill Fell Race. Despite starting in torrential rain and with high winds and hail to contend with on the 1200 feet climb up and down Hades Hill, 86 runners braved the conditions with Rossendale’s Ashley Holt victorious over the 5 mile route in a time of 33:35. Sean Carey was the first Todmorden runner in 4th place in a time of 35:01. Paul Burnett edged out Scott Lapish as they finished 17th and 18th respectively, with Dan Taylor in 25th, with Peter Ehrhardt in 79th.
Todmorden put in a strong showing and won both the men’s’ and women’s team prizes. Andy Wrench led the way in 4th place, followed by Nick Barber and Dave Collins. The ladies team, Mel Blackhurst, Lucy Hobbs and Sarah Glyde, took 4th, 5th and 6th places to repeat the club’s achievement of the previous year.
Once again the Harriers also took many of the individual prizes with Andy Wrench 1st vet40, Mel Blackhurst 1st FV40, Lucy Hobbs 1st FV35 and Elise Milnes 1st FV45. Adding to this, were respectable positions for Sarah Glyde 2nd FV35, Rachel Henthorne 2nd FV40 and Moyra Parfitt 2nd FV60.
Tod Results: 4 Andy Wrench 44:02; 8 Nick Barber 46:47; 11 Dave Collins 48:25; 17 Richard Butterwick 50:48; 21 Darren Tweed 51:25; 32 Phil Cook 54:10; 39 Dan Taylor 55:56; 41 Mel Blackhurst 56:31; 48 Lucy Hobbs 57:15; 53 Sarah Glyde 58:18; 62 Elise Milnes 59:34 ; 76 Kevin Coughlan 1:02:09; 81 Peter Ehrhardt 1:03:47; 90 Moyra Parfitt 1:05:17; 100 Graham Milnes 1:10:05; 101 Dave O'Neill 1:10:37; 104 Dave Henthorne 1:11:02; 105 Rachel Henthorne 1:11:06; 115 Ian Stansfield 1:22:42.
Conditions were far from ideal on Saturday for the 9 Harriers who took on the challenge of the Ben Nevis Fell Race. Despite the sub zero temperatures on the summit and freezing rain and poor visibility, there was a record 464 finishers. With the 10 mile race featuring in the Skyrunning World Series a high quality international field assembled to tackle the 4400 feet climb up to the highest point in Britain and straight back down to Fort William.
Bingley’s Rob Jebb and Spanish runner Augusti Roc were together at the summit, before a fall by the Spaniard allowed Jebb to pull away and complete the course in a time of 1:32:33, three minutes ahead of Pudsey and Bramley’s Danny Hope.
Not far behind was the first Todmorden runner, Jon Wright, who finished in an excellent 18th place winning the Wallace Plaque in the process, in a time of 1:44:28. Andrew Horsfall was next home, in 118th, just past the 2 hour mark.
Lauren Jeska celebrated her birthday in style with 12th lady in a time of 2:14:12, and along with Sue Roberts and Mandy Goth, helped the Todmorden Ladies team into an excellent 3rd place.
Closer to home on Saturday several Harriers took part in the Blackshaw Head Fell Race, organised by Harrier Patsey Reilly. The 5.5 mile course featured 900 feet of ascent and was comfortably won by James Logue of Horwich RMI Harriers in a time of 37:28, exactly 3 minutes clear of Steve Oldfield in 2nd. First Harrier to finish was Paul Hobbs in 10th, followed by Scott Lapish in 20th and Dan Taylor in 30th.
On Thursday evening, it was Derek Clutterbuck in the organising role for the ever popular Hades Hill Fell Race. Despite starting in torrential rain and with high winds and hail to contend with on the 1200 feet climb up and down Hades Hill, 86 runners braved the conditions with Rossendale’s Ashley Holt victorious over the 5 mile route in a time of 33:35. Sean Carey was the first Todmorden runner in 4th place in a time of 35:01. Paul Burnett edged out Scott Lapish as they finished 17th and 18th respectively, with Dan Taylor in 25th, with Peter Ehrhardt in 79th.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Dent | Piethorne
The penultimate race in the English Fell Championships took place in Dent at the weekend and Todmorden Ladies held onto their 4th place in the overall standings despite growing pressure from Clayton le Moors. With almost 1400 feet of ascent and descent crammed into the short steep 3mile course, the race is one of the steepest in the fell racing calendar.
The ladies race was first off and was won by J Reedy of Ambleside in a time of 32:11, ten seconds ahead of Scunthorpe’s Emma Clayton and Jo Waites of Calder Valley.
Lauren Jeska led in the Todmorden challenge in 18th, followed by Claire Duffield in 25th, Mel Blackhurst in 45th and Sue Roberts in 64th.
In the subsequent men’s race, won by Simon Bailey of Mercia in 25:28, Andrew Wrench was first Todmorden man followed by Alistair Rhodes-Dawson and Dave Collins.
Todmorden Results (Ladies): 18 Lauren Jeska 36:08; 25 Claire Duffield 37:09; 45 Mel Blackhurst 41:05; 64 Sue Roberts 47:45.
(Men) 23 A Wrench 29:10; 39 A Rhodes-Dawson 30:49; 49 D Collins 31:53; 73 A Horsfall 33:38; 93 P Brannigan 35:16; 99 P Cook 35:52; 101 D Tweed 36:23; 115 S Galloway 38:25; 134 P Ehrhardt 43:11; 135 P Marshall 44:01; 147 D O'Neil 48:56; 150 I Stansfield 1:00:00.
The previous Wednesday had seen Alistair Rhodes-Dawson put in a storming performance to finish 3rd at the inaugural Piethorne Fell Race near Newhey. This new race, organised by Rochdale Harriers in memory of Mike Sadula, was a 4.5 mile circular course featuring 900 feet of ascent.
Ben Mounsey of Calder Valley won in a time of 33:50 ahead of team mate Gavin Mulholland. Alistair crossed the line in 38:48, with Scott Lapish making a return to racing in 13th. Three Harriers then crossed the line in quick succession with Dan Taylor, Derek Donohue and James Riley finishing in 18th, 21st and 24th respectively.
The ladies race was first off and was won by J Reedy of Ambleside in a time of 32:11, ten seconds ahead of Scunthorpe’s Emma Clayton and Jo Waites of Calder Valley.
Lauren Jeska led in the Todmorden challenge in 18th, followed by Claire Duffield in 25th, Mel Blackhurst in 45th and Sue Roberts in 64th.
In the subsequent men’s race, won by Simon Bailey of Mercia in 25:28, Andrew Wrench was first Todmorden man followed by Alistair Rhodes-Dawson and Dave Collins.
Todmorden Results (Ladies): 18 Lauren Jeska 36:08; 25 Claire Duffield 37:09; 45 Mel Blackhurst 41:05; 64 Sue Roberts 47:45.
(Men) 23 A Wrench 29:10; 39 A Rhodes-Dawson 30:49; 49 D Collins 31:53; 73 A Horsfall 33:38; 93 P Brannigan 35:16; 99 P Cook 35:52; 101 D Tweed 36:23; 115 S Galloway 38:25; 134 P Ehrhardt 43:11; 135 P Marshall 44:01; 147 D O'Neil 48:56; 150 I Stansfield 1:00:00.
The previous Wednesday had seen Alistair Rhodes-Dawson put in a storming performance to finish 3rd at the inaugural Piethorne Fell Race near Newhey. This new race, organised by Rochdale Harriers in memory of Mike Sadula, was a 4.5 mile circular course featuring 900 feet of ascent.
Ben Mounsey of Calder Valley won in a time of 33:50 ahead of team mate Gavin Mulholland. Alistair crossed the line in 38:48, with Scott Lapish making a return to racing in 13th. Three Harriers then crossed the line in quick succession with Dan Taylor, Derek Donohue and James Riley finishing in 18th, 21st and 24th respectively.
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Pilgrim's Cross | Saddleworth 6 | Worsthorne Moor
A handful of Harriers took part in the Pilgrim’s Cross Fell Race at Holcombe last Wednesday. The 6 mile race which includes 1100 feet of climb was won in 37:36 by Calder Valley’s Karl Grey, 3 seconds ahead of Bury’s Mark Shakeshaft in a 200 strong field.
Sean Carey completed the course as first under 16, and 9th overall in a time of 40:16. He was followed in by Jon Wright in 18th, Andrew Horsfall and Paul Burnett. James Riley rounded off the Todmorden entries in 94th and 1st v35.
At the same time, three other Todmorden runners were also racing 6 miles, but with fewer hills to contend with, on the roads of Greenfield for the increasingly popular Saddleworth 6 which attracted 272 runners this year. Sale’s Gareth Raven won in 29:07 a few seconds ahead of previous winner Andi Jones of Salford.
First Harrier to finish was Richard Butterwick in 41:02, followed by Bohuslav Barlow in 47:15 and the evergreen Ian Stansfield in 1:03:09, knocking 5 minutes off his time from two years earlier.
On Sunday, several Harriers made the short trip for the Worsthorne Moor fell race. The fast 7 mile race takes in 900 feet of climb as it circles the moor, skirting Cant Clough and Hurstwood reservoirs.
Clayton le Moors’ Gary Shaw won the race in 41:48 in another close finish, just 4 seconds ahead of Blackburn’s John Sutton.
First Harrier to finish was Dan Taylor who continued his progress in his first year with the club, stopping the clock in 50:40. Mick Craven was next to finish just ahead of Sarah Warburton, who took the 3rd place ladies prize. Jeremy Godden and Peter Ehrhardt were Todmorden’s other finishers.
Sean Carey completed the course as first under 16, and 9th overall in a time of 40:16. He was followed in by Jon Wright in 18th, Andrew Horsfall and Paul Burnett. James Riley rounded off the Todmorden entries in 94th and 1st v35.
At the same time, three other Todmorden runners were also racing 6 miles, but with fewer hills to contend with, on the roads of Greenfield for the increasingly popular Saddleworth 6 which attracted 272 runners this year. Sale’s Gareth Raven won in 29:07 a few seconds ahead of previous winner Andi Jones of Salford.
First Harrier to finish was Richard Butterwick in 41:02, followed by Bohuslav Barlow in 47:15 and the evergreen Ian Stansfield in 1:03:09, knocking 5 minutes off his time from two years earlier.
On Sunday, several Harriers made the short trip for the Worsthorne Moor fell race. The fast 7 mile race takes in 900 feet of climb as it circles the moor, skirting Cant Clough and Hurstwood reservoirs.
Clayton le Moors’ Gary Shaw won the race in 41:48 in another close finish, just 4 seconds ahead of Blackburn’s John Sutton.
First Harrier to finish was Dan Taylor who continued his progress in his first year with the club, stopping the clock in 50:40. Mick Craven was next to finish just ahead of Sarah Warburton, who took the 3rd place ladies prize. Jeremy Godden and Peter Ehrhardt were Todmorden’s other finishers.
Friday, 14 August 2009
Crow Hill | Whittle Pike | Cliviger 6
Many Todmorden Harriers turned out to assist race organiser Clive Greatorex for the Crow Hill fell race at Mytholmroyd last Tuesday. The 5 mile race, featuring 1000 feet of ascent was run in a reverse route this year.
Chris Smale won the race in a time of 31:15, ahead of Calder Valley Fell Runners’ Gavin Mulholland and Steve Smithies.
First Harrier to finish was Paul Hobbs in 14th place, followed by Paul Burnett and Derek Donohue. Sarah Warburton finished 3rd lady and 53rd overall with Emma Osenton in 71st.
The following evening saw Sarah May win the ladies category in the 4½ mile Whittle Pike Fell Race at Cowpe as the club made a strong showing. Calder Valley’s Alex Whittem won the race overall in a time of 41:10.
Andrew Wrench was the first Harrier to finish in 4th place and 1st Vet40. Sean Carey won the under18 category, as he knocked 2½ minutes off his time form the year before, and finished 6th overall. Andrew Horsfall narrowly missed out on a win in the vet45 by just 7 seconds with Dave Collins 2nd vet50.
Todmorden Results: 4 Andrew Wrench 42:19; 6 Sean Carey 43:52; 9 Alistair Rhodes-Dawson 45:51; 16 Andrew Horsfall 47:29; 17 Dave Collins 47:49; 20 Paul Brannigan 48:09; 27 Paul Burnett 49:41; 38 Sarah May 50:49; 45 Darren Tweed 51:58; 57 Dan Taylor 53:36; 59 James Riley 53:47; 113 Richard Leonard 1:00:56; 124 Peter Marshall 1:03:33; 137 Mel Siddall 1:09:39; 141 David O'Neill 1:11:19; 154 Ian Stansfield 1:36:04.
On Sunday, it was the road championship that was the centre of attention as 21 Harriers made the short trip for the Cliviger 6 mile road race. Starting at Mount Lane Sports Field the runners had a steep uphill start, followed by a long downhill towards Burnley before turning into Towneley Park. An undulating return via the main Todmorden road followed with a short final climb up Red Lees Road.
The race was won by Marc Hartley of Staffordshire Moorlands AC, repeating his performance of last year. First Todmorden Harrier to finish was Andrew Wrench who was just edged into 3rd place in the final few paces, winning the Vet40 prize in the process. Paul Brannigan continued his rapid return to form, finishing in 16th with Dave Collins in 26th.
Sarah Glyde timed her run to perfection as she overhauled Claire Duffield just before the line to finish 7th female overall and 2nd Vet35. Mel Blackhurst finished 1st vet40 and Moyra Parfitt was 1st vet60.
Todmorden Results: 3 Andrew Wrench 34:37; 16 Paul Brannigan 37:55; 26 Dave Collins 39:22; 38 Mark Anderton 40:49; 51 Darren Tweed 41:51; 58 Richard Butterwick 42:43; 60 Martin Stork 42:53; 65 Phil Cook 43:58; 75 Sarah Glyde 44:41; 76 Claire Duffield 44:47; 83 Mel Blackhurst 45:37; 88 Kevin Coughlan 46:12; 104 Peter Marshall 50:14; 109 Lucy Hobbs 50:59; 112 Richard Blakeley 52:05; 118 Moyra Parfitt 53:49; 119 Melanie Robertson 54:07; 126 David O'Neill 57:02; 127 Barry Chapman 57:06; 129 Philip Southwell 59:13; 140 Ian Stansfield 1:07:45.
Chris Smale won the race in a time of 31:15, ahead of Calder Valley Fell Runners’ Gavin Mulholland and Steve Smithies.
First Harrier to finish was Paul Hobbs in 14th place, followed by Paul Burnett and Derek Donohue. Sarah Warburton finished 3rd lady and 53rd overall with Emma Osenton in 71st.
The following evening saw Sarah May win the ladies category in the 4½ mile Whittle Pike Fell Race at Cowpe as the club made a strong showing. Calder Valley’s Alex Whittem won the race overall in a time of 41:10.
Andrew Wrench was the first Harrier to finish in 4th place and 1st Vet40. Sean Carey won the under18 category, as he knocked 2½ minutes off his time form the year before, and finished 6th overall. Andrew Horsfall narrowly missed out on a win in the vet45 by just 7 seconds with Dave Collins 2nd vet50.
Todmorden Results: 4 Andrew Wrench 42:19; 6 Sean Carey 43:52; 9 Alistair Rhodes-Dawson 45:51; 16 Andrew Horsfall 47:29; 17 Dave Collins 47:49; 20 Paul Brannigan 48:09; 27 Paul Burnett 49:41; 38 Sarah May 50:49; 45 Darren Tweed 51:58; 57 Dan Taylor 53:36; 59 James Riley 53:47; 113 Richard Leonard 1:00:56; 124 Peter Marshall 1:03:33; 137 Mel Siddall 1:09:39; 141 David O'Neill 1:11:19; 154 Ian Stansfield 1:36:04.
On Sunday, it was the road championship that was the centre of attention as 21 Harriers made the short trip for the Cliviger 6 mile road race. Starting at Mount Lane Sports Field the runners had a steep uphill start, followed by a long downhill towards Burnley before turning into Towneley Park. An undulating return via the main Todmorden road followed with a short final climb up Red Lees Road.
The race was won by Marc Hartley of Staffordshire Moorlands AC, repeating his performance of last year. First Todmorden Harrier to finish was Andrew Wrench who was just edged into 3rd place in the final few paces, winning the Vet40 prize in the process. Paul Brannigan continued his rapid return to form, finishing in 16th with Dave Collins in 26th.
Sarah Glyde timed her run to perfection as she overhauled Claire Duffield just before the line to finish 7th female overall and 2nd Vet35. Mel Blackhurst finished 1st vet40 and Moyra Parfitt was 1st vet60.
Todmorden Results: 3 Andrew Wrench 34:37; 16 Paul Brannigan 37:55; 26 Dave Collins 39:22; 38 Mark Anderton 40:49; 51 Darren Tweed 41:51; 58 Richard Butterwick 42:43; 60 Martin Stork 42:53; 65 Phil Cook 43:58; 75 Sarah Glyde 44:41; 76 Claire Duffield 44:47; 83 Mel Blackhurst 45:37; 88 Kevin Coughlan 46:12; 104 Peter Marshall 50:14; 109 Lucy Hobbs 50:59; 112 Richard Blakeley 52:05; 118 Moyra Parfitt 53:49; 119 Melanie Robertson 54:07; 126 David O'Neill 57:02; 127 Barry Chapman 57:06; 129 Philip Southwell 59:13; 140 Ian Stansfield 1:07:45.
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