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/

Bronte Way Fell Race | Great Whernside Fell Race

Todmorden Harriers had a sizeable turnout for the Bronte Way Fell Race at Haworth on Sunday. The 8 mile race, which unusually follows a point to point route from Wycoller to Haworth, features over 1150 feet of climb and was the latest event in the club’s fell championship.
The race was won by Bingley’s Ian Holmes in a time of 51:52 ahead of his team mate Lee Athersmith in 53:12.
Shaun Pickard was the first Harrier to finish in 28th place in a time of 63:29, with Martin Roberts just behind 34th. Sarah Warburton was the first Todmorden lady crossing the line in 74:38, ahead of Maria Prescott and Elise Milnes.

Todmorden Results: 28 Shaun Pickard 63.29; 34 Martin Roberts 64.47; 71 Angus Barclay 72.08; 76 Peter Clarke 72.48; 85 Sarah Warburton 74.38; 106 Richard Leonard 78.28; 107 Maria Prescott 78.31; 127 Elise Milnes 81.4; 139 Jane Leonard 85.04; 142 Kevin Coughlan 85.28; 147 Graham Milnes 87.01; 149 Helen Hodgkinson 87.44; 151 Louise Abdy 88.03; 173 Julie Wyant 94.54; 179 Barry Chapman 96.47; 189 Kathy Bridger 107.43.

On Saturday, Holmes had also won the Great Whernside Fell Race at Kettlewell, with Todmorden’s Sean Carey in hot pursuit finishing in 3rd place less than a minute behind. Dave Collins finished in 28th, and 2nd v50, with James Riley in 46th and Dan Taylor in 61st.

Sport Sunday's Great Whernside Pics...

The Shepherd’s Skyline Fell Race takes place on Saturday, with entry on the day at the Shepherd’s Rest Inn on Lumbutts Road. The 6 mile senior race starts at 1pm, with junior races from 12 noon.

Withins Skyline Fell Race

Todmorden Harriers enjoyed a successful Sunday winning both the men’s and ladies team prizes at the Withins Skyline Fell Race at Haworth. Despite the sunny weather, there were still plenty of boggy sections to negotiate.

The 7 mile course headed out from Penistone Quarry to climb up to Oxenhope Stoop Stone. After a flat section across the moors passing Top Withins ruin the runners descended to Bronte Bridge and a steep climb back up past the waterfalls. They then returned to the finish with a final steadier climb taking the day’s total ascent past the 1000 feet mark.

The Harrier’s men put in a strong showing with 5 finishers in the top 20. Sean Carey, Andrew Wrench, and Nick Barber crossed the line in quick succession. Alistair Rhodes-Dawson and Dwane Dixon were not far behind.

The ladies took the team prize with Sarah May, Sarah Warburton and Jane Leonard – who was also first v50.

Todmorden Results: 8 Sean Carey 45.53; 10 Andrew Wrench 46.02; 11 Nick Barber 46.07; 16 Alistair Dawson 46.43; 18 Dwane Dixon 46.55; 53 Dave Collins 50.20; 72 Martin Stork 52.00; 98 Martin Roberts 54.18; 101 Sarah May 54.28; 150 Simon Gallaway 58.03; 157 Angus Barclay 58.54; 165 Sarah Warburton 60.01; 188 Peter Clarke 61.39; 195 Keith Parkinson 62.03; 198 Richard Leonard 62.19; 230 Jane Leonard 64.48; 236 John Metcalf 65.14; 240 Emma Osenton 65.30; 265 Elise Milnes 67.53; 280 Peter Ehrhardt 69.04; 281 Stuart Boulton 69.06; 287 Graham Milnes 70.09; 293 Maria Prescott 71.10; 296 Patsy Riley 72.18; 299 Sue Roberts 72.46; 309 David O'Neill 74.29; 315 Barry Chapman 75.16; 317 Mandy Goth 75.28; 322 Melanie Robertson 77.40; 326 Julie Wyant 78.52; 330 Shaun Pickard 79.20; 339 Myra Wells 81.35; 341 Kathy Bridger 82.42.

My Pictures...

Pictures on Woodentops...

Watergrove Reservoir 3m

Todmorden Harriers’ Ladies collected another team prize at the weekend at the Clare Ryder Memorial Watergrove Reservoir Race.

The 3 mile course started at Wardle with a climb up a cobbled road to the reservoir. After a half circuit of the reservoir, the route then turned into woodland and followed a twisting course around the other side of the water, with several gates to negotiate.

A grassy path across the dam led to a descent down the cobbles to the finish for the 122 runners that enjoyed glorious sunshine.

Richard Butterwick was the first Harrier to finish in 18th place.

Mel Siddall finished 4th lady, and 34th overall, just ahead of Bev Wright in 37th and Louise Abdy in 43rd, making up the winning team.

Myra Wells crossed the line in 54th just ahead of Mandy Goth in 55th to complete the Todmorden turn out.

Steve Bateson's Pics...

Langdale Fell Race

Todmorden Harriers’ Ladies Team picked up the team prize at the Langdale Horseshoe Fell Race on Saturday. Starting at Old Dungeon Ghyll the 14 mile route took in over 4000 feet of ascent as the runners made their way between the 7 checkpoints, including the summits of Esk Hause, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Pike O’Blisco.

Eleven Harriers completed the race in fine autumnal sunshine, with Alistair Rhodes-Dawson leading the way in 30th place out of over 350 runners in a time of 2:28:51. Paul Hobbs was next to finish in just under 3 hours.

The victorious ladies team was lead in by Kath Brierley in a time of 3:15:12, a few seconds ahead of Jane Leonard, with Ali Richards and Sue Roberts completing the winning quartet.

Todmorden Results: 30 Alastair Rhodes-Dawson 2.28.51; 113 Paul Hobbs 2.59.05; 176 Kath Brierley 3.15.12; 178 Jane Leonard 3.15.40; 230 Alison Richards 3.27.12; 251 Richard Leonard 3.30.12; 268 Andrew Bibby 2.36.49; 279 Sue Roberts 3.41.31; 323 Helen Hodgkinson 4.00.55; 324 Fiona Armer 4.03.12; 332 Mandy Goth 4.08.40.

Sport Sunday Pics...