The Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks 2014 & The Rest of the Weekends Action

The Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks Fell Race 2014

‘The next couple of miles were very muddy, gloopy and sticky underfoot, a few people were slipping over on their trail shoes, though I was fine in my fell shoes… just’

Heavens Above !

I parked up at Horton on Friday night with constant rain. The forecast all week was for a front to pass by and I was praying it would blow over before 10.30am Saturday . In the field Friday night was Mick Dobson, Dave Motley and a few other Harriers braving the weather. Saturday morning came and it was still raining – we went up to register, had porridge and a brew. Soon plenty of runners were milling around all looking up to the sky and praying!

Alleluia! At 10.30am the rain stopped and the race began. I had Mick Dobson as my marker though he soon pulled away so I followed Ken Taylor to the Pen.y.ghent Trig. Coming off the summit the wind was going to be with us up to Whernside so I was running with my vest to keep cool. There were lots of Clayton-le-Moors Harrier supporters at the shooting gate – Mark, Andy, Paul to name a few. The next couple of miles were very muddy, gloopy and sticky underfoot, a few people were slipping over on their trail shoes, though I was fine in my fell shoes… just.

Approaching Ribblehead I gave Sean Claire encouragement, as Clayton-le-Moors Harries supporters gave me the same at the checkpoint. It really spurs you on! Up to Whernside now and the ground was soggy and cold. There was a clayton vest in the distance and gradually passed Avril Duckworth (though she did stick with me).

On the summit the wind was wild but was soon was off down the track to Hill Inn for more drinks,food and more words of wisdom from lots of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers supporters. Last hill now so head down and feet onwards towards Ingleborough. On the way up I caught Ryan Wilkinson who had a leg injury (He finished thankfully).

Approaching Ingleborough there were lots more Harrier supporters giving encouragement and jelly babes and I managed to catch Mick Dobson on the trig, though he scampered off and never caught him! The legs were shot now so I was trying to keep my place down past Sulber Nick. I passed runners who had cramped up or had gone off too fast (been there before) It’s a fine line on how fast you go 1^st half of the race.

The finish was coming up and felt I OK for once and ran like the clappers to the finish, what a relief the first thoughts were never again… But you foolishly forget your feelings and foolishly enter the next years race! The finish field was full of supporters and you have a banter with your friends and supporters .

At the Presentation Jon Sharples was presented with a prize for 21 races, Wendy Dodds for 30 races and Avril got her V50 prize. Thanks go out to all the spectators and marshals for their support and foolishly I will be there next year for the 61st Three Peaks race.

Race Snippets 

Ricky Lightfoot won in 02.53

Victoria Wilkinson was the1^st lady 3.21 (16 minutes ahead of the next lady ).

Spencer Riley was the first Harrier in 3.40

Avril Duckworth was first clayton lady in 4.10 and was 1^st V50 which was outstanding.  I will nominate her for run of the month!

Dave Scott was the first V70 in his 47th race

Clayton-le-Moors Harriers Team Placements

Men were 6th

Women were 6^th

V40 were  5^th

V50 were   3^rd

Thanks To Ivan Wigham for this weeks race report!

A list of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers finishing times can be found below. A full list of results can be found here.

The Rest of the Weekends Action

On a weekend where news from the Three Peaks dominates our media channels, it is important not to forget the hard work our other Harriers are putting in elsewhere. Captain fantastic Tom Brewster is a primary example, demonstrating his ever growing presence at the front of the pack at the Wray Scarecrow 10k. Finishing almost a minute ahead of 2nd place, he finished 1st with an impressive time of 00:35:49. A superb effort for a hilly course.

Another top performer this weekend was Breton Holdsworth, who contested this years St George’s Day 10k in Langdale, Cumbria. Finishing 5th in a strong field of competitors, he managed a personal best time of 00:35:48 standing him in good stead for a jam packed summer of races (presumably away from Lancashire).

The ever present 10k specialist Steve Biscomb competed at the Radcliffe 10 MT in Manchester, along with Martin Brady. Both once again had excellent runs posting times of 00:43:55 and 00:49:30 respectively. Well done men!

Andy Armstrong and Jamie Baldwin both competed at The Fellsman 2014. We are currently waiting to hear how they did in this ultra marathon across the Yorkshire Dales. Results to follow soon!

Well done to all who ran this weekend. Club spirit couldn’t be higher and with plenty more big races over the next few weeks, let’s keep this morale going! Next weekend has two big races in the form of The Coniston Fell Race and The Great Hameldon Hill Race, which is a Clayton-le-Moors run event. Come and show your support and cheer on our Ladies and Men!