Red Rose Cross Country – Rossendale

Regular updates on social media promised mud, mud and more mud as the final fixture of the Red Rose Cross Country League approached.

Part of the Marl Pits course before the race even began!

A cohort of 38 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers braved the infamous muddy slope to take part. Men’s captain, Ian Greenwood made his return to racing after an injury. Richard Briscoe described it as, “A great race at Rossendale. Pleased with my performance and great fun running through the mud and the muddy slopes!”

Katy Thompson was first lady vet 60.

Our junior Harriers had a good day’s racing. Jackson McKay had an excellent run finishing in first place in the under-11 boys race and taking first place overall in his age group for the series. Well done Jackson. I’m told that Dexta lost a shoe during the race… this is turning out to be a bit of a trait for male Clayton Harriers! The fabulous under-13 girls also enjoyed an excellent race with Briony Holt, Millie Stubbs and Eleanor Root all finishing in the top ten giving their team first place on the day. Well done girls! Top ten finishes also for Curtis Holt, Alice Pier and Jordan McDonald.

U-11 Boys

Jackson McKay storming to first place in his race

Team 4^th Place

U-11 Girls

Team 13^th Place

U-13 Boys

Adam Stevenson battling it out in the U-13 Boys race

Team 5^th place

U-13 Girls
Team 1^st place

U-15 Boys
Team 4^th place

U-15 Girls

U-17 Men

U-17 Women

Ladies Race

Ladies team – 13^th place

Ladies Vet team – 8^th place

Mens Race

George Pier and Ian Greenwood at the Red Rose Cross Country

Team 5^th place

Vets Team 5^th place

Full Results and Final Standings

Todmorden 5k Series – Race 3

80 runners took part in the third race in this series. 5 Clayton Harriers took part with Kevin Davies putting in an excellent run of 17:51 to finish in third place.

Full Results

Guys 10 – Garstang

348 runners took park in this 10 mile road race.

Richard Stevenson, Jean Knightley, Julia Rushton, Irene Roche and Alex Cran at the Guys 10 Race. Pic by Kevin Davies

Race report from Michael Hogan

Guys 10 for those of you that don’t know is a very flat, fast race on quiet-ish country lanes between Guys thatched hamlet out around Inskip and back. The thing with this race is, no matter what your race plan is, the weather will have the final say as the wind can rip in straight off the Fylde coast. The race started in the hamlet carpark with a mad rush from the start to try and avoid the big puddles and bottle necks as we got out onto the road, straight into a 20 mph head wind – nice! The road carried on in a straight line for the next three miles into the wind.

Just after the first mile, the lead group passed a lady on a horse, the horse startled and went into a panic, we slowed down and slowly trotted passt the horse which the lady was trying to calm down, once clear it was back up to speed and battle with the wind. After about 30 seconds running I could hear a lot of unusual noise behind me, I looked over my shoulder to be face to face with said nag bearing down on me at full tilt. I grabbed the guy infront of me and threw both of us into the hedgerow to avoid being levelled. As I screamed ‘HORSE’ at the top of my voice Trawden’s Chris Quigley, who was a short distance in front, turned and had no option but to stare at his fate. Luckily he had the idea of grabbing the rains and stopping the animal. Well done Chris! By this time the lead group was well down the road as was the second group, I then set about chasing down Ritchie Briscoe and a disappearing Alex Cran.

Once out of the wind the running became a little easier and the pace picked up a little. I slowly pulled back Mr Briscoe, I drew level, and as he looked over to me his mouth started to move, OH NO I am going to get a mid-race lecture on last night’s beer!!!! Sorry Ritchie – I’m not hanging about pal. Thankfully the rest of the race was quite orderly, we crossed the finish line to receive a very nice pat of cheese, take stock of just how cold it was and disappear off for a good warm up.

Johnny McKenna – running well in the Guys 10 race. Pic by Kevin Davies

Full Results

Gravy Pud Fell Race

155 runners took part on Sunday 7th December. The race started from The Bulls Head Pub, Old Road, Tintwistle on the edge of the Peak District. The route heads up on to the moors and to Lees Hill before returning via Swallows Wood. Approximately 5 miles with 1000′ of climb. A couple of Clayton Harriers took part in this event.

Full Results

Parkrun Roundup

A cold and frosty start did not stop lots of our members from taking part in a number of parkruns. As always some outstanding runs and 7 top ten finishes with Christopher Holdsworth in first place at the Burnley event. Well done everyone!

Christopher Holdsworth heading for first place and a new PB at Burnley parkrun. Pic by David Belshaw

Bolton parkrun – A total of 160 runners took part.

Burnley parkrun – A total of 115 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 42 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 94 runners took part.

Preston parkrun – A total of 154 runners took part.

Superfast Santa – Barlick Santa Run

According to the Burnley Citizen, Tom Brewster is the fastest Santa in Barnoldswick. Although the race is a charity fundraiser rather than a competitive race, he was the fastest Father Christmas completing the 5k course in under 18 minutes.  A seasonal and festive return for him after months of injury.

Blackburn with Darwen Schools Cross Country Championships

Well done to Natasha Olszewska who finished 5th in the Year 7 Girls race.  She was the first girl in for the QEGS team.  Further success for our junior members and the dedicated coaching team.

Natasha Olszewska (2nd left) with her QEGS year 7 girls team at the Blackburn with Darwen Schools Cross Country Championships

Other News

Lee Mills Relays
Ladies Fell Captain Jean Brown has the following message;

“Calling all ladies! I have one team entered and now only three quarters of a second team for the Lee Mills Relays on Sunday 14th December. Looks like a great 10km fell relay – all runners do the same marked route, four runners per team. If you would like to run please let me know ASAP”

Ribble Valley 10K
Entries are filling up fast so don’t leave it too long if you want to enter this race.