From fast and furious 200m at the track to long and steady ultra distances, our club members have been out in all weathers in all kinds of places.  There have been personal bests, and the odd personal worst, but as always we are chomping at the bit and raring to take on the next challenge.

Joe Salt Memorial Cowm Reservoir 5k – 8 April

There was an impressive turnout of fourteen Clayton Harriers on this mid week, evening race. Michelle Butschok described the race as; “a lovely race on a flat and fast course, thoroughly enjoyed it, especially running in lovely warm and dry weather too! Bonus was the bag of sweets for every runner!”

Team Clayton at the Cowm 5K

John Roche said, “Well done to all the tangerine ladies and not forgetting cracking runs from Dave Burnett and a PB for Richard Briscoe and the new slimline Martin Brady”

Full Results 

Loughrigg Fell Race – 8 April

For many, this early season evening race heralds the start of Summer. A four mile out and back blast from Rothay Park in Ambleside, this race packs a lot into its short length. The fell section is flagged so runners don’t end up heading down to Grasmere in the dark!

The weather was glorious as 188 runners set off on this tough 4 mile race with 3 Clayton runners amongst them; Jean Brown, Stephen Bury and Wendy Dodds.

Full Results

Coledale Horseshoe – 11 April

Fourteen Clayton Harriers took part in this Fell Race in a field of 249.

Report by Richard Briscoe

Richard Briscoe at the Coldedale Horseshoe Fell Race. Photo by www.granddayoutphotography.co.uk

Just a quick report from the Coledale Horseshoe. I had the weekend off work and Burnley were playing at 5pm, so I decided to do some preparation for the Three Peaks Race in two weeks. I left home at 8am, the weather was terrible with driving rain and I thought to myself I must be insane going up to the lakes. I arrived at Braithwaite where there were strong winds but the sun was out with snow on the Mountains. So the event was shortened because of the snow, and the route was changed slightly. There were quite a few Clayton members running Neil Hardiman, Barb Savage, Jean Brown, David Bagot, myself, Andy Firth, Pete Browning, Mark Nutter, Peter Dugdale and Andrew. Overall it was a very enjoyable day.

Race Photos

Full Results

Calderdale Hike – 11 April

Accomplished ultra runner Andy Armstrong took part in this 37 mile event. It forms part of a series of ultra distance events that make up the Runfurther annual championships. He finished in a time of 7hrs 37 mins.

Awaiting Results

Mid Lancs Track at Blackpool – 11 April

Danny Collinge, George Pier, Alice Pier and Liberty Thompson all took part in the first of the track and field league fixtures representing Burnley AC.

Well done!

Full Results

Wardle Skyline – 11 April

In a strange twist of fate, we had two events overlapping in time and space!  Whilst out on the Calderdale Hike, I found myself suddenly in the middle of the Wardle Skyline Fell Race cheering on fellow club members.  Bit surreal!

Vicky Heys at the Wardle Skyline

However, back on track.  Irene Roche continues to stretch her fell legs and described this event as very runnable with great views particularly so on this day due to the sunshine, although a bit cold and breezy with it. Definitely back next year!

Irene Roche at the Wardle Skyline Fell Race

Other club mates spotted were Vicky Heys, Angela Shian, Kath and Martin Brady, Steve Fish, Robert Hirst and Rick Moore

Martin Brady at the Wardle Skyline Fell Race

Full Results

3 Bridges 10K – 12 April

This is described as a flat, fast and scenic route though Lancaster, unsurprisingly, going over 3 bridges

Adam Hamer described this race as: ” a tough one because of the weather but relatively flat. The first 5k wasn’t too bad with the wind behind us but as it was an out and back again type race the gales were in our faces which made tired legs even more tired for the final 5k. Overall the race would have been average-okay but catching the bad weather made it pretty tough.”

Sophie McIntosh added; “Those steps in the middle were a surprise that my legs did not enjoy!”

Adam Hamer and Sophie McIntosh at the 3 Bridges 10k in Lancaster

Well done both of you and well done to super vet Stephen Biscombe who was 2nd V60.

Full Results

Fleetwood 10K – 12 April

Another Clayton Lady flying the tangerine flag was Clare Wilson who competed in the Fleetwood 10K. The Race starts behind the Marine Hall and runs along Fleetwood’s Outer Promenade with great views over Morecambe Bay. Maybe not on this occasion as the weather did not turn out to be anyone’s friend.

Clare Wilson at the Fleetwood 10k

Clare Wilson reported; “I was absolutely soaked to the bone in awful conditions but I think the pelting rain and sheer need to get dry, sped me up and got me a PB of 49.41. 5th lady overall as well apparently!”

Well done Clare

Full Results

Radcliffe 10K – 12 April

Five club members took part in this multi-terrain 10k.

Sarah Angelone said; “A great event with fab marshals throughout. A good race with cobbles, pot holes, big ass stairs, hills and fun galore. A good event.”

Sarah Angelone (L) and Leanne Cottam (R) at the Radcliffe 10k

Leanne Cottam said; “Enjoyed it really. A bit of everything; some killer hills and some killer steps on the second mile. Didn’t expect them at all, ha!. A great off road race. Yes plenty of cobbles & pot holes. But good fun. Plus the rain held off while we ran so a bonus”

Also taking part were Peter Butterworth , Jeffrey Pickup and Julie Toman.

Full Results

Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon – 12 April

Boasting a field of over 6000 runners, this popular half marathon takes place in Sheffield. Cancelled last year due to a lack of water for runners, this year’s race started without a hitch.

Tanya Bunkham’s kit ready for the Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon

Flying the Clayton-le-Moors Harriers flag at the Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon, Tanya Bunkham reported; “Sheffield half marathon done and dusted in 1:56:28. Disappointed in my time, but the first 5 miles were seriously uphill and the wind was brutal. Can’t believe in two weeks’ time I’ll be going twice as far, eeek!”

Well Done Tanya

Full Results

Mynd Mac – 12 April

Jean Brown was running in this fell race  which she describes as a lovely 4.5 miles on the Long Mynd – very windy and lots of climbing. She was 3rd Lady overall.

The race rises out of the beautiful Carding Mill Valley, there is a stiff climb up over Stanyeld followed by a good old gallop down a north-easterly spur of Haddon Hill into the delightful Batch Valley, immediately leaving via Long Batch – long by name and nature, and one of the lesser used routes on the Longmynd. An entertaining path (now you see it, now you don’t – but waymarked on the day) crosses a stream several times as it hauls up to a pool and cairn, and a track which runs parallel to the Saxon drove of The Portway.

A few hundred yards further and the turn for home with a lovely, undulating run over Haddon and spectacular views for those with the time and inclination to enjoy them. Just when you thought it was all over, one last climb up to the remarkable Iron Age fort on Bodbury Hill and then along the top of the hill before sweeping down, back into Carding Mill Valley – job done!

Awaiting Results

Parkrun roundup

Apologies if I miss any far flung parkrun tourists this week. The consolidated club feature that finds you all for me is not working at the moment so the results have been gathered manually. I have only checked the parkrun events that are regularly attended by our members.

Leading the way at the Burnley parkrun. Photo by Bryn Barnes

Just having a look through the local event results we had a stonking set of results at the Burnley parkrun. Top ten finishes for four of our male runners, first female finisher, and eight junior runners with new PBs for Sophie Ashworth and Nathan Kewin. New PBs also for senior runners Andrew Webster and John Wilcock who finished a mere second apart – bit of a race was it?

Junior runner, Sophie Ashworth on the way to another PB at Burnley parkrun. Photo by Bryn Barnes

Shiny new PBs also for Barry Mitchell and Eileen Jones, which just goes to show that you can continue to push and improve whatever age you are!

Well done to all of our parkrunners!

Burnley parkrun – 235 runners took part

Pendle parkrun – 53 runners took part

Heaton parkrun – 495 runners took part

 Fellfoot parkrun – 160 runners took part