Spring is sprung, and our members are competing and being selected for a wide range of national and regional competition.  This week you have been road running, track running, trail running, and scaling the fells with wins and PBs breaking out all over the place.

Avenham Park 5k – 4 May

Despite it being a bank holiday, the weather was surprisingly good as 388 runners lined up to take part in the Avenham Park 5k on a course that promised fast times.

Clayton-le-Moors Harriers at Avenham Park 5k. Photo by Jane Pier

Danny Collinge reports:

It was a really good race all round. Everyone gave it their all and there were new PBs for George Pier and Bryan Searby. Overall a cracking result for the team with me finishing in the top 5, then Jordan and George both in the top 20. Every single one of us had great support from all the Clayton supporters that were there. It was a great race – I loved it!

Full Results

Wray Scarecrow Fell Race – 5 May

A trio of members took part in this Bank Holiday fell race that marks the close of the Wray Village Scarecrow festival.

Full Results

Astley Park Trail Series – 6 May

The Astley Trail Series of races for seniors and juniors, are set in the picturesque grounds of Astley Hall in Chorley and take pace on the first Wednesday of every month from May to August. Both races have proven to be very popular, drawing runners from all over the North West of England.

Junior Race

Junior members at the Astley Park Trail series. Photo by Nicola Thompson

This series is always popular and this year is no exception, there was a record number of entries which meant that the organisers ran out of Mars Bars! 12 of our junior members took part in the first race of the series.

First girl and boy, Briony and Curtis Holt at Astley Park. Photo by Michelle Abbot

Curtis Holt was the first finisher, completing the course in 5:15 and Briony Holt was first girl, 10^th place overall. Jenson Bentham was first finisher in his age category. All of our juniors ran well so very well done to all of you!

131 runners took part.

Senior Race

Jonathan Pye at the Astley Park Trail Race.

Jonathon Pye was the sole Clayton representative and he reported;

“ Very happy with a 7th place finish at Astley Park trail race tonight. 4.6 miles done in 26.55. Congratulations to Curtis for winning the junior race and all the other juniors for a strong showing! Happy days!”

The next race takes place on Wednesday 3^rd June and is one of the Junior’s summer race series so there should be an even bigger turn out for that one!.

Full Results

Foe Edge Fell Race – 6 May

A trio of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in this local 6.6km/300m climb fell race organised by Rossendale Harriers.  The race started from Cowpe Village Hall nr Waterfoot in Rossendale. 45 runners took part.  Jacob Boyle was the first Clayton Harrier in finishing in 3rd place overall with Lee Smith following on in 6th place.  Stephen Fish was 39th.  Well done guys!

Full Results

Lothersdale Fell Race – 6 May

64 runners including 4 Clayton Harriers took part in this race organised by Keighley and Craven AC.

Full Results

Pinhaw Moor – 8 May

There was an impressive turnout of 38 Clayton Harriers out braving inclement weather to take part in the second race of the Pendle & Burnley Grand Prix Series. This race is a 5 mile trail race organised by Barlick Fell Runners.

Report by Michelle Butschok
Thoroughly enjoyed the Pin Haw Trail race. Yes it was wet, windy and boggy in places…but you know what, I did it with a smile on my face, even when I fell on it in the mud!! First fall and didn’t dampen my spirits. Thanks to all the marshalls for their encouragement and for being there in those conditions.

Post race selfie sheltering from the weather! L-R Leanne Cottam, Joanne Bennett and Sarah Angelone

Report from Dave Burnett
Horrible conditions tonight but really enjoyed it, apart from my Helen nearly beating me to the trig and my subsequent traditional running vomit. Had a laugh at myself on the way down though, as whilst I was trying to keep ahead of the runner hot on my heals I turned and realised the heavy breathing I could hear was in fact myself echoing off the dry stone walls. Ha! Ha!

Jonathon Pye added; “Dave was right – horrible conditions but enjoyable, running in road shoes which needed a viking burial afterwards.”

 Full Results

 Lakeland Trails Series – Stavely 9 May

Congratulations to Christopher Holdsworth on his win at the Lakeland Trails Staveley race. He produced some great running in muddy conditions and it looks like he will also be the series winner as well.  Breton Holdsworth was 4th over all and first vet.

Christopher Holdsworth Reports

Chris Holdsworth at Lakeland Trails Staveley Race. Photo by Lakeland Trails

All I can say about the Lakeland Trails Spring Series of racing is – if you’ve fallen out of love with running, then get yourself signed up to those races… The atmosphere, the organisation, the trails and the scenery make it more than just running another race. They are phenomenal.

Breton Holdsworth at the Lakeland Trails Staveley Race. Photo by Lakeland Trails

As for Staveley, it was my favourite of the three – and possibly my best performance of the lot, completing 11.2 miles in just under 1:10 exactly. Breton also had another excellent run, coming in 4th which he consistently achieved in all three races. Will certainly be back again to compete for the Spring Series crown once again next year!

Full Results

Stretton Six Summits – 9 May

Stretton Six Summits is the second race in the English Fell Championships.

L-R Garry Wilkinson, Dave Bagot, Paul Shackleton, Vicky Heys, Angela Shian, and Ryan Wilkinson at the English Fell Championships. Photo by Garry Wilkinson

Mens Report from Paul Shackleton

Around 15 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in the English Championship fell race at Church Stretton. With 3000 feet of ascent in only 6 miles,  it was no wonder that one of our members described the route as “the toughest 6 miles he’d raced in 30 years of running”. The route took in six summits around the Long Mynd with steep climbs, steep descents and some fast running in the valleys to break it up.

Paul Shackleton at the Six Summits British Championship Race. Photo by Colin Williamson

The race was won by Tom Addison and Annie Conway was first woman. Some excellent performances from Clayton runners with Alan Life, Garry Wilkinson and Ryan Wilkinson all getting in the first 100 (Alan and Garry 7th and 9th V50) Kieran Carr was 1st V70 and. Wendy Dodds and Jean Brown were 2nd and 4th in their respective categories.

Ladies Report by Katy Thompson

Five Clayton ladies made the trip down to Church Stretton for this, the second English Championship race. 6.3m and 3250 ft of climb over six summits: it was never going to be easy. I’ve done enough races around the Long Mynd to know how steep the ascents and descents are.

After my usual slow start up the steep road and onto the fell there weren’t many runners behind me on the first summit but I gradually gained on those ahead on the contour round to Yearlet. As I slithered down the steep descent I wished I had gone ahead and bought those new shoes before the race instead of just thinking about it. The steep climb up and over Grindle was well marked through the heather; then there was a lovely run down Callow Hollow – a bit frustrating though if you wanted to pass anyone. As we climbed Callow I was gradually passing other runners, and on the contour round to Nills I caught Angela. But she wasn’t going to let me have it all my own way, and I had to chase her up the hill and down to the footbridge in Ashes Hollow. As we set off on the climb to the final summit I was aware that she wasn’t far behind. My legs were protesting loudly, but they gradually got into uphill mode again, then it was a lovely downhill, gentle at first then getting steeper as we dropped down to the finish, with a final short pull up before the downhill into the finish.

Katy Thompson at the Six Summits British Championship Race. Photo by Colin Williamson

Jean was our first finisher, 31^st in a field of 79 ladies, and 12^th LV40. Wendy was 2^nd LV60. Vicky was third finisher making us joint 4^th Lady Vet team.

Full Results

Morrisons’ Great Manchester 10k – 10 May

Well done to our Great Manchester 10k runners!  Jacob Watson ran up a storm finishing in 90th place with a time of 36:16 and an appearance on the TV coverage to boot! And there were PBs galore for our runners too. Legendary Ron Hill was also among the thousands running on the day.

L-R Amanda Duffy, Richard Briscoe, Elouise Pemberton, Jacob Watson, Lee Moore. Bryan Searby photobombing at the back! Photo by Michelle Searby

Report from Jacob Watson

Nearly £40 for a 10k? Now I wouldn’t say I’m tight-fisted but that seems quite steep I remember thinking while entering my card details onto the Great Manchester Run website. I’m sure Towneley 10k was about a fiver!

This was the second time I’d run this race and, like most people lined up at the start, I was looking for a PB. The atmosphere was awesome, I was feeling confident, and my aim was to start comfortably and finish strong. The buzz of the event kept me on pace through miles 1-4, however, by the fifth mile I started flagging. The bands kept me going as did the crowd (hearing “Come on Clayton!” never fails to lift my spirits), and I managed to hold it together, knocking 4 minutes off last year’s time.

So was the asking price of £3.80 for each kilometre worth it? I don’t think I’d be racing much if every race cost this much, but as an experience; yes. One for the race calendar next year (and the year after!).

Jacob Watson’s TV finish!

Report by Lee Moore

Arrived at Manchester early and the atmosphere was already building up. We got into postion in the orange wave and, after chatting to fellow runners and the group warm up, we were off. I got to pass my beloved Old Trafford on the course and really enjoyed the cold showers en route! Overall an excellent day and managed to post my best 10k time this year.

Report by Elouise Pemberton

The morning of the race I was filled with excitement and nerves, this being the first time I had taken part in an event as big as this. I had no idea what to expect and I was stunned by the sheer amount of people taking part.

We were greeted by the compere, welcoming the Clayton team with pride.  The atmosphere was buzzing, the course was enjoyable and the live music and spectators really helped you to keep up the pace.

Well all got PBs.  I will be signing up again for next year.

Blacksticks Blue 10k – 10 May

This low key 10k road race starts and finishes at Whitechapel Village Hall and offers stunning views overlooking the Bowland Fells.  Bianca Bennet and Robert Hirst took part.

Bianca Bennett Reports;

Blacksticks Blue 10k was the complete contrast of Manchester 10k today. 128m total ascent compared to the flat 30m total ascent of Manchester. 190 participants at Blacksticks to the many thousands that took part at Manchester. Then there was the scenic route of woodlands and fields to the busy city life; the list could go on…but they did have one thing in common a supportive crowd! It was amazing to have people really root for the runners. The runners of Blacksticks really supported one another too and even though we ran for different clubs there was a real sense of community.

Awaiting Results

Blackpool Beach 10k – 10 May

The organisers describe this 10k as a gruelling, yet fun event on Blackpool Beach between South Shore and St Annes Pier. Run mainly on wet compacted sand, shortly after high tide, this event is great for runners of all abilities

Two of our members took part; Alex Braysford and Kevin O’Brien, both of them finishing first in their respective age categories.  Well done chaps!

Full Results 

parkrun roundup

John and Annabel Wilcock at Burnley parkrun. Photo by David Belshaw

As always, lots of our members were out running in various parkrunevents. Some for fun, some as a warm up for other events over the weekend.  Lots of great runs and finishes from Team Clayton and a handful of new PBs as well.

Burnley parkrun – A total of 196 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 48 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun celebrated its first anniversary this weekend.  Not only were they celebrating with a fancy dress, they were also revealing the brand new route for this event.

Peter Booth enjoying the new route at Pendle parkrun. Photo by Pendle parkrun

Brockwell parkrun, Herne Hill – A total of 256 runners took part.

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 75 runners took part.

Skipton parkrun – A total of 98 runners took part.

St Helens parkrun – A total of 164 runners took part.

Great news for Clayton-le-Moors Harriers

Our talented young Harriers continue to enjoy success and the following members have been selected to represent Lancashire in the British Inter Counties Fell Running Championships in Betws-y-Coed North Wales. Chris Holdsworth, Jacob Boyle, Danny Collinge, Jordan McDonald, Curtis Holt, Ryan Clarke, and Alice Pier. The Championships take place on Saturday 16th May.

Congratulations and the best of luck to all of you. We know you will do us all proud!

Upcoming team events

Good luck to all our athletes running in the British Masters Road Relays, Calderdale Way Relays and the British Inter Counties Fell Championships! Go get ’em Team Clayton

Weekend of Running

If you aren’t jetting off to sunnier climes over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, why not come along to our fabulous weekend of running.  There’s road and fell on offer and a bit of a do in the Pendle Inn at Barley afterwards. It’s going to be a great weekend of running and socialising. Go on, you know you want to!

Clayton-le-Moors Harriers – Weekend of Running