The days are long, the nights are short and there is an abundance of racing opportunities for our members to get their teeth into. It’s all been rather scenic this week with hills, parks, waterfalls and people dressed up as cows.

Austwick Amble – Monday 25 May

This year’s Austwick Amble, held in conjunction with the Annual Street Market, was held in dry but overcast conditions this year. The event attracted a record numbers of entrants, some of who had travelled from far afield, including a party from Orion Harriers in Essex and a family from Sark in the Channel islands.

Runners received enthusiastic support from spectators, particularly at the start and finish located in the centre of the village. This year there was a full programme of junior races from Under 12 up to Under 18.

Lennon Jackson was our sole junior representative and finished in 12^th place in the U12 boys race with a time of 11:50. Well done Lennon!

Lennon Jackson on the start line at the Austwick Junior race

The senior race (8 miles with 1,200 feet of ascent and descent) featured a record field of 169 runners who set off from Austwick Village at 1.00pm, with the weather overcast but still dry. Paul Hesketh was the first Clayton man home and was also the leading V50. Jeffrey Pickup was leading vet 60.

 Senior Race

Full Results

Bowley Hill Race – Monday 25 May

A half dozen Clayton Harriers took part in this trail run that takes part in conjunction with the Great Harwood Agricultural show. Dave Motley and Adam Shaw were running as part of the Run 4 Nepal team to raise awareness of their upcoming National 3 Peaks Challenge to raise money for the victims of the recent earthquakes in Nepal.

Full Results

Fishwick 5 Mile Trail Race – Mon 25 May

Tanya Bunkham was flying the Clayton-le-Moors flag in this 5 mile trail race. She finishied in 32^nd place with a time of 42:03.  She described it as a small race, nice scenic route looping route around the nature reserve but with a killer hill thrown in twice for good measure!

Tanya Bunkham at the Fishwick 5

Full Results

Johnny Butterworth Memorial Trail 5k – Tuesday 26 May

Yvonne Wickham was the sole Clayton-le-Moors Harrier in this event.

Full Results

Vernon’s (formerly Welcome Inn) 5k Series – Tuesday 26 May

Three Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in the second race in the Vernons Summer Series

Harrock Hill Race – Wednesday 27 May

232 runners took part in this event.  Representing Clayton-le-Moors Harriers were Nigel Weaver and John Francis.

Full Results

Ingleton Scenery – Thursday 28 May

A trio of Harriers took part in this brand new race.  The Ingleton Scenery Off Road Race features a five-mile route along the famous Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, with runners climbing 800ft during the race. Looks like a stunning place to run, it’s going on my to-do list for next year!

Stunning waterfalls on the Ingleton Scenery Race

Full Results

Blackpool Promenade 10 Miler – Saturday 30 May

240 runners completed this 10 mile run around a two loop course of 4 and 6 miles, on the traffic free North Promenades of Blackpool. Stephen Biscomb and Donna Airey took part in this event.

Donna Airey at the Blackpool Prom 10 Miler. Photo by Donna Airey

Donna reports; Watch time 1 hour 21 mins 28 secs. Smashed my target of 1 hour 30 and maybe a sneaky 10k PR. Thanks to my supporters and the firemen, they made me want to “look good”!

Full Results

Catforth Canter 5k – Saturday 30 May

Well done to Amanda Duffy who was our sole representative at this fast-paced 5k. She finished in 67th place with a time of 23:21 in a field of 112 runners.

Full Results

Duddon Valley Fell Races – Saturday 30 May

The Long Duddon is a classic fell race covering 18 miles around the head of the Duddon Valley with 6000ft of climb over Harter, Hardknott, Little Stand, Swirl How, Dow Crag, White Pike and Caw.

The Short Duddon is run at the same time over a 10 mile course with 3000 feet of climb up Dow and Caw. Both are category A fell races so navigational ability, proper kit and some idea of what you’re doing are all essential.

Report from Peter Browning

Saturday May 30^th, saw the third round of the 2015 English Fell Running Championships with the Duddon Valley Fell Race. This event is a classic AL Lakeland race, and was founded in 1978 by my wife Sandi’s uncle, Ken Ledward. Although the course doesn’t take runners to any of Cumbria’s highest peaks, there are still 18 miles and 6000 feet of climbing to be tackled, and in misty weather, the route poses many difficult navigational problems.

This year however, the 325 starters were pleased to welcome a nice weather window in what has been a dismal May, and although it was never that warm, the clouds remained high and good visibility maintained throughout. Four Clayton Harriers started the race, all veterans of one sort or another. It’s a great shame that our talented senior runners were all absent, but maybe that’s another story for another day.

I must confess to having been quite nervous prior to the race, not having done a race as tough as this for quite some time. “Start slowly and work your way into the race” was the general advice, and this is what I did. 254^th place at checkpoint one to a finish position of 188^th tells its own tale, and I was delighted to discover that the old stamina and ability to keep going at a steady pace all the way was still lurking in there. The climb from the foot of Hard Knot to the top of Little Stand (checkpoints 2 to 3) looks daunting when you first see it, and although it took me a good 26 minutes, it passed quickly enough. Once through the Three Shires Stone checkpoint, you are on the way home, and whilst there is some rough ground, notably towards the Dow Crag checkpoint where in the 1991 race, I tripped and fell face first into the ground smashing a front tooth out and badly cutting my lip, knees and hands, there is also some good fast running towards White Pike if you have anything left in the tank. No scares for me on Dow Crag this year, though when I finished the race in 1991, having been scraped off the floor by my club mate Steve Breckell and the late Paul Martin from Bolton, my club vest was definitely more red than white! It’s amazing what adrenalin can do. A fast descent from the last checkpoint on Caw takes you back down to the finish at the Newfield Inn.

Race winner Rob Hope from Pudsey and Bramley was showered, changed and on his third pint by the time the Clayton runners got back, but for the record their times were:

• Rob Hope (V40) 2. 44. 01
• Peter Browning (V55) 4.11.15
• Andy McFarlane (V45) 4.12.32
• Kieran Carr (V70) 4.23.46
• Wendy Dodds (LV60) 4.28.09

Both Kieran and Wendy won their respective age group categories, and I was absolutely delighted to be first Clayton finisher since I can’t remember when. Now, when’s Wasdale?

Wendy Dodds at the Duddon Valley Race with ‘fan’ Chris Jordan

Long Race

Short Race

Full Results

Malham Kirkby English Junior Fell Championships – Saturday 30 May

This was a well attended FRA race with a steep climb straight up having to use hands to get up the steepest parts, also up through a stream then decent back down the same route. All juniors did very well and the weather stayed fine for them. Extra bonus was the big goody bag each child received.

Clayton Junior Joshua McKay at the Malham Junior Races

The races take place amid some beautiful scenery and there were some great performances from all of our juniors.

Under 8’s.
Joshua Mckay – 15th (4.53)
Kady Thompson – 22nd – (5:19) (5th girl)

Dexta Thompson at the Malham English Junior Champs. Photo by the Woodentops

Full Results

Malham Kirkby Senior Fell Race – Saturday 30 May

Chris Whiteoak and Linda Lord represented the Clayton Harriers at the senior Malham Kirkby Fell Race. Linda was 1st LV65.

Full Results

Blackpool Triathlon – Sunday 31 May

Grace and Ellie Root took part in the Blackpool triathlon on Sunday 31 May.

Grace was up 1st in the T1 category, she was in heat 2 and led the race right from the start in the swim, she held her lead throughout all disciplines and won her heat. Overall she came 13th and was really proud of her performance.

Grace Root at the Blackpool Triathlon. Photo Sam Root

Ellie was up next in the T3 category. She was in a tough heat, swimming and cycling well, but came into her own again in the run where she gained 3 places to finish 6th overall.

Ellie Root at the Blackpool Triathlon. Photo Sam Root

Well done girls

Coniston Gullies – Sunday 31 May

Coniston Gullies is a brilliant fell race for the fearless fell runner. It may be short in distance, but it has a lung buster of a climb and a tremendous descent which is a sheer drop taking in a scree section. It’s a classic up and down race, not for the faint hearted.

Briony Holt at the Coniston Gullies Race. Photo by Geoff Thompson

Briony Holt travelled to Coniston Gullies for the 2nd BOFRA race of the series. It was wet, boggy and very steep with a rocky underfoot. Briony ran in u14s and came 1st girl luckily without any cuts, bruises or tears that unfortunately some of the other athletes endured during their race. Well Done Briony

Full Results

Crazy Cow 10K – Sunday 31 May

Described as a great race with a great atmosphere on a flat course partly through Avenham Park.

Matthew Duckworth at the Crazy Cow 10K. Photo by Jacci Clarke Mellor

Matthew Duckworth reports: “Crazy is the word, arriving there to a carnival atmosphere full of fancy dress cow runners! I wasn’t feeling my best today however I still managed to steal a sub-40 finish and Bianca again finished with a PB! So was a very good day on a flat, but very windy, course!”

Sarah Angelone and Leanne Cottam with their hard-earned cowbells.

Never outshone by the seniors, our junior runners ran well in the Crazy Calf Junior race with 1st overall Dexta, 2nd boy & girl Felix & Kady. Go Team Thompson!

Team Thomson at the Crazy Calf

Full Results

Edenfield Fell Race – Sunday 31 May

Six Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in this local fell race that starts from Edenfield Cricket club. It’s a 6.4 mile route with 1565ft of ascent.o

Full Results

Parkrun Roundup

There was a little bit of parkrun tourism going on this week.  As usual the Clayton-le-Moors Harriers were out in force at the Burnley parkrun, many of them warming up for the Crazy Cow 10 the following day.  Almost all of the top ten finishers were our club runners and there were new PBs for Elouise Pemberton, Bianca Bennett and Christine Egerton.

Clayton Men leading the way at Burnley parkrun. Photo by David Belshaw

Burnley parkrun – A total of 251 runners took part

Pendle parkrun – A total of 37 runners took part

Bolton parkrun – A total of 304 runners took part

Inverness parkrun – A total of 96 runners took part.

Keswick parkrun – A total of 127 runners took part.

Sewerby parkrun – A total of 142 runners took part.

Woodbank parkrun – A total of 116 runners took part

Woodhouse Moor parkrun – A total of 446 runners took part.

Kit News

If we can get to the minimum order we will be ordering Clayton branded cropped vests/tops sizes start at xxs (30in) and cost £22 contact our kit manager, Nicola Thompson,  if you would like one ordering. Nicola21@ntlworld.com

Proposed crop top design

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