Ain’t no mountain high enough

Some great racing at classic fell races this weekend in the Lake District, Yorkshire and ultra-distances events in Europe – still plenty of true fell runners at Clayton-le-Moors Harriers. But that’s not all; there have been 10K races, duathlons, track and field events and blistering PBs all over the place at parkruns.

Tuesday 25 August

Tour of the Hameldons
There was a turnout of 26 Clayton Harriers and a solo Trawden AC runner for the fourth race in the Summer Series for Clayton-le-Moors Harriers and Trawden AC runners only. No watches are allowed as the runners must predict the time they expect to finish and prizes are awarded for the closest pre-race predictions. Closest estimate was Chris Funnell whose finishing time was only 2 seconds different to his actual time. Second and third best guesses went to Jim Hickie (7 seconds difference) and Sean Clare (11 seconds difference).

Full Results

Wednesday 26 August

Harrock Hill Race Series – Race 4
The fourth and final of this series took place with three of our club members toeing the start line. It is a 5.2 mile race with 900ft of climb.

Harrock Hill Race Series Final Standings

Full Results

Friday 28 August

Echappée Belle Intégrale

Belle Echappe Ultra

Congratulations to Jean Brown who finished this gruelling ultra of 144km with a mind-boggling 10900m of ascent in 35^th place overall, third female in a fantastic time of 38:04:47.

Full Results

Saturday 29 August

Arnison Crag/ Patterdale Dog Day

Run as part of the Patterdale Dog Day a small show that is centred around open sheep dog trials. There are both junior and senior fell races.

Ella Dorrington at the Patterdale Dog Day junior fell race. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Ella Dorrington took part in the junior races and was 1^st girl in the U11 race. Well done Ella.

Awaiting Results

Blackpool Hilton Illuminations 10k

Elouise Pemberton was flying solo at this coastal 10k race. Her official time 53:02, 84th overall, 17th Female, 6th in age category, out of 201 runners in total.

Elouise Pemberton at the Blackpool Hilton Illuminations 10K.

Elouise Reports:

Saturday was a lovely day for taking part in the Hilton Illuminations 10k. A pleasant, sunny run out along the flat promenade for about 3 and half miles starting across from the Hilton Hotel.

The route proved much more difficult on the 2.5 mile stretch turning to head back towards the Hilton as it became undulating and testing through a very strong headwind and by this point it started to shower.

I was pleased with my time and enjoyed the race but it was a little lonely out there being the only Clayton Harrier in the race.

Full Results

Mid Lancs Track & Field League

Well done to our members who competed in this event for Burnley Athletic Club. Danny Collinge was 2^nd in the Senior Men’s 400m and 3^rd in the Senior Men’s High jump. George Pier was 3^rd in the Senior Men’s Long JumpAlice Pier was 3^rd in the U17 Women’s 800m and Joint 2^nd in the High Jump. Liberty Thompson was 3^rd in the U13 Girl’s 800m.

Full Results

Pendleton Fell Race

Pendleton Fell Race. Photo by Nick Olszewski

A short race with a long history, the Pendleton Race begins with a flat-out charge up the village’s main street, before climbing over fields and very rough pasture to Apronful Hill. A steep drop and steeper climb take the runners to Alan and Judith’s Cairn on Mearley Moor, from where there is a exhilerating descent into Ashendean Beck and a long run-in back across moor and field to the village.

John Francis at the Pendleton Fell Race. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Despite it being a Bank Holiday weekend, together with lots of long-standing show races on the same weekend, a very respectable 123 runners took part in this short but tough fell race around Pendle Hill.

Alan Life at the Pendleton Fell Race. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Alan Life was our first runner home finishing in 12^th place overall and 1^st Vet50. Claire Vincent was our first lady finisher, 4^th lady overall and 1^st senior lady. Linda Lord was 1^st LV60.

Claire Vincent at the Pendleton Fell Race. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Full Results

Sunday 30 August

Grasmere Guides Races

Junior Race Report by Alan Dorrington

Clayton Juniors Curtis and Briony Holt, and Ella Dorrington made the trip to Grasmere for the classic and long running Guides races, part of the Grasmere Show.

Following on from an U11G win the day before at the Patterdale Dog Day Children’s race, Ella found the steep Grasmere course harder than she expected but rallied to come in 4th Girl, only a whisker outside the medals in the U12G.

Ella Dorrington at the Grasmere Guides Races. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Briony was a clear and emphatic winner in the U14G, disappointed only in missing the course record. Her brother Curtis ran in the U17 in a high quality field, stacked with strong local runners. A great day out and great racing from all.

Briony Holt at the Grasmere Guides fell races. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Briony Holt was the first girl in the U14s race with a time of 8:04 and Curtis Holt was 19^th in the U17s race with at ime of 13:53.

Senior Race Report by Andrew Firth

Grasmere Guides race is a historic event – a traditional Lakeland Sports event which attracts crowds in the thousands. There are Junior races at half hourly intervals leading up to the Blue Riband event of the Senior Guides race at around 4pm in the afternoon. I only saw a couple of Clayton Juniors in the U14’s and it was Briony Holt who took the honours for the girls.

Wendy Dodds at the Grasmere Guides fell races. Photo by Alan Dorrington

In the Senior race there was a good quality field with Simon Bailey, Rob Jebb, Rob Hope, Sam Tosh likely to be battling it out at the sharp end. The record of 12 mins 21 secs by Fred Reeves has stood since 1978 and there is £500 on offer for anyone who can beat it (as well as the 1st prize of £150).

The bracken had been chopped back and with conditions underfoot soft from the earlier rain everything was set for a fast race. Whilst running you can hear Pete Blands commentary to the large crowd and it was clear that there was a real battle on the way up between Rob Jebb and Simon Bailey. As I reached the top you lose the sound of the commentary – probably because the leaders would have finished before I got to the top! I understand that Simon Bailey held on for the win, whilst both Rob Hope and Sam Tosh overhauled the other Rob on the way down. Results often take a while to appear from this event.

For the Seniors Clayton had 4 entrants – Garry Wilkinson, Wendy Dodds, Mark Nutter and myself finishing in that order.

It might be a long way to travel for a race that is little over a mile, and at £10 the entry fee to the show might seem a little steep. However I have always found it to be a great day out and the atmosphere racing in front of such a large crowd is unbelievable – highly recommended.

Awaiting Official Results

Greenwich Park 10K

Surprise 10k race in Greenwich Park this morning all part of a surprise birthday weekend away thanks to Deborah. Good hilly race and managed to bag a 3rd place finish

Richard Stevenson at Greenwich Park 10k. Photo by Deborah Stevenson

Full Results

Halton Gill Sports

Nicola Thompson Reports

It was another good day running; Dexter Thompson came 2^nd in the U12s race, Kady Thompson was 2^nd girl in the U9s race, and Liberty Thompson was 2^nd girl in the U14s race.

Dexta Thompson at the Halton Gill Sports races. Photo by Chris Thompson

Well done also to Danny Collinge on coming 2^nd in the senior race representing Clayton Le Moors Harriers at fell running.

Danny Collinge at the Halton Gill Show fell races. Photo by Chris Thompson

Awaiting Results

Lancaster Duathlon

Grace and Ellie Root took part in Salt Ayre Duathlon on Sunday 30th August which involved a run-bike-run.

Grace ran 1200m cycled 2k and ran 400 m to finish 10th in the T1 category. Ellie ran a strong 2000m taking the lead for the 1st 1000m, cycled 5k and then finished with a 600m run. She had a really strong race and came 7th in the T3 category and scored her highest points this year.

The girls have 2 more races to complete the North West Series. All that Clayton Le Moors Harriers training and at Burnley Athletics Club paying off. She finished 7th, scoring good NW Series Tri points.

Ellie Root at Salt Ayre. Photo by Thomas Root

Tour of Norland Moor

This 10k race is organised by Halifax Harriers and is described as more like a trail race than a fell race on their website.  The race starts and finishes at Copley Cricket Club and climbs up a rough, paved bridleway before reaching a 2.9 mile loop of Norland Moor. 800ft of ascent with the promise of some great views.

Three Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part.

Full Results

Parkrun Roundup

United Utilities may have sorted out the issues with the water in some parts of Lancashire but it looks like they have been adding something to the water in Burnley instead resulting in an outbreak of PBs and top 10 finishes at Burnley parkrun!

Fast Clayton lads at Burnley parkrun. What have they been putting in the water? Photo by David Belshaw

This weekend saw the first Witton parkrun take place, organised by our club member Bryan Searby, with a bakers dozen of Clayton Harriers in attendance. Missing from the results is Danny Collinge who forgot his barcode! He finished in third place 17:07 I am told.

Clayton-le-Moors Harriers at the first Witton parkrun. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Witton parkrun – A total of 273 runners took part.

Burnley parkrun – A total of 294 runners took part

Pendle parkrun – A total of 40 runners took part

Cardiff parkrun – A total of 654 runners took part.

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 77 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 198 runners took part.

Heaton parkrun – A total of 512 runners took part

Marple parkrun – A total of 184 runners took part.

Cross Country (XC) Season 2015

Mid Lancs League
Jason Pier is currently updating the list for Mid Lancs XC runners. If you ran at all during the season last year, your name will already be on. All newcomers more than welcome to add your name to it – juniors, ladies and men.

Clayton Ladies at the Mid Lancs Cross Country fixture in Liverpool

Even if you’re looking to run just the once, it’s easier to organise if you’re already on the list. So don’t be shy, give it a go…. You never know how much you’ll take to running a few miles on grass!!

U-11 Girls Liberty Thompson, Ellie Root, Natasha Olszewska and Millie Stubbs. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

We expect a good turn out this year to add to our club’s success in the Mid Lancs League last year – in all age categories – from juniors to vets. Yes we all count, all abilities from the front runners to the back. All are valued and accounted for Clayton throughout the season. Achievement AND enjoyment is the key.

Mid Lancs League Fixture List

Perhaps if you’re down for Mid Lancs XC you’ll have a go at Red Rose too. Our juniors did very well last year in this league! Seniors and adults – more details to come about this.

Red Rose League Fixture List

John Roche battling for the finish.

Please message me, Irene Roche, or Jason with your DOB if you need to add your name to the list and we’ll make sure you get sorted.

Pilates for Runners

Strength and Conditioning coach Stephen Alami trains many different sports people and athletes. He knows that good posture, core strength and flexibility will ultimately make you a better runner.

His intention is to run a Pilates sessions specific to running that will address all of these areas and make you a better runner. Obviously you also will gain the benefits of what Pilates does in terms of improving core strength, balance, coordination and posture.

Sessions will start on Friday 4th September at  Burnley College 7pm

First session is free and if you enjoy it, £5 thereafter. You can message him if you have any further questions on stevespilates@mail.com