Wins all over the place this week! Fells, parks, promenades, greenways; nowhere is off limits for racing as far as the tangerine army is concerned. Many summer race series have come to a conclusion and it’s time to celebrate our successes and improvements.

Tuesday 4^th August

Crow Hill Reverse Fell Race
Robert Hirst and Stephen Fish took part in this 5 mile fell race with 1000 ft of climb in Mytholmroyd.

Stephen Fish at the Crow Hill Reverse Fell Race. Photo by the Woodentops

Full Results

Wednesday 5^th August

Astley Park Trail Race
This was the fourth and final race in this popular series. There was a good turnout of juniors despite the event falling in the middle of the school holidays.

Felix Thompson, one of our youngest members, at the Astley Park Trail Races. Photo by Nick Olszewski

As always, some top notch performances from our youngsters. 3^rd place overall for Curtis Holt, 1^st girl for Briony Hold and age category wins for Jenson Bentham (U9) and Felix Thompson (U7). Well done!

Our junior runners at Astley Park Trail Races. Photo by Nick Olszewski

In the senior race, Jonathan Pye was our sole representative. He finished in 22^nd place with a time of 27:33.

Jonathan Pye giving it his all at the Astley Park Trail Race. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Full Results

 Steel Fell Race

Some claggy conditions for the runners of this 3.1 mile Lakeland fell race from Steel End Farm in Thirlmere judging by the excellent photos from Granddayout Photography. No results as yet but I spotted Wendy Dodds in the photos.

Wendy Dodds battling through the clag at the Steel Fell Race. Photo by Stephen Wilson of GrandDayOut Photography

Whittle Pike Fell Race
This race is described as rough and tough by organisers Rossendale Harriers. This didn’t prevent 108 runners from lining up at the start line, amongst them a hardy bunch of nine Clayton Harriers. There was an excellent run from Jacob Boyle who was second with a time of 41:42. Alan Life was the 1^st V50, 13^th place overall, in 49:39. Katy Thompson was 1^st V60 lady and Linda Lord was 1^st V65 lady

Full Results

Thursday 6^th August

Badger 10K
This 10k trail race takes in the beautiful scenery of Cuerden Valley park and is the final of 3 summers runs. Four club members took part

Full Results

Todmorden 5K Summer Series
Another popular series, the Todmorden 5k Summer series came to a conclusion this week.

Jacob Boyle on the right and Dan Balshaw on the left at the Todmorden 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

17 Harriers, from junior members to Vet 60s, took part. Following on from a great result at Whittle Pike the day before, Jacob Boyle finished in first place with a time of 16:27. In 4^th place overall Dan Balshaw was the first senior male finisher as the first three were all U23. Junior runners Jackson McKay and Lennon Jackson took the first and second junior positions. 

Alan Clarkson and Amanda Duffy at the Todmorden 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Full Results

Todmorden 5k Series – Final Standings
In the final standings Jacob Boyle, Dan Balshaw and Jacob Watson were 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th in the series. Laura Hesketh and Amanda Duffy were 2^nd and 4^th ladies in the final standings.

Jackson McKay and Lennon Jackson were 1^st and 2^nd U12 males. Jacob Boyle was 1^st U23. Dan Balshaw and Jacob Watson were 1^st and 2^nd Senior Men. Paul Walsh and Robert Hirst were 2^nd and 3^rd M60.

Sophie Ashworth was 1^st U14 female, Laura Hesheth was 2^nd Senior Woman. Amanda Duffy was 2^nd W35.

Elouise Pemberton – top of the ladies improvers for the race series. Photo by David Belshaw

Elouise Pemberton was the most improved female runner of the series. Sophie Ashworth was the 3^rd most improved.

Full Results

 Friday 7^th August

 Padiham Jubilee 5 Mile Race
A low key 5 mile off road race that takes in the Padiham Greenway,and a section of the Leeds Liverpool Canal. 45 runners took part. 11 club members ran this event.

Danny Collinge leading the way at the Padiham Jubilee 5 Mile Race. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Race Report from Jonathan Pye

“A rather undiscovered gem of a race took place on Friday, starting in Padiham Memorial Park. The 50 or so runners that took part made their way up the Greenway (stoutly ignoring the 5k markings from the Grand Prix race a month or so ago). The leading duo of Danny Collinge and Nick Gaskell battled it out for most of the race that wound itself along the canal before the chance arose to power back down the Greenway. Energy had to be conserved for a final pull back the A6068 that concluded the race, luckily the juniors took to the sidelines to cheer on all the runners.

Danny eventually stretched out into the lead to claim an impressive win with Trawden AC’s Nick Gaskell claiming second and Dale Grimshaw claiming third. Jonathan Pye (myself) finished 4th, hunted down by Richard Stevenson who might have caught me were it not for the loss of a shoe on the final mile, meaning he had to settle for a nevertheless impressive 6th place. A really pleasant run ended with a generous award ceremony back at the Football Club with a lot of Clayton and Trawden AC runners (out in full force) enjoying the evening. Well done to everyone who took part.”

Sarah Whittaker was our first lady finisher with Avril Duckworth hot on her heels.

Clayton Ladies, Sarah Whittaker and Avril Duckworth at the Padiham Jubilee 5 Mile Race. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Ryan Clarke was the first junior finisher and 12^th overall in the race.

Ryan Clarke, Junior winner and Danny Collinge overall winner at the Padiham Jubilee 5 Mile Race. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Full Results ( hard copy given out at presentation)

 Saturday 8^th August

Arncliffe Gala Fell Races
Tim Edward and Andrew Firth took part in this BOFRA race and a group of juniors competed in the junior races. Briony Holt’s championship campaign continues to flourish and she was first girl in the U14s. Jenson Bentham also continues to perform superbly and was the winner of the U9s race. Strong performances from all of our junior runners were in evidence and they continue to make us proud!

Senior Race

Tim Edward at the Arncliffe Gala fell race. Photo by Bruce Craig

Junior Races
Briony Holt was 6th overall in the Under 14s race and 1st girl. She just needs one more win out of a possible 4 to retain the British championship. Jenson Bentham set a new course record also,and is over the moon.

Unstoppable Clayton-le-Moors Harrier Juniors at the Arncliffe Gala Fell Races. Photo by Nicola Thompson

U9s Race

Jenson Bentham in the U9s race at Arncliffe Gala. Photo by Geoff Thompson

U12s Race

 U14s Race

 Full Results

Sunday 9^th August

Blackpool Air Show 10K
Ten Clayton Harriers took to the promenade to race the Blackpool Air Show 10K. Some great runs from all of them 1^st Vet 75 for Ted Orrell and 2^nd place age category finishes for Fabienne Richmond, Ryan Clarke and David Scott.

Ryan Clarke after the Blackpool Airshow 10K. Photo by Jacci Clarke Mellor

Full Results

Boulsworth Fell Race

Senior Race Report from Andy Armstrong

“Boulsworth Fell race is the final fixture in the very popular Pendle & Burnley Grand Prix series and is always well supported. Previous years have been wet but today was mild & breezy; perfect running weather. The course is not one for the pure (i.e slow) fell runner as it has a long fast track & tarmac section at the beginning and end, rather it flatters the faster runners who can cope with the relatively short climb and descent on Boulsworth.

Paul Hesketh and Andy Armstrong at the Boulsworth Hill Fell Race. Photo by David Belshaw

I got a fast start, knowing that I’d need the time in hand when we approached the foot of the hill. Passing Jordan McDonald halfway up the hill gave me a moment of panic that I’d overcooked it but all he could say was “I don’t feel well” so that was reassuring (sorry Jordan!). Carl Helliwell chased me off Boulsworth and as we came back onto the return leg a group of runners ahead (including Clayton’s Neil Hardiman) went wrong allowing Carl and I to leapfrog several places. The final run down the farm track and into the showground was eyeballs out, desperately fighting the urge to look back!

A big thank you to Trawden AC and all their marshalls for putting on a great race.”

Junior Races

Alan Dorrington Reports on the Junior races:

A select group of 3 Clayton Juniors were at the Boulsworth Junior races, held in conjunction with the annual Trawden Show. With great views across to both Pendle and Boulsworth Hills,  a simple but quite taxing course of grassy field with draggy climbs greeted the U8,U10 and U12s with Ella Dorrington fighting off a host of Trawden juniors to win the Girls race and take 4^th overall in the U12s. The contents of her finish line goody bag disappeared even quicker than her finish to the line…

Ella Dorrington at the Boulsworth Hill Fell Races. Photo by Woodentops

 The U14s took off to run further up the hillside on a longer course but with a smaller field. Briony Holt came in 1^st Girl and Millie Stubbs in 3^rd

Millie Stubbs and Briony Holt at the Boulsworth Hill Fell races. Photo by Woodentops

Parkrun roundup
Another set of PBs for lots of our parkrunners this weekend and some great finishes at Burnley and Pendle parkruns to boot. Club member, Bryan Searby, is organising a new parkrun event at Witton Park in Blackburn.  Inaugural run set for Saturday 29th August.

Burnley parkrun, club members chilling out and catching up after the running. Photo by David Belshaw

Burnley parkrun – A total of 281 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 53 runners took part

Bolton parkrun – A total of 320 runners took part.

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 76 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 131 runners took part.

Keswick parkrun – A total of 126 runners took part.

Marple parkrun – A total of 173 runners took part