Raindrops keep falling

Storm Abigail did her best but it wasn’t enough to deter our hardy Harriers. You have been on the roads, fells and parks as always giving it your all. An international flavour again this week with Clayton Harriers popping up at parkrun in New Zealand and the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon in Las Vegas.

Club News and Announcements

VLM London Marathon – the draw

The draw has been done (overseen by Clayton member Stuart Proctor). The successful applicants are Stephanie Hawke, Lynsey Birtwistle and Richard Briscoe. Congratulations to the three of you – let the training begin!

Lee Mill Fell Relays

There is a Lee Mill Relay recce run this Sunday at  9am from Stubbylee Hall, OL13 0DE
This is with Richard Stott organiser of the relay, open to all and suitable for all abilities.

Juniors at Large

Congratulations to Ellie Root in the ESAA Cross Country Cup regional finals in Stockton on Tees on Sat 7^th November. She ran in the inter girls (year 9/10) and was 3rd counter in her team, in 20th place. The team have qualified for the finals in Bedford on 5th December.

Ellie Root (no 47) at the ESAA Cross Country Regional Finals

Well done also to Dexta and Liberty Thompson who ran in the U11 boys and U13 girls races of the West Yorkshire League in Keighley on Saturday 14^th November. They both ran well but are listed as guest runners and not counted in the places. By my reckoning, Dexta was in equal 5^th place and Liberty was in 36^th. Well done both of you!

Dexta Thompson at the West Yorkshire Cross Country League fixture in Keighley. Photo by Woodentops

Thursday 12 November

Todmorden 5k

On a somewhat soggy night, 7 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers made the trip to Todmorden for the first of the winter 5k series. Dan Balshaw finished in 2^nd place and together with Matthew Duckworth and Garry Wilkinson was part of the 1^st place mens team running for the “Running4CF” charity.

Dan Balshaw at the Todmorden 5k Winter Series. Photo by Bryn Barnes

There were some great runs in what Paul Walsh described as “biblical” weather conditions so well done to all.

Full Results

Dunnerdale Fell Race

Dunnerdale is a classic short race round the tiny but rugged fells between the Lickle and the Duddon valleys. The scenery is superb, the course is tough and varied, you get a pie and there’s a very nice pub at the finish.

Wendy Dodds at the Dunnerdale Fell Race. Photo by Granddayout Photography

No results as yet but I have spotted Peter Browning and Wendy Dodds on the race photos.

Awaiting Results

RunFurther AGM & Presentation

The RunFurther AGM and presentation was held in the Pendle Inn at Barley after the Tour of Pendle. With a 4th overall and 1st Vet 50 for Martin plus a 6th place for our team (Martin Terry, Andy Armstrong and Nick Olszewski) we are definitely making our presence felt in the ultra scene.

Martin Terry, 1st V50 Male at the RunFurther Championships Presentation.

The Runfurther race series is an annual championship based round 12 off-road Ultra running races in the UK. They don’t organise the races, just the tournament scoring. You can join in for free (although you’ll have to pay to enter the races of course). The races change from year to year, but there are usually a number of old favourites in the series, and they try to stick to lower-cost races as far as is practical.

Nick Olszewski and yours truly, happy winners of spot prizes at the RunFurther presentation night.

The 2016 Runfurther Ultra Championship races are listed below.  Some of the races are already open for entries, so don’t wait until it’s too late!

The Tinto Hill Race (7Km, 460m)

Report By Robin Nicolson

It was a bit of a pilgrimage (of sorts). When I was at University (studying Statistics) I undertook a research project on fell running! The purpose was to use statistical techniques to create a formula to predict times for fell races. Well as part of my research I went, with the then chairman of the Scottish Hill Runners Association (SHRA) – Alan Farningham, to observe the race scene. The race I went to observe was the Tinto Hill Race. Alan actually finished 5th (32:26 – running for Gala).

Registration is at Symington Village Hall (a 10 min drive to the start) – so early registration is advised to get a “good parking” spot. The village itself is only 15 mins from M6 – which makes it relatively accessible for us “southern” runners! The SHRA hold their AGM in the village hall at the conclusion of the prize giving – that might be the reason for the fairly large field, 244 this year.

From my previous visit (11th November 1989) – I can only recall a line of pylons and a hill in the distance. This time, with the benefit of what such a race entails, I was able to recce the first part of the climb, before the start. I have run the whole route in the summer – different conditions from race day. The route is a straightforward “up and back” following the main walkers path to the summit. The path is fairly eroded, similar in many ways to the main path up Pendle from the nick, but climbing from the start. However after ½ mile there was a “kissing gate”, yes there was choice of routes (flagged) but Scottish racing rules must be different – everybody went over the barbed wire fence! The first climb (to just under Totherin Hill – 479m) was very reasonable, we contoured under the “top” and followed a routine of plateau, climb, plateau and a final push to the summit (707m). Anticlockwise around a boulder strewn peak before taking the fast descent to the finish, following the same route.

After a forecast of wind and rain it was a relief to arrive at the foot of Tinto hill to cold (6°C) but dry weather. The top of the hill was shrouded in cloud and when we reached the summit there was a wee bit of snow just to make things more interesting (a couple of inches)! Overall conditions were great. On a personal note, I did not climb well but was more than happy with my descent; nobody went past me (and no I was not last at the top)!

I would thoroughly recommend this race to those wanting a great short winter race with character. I had a good number of conversations with “friends not yet met” (WB Yeats) and I will be returning in the future.

Race description on Scottish Hill Racing Website “A social afternoon with tea, soup and beer afterwards at Symington Sports Club”.

P. S.I note here some observations for race organisers (that I have not come across before).

Full body cover was required, as well as map, compass etc. Rather than having to queue to have this checked 10 mins before the start (or at registration – when all your gear is still in your car!); you took your “kit” to the start line to confirm you “had everything” and your race number was signed! Allowing you to proceed with your warm-up. The allowed for a smoother start to some FRA races. However, there was no counting to the number at the start line – a whole debate in itself.

Tour Of Pendle

With a weather forecast full of doom, gloom and Storm Abigail set to batter us, the organisers took the difficult decision to switch to a bad weather route. The response was a mixture of relief from some and disappointment from others. In the event, the really foul weather waited until later in the day. A tough call but the right one by the organisers.

Race organisers and marshalls at the Tour of Pendle Race.

422 hardy fell runners lined up to tackle what is still a pretty tough 13/14 mile course albeit with a mere 3000ft of climb, the last couple of killer climbs being bypassed on the bad weather route. Still a hard challenge in anyone’s book. 409 crossed the finish line.

Chris Holdsworth at the Tour of Pendle. Photo by David Belshaw

Chris Holdsworth had a phenomenal run in a brand spanking new pair of shoes and finished in 2^nd place. After last year’s event he’d had a bone to pick with this race and has certainly put in the training to tackle it. A great result for Chris ( new shoes not quite so pretty at the end, however!)

Clayton Ladies Angela Shian, Vicky Heys and Jean Brown with Julia Hartley at the Tour of Pendle

24 Clayton Harriers were registered to race and we are awaiting results.

Chris Funnell and Dominic Carr looking far to chipper after completing the Tour of Pendle.

Awaiting Full Results

Sunday 16 November

Abbey Dash 10K

David Bagot and Vicky Heys were among thousands of runners taking part in the Age UK Abbey Dash 10K race from the centre of Leeds to Kirstall Abbey and back.

Full Results

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon – Las Vegas

Well done Nikky Kay who ran in the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon in Las Vegas over the weekend which she described as the best of times and the worst of times. The first half went well but the second half was a bit more troublesome as a result of a troublesome knee. Our Nikki, didn’t let that stop her though and finished in a time of 5:26:04

Nikki Kay with her finishers medal from the Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

Great grit and determination!

Full Results

Preston 10 Mile Road Race

A quartet of Harriers took to the roads around Hutton for this 10 mile road race. Kevin Davies was the first Clayton male finisher in 52^nd place overall and in a time of 01:05:25. Fabienne Richmond was our first lady in 117^th place overall and with a time of 01:10:17. They were joined by fellow clubmates Ted Orrell and Clare Wilson who finished in 01:28:47 and 01:35:06 respectively.

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 185 runners took part.

Cheltenham parkrun – A total of 290 runners took part.

Cornwall parkrun – A total of 212 runners took part.

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 71 runners took part.

Keswick parkrun – A total of 95 runners took part.

Marple parkrun – A total of 107 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 60 runners took part.

Preston parkrun – A total of 188 runners took part.

Salisbury parkrun – A total of 172 runners took part.

Skipton parkrun – A total of 98 runners took part.

Witton parkrun – A total of 114 runners took part.