Hot Toddies, Winter Warmers and Bog Trogging

Well the weather was wet and wild yet again but no problem for our hardy members. You have been out competing in the muddy parks, boggy moors, and up the killer climbs of the Hot Toddy and Winter Warmer. Some great results from juniors to vets.

Saturday 6 February

Lancashire Schools Cross Country & BUCS Cross Country Championships

A huge well done to our junior runners who took part in the Lancashire Schools Cross Country Championships representing schools in the Blackburn, Pendle and Burnley areas.

They all put in great performances on a rather grim and miserable day at Witton Park in Blackburn with county vests going to Briony Holt.

Well done also to Jacob Boyle who competed for his university in the British Universities and Colleges Sports Cross Country Championships. He had a great time and was pleased with his result.

Lancashire Schools XC Results

BUCS XC Results

PFO Marsden Park

A small group of our club members took part in this orienteering event organised by Pendle Forest Orienteers in pretty dismal weather conditions.

Junior member Christopher Brown took part in the 1.2km Orange course finishing in second place with a time of 28:19

Senior members Mark Nutter, Jean Brown and Colin Woolford took part in the OLGGr course over 4.2km.

Full Results

Wadsworth Trog

Report from Alan Dorrington

The Calder Valley Fell Runners website describes the Trog as a ‘local classic’, enough of an indication that there is probably something fairly memorable about this race without someone helpfully telling me on race morning that it’s nickname is ‘The Beast’. As a first timer, not only to the race but to any fell race over about 10 miles, this did little to add to my mounting sense of trepidation. A forecast in mid to low single figure temps and heavy rain built on that further. A recce of the back section of the route the weekend before, with Andy Armstrong and Nick Olszewski kindly dispensing wisdom and tips, had confirmed that there were a few bogs and some very smelly mud to be enjoyed along the way.

Around 10 CLEM runners joined the waterproof clad field for the start at the Cricket Club, most avoiding going outside till the last minute as there would be plenty of time later to get soaked en-route. Climbing up onto the moor at the start, visibility was better than expected but was set to worsen on the northerly route over to Cock Hill, as were the bogs which increased in depth and intensity as we went on. I realised my long legs were an advantage here as I jumped a particularly deep trench, only to hear the much smaller runner behind go in, submerging to what looked like his waist. Help was on hand to pull him out from others behind him and we sploshed on toward Stairs Hill and Haworth Moor before the slabbed climb and descent up and past Withins Ruins.

Alan Dorrington (L), Andy Armstrong (Top), and Nick Olszewski at the Wadsworth Trog. Photos by Woodentops

Andy and Nick O had advised a steady start and I started to pull away from those around me on the climbs, picking up other runners who had started a little quicker. By the penultimate climb of High Brown Knoll I had caught more and more and was feeling surprisingly good but with the worst of the bogs and muddy trods to come before THAT climb to the finish. I caught Nick O coming off High Brown Knoll, a welcome boost of a friendly face in the worsening conditions and we plodded along in a small group through the wettest terrain I’ve ever run on. Nick found the pool, disguised as vegetation, that I had almost gone in the previous week and repeated the near-ducking I had escaped then. Dropping off the moors for the finish run-in, the Slurry Field of Doom ™ had been removed from the route at the last minute but there was still plenty of ‘questionable’ mud to run through as we headed for that infamous last climb back to the Cricket Club. It was predictably hard and introduced cramp into both upper legs and one calf but eventually after the longest lap of any cricket pitch, the finish was finally there. I had completed my first Long fell race, and I was happy that it had passed without a physical meltdown, and can definitely recommend it as one to do if you like that ‘local classic’ feel to your races…”

Full Results

Sunday 7 February

Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K

17 Clayton runners took part in this popular local 10K race. The race starts and finishes in Witton Park in Blackburn via a steep climb up Buncer Lane and then over the tops to Pleasington before heading back from the Cememtery side.

Danny Collinge was our first finisher and was third overall in the race. Another good result for Danny. Ryan Clarke was next in and was also 2^nd Junior Male runner in the race. Our third finisher was Stephen Ainsworth who was also 1^st M55.

Danny Collinge (L), Stephen Ainsworth (top) and Andy Quinn at the Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K. Photos by David Belshaw

Our first lady was Elizabeth Mullen. Amanda Duffy and Donna Airey were 1^st and 2^nd F35. Beth Quinn was 3^rd Junior female.

L-R Michelle Butschock, Leanne Cottam, Helen Burnett, Nerina Gill and Julia Rushton (behind). | Ryan Clarke and Beth Quinn. Photos by David Belshaw

Full Results

Blackburn Winter Warmer 2K

There was a good turnout of juniors at the Winter Warmer as it is the first of this year’s junior race series. Some great performances were to be seen with 4 of our juniors finishing in the top 10.

Clayton Juniors at the Blackburn Winter Warmer 2K race. Photo by David Belshaw

Lennon Jackson finished in 3^rd place overall and 1^st in his age group. Ella Dorrington was our first girl finisher, first girl in her age group and second girl overall in the race. Liberty Thompson was first in her age category ( F13).

Full Results

Dewsbury 10K

Well done John Hartley who was our sole representative at the Dewsbury 10K. He finished in 158^th place with a time of 39:32 in a field of 1081 runners. He was the 4^th Vet55.

Full Results

Red Hot Toddy

This year’s Red Hot Toddy 10k was run with all profit going to the Community Foundation Flood Appeal to help local homes and businesses. Todmorden has been badly affected by the recent flooding.

The 10km course consists of two laps of tarmac park road on Centre Vale Park, followed by a single hilly lap of rural and town centre roads finishing back on the park road. The high point of the course is just before half way on Todmorden Edge, before the long descent down to Bacup Road and back into town along Rochdale Road. Total climbing is 219m.

Breton Holdsworth (L), Matthew Duckworth (Top) and Kieron Mitchell at the Red Hot Toddy. Photos by Woodentops

194 runners took part in this charity event with Tom Cornthwaite taking the win. Breton Holdsworth was the first Clayton finisher in 6^th place overall and 1^st Male 40. Matthew Duckworth and Kevin Davies earned themselves top twenty finishes. Tracy Mitchell was our first lady finisher and was also 1^st W40.

Bianca Bennett (L) and Tracy Mitchell at the Hot Toddy. Photos by Woodentops

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

Some PBs, some volunteering and some antipodean parkruns this weekend.

Bolton parkrun – A total of 314 runners took part.

Burnley parkrun – A total of 267 runners took part.

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 86 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 89 runners took part.

Heaton parkrun – A total of 533 runners took part.

Lloyd parkrun, Croydon – A total of 202 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 70 runners took part

Rockingham (Perth, Australia) parkrun – A total of 246 runners took part.