Has Spring Sprung?

It may well be the start of meteorological spring but the weather has been a little confused and behind the times lately. On a somewhat snowy weekend at times, our hardy Harriers have braved it all to get out there and stretch their legs. A great set of results this week at the Podium 5K, Ron Hill 10K and on the fells.

Saturday 5 March

New Balance English Schools’  Cross Country Championship 2016

Well done to junior runner Briony Holt who came 117/339 at the weekend, an improvement from only a month ago from 5th to 3rd Lancashire runner and from 35 to 7 seconds behind the first Lancashire counter.

Briony Holt (second from right) with her Lancashire team mates at the English Schools Cross Country Championships

Podium 5k

This super-fast 5k race continues to grow in popularity attracting an excellent calibre of runners. The A race attracted 40 runners all with a range of times from 14:49 to 19:21. Three Clayton Harriers tested their legs in the B race in a field of 44 runners. Dave Bagot had an excellent race finishing in 1^st place with a fantastic time of 16:39. In 5^th place was Jonathan Pye in 17:11 and Phil Hall completed our trio in 17^th place with a time of 17:55.

A happy Jonathan Pye at the super fast Podium 5K

Full Results

Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round

After a late surge of wintery weather, the forecast was favourable and the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round went ahead under the direction of new race organiser Colin Woolford. 17 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in a field of 205 finishers. The race was won by Jack Wood of Ilkley Harriers with Accrington Road Runners’ Deborah Gowens taking the ladies race.

Carl Helliwell was our first Clayton finisher in 22^nd postion with a time of 1:23:33. Mike Wallis was 2^nd M50, Jack Holt was 2^nd M60. Linda Bostock was our first Clayton lady finisher and was also 2^nd F50. Karin Goss was 1^st F60.

Linda Bostock at the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round. Photo by Woodentops

Report from Carl Helliwell

I wanted to do the Stan Bradshaw, however I had decided to do the cross country. So when the cross country was cancelled I knew I had no excuse…

Carl Helliwell at the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round. Photo by David Belshaw

It was a cool start as we set off up past the reservoirs and the front runners started to break away. I knew I had to take advantage of the climb up onto Pendle. As we reached the top the sun started to shine and reflect off the snow. I found the section across the top quite tricky as the snow hid many of the ruts and mounds as I twisted my ankles a few times, but managed to keep my position.

As we started to leave Churn Clough reservoir I learnt a lesson in navigation….. “Don’t always follow the runner in front!”… I soon realised we had gone wrong when I saw another couple of runners out of the corner of my eye. I changed course and got back on track but had lost a few places. It was then the run back down past Ogden and I will be honest. Tarmac and me don’t mix well. It was hard and draining on the legs

I really enjoyed the race, it was well organised and marshalled. Well done to Colin Woolford and the rest of the Clayton organisers, runners and helpers. It is one I’ll definitely do again.

Report from Peter Coates

Great race on Saturday.  Second time I have done the Stan Bradshaw and it’s a cracking race.  Fantastic fell running conditions but extremely cold on the top and a good layer of snow underfoot which was tough going but great fun.  The sun came out as we reached the summit and the views were amazing when I could look up.

Peter Coates at the Stan Bradshaw Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

The finish was altered from last year due to the recent bad weather and finished with the run down the tarmac path to the finish in Barley which is always leg sapping.  Finished just behind Carl Helliwell.  All in all a great days running.  Thanks to the marshals and all involved

Full Results

Sunday 6 March

Dewsbury 10K

John Hartley was our sole representative at the Dewsbury 10K. In a large field of 1081 runners he finished in 158^th position with a time of 39:32 and was 4^th Vet50.

Full Results

Haweswater Half Marathon

Kevin Davies and Richard John took part in the Haweswater Half Marathon in a field of 407  runners. The hilly course follows an out and back route from Brampton village and passes along the shores of Haweswater in a remote and dramatic Cumbrian mountain valley.

Full Results

Ian Roberts Memorial Fell Race

Report by Ryan Wilkinson

Ryan Belshaw at the Ian Roberts Memorial Fell Race. Photo by Norman Berry

I decided it was time to just have a word & get back racing!

After quite some time off racing having given myself a nasty knee injury DANCING…& with Black Combe only next week I decided it was about time I got a race under my belt.

I set off over to the Ian Roberts Memorial fell race hosted by Holmfirth Harriers with the attitude of just set off and enjoy it…next thing we were off & I was back in the mix and flying down a snowy hillside just about staying upright! Through a freezing stream and then into a tough little climb. Yep, it didn’t take long & I was loving it again. I had a really good battle with Darren Fishwick all the way around and was quite pleased with how I felt throughout the whole race.

Glad I bit the bullet and decided to go over & take part. It’s a cracking little race.  Now a little happier going into next weekend & definitely feel like I want to race again. The result wasn’t bad as I finished 14^th overall and was quite close time-wise to a top 10 finish. Onwards & upwards I say

Awaiting Official Results

Ron Hill 1 Mile Fun Run

Stars of the future. Clayton Juniors at the Ron Hill 1 mile race with coach Marion Wilkinson. Photo by David Belshaw

66 runners, 52 of which were junior runners took part in the 1 mile fun run. Dexta Thompson won the race outright as well as placing first in his age group. Jenson Benthan finished in 5^th place overall and was also first in his age group.

Dexta Thompson leading the way in the 1 Mile Ron Hill Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Liberty Thompson was our first girl and was 6^th overall 3^rd girl and 2^nd in her age category. Helana White took the first position in her age category and was 10^th overall. Summer Hargreaves and Kady Thompson were both 2^nd in their age categories.  A brilliant set of results from our juniors.

Our youngest competitor, Emily Johnson, at the 1 Mile Ron Hill Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Jack Maguire was our only senior runner finishing in 27^th place with a time of 8:23.5

66 Runners

Full Results

Ron Hill 10K

408 Runners took to the roads and paths of Accrington for the Ron Hill 10K. Ron Hill himself was there to inspire the runners. The race was won by Blackburn Harrier Ben Fish in 32:42 with Glossopdale Harrier Kirsty Johnson taking the ladies race in 41:42. Danny Collinge had a great run finishing second overall and first Clayton male in a time of 33:54.

Matthew Duckworth giving it his all at the finish in the Ron Hill 10. Photo by David Belshaw

Helen O’Rourke was our first lady finisher in 77^th place in a time of 46:51. Together with Amanda Duffy and Linsey Birtwistle our ladies took the 2^nd ladies team prize as well.

Our prize winning ladies team at the Ron Hill 10K. L-R Helen O’Rourke, Amanda Duffy and Lindsey Birtwistle

A good set of results for the club. Well done to all that ran.

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

Cuerden Valley parkrun – A total of 161 runners took part.

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 77 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 92 runners took part.

Gorleston Cliffs parkrun – A total of 195 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 72 runners took part.

Skipton parkrun – A total of 155 runners took part.

Witton parkrun – A total of 66 runners took part

Woodhouse Moor parkrun – A total of 427 runners took part.