Leaping Forward

The clocks have changed, the lighter nights are here and midweek races are back. Still at the mercy of the weather at times, our hardy Harriers have been racing on with gusto. Starting the week with a win at Liver Hill and continuing to run well in all disciplines. We are springing forwards in leaps and bounds.

Happening this week

Reminder from the fell captains: entries are open for the next English Championships race, “Up the Nab” in the Peak District. Also entries are now open for the British Championships race, ‘Sedbergh Sports’ in July. Full details are available on the FRA Website

Tuesday 5th April first in the Summer Series – Coppice Trail Race – starts 6.30 pm from the Peel Park Hotel, Turkey Street, Accrington. Entry £4 which will be donated to East Lancs Hospice in memory of Tony Aspin. There will be free Potato Pie or Cheese and Onion Pie. There will also be a one hour walk for those interested and a number of helpers needed for the race.

Volunteers needed to help out at the Mearley Clough Race on Tuesday 10^th May. Please contact Andy Firth (andrewfirth58@aol.com mob 07470368926) if you can help.

Tuesday 29 March

Bunny Run 1

Well done to Briony Holt who took part in the first Bunny Run in the current series organised by Woodentops. In a field of 275 senior and junior runners she was 39^th overall and 1^st U14 girl

Briony Holt at the first Bunny Run race. Photo by Woodentops

Full Results

Pete Hartley Memorial Liver Hill Fell Race

The second race in the club fell championship competition took place in harsh conditions with 23 Clayton Harriers taking part. Danny Collinge continued his winning streak taking first place.

Danny Collinge leading the way at the Pete Hartley Memorial Liver Hill Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Our first female was Orlaith O’Mahony who was second lady overall to Preston Harrier’s Nicola Jackson.

Orlaith O’Mahony and Chris Paul at the Pete Hartley Memorial Liver Hill Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Full Results

Junior Liver Hill Races

Well done to the three intrepid juniors that took part in the junior races at the Pete Hartley Memorial Fell Race. In diabolical conditions Jenson Bentham finished 2nd in the U10 race with a time of 11:38, and Helana White was 5th place and first girl with a time of 12:39. Claudia Bentham ran in the U14 race and finished in 16th place with a time of 25:38.

Wednesday 30 March

Colin & Brenda Robinson 5K Cowm Race

206 runners took part in this midweek race of 2 laps of Cowm reservoir with proceeds going to Wythenshaw Hospital Sports transplants funds. Julie Toman was our sole representative in this race finishing in 156^th place with a time of 26:34

Full Results

Saturday 2 April

Eskdale Elevation

Edited version of Race OrganiserDave Jones’s report

After three days of awful weather the inaugural Eskdale Elevation took place in constant rain and mist and involved a relatively small but thoroughly competent field of 43 runners – I suspect that with better weather this might have been a somewhat larger field but the race proved to be very competitive and needed not just speed but sound route choice and navigational accuracy. There were plenty of alternative choices utilised, some better than others, but Rhys Findlay-Robinson, despite having a rapidly disintegrating map from Scafell onwards, clearly made some good decisions and came home a clear winner from Richard McGrath , with Muir Morton taking a very clever line off Scafell which gained him five places and put him in third place.

The Ladies’ race was very close indeed, with the Keswick pair of Catherine Evans and Jo Gillyon crossing the line together to claim joint first place a mere four seconds in front of Sue Richmond in third.

As far as the Vets’ categories were concerned all four of the male places were, to my intense delight, taken by Pennine runners, as was the Men’s Team, so unashamedly biased congratulations to Muir, Ian, Dave Bowen, Roger and Dave Ward.

For the Ladies, Jo Gillyon claimed the FV40 as well as joint first place; Kathleen Aubrey got the FV50 and the irrepressible Wendy Dodds got the FV60, while Helm Hill won the Ladies’ Team.

Full Report and Results

Pendle Fell Races

37 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers senior runners took part in this popular early season fell race organised by the club. A field of 172 runners took part overall. The race was won by Rossendale Harriers’ Sam Tosh in a time of 33:46. First Clayton runner home was Matt Perry who had a tremendous run and was 8^th overall with a time of 37:45. Matthew Duckworth also had a good run, knocking nearly 6 minutes off last year’s time despite the boggy conditions.

First four Harrier. L-R  Carl Helliwell, Peter Coates, Matt Perry and Andrew Laycock. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

The ladies race was won by Georgia Tindley of Hunters Bog Trotters.First Clayton lady finisher was Louisa Powell-Smith who in her very first fell race was 3^rd lady overall in the race with a time of 43:22. A fantastic run for Louisa who pulled off a great result despite having to stop at the trig point with severe cramp!

Louisa Powell-Smith at the Pendle Fell Race. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

There were top twenty finishes for Andrew Laycock and Peter Coates. Our senior vets also did well with Jack Holt 1^st V60 male, Kieron Carr 1^st V70 male, and Linda Lord 1^st V60 lady.

Congratulations to Andy Bradley who as the new race organiser pulled off a cracking event for all, as did Colin Woolford at the Stan Bradshaw race in March.

Full Results

Pendle Junior Fell Races

Well done to our 24 juniors runners that took part in the Pendle Fell Races. In total, 124 junior runners took part in over the age groups this year.  Conditions were pretty grim as the races got under way with drizzle and a cold wind to contend with on an extremely slippery and muddy course. The U8 & U10 runners ran together as did the U16 & U18 but results are supplied separately.

U8 Race

Felix Thompson was our youngest runner of the day and took part in the U8 race in field of 20 runners. He was 9^th overall and the 6^th boy to finish. A good run in pretty unpleasant conditions.

Felix Thompson in the U8 Race. Photo by David Belshaw

U10 Race

There were 8 Clayton juniors in the U10 race. Finley Stubbs was our first finisher and was 4^th overall in the race. Helana White was our second finisher in 12^th place overall. Some gutsy running from our juniors in tough conditions.

Millie MacCabe in the U10 Race. Photo by David Belshaw

U12 Race

Again there were 8 Clayton juniors in the U12 Race. This was a longer course than the previous race with a route on the higher and more exposed fell side. Jackson McKay was our first finisher and second overall. Chasing down a couple of Horwich runners, and pulling off a dramatic last minute overtake, Dexta Thompson was 4^th.

Dexta Thompson literally leaping past his Horwich opponent. Photo by David Belshaw

Ella Dorrington was our first girl battling all the way to the finish to be pipped at the post by Ella Pendlebury of Horwich RMI and settling for 3^rd girl in the race.

Ella Dorrington battling to the finish. Photo by David Belshaw

Special mention for Bronia for the most spectacular full body slide on the home straight; she got up and finished with a smile on her face.

U14 Race

Briony Holt was our first finisher, 3^rd overall and 1^st girl in the U14 race.  Lennon Jackson was the first boy for the club in 19^th place overall.

Briony Holt storming to the finish in the U14 race. Photo by David Belshaw

Once again our juniors ran their socks off despite the grim weather and tricky ground underfoot.

U16 Race

Simon Wilshaw was our first finisher in the U16 race and 7^th overall. Hot on his heels was Nicholas Hennessey in his debut for the club.

L-R Simon Wilshaw and Nick Hennessey in the U16 race. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

Eleanor Root was our only girl in the race and 2^nd girl overall.

Eleanor Root in the U16 race. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

Full Results

Sunday 3 April

Burnley Youth Theatre 5K & Fun Run

Julie Dawes was our sole senior runner in the 5K finishing in 13^th place with a time of 24:29.

Julie Dawes at the Burnley Youth Theatre 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Junior Matthew Jackson and Helana White ran in the fun run taking 1^st and 2^nd places respectively.  Well done to all that took part to help fundraise for this fantastic local theatre group.

Matthew Jackson and Helana White winners of the Burnley Youth Theatre charity fun run. Photo by David Belshaw

Results

Darwen Heritage Half Marathon

17 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took to the roads of Darwen for the Heritage Half marathon organised by Darwen Dashers. The race is part of this year’s club road championship.

Team Clayton at the Darwen Heritage Half Marathon. Photo by George S Davies

Report from Jacob Watson

Jacob Watson at the Darwen Heritage Half Marathon. Photo by George S Davies

As my first Half Marathon since I fractured my foot running Hendon Brook in Summer last year, I was a little apprehensive about this challenging, hilly half marathon. There is a reason it has been labelled ‘Darwen Rollercoaster Half Marathon’ which became apparent right from the start. The course itself contains 3 steep climbs, all of which are about 2 miles long, the first one being the longest drag. There certainly seemed to be more uphills than downhills, although the last 2 miles were brilliant fun, especially after I realised there was no more climbing!

Leaving the house, I wasn’t sure what to expect weather wise as it looked pretty miserable, however shortly after the race started the sun came out which really highlighted the scenery, not that there was much of an opportunity to take it in, mind! Most of the route takes place on country roads and through villages, another similarity it has with Hendon Brook (it’s bigger, scarier brother!)

I was fortunate enough to be running in a group of 4 for the first 6 miles, however after a bit of trouble taking on water and getting stitch I couldn’t help but watch as the 3 other runners went off into the distance. Once my stomach had sorted itself out I just focussed on keeping them in my sight and not dropping back any further. Crossing the line, I knew I’d given it my all and was very happy to get under 85 minutes (a faster time than I would have predicted given the hills). Happy days!

All in all, a great, challenging route and I’m very glad it was added to our road championship. I’m hoping it will be good training for Hendon Brook!

Full Results

Padiham Aquathlon

Fresh from a storming run at the Pendle Fell Race, Matthew Duckworth took part in the Padiham Aquathlon finishing in 9th place with an overall time of 32:03. Natasha Newell and Tony Pilling competed as a relay and finished in 11th place with an overall time of  33:49.

It was a super Sunday for Team Stevenson! After lots of hard work in the pool over the last few months Keira blitzed her previous swim times at Padiham Aquathlon. Rachel was persuaded to have a go by Keira, worked her socks off and swam beautifully and confidently. Adam decided to throw everything at the run, a tactic that well paid off. Great results for all 3 of them!

Team Stevenson. L-R Adam, Keira and Rachel with their mum Deborah at the Padiham Aquathlon

Results not yet available

Wilmslow Half Marathon

Richard Stevenson ran in the Wilmslow Half Marathon finishing in 83rd place with a time of 1:20:28 smashing his PB. A result of lots of hard work put into training. Well done Richard

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

A busy week for our parkrunners with some parkrun tourism thrown into the mix. Clayton-le-Moors Harriers have been spotted in Scotland and Australia this week.

Imogen and Tillie Ferguson at the Helix junior parkrun in Edinburgh.

Bolton parkrun – A total of 244 runners took part

Burnley parkrun – A total of 246 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 152 runners took part.

Helix Junior parkrun – A total of 63 runners took part

Lincoln parkrun – A total of 331 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 73 runners took part.

Penrith Lakes parkrun- A total of 220 runners took part.

Queen’s Park junior parkrun – A total of 77 runners took part

Skipton parkrun – A total of 171 runners took part.

Witton parkrun – A total of 75 runners took part.

Woodbank parkrun – A total of 128 runners took part.