Uptown Top Ranking

A proud week for our club with team and individual awards galore at the Mid Lancs Cross Country presentation evening. PBs have been smashed and UK rankings topped, not to mention a presence at the British Fell Championships. A top week for a top team. The future’s bright!

TUESDAY 5 APRIL

Coppice Trail Race

30 club members and 4 runners from Trawden AC took part in the Coppice Trail Race. Danny Collinge was the first finisher in 35:58.

Danny Collinge at the Coppice Trail Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Runners give an estimate to the organiser of what they expect their completion time to be and watches are not allowed. Chris Snell was the handicap first place with a guess that was absolutely spot on.

Chris Snell, handicap winner at the Coppice Fell Race. Photo by David Belshaw

The event was held in memory of club member Tony Aspin and raised money for the East Lancs Hospice.

FRIDAY 8 APRIL

Mid Lancs Cross Country Presentation

Report from Irene Roche

Friday 8th April was the presentation evening for the Mid Lancs Cross Country and Clayton Le-moors ladies were officially presented as League 2 winners with gold trophy and medals. It was definitely a proud moment, realising we have steadily climbed our way up from not too long ago in the third division. Last season we just missed promotion out of League 2, making our achievement this time so rewarding. So a huge thank you to all our lady runners this season as each and everyone counts towards the overall position. Collecting the trophy on behalf of us all was Christine Leathley, Jean Knightley and myself.

L-R Irene Roche, Christine Leathley and Jean Knightley receive the Ladies Team Prize at the Mid Lancs League Presentation Evening

After such a wet, cold and muddy season, Clayton ladies have shown a massive commitment and determination through turning up to run in some pretty awful conditions, and enjoying it! Again many thanks.

Dexta Thompson, Gold winner, at the Mid Lancs Presentation night

Team Clayton were the big winners with 10 team awards in all and 4 more than their nearest rivals. Medals were also claimed for our V40 category (bronze) and V55 category (silver). Individual awards were claimed by Bethany Quinn (silver U20 Women), Irene Roche (gold V55 Women), Christine Leathley (V65 bronze) and Karin Goss (V65 silver).

SATURDAY 9 APRIL

Calderdale Hike

Report from Nicholas Olszewski

This was the first time for me on this particular event and was part of this year’s Runfurther ultra running series, classed as a medium event at 36.5 miles. The series consist of a short, medium and a long and one other from one of the three categories. Having completed a short, the Howarth Hobble last month this was my medium event, unfortunately this sort of clashes with the long I propose to do, which is the Fellsman next Saturday, so only a week to recover from the Calderdale.

Nicholas Olszewski at the Calderdale Hike. Photo by SportSunday

My plan was to take it easy during the day and on arrival I was met with a couple of friendly faces in that of Mike Dobson and Michelle Brooks from Trawden AC, both of which I knew were also on the Fellsman the following Saturday and would be taking it just as easy on the hike today. As the three of us set off, 9:00 sharp, the sun was just starting to come through and it looked as though we were in for a grand sunny day out on the hills, and hills there were, this route goes up and down dale all day long, with some rather steep sections in places and although we’d had a reasonably dry week prior, there was still quite a lot of water and bog to contend with during the course.

Although the route is roughly 36.5 miles, this wasn’t enough for Michelle who, at about the 20-mile mark, decided to swan dive a very large puddle, fortunately unscathed, but rather wet nonetheless, appeared to be determined to turn the event into some sort of triathlon. Anyway as we progressed, she did eventually dry out and we trudged on to the next check point whereby we were welcomed with sandwiches and bananas.

Navigationally the whole route went to plan, only a few blips partly because of gabbing too much and not focusing on the route, but it’s a fantastic event, well organised and very friendly and a great way to explore Calderdale, the weather stayed with us all day, so much so that the back of my legs are badly burnt, it was only in the last 3 miles that it turned dramatically colder and the rain set in, we all waterproofed up for the final sprint back to Sowerby Cricket Club luckily just before the rain turned into large flakes of snow.

The route completed, not in a fast time, but that wasn’t the purpose of the day, all three of us had a fantastic day out on the hills in brilliant sunshine, route finding and getting the miles and time in our legs, ready for next adventure the following weekend

Coledale Horseshoe

Andy Orr, Chris Whiteoak, Kurt Livesey and Jean Brown all took part in the 8mile with 3000ft of ascent Lakeland fell race, the Coledale Horseshoe,

Awaiting results

Donard Commedagh

Well done to Alan Dorrington and Wendy Dodds  for making the trip to Northern Ireland for this British Championship Fell Race.

Report From Alan Dorrington

With cheap flights from Manchester and some Hebden-based Irish friends keen to go over to race, a weekend trip to the Mourne Mountains for the British Champs round at Donard seemed too good to pass up.

Wendy Dodds at the finish. Photo by Richard Cowan

With a reputation for bad weather and clag, we were all glad to wake up to a cold but fine sunny day on the Saturday morning and duly gathered in Donard Park, Newcastle for the start. There were plenty of English clubs represented with a particularly large and cheerful contingent from Tod Harriers with some of whom I had travelled out and was staying with. The race takes in a direct climb up to Northern Ireland’s highest point going from pretty much sea-level to 2790ft in fairly quick order. This meant for a very hard, calf bursting climb followed by a steep fast descent down the Mourne Wall to the surprisingly dry Bog of Donard. From there we picked up a beautiful contouring path in the heart of the range, the Brandy Pad. Used by smugglers, this gave stunning views across the Mourne Peaks and after some fast, rock hopping running took us into the base of another big, steep climb up to Donard’s neighbour, Slieve Commedagh. All that remained from the summit was a long fast and 2200 ft descent back to Donard Park. With lots of route options, the field spread out all over the fell, converging for a final narrow woodland blast down to the finish.

Alan Dorrington at the Donard Commedagh Fell race. Photo by Nimra Photos/Bell Family

With lovely friendly marshals, helpers and organisers, and a demanding and beautifully scenic course of proper mountain running, it was the best fell race I’ve done so far and more than worth the trip. A further hangover-curing run before our Sunday afternoon flight home confirmed the Mourne Mountains as a superb venue for a trip over the water.

Full Results

Wardle Skyline NO RESULTS YET

SUNDAY 10 APRIL

Asics Greater Manchester Marathon

Congratulations to John Hartley who finished 1st vet 55 and the time he ran will take him to top of British ranking for his age category for the Marathon. John says he is chuffed to bits about his result and gives massive thanks to his wife for the support without which this would not be possible. Sub four hour finishes for Jon Cleaver and Nick Roscoe.  Donna Scott was representing the ladies with a very respectable 4:21:37 and Stephen Targett completed the Clayton Harriers contingent with 4:31:15.

Report from Jon Cleaver

For me this was a last minute change of plans, I was going to do the Brighton marathon next weekend, but decided to run Manchester instead. In the build up since Christmas I trained a lot with fellow Clayton Dan Plant who is doing London and both ended up with a couple of injuries on the way, but got though them thanks to some help from Garry Wilkinson.

The race started at on the Chester Road near Old Trafford and did a loop round the quay side and then made its way out to Sale, Timperley, Altringham and then back to Emirates Old Trafford home of LCC.You really couldn’t ask for better conditions weather-wise a light breeze, sunshine and 10 degrees; all in all it was set up for a quick race. Manchester is supposed to be the quickest marathon in Europe there isn’t a lot of elevation my strava clocked 364ft.

The race got off well, but there was some strange goings on with the mile markers they were at least 0.2 out and sometimes half a mile which was a bit disconcerting. The crowds were out in force in the towns and it was buzzing in Altringham at the half marathon point which I passed through in about 01:27, all in all things were going to plan. After stopping to tie my shoelaces I spotted fellow Clayton John Hartley who was going strong and we went along for 5/6 miles at 06:40 pace. Unfortunately for me I couldn’t hold on to John and as he got strong in the final 10km my legs went to lead weights.

Another mess up with the mile markers came when there was two 22 mile markers half a mile apart which was not exactly the psychological boost you need. My legs started to completely shut down in the last 3 going to 09:00 minute miles at mile 25. There’s nothing more soul destroying than seeing that 03:00 pace maker come past you and there is nothing you can do to respond to it.

The finish was at least 0.2 longer than it needed to be and I felt every additional step and it was a welcome relief to see the timer still under 03:04. At the end you were greeted with an alcohol free beer a great finishers medal, t shirt and goody bag.John Hartley was 1st vet 55 which was a brilliant effort a real inspiration to us all.

Well done to our marathoners!

Full Results

Cheshire 10K

L-R Danny Collinge, Ian Hargreaves, Chris Snell

Over a thousand runners took part in this popular race that claims to be one of the fastest 10K road racing courses in the UK. The course follows the flat and rural roads of Antrobus with full road closures.  Four Clayton Harriers took part with some great results. Danny Collinge had a great race finishing in 7^th place overall and smashing through the 33 minute barrier to finish with a storming time of 32:26. Next in was Chris Snell in 58^th place with a time of 37:55. Laura Hesketh was representing the ladies and was 66^th overall and 5^th female in the race with a time of 49:22.  Completing our speedy foursome was Ian Hargreaves who broke through the 50 minute time despite having a Guinness hangover!

Full Results

Fleetwood 10K

Elizabeth Mullen and Kevin O’Brien took part in the Fleetwood 10K. Elizabeth was our first finisher in 34^th place overall with a time of 45:24 and third lady in the race. Kevin O’Brien was 142^nd with a time of 1:00:30 and was third V65.

Full Results

Pendle Cloughs Fell Race

The Race starts and finishes in the village of Downham Nr Clitheroe and runners visit seven of Pendle’s Cloughs; Burst Clough, Mearley Clough, Ogden Clough, Deep Clough, Churn Clough, Ashendean Clough, and Boar Clough.

Report from Dave Motley

I decided to enter Pendle Cloughs last minute as a build-up race for the 3 Peaks Race. I was planning a 2hr run on Pendle anyway so why not go race. I entered.  Downham and Pendle Hill were basking in Spring sunshine, perfect conditions for some fun.

We set off and I was surprised to find myself in the lead group after 1 mile, but as soon as we hit the fell and the 1st climb it was clear to me that I wasn’t going to keep the pace and I dropped back and decided to stick with Mr Fell (Darren Fishwick of Chorley AC) as the route was unknown to me. I was glad of this decision as Darren seemed to know the route and he hit some good lines and parts of Pendle I’ve never visited. The race itself seems to hit some really underused paths, open fell and there is a massive amount of route choice between checkpoints with the race hitting the summit of Pendle twice (or at least that’s the route I chose).

I finished the race in 4th place out of a disappointingly low turnout of 40 after leaving Darren on the last climb and outrunning Jon Green (Preston Harriers) on the final descent. A fantastic race and I’d probably go as far as say the best one of the Pendle Fell races. I think I’ll pencil this one in again for next year and now I know the route hope to improve on my time.

Pete Browning’s a legend in the fell running world, the quiet man who just gets on with it, though not many know that he eats fell runners for breakfast – and spits ’em out on his way around the course. Photo by Andy Holden

Report from Martin Brady

This is a tough race over Pendle from Downham. It takes you to places you would not normally visit as it does not follow recognised footpath for most of its way. There are plenty of route choices especially from CP5 (Stainscomb) to CP6 in Ashendean Clough. Snow was on the ground early on but at least the sun was shining. There were plenty of walkers about who were wondering what on earth was going on. This is a great traditional long fell race and a good test of stamina.

Yarlside Downhill NO RESULTS YET

Parkrun roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 314 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 188 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 90 runners took part.

Preston parkrun – A total of 269 runners took part.

South Manchester parkrun – A total of 261 runners took part.

Witton parkrun – A total of 101 runners took part.