May the fourth be with you

It’s a tad early but who could resist when there are so many stellar performances to report on this week! There’s been great results at the classic 3 Peaks Race, a massive turnout at the Great Hameldon Hill Race, race wins, PBs and tangerine stripes and tracksuits all over the place.

Tuesday 26 April

Orchan Rocks, Todmorden

First run in 2014, Orchan Rocks starts a couple of miles outside Todmorden. A short sharp blast of a race on some fast, grassy paths. Up the Knotts Cliffs, a quick loop around the Orchan Rocks and a swift descent back the way you came. Rick Moore and Robert Hirst took part in this local race.

Full Results

Wednesday 27 April

Rochdale Heroes Cowm 5K

Ron Chappell was our sole representative at the Rochdale Harriers Heroes Cowm 5K. 78 runners took part.

Full Results

Saturday 30 April

3 Peaks Race

Seventeen Clayton-le-Moors Harriers finished this year’s 3 Peaks Fell Race. Christopher Holdsworth was our first finisher and put in a tremendous run to cross the line in 17^th place with a superb time of 03:13:26 earning an Elite class standard as well.  David Bagot was next to finish in 53^rd place gaining a 1^st class standard and also 2^nd MU25 in the race. Fell captain Dave Motley was our 3^rd man home in 94^th place. Brian Horrocks, Paul Shackleton and Nicholas Olszewski all had great runs earning the 2^nd MV50 team place in the event.

L-R Brian Horrocks, Paul Shackleton and Nicholas Olszewski. MV50 team. Photos by Sport Sunday

Jean Brown was our first lady home in 254^th= and a time of  4:11:37. Andy Bradley and Alan Dorrington were both running the event for the first time.

Jean Brown at the 3 Peaks Race. Photo by Sport Sunday

Report from Christopher Holdsworth

The 2016 Yorkshire Three Peaks threw every possible weather condition at us, but definitely wasn’t as grim as the previous year. The snow and the bogs made for very tricky, leg sapping conditions – particularly on the climb up to Whernside. With Edinburgh Marathon at the end of May on my mind, I approached the Three Peaks as a tough training run. I’d also been suffering with piriformis pain for the last 3 weeks and was keen to not aggravate it further. As such, a steady and sensible race left me with loads of energy left in the engine by the time I’d reached Ingleborough, allowing me to have a comfortable run in back to the finish – though I didn’t want to see any more hills!

Christopher Holdsworth at the 3 Peaks Fell Race. Photo by Sport Sunday

Tips for anyone thinking of racing it next year:

1. Don’t at any point feel like you’re over exerting yourself before you’ve reached Whernside summit. You’ll end up having cramp and no energy by the time you reach Hill Inn, making Ingleborough the single most soul-destroying climb of your life (as I found out last year!) Let everyone else race off and slowly reel them back in.
2. Fuel up like you’re never going to eat again. I’d had 2 gels by the 10k mark, 4 by the summit of Whernside, then another and two full bottles of water before Ingleborough. Don’t let your energy levels drop (again, as I found out last year!)
3. If its predicted bad weather, stick your jacket on from the start. You shouldn’t be going at a speed that overheats you on a race like this, and can make a massive difference by keeping you dry and giving you the option of putting your hood up when the snow/hail/sleet/rain comes down (which you’ll appreciate when you’re on top of Whernside)

Loved the race, will be back again next year to have a proper crack at getting close to the 3 hour mark.

Report from first timer Andy Bradley

So, my first 3 peaks.  Apprehensive to say the least, feeling rather undercooked. I had never run further than 16 miles and the furthest race I had managed was the Heptonstall Fell Race about a month ago, as plans for anything further and a course recce were scuppered by work.  What I did have was plenty of valuable advice from runners from inside and outside the club, who have done it all before.  I arrived in plenty of time very impressed with the set up and scale of the event and managed to see a few friendly faces and pick up some last minute advice.  Don’t those hills (!) look big, I decided to be impressed with how magnificent they looked covered in snow than to worry about running through it!  I set off at a conservative pace (You can’t set off too slowly!)  and off we went and up Pen Y Ghent. One of the benefits of being slow, was seeing the awesome sight of the leaders descending, blimey they were shifting!

Andy Bradley at the 3 Peaks Fell Race. Photo by Sportsunday

Up and down Pen Y Ghent feeling fresh and on to the run over to Whernside, with advice ringing round my head, “Do not get carried away, its easy to race on this section and pay on the last 2 climbs”, so I ran steadily and chatted to anyone who would talk to me (and even those who wouldn’t!) to make sure I stayed steady, trying not worry about runners flying past me. Big queue at the bottom of Whernside so time for a natter and a flapjack before running (!) up the vertical bog to the next checkpoint, in the teeth of a hailstorm, I felt good as I set off at the top of Whernside and noticed I was beginning to pass other runners.

Loved the descent off Whernside, though the snow enema I gave myself sliding down was a bit of wake up call and I was feeling very pleased with myself until I asked a fellow runner,  “Where do we go next?”  and was pointed in the direction of the ascent of Ingleborough which looked erm… steep. Decided to take my mind of the climb by distracting myself by talking to a poor lady from Keighley who got her ear bent all the way up, she either did not mind or was polite enough not to tell me to shut it!

And so to the final descent, I had plenty left and only faded in the last half a mile, as I finally began to overheat in the sun, but by then I had cracked it and could see the finishing tent.  No one had passed me after Whernside and I had caught everyone who had passed me between Pen Y Ghent and Whernside.  I got round which was all I wanted to do. I don’t really know if it is a good time or not, maybe I will find out next year!  What I did learn is that there is a wealth of experience within the club (and some outside), who are only too willing to help and give advice if you ask, (And boy did I do a lot of asking!) it is thanks to them, (I hope they know who they are!) that I got round and enjoyed it so much.

Full Results

Coniston Fell Race

Report from Katy Thompson

The sun was shining as I arrived in Coniston but the hills were covered in snow, so it was disappointing, but not surprising, that the organisers had decided to shorten the course to avoid the treacherous descent off Coniston.  I think everyone realised what a sensible decision this was as we descended from Wetherlam.

With the Three Peaks on the same day instead of the week before, numbers were slightly down, but 180+ runners still set off up Mouldry Bank.  After about half a mile the gradient eases, but it’s still up and up the seemingly never-ending climb to Wetherlam.  I was working hard to keep up with Richard Bellaries but he gradually pulled away on the more runnable parts.  As we neared the summit the snow became deeper and we had to be careful not to go through between the rocks.

Richard Bellaries at the Coniston Fell Race. Atmospheric shot by Fellephant.

Eventually we reached the summit and it was down through the snow round Black Crags to Swirl Hawse.  Instead of climbing up Prison Band we headed left down towards Levers Water.  Here the snow was deeper and softer which made the running quite difficult and dangerous.  I was glad I had footprints through the snow to follow.  Passing a runner who had broken her wrist was a big incentive to be careful.  After the rocky path round Levers Water there was a short pull up to the path down Boulder Valley.  Then we joined the Coniston tourist path down to Miners Bridge and the road to the finish.

There was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between the Clayton runners – Pete Browning, Richard Bellaries, Steve Bury, Pete and Andy Dugdale, Andy Firth, Andrew Walmesley and me – and I’m not sure of the finish order.

I had managed to overtake and keep ahead of my only rival for 1st LV60, and Andy Firth was awarded a spot prize for 27 consecutive Coniston races – it’s just a shame he was in the pub and not able to collect it!

Luckily the weather had stayed dry throughout the race – a very different day from Sunday, marshalling halfway up Gt Hameldon in the wind and rain.

Awaiting Results

Sunday 1 May

Edge Hill Aquathlon

Helana White came 3rd in Edge Hill aquathlon. This was race 4 of the Triathlon England North West Series – but she is more proud that she smashed her Burnley park run PB by 1 1/2 mins on Saturday and now has the JW10 record for Burnley, taking 55 seconds off the last record. She said “I had the best start and just kept running”

Well done Helana!

Great Hameldon Hill Race

There was a whopping turnout of 57 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers for the senior race, and. as it is the first in the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix series there was an equally great turn out from lots of other local clubs as well.

Carl Helliwell, Chris Snell, Louisa Powell-Smith and Matthew Duckworth at the Great Hameldon Hill Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Danny Collinge was the winner in a time of 39:04. Jordan McDonald was 10^th and 1^st M23, Paul Hesketh was 1^st MV50. Louisa Powell-Smith was 3^rd lady and 1^st F35, Jean Knightley was 1^st FV55, Anita Jones was 1^st FV60 and Karin Goss was 1^st FV65.

Cassie Darling-Smedley, Beth Quinn, Justin Birtwistle, Jean Knightley, Joanne Perry and Ian Hargreaves at the start of the Great Hameldon Hill Race. Photo by David Belshaw

In the teams table we fielded 12 men’s team with the highest position being 2^nd place. We also fielded an impressive 6 women’s teams with the highest position being 4^th. A fantastic turnout for the Clayton Ladies!

Jane Ryan at the finish of the Great Hameldon Hill Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Senior Race report by Louisa Powell-Smith

What can I say it was a race against the elements. Cold, wet, very windy, and very boggy! I spent more time lying on the floor in bogs than running!! Lol

Despite being the leading lady and in the top ten overall for the first half of the race after falling 5 times and hurting my knee I end up 3rd lady and 21st overall. Danny Collinge had a great race leading from the start and finishing first. Jordan McDonald came 10^th and was the 2nd Clayton counter and first U20 despite hurting his Achilles.

Beth Quinn was 124th overall and 2nd in her category

Full Results

Junior Races

Race organiser, Paul Healey reports that this year was the highest turnout for juniors since 1991 and really made it a special day. The fantastic job our junior coaches and helpers do is brilliant and although a number of clubs had children at the race our turnout was great.

Junior coach, Marion Wilkinson reports

Our wonderful juniors put on a show of strength on Sunday with some great performances from them all, but what impressed me the most was their strong team spirit, when one of their buddies fell and didn’t want to continue they came to his rescue and gave him strength to carry on.

U8s Race

29 runners took part in the U8s race.

Report from Toby Birtwistle who came 3^rd in the U8s Race

I really enjoyed my first fell race! I was in the lead until the hill. I tried hard but ended up 3rd. I really loved getting wet and muddy.

Toby Birtwistle (no. 175) in his first fell race. Photo by David Belshaw

Under 10s Race

25 runners took part in the U10s race. Jenson Bentham was our first finisher and 3rd overall and Kady Thompson was our 1st girl and 1st girl in the race as well.

U10 Girls with coach Marion Wilkinson at the Hameldon races. Photo by David Belshaw

The Under 10 Boys at the start line. Photo by David Belshaw

U12s Race

21 runners took part in the U12s race. Dexta Thompson was the winner with Jackson McKay in 2nd. Ella Dorrington was the first girl. Dome great running from our U12s some of whom were stepping up the distance for the first time at this event.

Report from Charlie Birtwistle

I haven’t really done fell running before. It was a hard race but I was very proud to come 5^th and really enjoyed trying a new type of running.

Charlie Birtwistle in his first fell race. Photo by David Belshaw

U14s Race

Briony Holt was on fine form, dominating the U14s category. Lennon Jackson put in a strong performance to finish in 2nd. Solid performances from our U14s.

U16s Race

Top 3 for our U16s who look to be promising great things when they join the seniors before too long.

Full Results

Yarrow River Bluebell 10k trail run

Steven Blake and Kevin O’Brien took part in this beautiful woodland race held in May so that runners can see the transformation when the bluebells are in full bloom.

The course is a one lap out and back looped course.

Full Results

Monday 2 May 2016

Avenham 5K

306 runners took part in this 5K race in Preston. Another great performance from young Helana White who is definitely shaping up to be one to watch.

Martin Brady Reports

I had a go at the Avenham 5K to test the legs out after Saturdays run, (Martin had raced in the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Race on the Saturday!) and was surprised that they felt OK.

There were two other Clayton Members running in the 5K – Helena White and her dad Colin White and Jack McGuire run in the shorter sprint race.

Helena set off like an express train and achieved a fantastic time of 20.46. Well done!

Helana White who was the first lady runner at the Avenham 5K. Photo by Rachael White

Full Results

Coiners Junior Races

Christopher Brown took part in the junior races organised by Calder Valley Fell Runners. No results available yet but he looked strong on the photos by Woodentops.

Christopher Brown at the Coiners Junior Races. Photo by Woodentops

Awaiting Results

Wray Scarecrow Fell Race

Report from Doug Monroe
This race is part of the village gala day and at just over 6 miles 1100ft could be good introduction to fell running for anyone wishing to give it a try. There are races for the juniors who set of on the same course as the seniors soon after seniors have started and have different turn round points dependent on age Quite alarming to be passed by a flying 8 year old!
The race was well organised, the course was well flagged with plenty of marshals. The race starts on the main street and after about half a mile up the road race turns left onto the fell then it is up hill to the turning point. Fast descent over muddy ground to the sting in the tail, a muddy slippery path and a short up hill to the finish. Thought I saw John Francis but did not see his name in the results

Awaiting Official Results

Parkrun roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 355 runners took part.

Burnley parkrun celebrated it’s 200th event this weekend and there was a large contingent of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers running and joining in the celebrations with top ten finishes and PBs galore.

A wall of Clayton Harriers leading the runners at the 200th Burnley parkrun. Photo by David Belshaw

Chadderton Hall parkrun – A total of 136 runners took part.

Penrith Lakes. Australia parkrun – A total of 174 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 74 runners took part.

Witton parkrun – A total of 103 runners took part.

And finally, the club is supporting the campaign to bring Martholme Viaduct into use for walkers and cyclists. There will be an open day on 14th May and the group are looking for volunteers to act as stewards. Why not pop down to lend and get the chance to explore this local landmark.