This club is on fire!

In case it escaped your notice, one of the local football teams has done rather well this season and it looks like some of that success is catching. We’ve had wins at Pinhaw Trail race and Malvern Hill Ultra and some great performances at the English and Junior fell running championships, Lakeland Trails and Astley Park series. As well as this weeks results, you will find an article from Club President David Scott as he marks the end of an era.

Tuesday 3 May

Lothersdale Fell Race

Five Clayton Harriers took part in this midweek fell race organised by Keighley and Craven AC. It is a 3.6m race with 591ft of ascent. The race was won by Jack Smith of Wharfedale. Our first finisher was Richard Briscoe.

Full Results

Wednesday 4 May

Astley Park Trail Series 1

Senior Results

113 runners lined up for the first of the Astley Park Trail Series. This is a 7.4km / 4.5mile, undulating, two-lap course around the park.

Report from Jonathan Pye

The first of four trail runs around Astley Park took place on Wednesday. As ever there was a strong turnout from the juniors with wave upon wave of orange cascading through the finishing line. Strong runs from Dexta, Helena, Sophie, Adam and the Jackson duo with lots of others doing the club proud.

The senior route is 7km comprising of two laps on firm paths and tracks and three times up a hill that catches you out at the start, especially if you set off too fast (like me). I was delighted to knock 45 seconds off my time from last year but even more delighted to have Clayton company from Martin and Adrienne around the course. It’s a lovely run and I would encourage seniors to give it a whirl in the remaining three races.”

Senior Results

Junior Results

Fifteen junior runners went to Chorley to take part in the Astley Park Summer Trail Series. It was a clean sweep for our speedy U11 boys who took 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd in their category. Helana White had a great run and was our first girl home and 3^rd in her age category. Some great performances all round from our juniors with plenty of PBs.

Starting line at Astley Park Junior Trail Series. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

Junior Results

Littleborough 5K

100 runners took part in the Littleborough 5k. The new route for this series utilises the cycle path that runs from near the start to Smithy Bridge Road taking out a busy main road and traffic at the initial part of the race making the route flatter and straighter, which means faster times. The race still retains the Hill on Smithy Bridge Road, but this is counteracted by the amazing downhill steady descent to the finish.

Paul Laurence Walsh was our sole representative on this event finishing in 70^th place with a time of 25:37.9.

Full Results

Friday 6 May

Geoff Foggett Memorial 5K

Pinhaw Trail Race

Although this race is described as a fell race, it passes over some road sections and good paths and tracks to the summit of Pin Haw and then back again along the same route. It is the second race in the popular Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix series so turnout was high with 201 runners. There was a whopping 57 Clayton Harriers in attendance from U18s right up to V75.

Danny Collinge was the race winner with a time of 31:57. Thomas Bradley was 1^st U18 and 22^nd overall in the race continuing his successful transition from junior to senior racing. Paul Hesketh was 1^st V50 with a time of 35:43, Roger Brewster was 1^st V60 with a time of 38:27, Doug Monroe was 1^st V70 in 54:33, and Ted Orrell was 1^st V75 in 54:23.

Ryan Belshaw closely followed by Thomas Bradley at the Pinhaw Trail Race. Photo by David Belshaw

The ladies race was won by Emma Taylor of Accrington Road Runners. The first Clayton Lady finisher was Helen O’Rourke who was 101^st place overall and 10^th lady runner with a time of 42:38. Bethany Quinn was 2^nd WU18, continuing to run well on her step up to senior racing. Irene Roche was 1^st W55 with a time of 43:28 and Anita Jones was 1^st W60

Bethany Quinn battling to the finish at the Pinhaw Trail Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Full Results

Saturday 7 May

Hawkswick Juniors & Seniors

Junior Races

12 of our junior members took part across a range of age categories for this race which is the second race in the 2016 FRA Junior Championships.

L-R Liberty Thompson, Kady Thompson and Ella Dorrington at the Hawkswick Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

U8 Race

46 runners took part in this race. Felix Thompson was our sole representative in this category and he finished in 23rd position with a time of 4:33.

Felix Thompson in the U8s race. Photo by Woodentops

U10 Race

69 runners took part in this race. Jenson Bentham had an excellent run finishing in 2nd place and there were strong runs from Joshua McKay and Kady Thompson.

Joshua McKay in the U10 race. photo by Woodentops

U12 Race

90 runners took part in the U12 race. Jackson McKay was our first finisher in 4th place overall and Ella Dorrington was our first girl home.

Summer Hargreaves in the U12 race. Photo by Woodentops

U14 Race

There were 60 runners in this age group. Briony Holt was our first finisher in 22nd place and 3rd girl overall. Claudia Bentham and Liberty Thompson completed the U14 team.

Claudia Bentham in the U14 race. Photo by Woodentops

Junior Results

Senior Race

Just two of our senior runners took part in the senior race. Jean Brown was our first finisher in 30th place and she was joined by Mark Taylor who finished in 45th place.

Senior Results

Katie Hewison Chorley Duathlon

Ellie Root took part in the Katie Hewison Chorley Duathlon. She had a steady run to start, followed by a tricky 6k on the bike on grass, and a short run to follow. This is the first time she had worn her cleats to race and transition was a challenge but hopefully will get easier. Overall she came 5th in the youth category

Lakeland Trails – Staveley

Starting and finishing at Staveley Recreation Ground, the 10km Kentmere Trail Run, and the 17km Kentmere Trail Race courses follow well marked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways, taking in panoramic views of most of the southern Lakeland fells. The trail climbs out from Staveley above the Kentmere valley, before returning along the valley itself past idyllic tarns and through ancient woodland, climbing Reston Scar before the descent back into Staveley village. Underfoot conditions can be quite variable and there’s a bit of everything; short sections of tarmac, grassy footpaths, stony bridleways with some stiles to climb over near the end.

10km Trail Race

Andrew Taylor in the Lakeland Trails 10k race. Photo courtesy of Lakeland Trails

17km Trail Race

Report from Richard Stevenson

Another well organised event by Lakeland Trails in Staveley brings the Spring Series to a close. It’s a tough, rocky and hilly course made all the harder by the lovely warm sunshine we enjoyed on the day. I thoroughly enjoyed the race but I think my legs were disagreeing on Sunday morning. I’ll certainly look to so some of the other trail races they have later this year or perhaps come back again next year to see if I can improve.

Full Results

Malvern Hills Ultra

Congratulations to Martin Terry who was the winner of the Malvern Hills Ultra. He competed in the 52mile event which takes in over 6000ft of ascent. In a close finish he took the win with just a second to spare with 8hrs 45mins and 16.8secs.

Full Results

Up the Nab

This Derbyshire fell race is a counter in the English Fell Running Championships and 16 Clayton Harriers travelled to Glossop to take part. It is a 4 mile race with 1197ft of ascent. 267 runners took part in the mens’ race and our first finisher was Matt Perry who came 57^th with a time of 38:59.

99 runners took part in the ladies race. Wendy Dodds was our first lady finisher, 61^st place overall and 1^st LV65.

Mens’ Results

Jon Cleaver in the Up the Nab fell race. Photo by Sarah Helliwell

Ladies’ Results

L-R Linda Lord, Karen Goss and Katy Thompson. Photo by Sarah Helliwell

Full Results

Sunday 8 May

Blackpool Fun Run 10K

The course starts outside the Savoy Hotel and heads south along a traffic free Promenade passing Blackpool Tower, the Golden Mile and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. You then turn near the Big Blue Hotel and run back along the same route, carrying to the new shared Finish Line. A water station is located close to the turnaround mark.

Well done to the juniors who took part in this event which was a rare opportunity for them to test their legs on the 10K distance.

L-R Aaron Lundie, Adam Stevenson, Lennon Jackson and Matthew Jackson. Photo by Deborah Stevenson

Adam Stevenson finished in around 49 minutes on his first 10K attempt. Not bad! Especially when you factor in how hot it was on Sunday.

Adam was joined by teammates Aaron Lundie, and Lennon and Matthew Jackson.

Results available Tuesday

Blacksticks Blue 10K

252 Runners took part in this popular 10k race that rewards finishers with cheese! The race starts and finishes at Whitechapel Village Hall and offers stunning views en route as you overlook the Bowland Fells.

Full Results

Leeds Half Marathon

Thousands of runners took to the roads of Leeds for this half marathon on the hottest day of the year so far. Our sole representative was Colin Shuttleworth who finished in 215^th place with a time of 1:31:35

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 348 runners took part.

Rachel Stevenson (L) and Bronia Olszewska on the way to new PBs at Burnley parkrun

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 90 runners took part

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 193 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 96 runners took part.

Witton parkrun – A total of 87 runners took part.

Woodhouse Moor parkrun – A total of 450 runners took part.

End of an Era

I’d like to extend warm thanks to all present and ex-members of Clayton who, over the years, have shouted words of encouragement to me during many 3 Peaks races. Sadly, the end of an era seems to have arrived.

Dave Scott descending Penyghent at the 3 Peaks Fell Race. Photo by SportSunday Photography

An aim to complete one at age 70 (actually 70yrs 364 days) coincided with my 47th race and Neil Worswick and others said ‘Oh you’ve got to do 50, Dave!’

This year was to have been my 49th completion. Training had gone well and on a good weather day I felt I could have made the cut-off time at Hill Inn, albeit only just. However, age has obviously caught up with me, which, combined with the weather and atrocious underfoot conditions plus an unforeseen hold-up at the river certainly didn’t help my cause.

So apologies to Dave Motley, Gary Wilkinson and others who were going to join me on the 50th run in 2017. It is hard to express fully how much I appreciated their offer. Sadly, it’s not to be.

Jill has been every year apart from a couple, with food and drink, and a change of shoes/clothes if necessary. When daughter, Justine, went to Denver 10 years ago I missed her whoops and whistles in the lay-by near Ribblehead. For the last 5 years, son Alistair has met me at the foot of Whernside and accompanied me over Ingleborough, chatting all the way and making the time seem to pass very quickly.

For the record, my fastest time was on my 31st birthday in 1974 when I broke 3 hours. I have 1 elite certificate, 16 first class certs, 18 second class certs and the rest are merit/standard.

Many grateful thanks go to the 3 Peaks organisers and perhaps next year you’ll spot me shouting encouragement to other competitors.

David Scott