In the summertime

When the weather is hot you can reach right out and you will find Clayton-le-Moors Harriers racing all over the place. This week you have been hot footing around the fells, mountains trails, parks and roads with plenty of great results. Ladies, men, seniors and juniors have all been strutting their stuff in the sunshine.

Wednesday 1 June

Astley Park Trail Series

Jonathan Pye finished in 5^th place in the second race of the series with a time of 26:46 along with Ted Orrell who finished in 99^th place.

Jonathan Pye at the Astley Park Trail Series. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Full Results

Astley Park Junior Trail Series

Clayton Juniors at the Astley Park Trail series. Photo by Nicola Thompson

A great turn out of Clayton-le-Moors Juniors despite this race falling slap bang in the middle of the Spring Bank half term week. On a pleasant, balmy evening 19 juniors lined up to race in the second event of this popular series.

Adam Stevenson storming to the finish at the Astley Park Junior Trail Series. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

There were age category first places for Dexta Thomson (U11), Helana White (L11) and Felix Thompson (U7). A great set of results for our juniors.

Thomas Ashworth and Keira Stevenson at the Astley Park Junior Trail series. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

Full Results

Littleborough 5K Series

Paul Walsh was our sole representative in the third race of this 5K series. He finished in 71^st place with a time of 25:41.

 Full Results

Thursday 2 June

Cuerden Valley Badger Trail 10K

The Cuerden Valley Badger Trail 10k is the second race in the club’s trail championship and 7 club members took part. Our first finisher was Fell Captain Dave Motley who was 11^th place overall with a time of 40:14. Nerina Gill was our first lady finisher in 95^th and with a time of 51:21

Report from Dave Motley

A Tale of Two Races… part 1

Looking at the race calendar I noticed that in order to try and compete on all fronts in the club championship I would have no choice but to double up and race both the trail & fell club championship this week. So having already raced at Bowley Hill Trail race on Monday, I turned up at Cuerden Valley for the Badger 10k Trail race with tired legs.

After registration and a good warm up the race started. It’s always strange to race in a slightly different area as you don’t know the faces and reputations of the other runners so myself and Richard surprisingly found ourselves in 1st & 2nd place after 800m and we were wondering if anybody would join us and not long after a group of 4 joined in. The 10k undulating trail has a little of everything including 6/7 swing gates, a number of bollards, which I found out as I ran into one with Richard Stevenson and a few other runners comically falling over me and a cow dodge as you climb through a field.

A really quick race but with stops at the stiles and swing gates knocking you out of your stride, a tough one. I finished the race in 11th place after suffering a really bad stitch between mile 4 and 5 and for the geeky like me I checked my Garmin splits and it probably affected me by nearly a min over that mile, think I need to revisit my pre evening race prep as toast doesn’t seem to be the way forward. I finished in just over 40mins and was really happy with my run despite the stitch finishing 1st Clayton back in front of Richard

Full Results

Henderson’s End Fell Race

There was a good turnout of runners in Half-Term week when it was expected a lot of runners would be on holiday with family. However, 94 runners entered Hendersons End fell race (which is about the average turnout) to run a tough course that starts at the upper barn at Rivington and climbs to the Pigeon Tower, Pike, 2 Lads and the Trig Point before returning back almost the same way to finish back at the barn. This course is approx. 6.8 miles with 1200 ft of ascent and is a good testing run.

Andrew Howarth was our sole representative at this race finishing in 57^th place with a time of 66:50

 Full Results

Ingleton Scenery

67 runners took part in this scenic race around the Ingleton Waterfalls. A quartet of Clayton Harriers was amongst them. Alan Life was our first man home in 13^th place overall and 1^st MV50, with Andrew and Peter Dugdale in 38^th and 51^st respectively. Carol Life was our sole lady runner and finished in 51^st place.

Full Results

Saturday 4 June

The 10th Highlander Mountain Marathon

Report by Colin Woolford

So what seemed like a distant memory of arranging to run the Highlander Mountain Marathon one winter’s eve in the Pendle Inn became a very apparent reality as Mark Nutter strode into view to pick me up from Pitlochry at the end of my family holiday with wife and son. The 10^th Highlander – dubbed “the final fling” as the organisers had deemed this to be the last –  was almost upon us and a quick 90 minute blast up the A9 took us to Inverness and then on to Glen Cannich, the venue for this now iconic Mountain Marathon, usually in April, but moved to June to take advantage of the vacant LAMM slot.

Mark Nutter and Colin Woolford at the Highlander Mountain Marathon

Normally Scotland in June means overcast, showers, mild, and midge hell – WRONG!  Wall to wall blue sky with a brisk enough breeze to keep the little biters away and keep us cool. We registered on Friday night before a planned 8.00am bus to the start line from the village hall in Cannich on Saturday morning.

Not what the forecast promised

In the valley the weather was glorious but a 30 minute bus trip later to a reservoir and dam up on the hill at around 200m and the forecast clag was down with low cloud obscuring any chance of a view. We really could have been anywhere! Hoping the forecast would be right and this would lift by late morning we set off confident of a strong performance, both having done Mountain Marathons in the past and plenty of other “Nav” based events.  We were in for a treat.  With the maps given to us as we crossed the start line and the clock started ticking, we marked the maps up with the checkpoints we had to visit before racing off into the cloud and mist to seek them out.

We spent a frantic 5-10 mins trying to find the first of the nine Checkpoints we had to find over the next 22+km/1250m ascent of day one before eventually getting our eye in to the map and formulating a plan on the move we began to climb up.  And up.  And up.  It is here we remind ourselves that Scotland is BIG!

Breath taking surroundings

Two hours into the day and three CP’s down the cloud lifts and were greeted with a stunning day of views, mountains, Munros and hills, banter with other teams and some of the most challenging terrain to move over in scorching heat.  This was made all the more challenging by large sections of the course being without water courses – the terrain was so dry, whereas this made moving across bogs easier and faster than usual, trying to stay hydrated was a challenge and after CP6 we made sure our route to CP7 crossed a stream for welcome relief of thirst.  On our way to the overnight camp we were treated to the briefest of conversations with the now legendary Jasmine Paris of Carnethy Hill Running Club and Innov-8 – whose recent record breaking exploits on a summer Bob Graham Round meant that she was competing here “just for fun” with her Mum as a team mate!  Chuffed we had run past a fell running legend we headed to the overnight camp to replenish some very depleted fluid and energy levels after 7 hours 9 minutes of moving over challenging terrain in sweltering conditions carrying all our kit for the weekend on our backs.

The Highlander is famous for its remote locations, challenging terrain and navigation and of course a Ceilidh and bar at the midway camp.  What else would you expect!  The band started up at 8.30 and by 8.32 the floor was full of revellers, sorry, I mean competitors dancing the Gay Gordons, flings and jigs of all sorts.  It should be noted here that several competitors appeared to have saved their energy for this occasion!

Day two broke with the expected low cloud and fortunately lighter packs having eaten food and used fuel for the evening meal and breakfast.  Off we went into the clag over more tough pathless ground.  We broke through the cloud at about 600m and were greeted by the most amazing temperature inversion.

Above the clouds

The day carried on clearer and hotter than the day before, but fortunately with more streams to collect water from as we went.  Mountain Marathons on day two typically have a much shorter route, to get people back to the finish/event centre.  Not the Highlander, another 20km+/1100m ascent day and for us 6 hours 50 minutes, with most of the drop outs/DNF’s occurring on day two, and Mark and I bearing witness to two of these teams bowing out, one team in quite a painful way, we dug in to finish in one piece and not counting minor cuts, bruises, sunburn and very tired ankles and calves we were able to do so.  We came in 33rd place from 60 “C” starts, only 46 finishing.

A fantastic event in amazing surroundings. The toughest Mountain Marathon I have competed in and it would be real shame if this does indeed prove to be “the final fling” for the Highlander.

Results

Kelbrook Fell Race

This race was first organised by Rev Andrew Proctor, the vicar of Kelbrook Parish Church in conjunction with a garden party held in the grounds of the vicarage, with the profits going towards church finances. More recently, the race has become part of the Pendle & Burnley Grand Prix with a consequential increase in the numbers taking part and the vicarage garden party gave way to Kelbrook Gala The original race route went up Waterloo Road and on to Cob Lane before heading out on to the fells, but a new route was introduced in 2003 which took out the road sections and made the race trail and fell only.

Team Clayton out in force at Kelbrook fell race. Photo by Geraldine Varley

There was a bumper turnout of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers at this race in the popular Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix series. Jordan McDonald had a tremendous run finishing in 3^rd place.

Jordan McDonald at the Kelbrook fell race. Photo by David Belshaw

Also finishing in the top ten were Matthew Duckworth and Chris Snell. Thomas Bradley and Beth Quinn continue to make superb progress from junior to senior racing with an excellent 20^th place finish for Tom and 86^th for Beth. John Wilcock has been focussing on speed and this has paid off for him as he raced to win 1^st M50 and 24^th overall.

John WIlcock at the Kelbrook Fell Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Roger Brewster was 1^st M60, Robert Hirst was 1^st M65 and Barry Mitchell was 1^st M70.

Elizabeth Mullan was the first Clayton Lady finisher in 61^st place and 7^th lady.

Elizabeth Mullan at the Kelbrook Fell Race. Jim Hickie and Jean Knightley chasing. Photo by David Belshaw

Irene Roche was 1^st W55, Linda Bostock was 1^st W60 and Beth Quinn was 1^st U18. We had a fantastic turnout of women in the race with almost half the field running for Clayton-le-Moors.

Beth Quinn at the Kelbrook Fell Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Full Results 

Pen-y-Gent Fell Race

Report from Dave Motley – A Tale of Two Races… part 2

Saturday, baking weather and the next of the Club Championship races at Pen-Y-Ghent in Yorkshire. Although I’ve run this hill before as part of the 3 Peaks race, I’ve never had a go at the hill on its own. Looking at the map on the start line the race didn’t follow any of the 3 Peaks route and started with almost a mile of tarmac which meant only one thing a Dave Bagot 1 mile dash. When we entered the fell Dave had a commanding lead over the chasing Clayton lads (me, Carl Helliwell & Pete Coates). But on entering the fell this is where Pete Coates came into own and he stormed up to the summit passing both me & Dave, I managed to get past Dave ½ way up the climb with Carl hot on my tail.

Clayton runners at the Penygent Fell Race. Photo by Sarah Helliwell

After we summited we had a long run off the hill where Pete stretched his lead over me &Carl; Carl passing me half way down the descent as my body started to scream at me to stop. I think the heat, combined with my 3rd race of the week, increased mileage and the heat finally took its toll and I knew at this point I wouldn’t be able to stick with Carl. I finished the race in 23rd place overall and was a little disappointed with my performance as I felt I had nothing on the climb. The race itself is really tough 6 mile over one of Yorkshire highest peaks and next time I will not underestimate it and will run smarter and not race 3 times in one week. Well done to Pete Coates who at the moment looks in a commanding position to become Mr Fell 2016.

Full Results

Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon

No results as yet for this event but a couple of Clayton ladies were spotted taking part in this event. Angela Shian and Vicky Heys have been adding this year’s green finishers’ buffs to their growing collection.

Angela Shian and Vicky Heys at the Wharfedale Trail Half marathon

Sunday 5 June

Burnley 10K

Over 1300 runners took to the roads of Burnley for this popular 10k race. Danny Collinge was our first finisher taking 2^nd place in 35:15.

Danny Collinge (R) with Barlick’s Matthew Lalor at the finish of the Burnley 10K. Photo by David Belshaw

Louisa Powell-Smith was our first Clayton Lady over the line and also first lady runner in the race overall. Reece Laurence and Lucy Stevenson both aged 15 were our youngest runners successfully making their transition from junior to senior racing.

Reece Lawrence at the Burnley 10K. Photo by David Belshaw

Lucy Stevenson at the Burnley 10K. Photo by David Belshaw

Not many runners had clubs listed next to their names on the results so if I have missed anyone, apologies!

Race Report by Louisa Powell-Smith

Despite feeling under the weather, I was determined to take part again and try out the new course to secure my title from 2015. Having reccied the route before the race I was disappointed and though it was boring and less scenic than the Pennine route. However, my experience on the day was great! The atmosphere and support throughout the whole route was brilliant and the start and finish in Towneley Park was perfect.

Louisa Powell-Smith at the Burnley 10K. Photo by David Belshaw

In all a great race; tough and very hot conditions but nonetheless an enjoyable experience with some great performances from everyone.

Full Results

Edenfield FR

Geoffrey Gough and Katy Thompson took part in this 6.4 mile fell race with 1565ft of ascent organised by Rossendale Harriers.

Full Results

Kettlewell BOFRA

Senior Race

Four Clayton men took part in the third event of the BOFRA 2016 championship races. Our first finisher was Andrew Holt who was 28^th with a time of 15:17. Richard Briscoe was 54^th and the cohort of Clayton runners was completed by Andrew Firth and Stephen Fish 71^st and 85^th place respectively.

Report from Andrew Holt

It was a scorching hot day, next to the river, idyllic village setting, bring your own food BBQ, home-cooked cakes and tea. The 1st  BOFRA I’ve run for three years; I was talked into it by my daughter Briony, who didn’t even watch cause she playing in the river! The run consisted of 3/4 mile run walk up to the top, 200m across, 3/4 miles down scree and grassy banks to the finish. I hobbled to a respectable 28th despite having no one to pace myself on, but lost by three seconds to Briony for the second time this year!A classic,enjoyable BOFRA race

Richard Briscoe Reports

On Sunday I did a BOFRA fell race at Kettlewell. It was only a short race 1.5 miles but it is a straight up and down route. Was very warm for the race as they start at mid day. The route goes up a crag via the chimney up to the top of the hill and back down. It was good turn out for Clayton for the juniors and a few seniors myself Andy Firth, Steve Fish, and Andy Holt.

Junior Races

Report from Alan Dorrington

Round 3 of the BOFRA series was held at Kettlewell on a beautiful, hot, sunny day in the Dales. Some of the Clayton Juniors had raced there before and so were prepared for one of the hardest and most intimidating courses on the calendar, the principle difficulty being a breakneck descent (after a very hard climb), off the valley side through broken ground, steep grass and a particularly unnerving rock chute. Those that hadn’t raced before soon became acquainted with the steep terrain on a recce, helped and supported by the other juniors that had already experienced the ‘proper’ fell racing there.

The U9s were off first, with Felix Thompson the sole Clayton runner, plugging away to the turn point which luckily avoided the worst of the descent for that age group. Dexta Thompson, Jenson Bentham, Kady Thompson and Ella Dorrington were next up in the U12s, running up through the limestone notch and across the first lip on the valley side before coming back down through the rock chute descent. Both Dexta and Jenson had great climbs and clean, fast descents, coming in 2nd and 6th respectively whilst Ella had to do an ’emergency’ flip round onto all fours to avoid falling above the rock chute, had a quick pit stop to be sick lower down, and still managed to hold on to her place as 2nd Girl. Kady had a nasty tumble below the rock chute, but soldiered on really well to finish.

Dexta Thompson and Ella Dorrington at the Kettlewell fell race. Photo by Chris Thompson

The U14s climbed higher with an extra descent before the main descent and Jackson McKay, who had been practicing the descent several times, descended really confidently into 14^th place. Claudia Bentham didn’t have her best race in the U14G but being in her first season on the fells, is building valuable experience race by race.

Briony Holt was unchallenged in winning the U17G, coming in some way ahead of her nearest rival on a course she apparently loves!

On such a hot day, the Juniors didn’t take much encouraging to get into the river afterwards, with Team Jumping In being the most popular activity of the day.”

U17 Race

U14 Race

U12 Race

U9 Race

Full Results 

Lakeland Trails Half Marathon Challenge

Congratulations to Jo Perry for completing her first half marathon distance at the Lakeland Trails Half Marathon Challenge. She finished in 144th place with a time of 2:22:22 in tough and hot conditions in Coniston in the Lake District

Full Results

Morecambe Superbowl 10K

The Morecambe 10km is popular with new runners and PB hunters alike! Starting and finishing on the Promenade this seaside race provides a good course coupled with lovely views across the Bay.

Unsurprisingly, the clash with the Burnley 10k meant that there were only two Clayton runners at this event. Daniel Isherwood had a good run finishing in 13^th place overall with a time of 40:29 and Kevin O’Brien was 131^st with a time of 1:05:27

Full Results 

North West Junior Triathlon Series

Ellie Root took part in her 1^st triathlon of the year at Blackpool in the North West Series. It was an early start as her race was scheduled for a 9:15 start. Ellie had a decent swim coming out of the pool in 5^th place. She was quickly onto her bike and off for the 10K cycle. This was her first time racing in her cleats and she had a great ride pulling herself up to 2^nd place. The run was over 3K on grass. She looked very strong from the outset. She was briefly overtaken by another runner but was soon back in front. With her eyes set firmly on one more target, Ellie pushed hard to move into 1^st place and claim her first victory and her 100 points. We are all very proud!

Ellie Root at the North West Junior Triathlon. Photo by Thomas Root

Helana White also took part in the junior triathlon series finishing in 4th place. She was in 12th place after her swim and managed to make up a few places on her bike. However, it was having the fastest run of her class that gave her the 4th place.

Well done to our talented juniors!

Parkrun roundup

Burnley parkrun celebrated its 4th birthday this weekend and plenty of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers were in attendance. Congratulations to Jonathan Pye and Annabel Wilcock for winning points prizes for senior male and junior female.

Top parkrunners Annabel Wilcock and Jonathan Pye ( far left). Photo by David Belshaw

Bramley parkrun – A total of 179 runners took part

Burnley parkrun – A total of 302 runners took part.

Halifax parkrun – A total of 116 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 73 runners took part.

Woodbank parkrun – A total of 163 runners took part.

Woodhouse Moor parkrun – A total of 421 runners took part.