It’s a proper Summer Sizzler!

As we approach the Summer Solstice and the country wrestles with whether it should be in or out, as per usual the Clayton athletes have very definitely been out, and about, racing on the fells, roads, trails, in ultras and in sizzling form. There have been plenty of individual and age group wins along the way, but also some great performances behind the winners from our hard working Juniors and Seniors alike, showing dedication, persistence and grit in improving their own performances.

Tuesday 14 June

Worsthorne Trail Race – Clayton Summer Series

Helena White. Photo – David Belshaw.

Round 2 of the club’s Summer Series on Tuesday evenings for CLEM and Trawden athletes, this trail race took in the Gorple Track and Pennine Bridleway from Worsthorne, giving around 5 miles of fast running but with nearly 1000ft of climb to hurt the legs. The Juniors ran a shortened version but still started with the Seniors up the track leading to some good battles from the get-go. Chris Holdsworth ran a blistering race to break his own Senior course record by over a minute (35:01) and there were some good hard battles further down the field too.

Chris Holdsworth on his way to breaking the course record. Photo – David Belshaw

Summer Hargreaves descends the Gorple Track. Photo – David Belshaw.

Andrew Holt – full gas! Photo – David Belshaw

Senior Race Results:

Junior Race Results:

Wednesday 15 June

Brown Wardle (and a bit) Fell Race

42 runners for this local 3.3m fell race starting out of Whitworth.

Full Results

Horwich Jubilee Road Race

There was a big field of 248 for Round 2 of this 5 mile road race series, now in its 33rd year.

Full results

Thursday 16 June

Aggie’s Staircase Fell Race

Run over Darwen Hill and round the Jubilee Tower, Aggie’s Staircase is a sharp 4 mile fell race with 1150ft climb.

Sarah Helliwell reports:

I did Aggie’s Staircase on Thursday. First time I have ever done it and it is definitely one I will do again. A cracking up, down, up, down, up and finally down again race. 350m of climbing in 4 miles. There were a small number of Harriers who did the event. Peter Coates was the first Claytoneer in 13th place and Alison Dugdale was first Clayton lady. There was a good atmosphere, it was well marshalled and plenty of support around the course. It’s the first race I have done in a long time where I felt things were slowly clicking back into place with my running. Thank you to Katy & George Thompson who organize it. A race I recommend.

Full results

Friday 17 June

Barrowford Grand Prix 5k

Flat running and fast times were the order of the day at this round of the Burnley and Pendle Grand Prix. Despite the rain that affected the later races, there were PBs galore across the age groups and Clayton wins with Paul Brannon (C Race), Finlay Stubbs (U10B), Dexta Thompson (U12B), Ella Dorrington (U12G) and Millie Stubbs the overall U14 race.

For one of the Junior coaching team, Marion Wilkinson, it was also an important race:

The Barrowford 5k was my first race after seven months of very little running following an operation on my eye to release the pressure which was causing loss of vision. There was definitely a feeling of pressure (albeit a different kind) as I signed up to this race along with my daughter Lisa and granddaughter Emily and all the wonderful Clayton juniors.

My fears were the same as many of the juniors face every time they race – I didn’t want to come last! I even told podium Chris that he may have to delay the start of the B race to give me time to finish.

My granddaughter always tells her granddad that she came last  – this time she didn’t and neither did I. So, to all the juniors who are making great progress but never quite get to the front in a race, keep trying, enjoy your running and never give up.

What’s next for me – well, I will be 75 in November and if I can knock two minutes off my 5k time I will be first in the UK rankings. Hopefully this will encourage all the juniors –  you have lots of years ahead of you to realise your dreams.

Special thanks for the encouragement on my last lap (although at the time I thought I had another lap to do) from Reece Lawrence and young Toby Birtwistle.

Three generations of Clayton – Marion with daughter Lisa and grand-daughter Emily. Photo – David Belshaw.

Dexta Thompson on his way to winning the U12 race. Photo – David Belshaw.

Millies Stubbs winning the U14 race overall.

Action from the C race at Barrowford Grand Prix 5k. Photo – David Belshaw.

Cassandra Smedley concentrates. Photo – David Belshaw.

A Race:

B race:

C Race:

Juniors:

Under 8 race – 1km

Under 10 race – 1km

Under 12 race – 2km

Under 14 race – 2km

Full Senior results

Full Junior results

Saturday 18 June

Buckden Pike

This Cat A race has been running since 1981 and packs a real climbing punch.

3 Lakes Classic

Breton Holdsworth made his (now) annual trip across to this challenging 15 mile trail race in South Yorkshire. He came home14th overall and 6th Vet.

Muckle Toon Adventure Festival (MTAF)

Dave Motley reports:

This weekend a few of us decided to travel across the border to Scotland to go to MTAF 2016 on recommendation from Team Perry. This is a low key outdoors festival with something for everybody from activities for the kids to road and MTB cycling events and a variety of trail running events from 5k to half marathon. On Saturday the lads took part in the MTAF Half which was a really tough, hilly 13mile route around the village of Langholm with pipers playing as you run through the village, a fantastic event with a little of everything. Mr Perry was first home in 2nd place, myself in 5th and Russell Clarke finishing in 25th. At the same time as the boys were running it was Mrs Perry turn to run, completing the tough 10k trail race in 59:57 (7th female). On the Sunday it was Mrs Motleys turn to do her thing on the 5k trail race, finishing the race in the mid 26mins. If anybody wants an event for the whole family this is the one for you, a definite recommendation for 2017.

Details and results

Clougha Pike FRA

Junior races

Five Clayton Juniors ran at Clougha Pike as part of the Junior FRA series. Felix Thompson was 12th in U8B and Josh McKay 30th in U10B. Dexta Thompson had his best FRA series race to date coming 3rd in U12B with Jackson McKay in 9th. Briony Holt also finished 3rd in U14G.

Jackson McKay and Dexta Thompson at Clougha Pike Junior FRA. Photo – Woodentops.

Sunday 19 June

Race the Train

Report to follow

Full results

Freckleton Half Marathon

Situated in the heart of the Fylde Coast, this is the countries oldest Half Marathon. Run since 1965, the flat fast course always attracts a bumper field. Consequently, fast runs were produced by Andrew Stubbs and Jacob Watson, backed up by Daniel Plant.

Full results

Helm Hill BOFRA races

The BOFRA camp moved to Cumbria for this round of the series, held on Helm Hill just outside Kendal. The summer days of the previous few rounds were replaced by overcast skies and then pouring rain, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the Thompson family, at their 4th race of the weekend. Dexta came in 4th in the U12B whilst Felix, Kady and Liberty all ran well in their age categories. Ella Dorrington led the U12G at the top of the final descent but was overtaken on the fast run to the finish ending up 2nd.

Ella Dorrington on her way to 2nd place in the U12G race. Photo – Alan Dorrington

Settle Hills Fell Race

Carl Helliwell and Chris Whiteoak popped up to Settle for this scenic race round some of Europe’s finest Karst geomorphology (limestone bits).

Carl Helliwell. Photo – Sarah Helliwell.

Carl Helliwell reports:

Settle Hills is a 7 mile fell race that takes in the hills behind the back of Settle and has over 500m of climbing. It starts right in the middle of Settle from the town square with a good uphill start up Constructional Hill and then up the side of Castlebergh onto the fells.
It was a fast start as some of the front runners went for it straight away, I started steady as I could feel my legs still from Friday nights Podium 5k. My legs soon got into it and started catching a few people as it got more rugged. The race has everything grass, rocks, track and plenty of up and down. Thankfully it is one of the few races with a very small section of road, right at the start and end!
The toughest bit of the race was the long decent off High Hill and then back down the track and through the fields to Settle. My legs started to feel tired and aced from Fridays 5k as I was passed by a couple of runners and couldn’t respond. (I’ve decided my legs don’t like flat fast road running!!) I was glad to see the rugby club as I made my way across the pitch to the finish line and was greeted by Eva offering me some of her birthday chocolate cookie and fizzy water (we know how to spoil our children!)
I was happy with my 13th place and time of 58.16 and even won a running arm band in the raffle! It was then my turn to take the kids off Sarah so she could ride home.

Full results

Trailblaster

Held in the confines of Towneley Park, Burnley this compact event offers 12 or 6 hour ultra events for soloists, pairs or teams.

Julia Rushton braved the Solo Female 12 hour event and claimed 8th spot with 10 laps in 6:18:11 whilst Donna Airey smiled her way around the Solo 6 Female hour event coming in 2nd with 11 laps in 5:37:40.

Donna Airey at Trailblaster. Photo – David Belshaw.

***Final call for the Clayton Navigation Workshop – 23rd July 2016***

The club is holding a Navigation Workshop to help you increase your confidence on the hill. A few final places are left, on a first come, first served basis.

Full details here

Parkrun

Burnley Parkun – a total of 356 runners took part

Woodhouse Moor Parkrun – a total of 355 runners took part

Dewsbury Parkrun – a total of 103 runners took part

Pendle Parkrun – a total of 94 runners took part

Witton Parkrun – a total of 103 runners took part

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