Barriers, Pikes, Lenches and Championships

Well no one is having any time off at the moment.  You have been thumping the tarmac in a range of 5K, 10K and half marathon distances with plenty of PBs and successes. There’s also been the odd fell championship, Lakeland classics, and local midweek races. All this leaves me pondering one small thing; what exactly is a lench?

Tuesday 5 July

Rochdale 10K

Michael Hogan was our sole representative at this 10K road race. He finished in 41^st place with a time of 41:34. There were 247 runners overall. The route starts and finishes at Rochdale Town Hall and takes the runners around the town centre and out before returning to the start.

Michael Hogan Reports

Full Results

20 Barriers

The 20 Barriers Race follows a scenic route of just over 5 miles on the field paths, trails and canal towpath in the countryside to the south of Carnforth ‘Gateway to the Lake District’. The race gets its name from the number of stiles and other field boundaries crossed en-route but none of the ‘20 barriers’ should present any unusual hazards or difficulties.

Three club members took part in this race in a record turnout of 209 runners on a clear, sunny evening. Chris Arthur of Bowland Fell Runners won the race in 31:08 and Joanna Goorney of Lytham St Annes took the ladies win for the second year running. Alan Life was our first Clayton finisher in 29^th place overall. Wendy Dodds was our first Clayton Lady in 88^th place overall and 1^st LV65. Carol Life completed the Clayton trio finishing in 123^rd place overall.

Full Results

Wednesday 6 July

Astley Park Junior Trail Series

Clayton Juniors at the start of the Astley Park Junior Trail Race. Photo by Michelle Abbott

We had a great turnout of 19 junior runners for the 3^rd in this popular series of trail races organised by Chorley AC at Astley Park. Dexta Thompson was our first finisher in 10^th place overall and first in his age category. Liberty Thompson was our first girl finisher in 34^th place overall.

To date our boys team is in 4^th position overall and our girls team is in 2^nd place.

Full Results

Stoodley Pike FR

Report from James Boult

The Stoodley Pike fell race is a quick 5k dash up to the Calderdale landmark of the same name and back, and stands as a typical midweek fell race. Chris Paul, Orlaith O’Mahony and I made the trip over to join Dominic Carr and Darren Rushton as the Clayton representatives. A large, but not too big, field with a strong atmosphere and sunny conditions saw 188 people lining up from the Top Brink Inn in Todmorden before setting off towards the course’s only climb.

James Boult at the Stoodley Pike Fell Race

Warnings beforehand from race regulars said to get to the front or overtake as soon as possible and they were right, as the only opportunity comes along a cobbled path at the climb’s base. Taking a few people there, I managed to get midfield before the most frustrating of climbs turned the race into a single file plod up a gradual, but runnable climb with little overtaking and no chance of getting any momentum or pace.

Orlaith O’ Mahoney at the Stoodley Pike Fell Race

At the summit the course opens out and I managed to stretch my legs and take some places before reaching Stoodley Pike and the fast, harsh descent. It started well, but after twisting my right ankle, I took it easy and let people go past knowing my strength would come on the mile long flat trail to the finish.

Putting in a six minute final mile, I took back everyone who went past me on the descent and then picked off others in my way (about 15 people in total) as I headed to the finish. I noticed Dominic Carr ahead, I found another gear and pushed on to take first Clayton counter in a 200m final field dash.

Finisher’s beer

The £4 entry fee got you a great 5k race with stunning views and a free beer at the end, to make it unbelievable value for money. Definitely a race to do again and a note for next time; start at the front to avoid a frustratingly slow climb.

Full Results

Thursday 7 July

Cuerden Valley Badger 10K

John Wilcock and Stephen Biscomb took part in the second race of this trail 10K series run in conjunction with Wesham Road Runners in the beautiful scenery of Cuerden Valley Country Park. John Wilcock finished in 25^th place and 1^st M50 with a time of 44:31. Stephen Biscomb was 43^rd with a time of 46:59

Full Results

Todmorden Park 5K series

Fourteen Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in the second race of this popular summer 5k series organised by Cannonball Events in a field of 116 runners.

Jonathan Pye and Jacob Watson racing at the Todmorden 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Jacob Watson was our first finisher in 6^th place overall and with a time of 17:28. Jonathan Pye and David McMullan made up the first of our men’s teams coming 3^rd overall.

Lennon Jackson at the Todmorden Park 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Lennon Jackson had a great run finishing in 43^rd place with a time of 21:28 and 1^st MU14. He was also a counter in our second men’s team (7^th team) with Ian Hargreaves and Stephen Green.

Amanda Duffy at the Todmorden Park 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Amanda was our first lady finisher in 48^th place overall and 1^st W35. Our ladies took the first team postion.

Sophie Ashworth at the Todmorden Park 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Full Results

Tockholes Evening FR

Three Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in this 5.8 mile fell race with 1099ft of climb. 62 Runners took part with Nick Leigh of Horwich RMI winning the race and Nicola McLoughlin U/A winning the ladies race. Ivan Whigham was our first Clayton finisher in 23^rd place and Mark Nutter was 38^th. Katy Thompson was 51^st and 1^st LV60.

Full Results

Saturday 9 July

Alva Games Fell Race

Well done to Jenson Bentham who ran in the U12 race and finished in 5th place. This race was a counter in the BOFRA British Championship

Jenson Bentham at the Alva Games Fell Race. Photo collage from Lee Bentham

Full Results

Pilling 10K series

A quartet of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in the second race of this 10K series run on the flat and quiet roads of the pretty village of Pilling.

Daniel Isherwood was our first finisher in 12^th place with a time of 39:41. Stephen Biscomb followed in 26^th place with a time of 43:35. Natasha Newell was our sole lady runner and she was 42^nd overall, 5^th lady and 1^st LV40 with a time of 51:12. Tony Pilling completed the quarted in 44^th with a time of 52:00. There were 69 runners in total.

Full Results

Sedburgh Sports

Ladies Race

98 Runners took part in this English Championship race. First lady was Victoria Wilkinson of Bingley Harriers. Four Clayton Ladies took part. First finisher was Wendy Dodds in 59^th place with Linda Lord, Katy Thompson and Kath Brady making up the team.

Ladies Results

Mens Race

A baker’s dozen of Clayton Harriers ran in the Mens Race at Sedburgh Sports which is the third race in the English Championships. 232 runners took part with Simon Bailey of Mercia Fell Runners taking the win. Danny Collinge was our first finisher in 87^th place with a time of 30:08 with Andrew Laycock hot on his heels in 88^th and just a second later.

Andrew Laycock, George Pier, Garry Wilkinson, Dave Motley and Danny Collinge at the English Fell Running Championships

Mens Results

Wasdale ‘Horseshoe’ Fell Race

This fell race is a tough, classic Lakeland fell race of 21 miles and 9000ft of ascent organised by the Cumberland Fellrunners Association. This year’s event was beset by gruelling wet and windy conditions making for plenty of comment on the FRA Forum>

Report from Jean Brown

133 runners started the Wasdale Horseshoe race and I think 96 finished. I was there along with Martin Terry, Andy MacFarlane and Paul Wale. It was an interesting race! Very wet and windy, someone compared it with running in a car wash, although I think the wind was stronger than that at times. The cloud was down to the valley and the rock more slippery than I have known it. Most people did more than the advertised mileage/ascent, I certainly did – a PW for me, but really pleased to finish in one piece!

Awaiting Official Results

Sunday 10 July

Asda Foundation Leeds 10K

Dave Bagot and Colin Shuttleworth took part in this popular city 10K.

Report from Dave Bagot

I made a midweek decision to run the race, filling in for the work team. Despite trying to pace myself at the start, I really struggled from mile 3 onwards and slipped back through the field to finish 35^th in a chip time of 36:29. It was a really well organised race, attracting a field of around 6500 runners. There were lots of spectators and musicians around the course, creating a good atmosphere. The race followed a similar route to the Abbey Dash but included a loop around the city centre at the start. As an added bonus, I was stood near the rugby league legend, Kevin Sinfield, at the start who completed his first 10K in around 44mins, although he did say he was going to take it easy but I was happy to claim the scalp!

Full Results

Hendon Brook

There was an impressive turnout of 49 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers for this infamous, tough half marathon.

Clayton Men raring to go at the Hendon Brook Half Marathon. Photo by Michelle Searby

Salford Harrier, David Rigby, took the win in 1:18:18. First Clayton runner and 2^nd overall was Chris Holdsworth who finished in 1:19:05. There were also top ten finishes for Danny Collinge, Jacob Watson and Matthew Duckworth. John Hartley was 1^st M55 and Paul Hesketh was 1^st MV50.

Clayton Men relaxing after Hendon Brook. Photo by Michelle Searby

The Ladies race was won by Darwen Dasher, Joanne Nelson. First Clayton Lady was Donna Airey in 73^rd place overall and 1^st F35 in the race.

Donna Airey at the Hendon Brook Half Marathon. Photo by Bryn Barnes

Irene Roche was 1^st F55 and Julia Rushton was 1^st F50.

Julia Rushton at the Hendon Brook Half. Photo by David Belshaw

Anita Jones pushed herself well out of her comfort zone and battled round the course to finish just ahead of the cutoff time and to earn herself 1^St F60 as well.

Report from Irene Roche

With better than expected weather, there was an excellent turn out for the Hendon Brook HM today. No less than 149 runners in all. John Roche, race organiser, was also more than pleased with the amount of help and support from marshals, cyclists and spectators – drinks and jelly babies offered all round the course. Whilst lots of PBs were achieved for our Clayton runners, it has to be said that all who completed this hilly and undulating course today have excelled themselves (with warm, humid temperatures added to it all!). Well done everyone.

Clayton Ladies Steph Hawke and Clare Wilson at the finish line. Photo by David Belshaw

Report from Lynsey Birtwistle

I was a spectator due to injury and I am in awe of everyone who ran! I saw some very pained faces going up lenches. My boys loved running up and down encouraging people and they said on the way home they can’t wait to do that race when they are old enough; an inspiring day all round. Anita jones just amazing! We were willing her to get in under the 3 hours cut off and I got goosebumps when I saw her finish with 17 seconds to spareas her teammates ran her in. Awesome!

Anita Jones makes the finish accompanied by her team mates. Photo by David Belshaw

Full Results

St Annes Carnival 5K

The St Anne’s Carnival 5K race is a  flat, accurately measured 5k course marked with kilometre signs that takes competitors from the wide walkway adjacent to the pitch and putt course to the western end of the attractive Fairhaven Lake and back to finish close to the pier.

118 runners took part in this year’s event. Richard and Val Lawson were our dynamic vet duo taking 1^st M75 and 1^st W70.

Richard Lawson Reports

It was the antidote to a McAndrew race. There were  prizes for all categories, spot prizes, food and drinks at the finish, eg oranges, bananas, sweets biscuits, free toilets by arrangement with the council, and full buffet at the presentation, a mug for finishing and a set of results immediately. Bottles of water too. and it was only 5K. and photos with the  carnival queen for the winners

Awaiting Publication of Results

Trawlerman Triathlon

Helana White took part in the Trawlerman Triathlon in Blackpool and finished in 3^rd place. She is on target to finish 3^rd overall in the North West England triathlon league in her age category. Well done Helana!

Wigan Trail 10K

The race takes place through the trails of Wigan’s Greenheart Amberswood park, situated between Spring View & Hindley. The former mining area has been transformed into a 160 hectare nature reserve of woodlands to wildflowers meadows, grasslands to wetlands.

The 10k Trail Race takes in many of the scenic bridleways of Amberswood, following a mixture of terrain from woodland trails to wide open gravel paths. The route is flat and open giving competitors the opportunity to challenge and beat personal bests.

Kevin O’Brien was our sole representative at this event. He finished in 117^th place with a time of 1:03:44 and was 1^st V70 in a field of 140 runners

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

Our parkrunners have been out and about as always, many of them warming up for other races over the weekend. It’s been a good week for our junior parkrunners with PBs for Charlie Birtwistle and Nathan Kewin as well as a blistering run at Witton for Helana White taking 3 minutes off the JW10 record.

Helana White on her record breaking Witton parkrun.

Burnley parkrun – A total of 319 runners took part.

Lancaster parkrun – A total of 177 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 111 runners took part.

Witton parkrun – A total of 62 runners took part.