Going for gold

It may well have been super Saturday and Sunday at the Olympics but it was also a pretty awesome weekend for Clayton-le-Moor Harriers. Success galore for juniors and seniors and vets at a range of races this weekend. There have been wins, course records, PBs and age category triumphs all over the place.

WEDNESDAY 10 AUGUST

Pilgrims Cross Fell Race

A magnificent troupe of 7 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in the Pilgrim’s Cross Fell Race, a 6 mile fell race organised by Rossendale Harriers with 1102ft of ascent.

Six Clayton men and one lady runner took part. Peter Coates was our first finisher in 19^th place with a time of 46:59 followed by Alan Life in 20^th place. Peter Dugdale, Stephen Fish, Michael Frost and Ron Chappell completed the Clayton Men. Sarah Helliwell was our sole lady runner and is continuing a return to form after a maternity break to finish in 121^st place

Race Report from Sarah Helliwell

I could have quite easily stayed at home as the rain was lashing down and the night looked dark and grim, however, Carl gave me a kick up the backside and I set off to Helmshore. Pilgrims Cross is a 6 mile 300m plus evening fell race which is part of the Rossendale Summer Series. We were advised to take waterproof jackets as it was wet and breezy up on the tops. Wet it definitely was…

Full Results

Steel Fell Race

Wendy Dodds was our sole competitor in this short but very steep, lungbusting route up Steel Fell and back down the same way- just under 3 miles. She finished in 49^th place overall and first F65. 76 runners took part.

Wendy Dodds at Steel Fell Race. Photo by Stephen Wilson of www.granddayoutphotography.com

Full Results

FRIDAY 12 AUGUST

Shore 7K Road Race

Ian Hargreaves and Hayley Copeman took part in the 7K Shore Road Race. Ian finished in 22^nd place with a time of 37:08 and Hayley was 24^th overall and 1^st W45.

Report from Ian Hargreaves

Hayley Copeman and I entered this race on the Friday 12^th August. It is organised by Cannonball Events and is a lovely run over in Littleborough taking in the streets and small hills around the edge of the town. Only 28 managed to finish this race with my time a 37:08 for the 7K and an ever-improving, injury free run from Hayley, doing 43:29 despite managing to run the wrong way at one point! Hayley won best vet 45 which was handy as it was two large bottles of beer and we were camping over for the eventing. Whilst we did not enter the trail run Saturday or the fell run on Sunday, they were much better attended races and the people we met were as fabulous as ever.

Ian Hargreaves and Hayley Copeman at the Shore 7K road race.

Full Results

SATURDAY 13 AUGUST

Arncliffe Gala Fell Races & Littondale 4 Mile Road Race

There’s a choice of A BOFRA fell race or a 4 mile road race at this Yorkshire gala. In the senior fell race, Stephen Fish was our sole representative finishing in 78^th place overall.

Stephen Fish at the Arncliffe Gala Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Paul Brannon took part in the Littondale 4 mile road race. He reports;

I’ve turned professional today! They slipped me an envelope and it contained money. That used to be a breach of your amateur status in the olden days but now, rather than dish out prizes, you can receive cash in an envelope! First 0-50 in a race I hadn’t done for thirteen years. It was a terrific day at the Arncliffe Gala though with loads of Clayton kids in the junior races. Dexta especially doing well winning his race outright.

Paul Brannon at the Littondale 4 Mile Road Race. Photo by Woodentops

U9 Race

Felix Thompson was our sole runner in this race and he finished in 11th place.

Felix Thompson. Photo by Woodentops

U12 Race

Dexta Thompson had a great run and won his first race of the weekend. Clubmate Jenson Bentham was 10th and Kady Thompson was 28th. Some confident running on a tricky and steep course.

Dexta Thompson flying to the finish at the Arncliffe Gala. Photo by Woodentops

Jenson Bentham tackling the tricky descent at Arncliffe Gala Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Kady Thompson descending with confidence at the Arncliffe Gala fell race. Photo by Woodentops

Full Results

Catforth Canter 5K

A quartet of our super vets took part in the Catforth 5k. Richard Lawson sent through the results with the resounding battle cry; “Up the wrinklies!”

SUNDAY 14 AUGUST

Boulsworth Fell Race

Another good turnout of junior runners for the last set of junior races in this year’s Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix Series. This year has been the first time junior races have been included and have proved to be very popular with around 200 young runners taking part. Five of our junior runners took part in all 9 races; Emily Johnson (U8 Girls), Bronia Olszewska (U12 Girls), Natasha Olszewska (U14 Girls), Toby Birtwistle (U8 Boys), and Charlie Birtwistle (U12 Boys).

Medals galore for our awesome juniors at the close of the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix. Photo by David Belshaw

U8 Race

Another great run for Toby Birtwistle who finished in 2^nd place with Felix Thompson hot on his heels in 3^rd place. Ellisia Smedley was the first Clayton girl in 8^th place with Emily Johnson in 14^th place.

Emily Johnson in the U8 race. Photo by David Belshaw

U10/U12 Race

Making it look effortless after a win the day before at Arncliffe Gala, Dexta stormed into the finish well ahead. Robbie battled hard to the finishing line but had to settle for 4^th place. Charlie Birtwistle soon followed in 17^th place. Summer Hargreaves led the Clayton girls home in 18^th place overall; Kady Thompson was 27^th and Bronia Olszewska was 35^th.

Summer Hargreaves in the U12 Race. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

U14/U16 Race

With just over half the field it was hardly surprising to see our runners perform well in this race. Nick Hennessey had a comfortable win ahead of the field to win the race and take 1^st U16. Lennon Jackson followed in 2^nd overall and 1^st U14. Reece Laurence was next in 3^rd. Our U14 girls were Liberty Thompson 8^th and Natasha Olszewska 9^th.

Natasha Olszewska in the U14/U16 race. Photo by David Belshaw

Boulsworth Fell Race – Senior Race

A turnout of 41 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers for this final race of the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix.

Clayton Ladies at the start of the Boulsworth Fell Race. Donna Airey leads the way. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

Carl Helliwell was our first finisher in 10^th place with Kirt Livesey, Matthew Duckworth, Chris Snell, Paul Hesketh and Garry Wilkinson all earning top 20 places; Paul Hesketh pipping Garry Wilkinson to the 1^st V50 title. Thomas Bradley continued his solid Grand Prix campaign to take 1^st U18 and 33^rd place overall. Stephen Ainsworth was 1^st M55. Donna Airey was our first Clayton Lady over the finish line with Elizabeth Mullan following soon after. Christine Leathley was 1^st L65.

Report from Deborah Greenwood

The last one of the series, and boy was that a though one! Having never competed in anything like these races before, I have now completed 11 and thoroughly enjoyed each one. Every time I have said, “that was the toughest!” Yesterday, Boulsworth lived up to that title. It was indeed steep, it was indeed muddy, and the first three miles seemed like ten.

Sean Clare running with sister Deborah Greenwood at the Boulsworth Fell Race. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

Because of the steep incline at the beginning, I found myself suffering oxygen deprivation, however, I had a secret, end of season weapon – due to injury my big brother ran at my side pushing me along, literally pushing me along at some points, and what a difference it made! Although I wanted to walk all of the hill, I was not allowed. The downhills were great fun and I found my form on these. I only wish my little legs could keep the same momentum on the flat or the uphills. Finishing in the show ground was a real boost with lots of people (and dogs and cows and sheep!) to cheer you home.

Fabulous Clayton team made all us newbies feel very welcome in our first season and I for one will be back next year for more punishment.

Report from James Boult

This was one of the hardest races of the series so I am really happy to have finished in 37^th position out of 135 and even prouder to have completed all 14 races in my first ever Grand Prix Series to finish in 18^th place overall.

James Boult happily completed his 14th race in the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

It’s amazing to see the progress I have made this season and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of the Clayton-le-Moors Harriers family. I never in a million years thought I would make the top 20. Very proud of everyone who has taken part in this year’s Grand Prix, and to all the organisers and marshals for their hard work.

Full Results

Lowther Trail Run

This scenic route takes the runner across Askham Fell and the Lowther Valley. It is a 13 mile route with about 1400ft of ascent. The route climbs through Askham village onto the fell to Heughscar Hill where the route turns south and descends to the Cockpit and onwards across the valley of Heltondale to Butterwick. After fording the River Lowther, a stiff climb follows onto Knipe Scar to the most southerly point on the course. From here the route turns north across the grassland of Lowther Park to Whale. A track above the River Lowther leads runners to the finish at Lowther Castle.

Congratulations to Christopher Holdsworth who won this race as well as setting a new course record. 143 runners took part in the event.

Race Report from Chris Holdsworth

Having visited Lowther Park many times attending Kendal Calling each year, finding out that there was race there had me very keen to return and trade beer and music for running and trails!

Christopher Holdsworth setting a new course record at the Lowther trail race

I researched into the race and discovered the previous record was set on a 13 mile course over trails and fells, and knew on a good day that it was within my grasp to break it. However, the course was much tougher than expected! After the 6 mile mark, the course becomes a lot trickier as we traverse through tall grass, thistles, ferns and even rivers. At the last checkpoint before the finish, roughly 3 miles before the end, I knew I had to put a shift in if I were to break the current course record.

Thankfully, I managed to push on to break the record by 19 seconds in 1:19:26. It was a fantastic race with great organisation. Afterwards we ventured into the show itself, which was hugely popular and had a vast amount of stalls and attractions for the large crowds visiting. A great day out – I’ll hopefully be back next year to see if I can extend that record further.

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

Plenty of parkrun action this week with a batch of new PBs and some parkrun tourism. Congratulations to Eileen Jones who completed her 100th parkun this weekend.

Burnley parkrun – A total of 337 runners took part

Burnley junior parkrun – A total of 55 runners took part.

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 99 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 259 runners took part

Medina I.O.W. parkrun – A total of 238 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 98 runners took part.

Sheringham parkrun – A total of 216 runners took part.

Stretford parkrun – A total of 350 runners took part.

Woodbank parkrun – A total of 110 runners took part.