Winter is coming

The summer is well and truly behind us and the temperatures are beginning to plummet. There was even the first flurries of snow on the top of Pendle this weekend. That means nothing and there’s still racing to be had. This week you have been out on the fells, the roads and even racing on foreign shores.

SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER

SHEPHERD’S SKYLINE FELL RACE

The Shepherds Skyline Fell Race is a popular event organised by Todmorden Harriers with junior races as well. It’s an ideal warm up for bonfire night along a fast, muddy course – with a steep descent off Stoodley Pike for the kamikaze descenders, immediately followed by a stiff climb back up the hill for the stout-legged amongst you. Juniors can expect to get tired and muddy, but that’s half the fun!

U8s Race

Felix Thompson at the Shepherd’s Skyline races. Photo by Geoff Thompson

U10s Race

Ellisia Smedley with Kady Thompson just behind at the Shepherd’s Skyline races. Photo by Geoff Thompson

U12s Race

Senior Race

Fourteen seniors took part in the senior races. Peter Coates was our first Clayton man in 10th place overall and 1st Vet 40. Rachel Todd was our first Clayton lady in 239th place.

Report from Peter Coates

The Shepherd’s Skyline fell race sets off from the Shepherd’s Rest Inn in Todmorden and is an approximately 10KM race that takes runners up Stoodley Pike. This is followed by a fast, technical descent off the Pike before a final climb back up the hill and then a muddy downhill to the finish. I’ve learned from previous years that a good start is essential in this race as there can be around 280 runners and only a narrow single track where passing is difficult. I think I set off a little too quick as I found myself towards the front of the pack just behind the fast lads. I managed to finish 10th overall and was first vet40 although I didn’t realise that until the following day. It is a really good, well-organised race and well worth doing.

Peter Coates at the Shepherd’s Skyline Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Report from Michelle Butschok

This was my first time racing the Shepherd’s Skyline and I was really glad I gave it a whirl. It was bitterly cold and windy when myself and Rachel Todd arrived but there was a great turnout and a really friendly reception from our fellow Clayton runners. A lovely scenic route up to the Pike and then a fast descent before another climb and back to the finish. Special thanks to Robert Hirst for his encouragement towards the end of my race. Will definitely look to do this one again next year!

Michelle Butschok at the Shepherd’s Skyline fell race. Photo by Woodentops

Full Results

SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER

AGE UK LEEDS ABBEY DASH

Laura Hesketh was our sole runner in this very fast, popular 10K. She finished in 380^th place overall with a time of 00:37:34

Full Results

DERWENTWATER 10

Mark Wightman was our sole runner in this 10 mile road race organised by Keswick Athletic Club. The route loops for 10 miles on an undulating course around Derwentwater in a clockwise direction.

Mark finished in 109^th place overall with a time of 01:12:56 in a field of 476 runners.

Full Results

GUY FAWKES 10

Roger Brewster was our only runner in this 10 mile race in Ripley, N Yorks. He finished in 111^th place overall with a time of 01:12:54 in a field of 816 runners.

Full Results

Maraton Internacional de S.C de Tenerife – 8KM

Well done to Hayley Copeman who took time out while on holiday to run in the 8KM race in Santa Cruz. She finished in 692^nd place in a field of 1067 runners with a time of 00:43:22.

Hayley Copeman at the Santa Cruz 8KM

THROUGH THE VILLAGES RACE

Fifteen club members took part in this 8.45 mile, undulating road race taking in the scenic West Pennine Moors and local villages of Wheelton, Brinscall, Abbey Village and Withnell. Matthew Duckworth was the first Clayton finisher in 21^st place with a time of 00:53:23 and together with Jon Cleave in 28^th and Chris Snell in 32^nd took first place in the senior men’s team as well. David Scott was 1^st V70 and 181^st overall in the race. Julia Rushton was our only lady runner and she finished in 221^st place with a time of 01:16:15.

Some of the Team Clayton runners. L-R Ian Hargreaves, Brian Wildman, Stephen Biscomb, Martin Brady and David Scott.

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 342 runners took part.

Burnley junior parkrun – A total of 45 runners took part.

Heaton parkrun – A total of 606 runners took part.

Inverness parkrun – A total of 165 runners took part.

Oakwell Hall parkrun – A total of 230 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 86 runners took part.

Rutland Water parkrun – A total of 134 runners took part.

Woodbank parkrun – A total of 192 runners took part.