Hoofstones, Whitestones and good deeds!

Another busy week for Clayton-le-Moors Harriers. There has been plenty of action across the board, with a select group travelling to Knowsley for the Northern Cross Country Championships, fell running, and road racing at both 10 mile and 10K distances where a helping hand was extended by our chivalrous chaps to a fellow runner when she needed a boost. All very focussed this week and not a great deal of coddiwompling going on unless you take into account some of the recce runs that have been going on over the weekend!

SATURDAY 28 JANUARY

HOOFSTONES FELL RACE

This race is a navigational challenge which takes runners to the highest point around Todmorden – Hoofstones Heights Trig Point – The Trig is situated on the East/West Watershed. There is route choice from checkpoint 1 – 4, as long as no fences or walls are climbed.

51 runners took part this year and there were two Clayton Harriers amongst them both finishing in the top ten. Dave Edmondson was our first man in 3^rd place and Andy Laycock was 8^th.

Race Report from Andy Laycock

Typical cold and wet Pennine weather greeted us for the start of the race at the Staff of Life in Todmorden. Worryingly billed as a ‘navigational challenge’ it began with a flagged climb up to checkpoint 1, where the flags finished and open moor began. Then we were faced with a choice; the direct line across Stansfield moor or a short detour to pickup a fast and runnable track leading to the second checkpoint. Navigating to Hoofstones – checkpoint 3 and the highest point of the route – was straightforward, but icy and boggy ground made progress slow. The descent down past Wolf Stones and back across the moor caught me out as I dropped too far west, having to climb back up and along to the last checkpoint cost me five places – 3rd to 8th. Then from here it was a quick sprint back down the flagged path to the finish line. All in all a great race, very well organised and an early reminder to brush up on my navigation.

Full Results

NORTHERN ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Six junior members made the trip to Knowsley to compete in this year’s Northern Athletics Cross Country Championships

Clayton Juniors at the Northern Athletics Cross Country Championships.

U13 Boys

U15 Girls            

U17 Men

Senior Women

Report from Karen Clarkin

This was my second attempt at cross country, trying to get my head around racing and overcoming my nerves. What a venue to pick!! It was ankle deep in mud for 2 x 4km laps with inclines. Thankfully the rain had stopped just in time for the ladies race. Tough run, but I really enjoyed the day. Special thanks to Louisa and girls for cheering us on in the tough conditions.

Clayton Ladies at the Northern Cross Country Championships. L-R Judith Carey, Karen Clarkin, Elizabeth Mullan and Donna Airey. Photo by Woodentops

Team position 40^th (D Airey | E Mullan | J Rushton | K Clarkin )

Senior Men

Report from Carl Carey

Initially I wasn’t going to do this. Driving for an hour, doing the race, driving back, later starting time and a longer distance (12km) than I’d ever done before on cross country. I was eventually coerced by the female contingent of Clayton so I signed up. Weather was awful in Burnley and on the journey to Knowsley which didn’t encourage me much but hey, I needed the training so off we set.

The ladies did their race first, and after finishing, reported to me that it was all relentless mud. Donna, Liz and Judith had some good battles although Judith decided to take a dive in the mud in the beginning! Karin Clarkin was a counter in the ladies team on only her second cross country.

Then it was my turn. Off we set, me, Pete and Jim. There was a good number of runners there, and the races which had gone before us had churned it up nicely! Literally on the first mud we hit, there were men dropping out everywhere, having lost their shoes in the death grip mud. Having been shown by Coach Roche how to tie my shoes, I had no such problems. The mud, as correctly reported, was relentless. There was no respite at all, with a few sneaky rocks hidden in which I found, and a few hills too. 15mm spikes were no use whatsoever but I managed to stay on my feet. First lap was a bit of a tester to see how it was, then the next two I was able to push a bit, but the mud soon wore you down. At the end, having passed lots who were walking at different points, I managed a quick finish on the straight, grateful to see the finish. One of my worst performances, but I was determined to enjoy this one and use it for good experience.

An enjoyable day with the Clayton crew, and actually not feeling the effects too much. Thanks to Chris Thompson for holding our numbers for us, and Jason Pier for organising it.

Full Results

SUNDAY 29 JANUARY

HUNTERS 10K

Just over 300 runners took part in this 10K race formerly known as the Vernon’s 10K. Two Clayton men took part. Robert Morrison was the first Clayton finisher in 76^th place and with a time of 44:16. Colin White was hot on his heels 4 seconds later in 77^th.

Robert Morrison at the Hunter’s 10K. Photo by Lucy Tickle

Report from Colin White

Only two Clayton Harriers ran this local(ish) event in Preston. Over 300 people arrived at the cold start line for this event. It was well marshalled, well organised and clearly signposted. Both Rob and I set off at a fairly slow pace, choosing to move through the field when we found our pace. The course is undulating, once over the icy bridge at Avenham Park, we really found our pace and picked up speed a little. Rob, was slightly ahead and helped a fellow runner who was struggling for approximately 1 mile, before picking up the pace even more when he saw me breathing down his neck. We both finished the course with PB’s , and another 10k under the belt.

Colin White at the Hunter’s 10K. Photo by Lucy Tickle

Full Results

KENDAL WINTER LEAGUE – WHITESTONE FELL RACE

149 runners took part in this popular winter race series organised by Helm Hill. Wayne McIntosh was our sole runner in the senior race, finishing in 118^th place.

Christopher Brown was our sole junior runner finishing in 8^th place overall and 6^th boy in the U13 race in a field of 66 runners.

Chrostopher Brown at the KWL Whitestones U13 Race. Photo by Geoff Thompson

Full Results

ST ANNES 10 MILER

Report from Stephen Biscomb

Not my usual distance of 10K, but this 10 mile race was well organised and luckily the conditions were very mild for the Fylde coast. We started from St Annes pier up to Lytham Green and back. Managed to get below my target time of 73 minutes. (71.30) my position in the M60 category was 4th. It was amazing to see four more M60s in the top 51. Just goes to show that us old men are getting fitter.

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Burnley parkrun – A total of 298 runners took part.

Burnley junior parkrun – A total of 67 runners took part.

Chester parkrun – A total of 188 runners took part.

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 107 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 173 runners took part.

Lytham Hall parkrun – A total of 202 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 74 runners took part

Woodhouse Moor parkrun – A total of 436 runners took part.