Trails, fells and more

Midsummer madness is upon us with so many races to choose from it’s increasingly tricky keeping up with all of our intrepid racers.  This week has seen a huge turnout at the Sabden race, there’s been some high Lakeland fell running, as well as Peak District and Yorkshire races together with trails and 5ks. Plus the odd bit of triathlon action.

TUESDAY 20 JUNE

BRIDESTONE FELL RACE

This fell race goes past the famous Bridestone and takes in some of the lesser used paths in the upper Calder Valley. A short fast race with steep climbs, fast tracks and demon descents, something for everyone. Two Clayton Harriers took part. Richard Briscoe was our first finisher in 18^th place and Colin Woolford was 39^th.

Report from Colin Woolford

Bridestones is a classic Calder Valley fell race, in that for a short but steep valley, they seem to find an impressive amount of ‘up’ before a very short ‘flat’ mid-section before finding a lot of ‘down’. A small field enjoyed good conditions given the baking temperature of previous days. It’s a good race, well-marked and marshalled and on the trails less travelled for about 4 miles. It’s a good race for those looking to try a fell race. Although slower than the last time I did this, I was pleased with my run, as I seemed to be passing more people than passed me after the first mile. Probably not the best prep for the following evening’s Sabden 6 though!

Full Results

 WEDNESDAY JUNE 21

 BOLTON ABBEY SOLSTICE SAUNTER

It was a family affair at the Bolton Abbey Solstice Saunter for Team Brewster. In a welcome return to racing Tom finished in 2^nd place with Roger Brewster in 28^th and 1^st M60.

Report from Tom Brewster

I did the bolton Abbey summer solstice saunter on Wednesday organised by the airedale dodgers and in support of Sue Ryder care (Dad, Mum and my sister also ran). It was a 5mile route starting at the pavilion, running along the river to Barden Bridge then back along the other side to finish on the field opposite the pavilion. I had a good battle in the top three from the start and managed to finish in 2^nd on a very hot, very humid night!! Very happy with the result especially after a very tough 9 months away from racing with Achilles issues!

Full Results

SABDEN TRAIL RACE

Well over 60 Clayton Harriers took part in the latest race of the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix Series, the Sabden Trail Race which is a 6 mile trail race around the Sabden area.

Clayton Runners on the ‘hill of doom’. Photo by Sport Sunday

Report from Alan Dorrington

There’s a point when temperature and humidity combine to make things truly unpleasant. Hot temperatures can be pretty nice when the occasionally arrive in the UK, and most of the time our humid climate is not so hot as to cause too much bother. Sabden last Wednesday appeared to find itself in the middle of one of those unholy alliances where both measures were pretty high and it made for fairly brutal conditions for running.

Alan Dorrington looking determinded at the Sabden trail race. Photo by SportSunday

None of which deterred 200 or so Grand Prix runners from belting off up the long drag through the Sabden Brook valley to Ratten Clough, some appearing to pace themselves wisely, others going all out. My rationale was that it was only 6 miles, only 750ft of climbing, what was the point in hanging about?

Happy Harrier

Those that had run before, or studied the race profile with more than a cursory glance knew what was coming. Some very fast running, but never flat, just up or down and then… that climb. The one I hadn’t bargained on. I knew something was amiss as we dropped down to Sabden from below Pendleton Moor and my watch said 4 point something miles. Whilst running on minimal oxygen levels, my brain was still just able to work out that there was more to come to make it 6 miles. And that the finish was definitely not coming any time soon as we were almost in the village. Cue that horrible feeling when your legs go from flat out downhilling to grinding uphill again, with no flat to help adjust. Cue some cursing under my breath at the helpful ‘tough mile now lads, dig in!’ comment. Mile??!

Luke Turner – first Clayton finisher. Photo by SportSunday

In the end it wasn’t too bad despite feeling like my head was going to explode in the humidity and I even enjoyed the death march up the reservoir bank, though David from SportSunday was optimistic if he thought he was going to get a star jump from me at that point. There followed a hectic blast back to the finish for that ‘lost’ distance to make up 5.9 miles, and the discovery on finishing that my vest weighed about 4lbs with the sweat it had soaked up and not evaporated. I was happy enough with 38th and a reasonable limiting of my time losses against the quick Vets around the 45- 55 age band that I’m in the middle of. What a great way to spend a Wednesday evening.

Leanne Cottam and Rachel Todd. Photo by Sport Sunday

Full Results

SABDEN TRAIL JUNIOR RACES

Clayton juniors taking five at the Sabden Trail Races. Photo by Cassie Smedley

U9 Boys

Olly Plant was our only boy in the U9 boys race and he finished in 4th place.

U9 Girls

Ruby Cleaver and Charlie Plant took part in the U9 Girls race.

U11 Boys

Guy Whalley was our first finisher in the U11 boys race finishing in 5th place.

U11 Girls

Emily Nicholls was our first finisher in the U11 Girls race.

U13 Boys

Battling hard, Robbie Smedley had to settle for 3rd in the U13 boys race.

U13 Girls

A win from Helana White in the U13 girls race with Rachel  Stevenson in 6th.

U15 Boys

Michael Stevens finished 2nd in the U15 Boys race.

U15 Girls

3rd place for Ella in the U15 girls race.

Full Results

THURSDAY 22 JUNE

AGGIE’S STAIRCASE

Six Clayton runners took part in the Aggies Staircase fell race organised by Darwen Dashers.

Starting at the top of Punstock Road in Darwen, the route climbs a footpath, turns right onto the track past Robin Hood’s cottage, then left to follow an enclosed footpath to the main track, and left up to Darwen Tower. It then descends through a small quarry onto the main track towards the top of Bold Venture Park, before turning right to climb steeply up a rough path known as Jacobs Ladder, then across the moor top, and on down to the foot of Aggies Staircase.

Matt Perry was our first finisher in 4^th place. Joanne Perry was our sole lady runner and she finished in 119^th place.

Full Results

PENDLE SCHOOLS DUALTHLON

Well done to Briony Holt who took part in the Pendle Schools duathlon which involved a run and cycling. She came 1st in the teams and individual races.

TODMORDEN 5K SUMMER SERIES

 There were five Clayton runners at the first of the Todmorden 5K race series organised by Cannonball Events. Jacob Watson was our first finishe in 8^th place with a time of 17:42.

Matthew and Lennon Jackson at the Todmorden Park 5K

Michelle Abbot Reports

Matthew and Lennon bagged PBs at Todmorden park 5k Matthew coming flying in at 19.33 winning first under 12 , Lennon getting his first official sub 20 mins just 11 secs behind his brother (for the first time) coming in at 19.44 winning first under 14. I managed first v35

SATURDAY 24 JUNE

DARREN HOLLOWAY MEMORIAL RACE

Andrew Laycock and Wendy Dodds took part in this classic fell race formerly known as the Buttermere Horseshoe. Wendy who was taking part 30 odd years after doing the original Buttermere Horseshoe race!

Report from Andrew Laycock

Headed up to the Lakes to do the Darren Holloway Memorial Buttermere Horseshoe. From the start in Loweswater the race covers around 23 miles with 8500ft of climbing and quite a bit scope for route choice. The weather wasn’t perfect, there wasn’t much visibility on the tops but at least the rain stayed away and it was pretty cool.

Andrew Laycock approaching the Newland Checkpoint. Photo courtesy of CFR

The first half of the race went smoothly, I settled into what felt like a manageable pace and got off Dale Head to Honister Pass feeling ok. From there I got into a group with a couple of local runners and we worked our way around Haystacks and up onto High Crag. A sudden bout of cramp just before the summit of High Stile left me on my own in the thick fog and once on the top I couldn’t find the checkpoint. After wandering around confused and frustrated for five minutes I realised I was on the wrong summit and the checkpoint was further west, this cost me six or seven places.

Wendy Dodds at the Darren Holloway Memorial Fell Race. Photo courtesy of CFR

The following rough boggy descent left my legs cooked for the final climb up onto Melbreak so I was thankful for a fast runnable descent into the finish. Over five hours on the fells sure felt like a long day out, but definitely a learning experience.

Full Results

ELDWICK GA

It was all about the girls  at this BOFRA race with some great running from Briony Holt and Ella Dorrington.

Report from Tina Hines Holt

U17 Race

Briony in the U17 race

U14 Race

Ella Dorrington in the U15 race

WHALEY WALTZ

WHINLATTER 10K

SUNDAY 25 JUNE

A DAY IN THE LAKES TRIATHLON

Report from Jon Cleaver

Peter Coates and I took on this half iron-man(ish) distance triathlon in Ullswater. Leg 1 was a swim in Ullswater consisting of 2 x 1km laps, there was quite a strong current and I swam 0.2km over distance. Next was the bike 48 miles through beautiful villages and countryside and on a long A road on the way back for 2 loops which was around 2500ft climbing. After that came what I was looking forward to a 12.8 mile Fell run to cap the day off with 1900ft of climbing.

Peter Coates and Jon Cleaver at the Day in the Lakes Triathlon

The run was stunning taking in trails and fell with some pretty steep climbs and thrown in at the end was a 5km road run which was not at all comfy in Fell shoes. Peter did fantastic coming in 13^th overall and I came in 37^th. A real bargain of an event for long tri enthusiasts and highly recommended. Great practice for the big one in 3 weeks!!

KINDER TROG

Report from Ivan Whigham

I arrived at Hayfield with rain forecast and as we set off we had rain for the first hour and low cloud causing poor visibility on Kinder.

Race went well until a group of local runners had their maps out lost in the mist! We had to return to the main route.

Ivan Whigham at the Kinder Trog. Photo by Frank Golden

Visibility improved and found the last part of the race was more enjoyable, finishing in 2.40 will be back as it suits my running.

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Burnley parkrun – A total of 359 runners took part.

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 167 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 241 runners took part.

Lyme Park parkrun – A total of 100 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 102 runners took part.

Witton parkrun – A total of 87 runners took part.

Worcester parkrun – A total of 448 runners took part.