BOGOF

ByAdrienne Olszewska

BOGOF

It’s a whopping double edition this week! You’d think there wouldn’t be much going on this time of year, but as usual our club members have been out there racing and competing all over the place.  You have been doing ultra-long distance events, representing the England Team, winning races, reaching important milestones, and raising money for charity. You’ve been out on the high fells, the boggy moorlands, the rugged coast, the parks, roads, tracks and trails.

THURSDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

DEREK CLUTTERBUCK AND GRAHAM WRIGHT HADES HILL RACE

5 Clayton Runners took part in this 5 mile race. This was a particularly significant race for Martin Brady

Report by Martin Brady

Last night I reached a personal milestone – I completed my 500th race since my mechanical aortic heart valve replacement (AVR) 7 years ago. The races ranged from 33 mile fell races down to 5K road races and open water swims (5K down to 1 mile). The first few months after my AVR I did not think I would get back to running again as I had several problems which made it difficult to run. I eventually overcame these problems and got back to racing – initially with open water swimming. Last nights race was a 5 mile fell race in very wet and windy conditions. It was very muddy but it was probably the most enjoyable race I have done recently. With the weather conditions last night I did not really fancy running but I am glad I did now.

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
26 Scott Baistow MS (008/013) 00:44:41
60 Andrew Howarth M55 (009/015) 00:50:01
61 Martin Brady M55 (010/015) 00:50:07
72 Stephen Fish M60 (005/010) 00:52:22
108 Ron Chappell M65 (003/003) 01:28:34

Full Results

SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER

HODDER VALLEY SHOW FELL RACE

A dozen Clayton Harriers turned out for the latest race in the club fell championship. Ryan Wilkinson was our first finisher in 9th place. Jack Holt was 1st V60 and 13th overall.  Barbara Savage was our first lady finisher in 25th place and 1st LV50 and Linda Lord was 1st LV60.

Report from Sarah Helliwell

It was a sunny day as we lined up in the show ground. The ground was saturated from the weeks worth of rain. After a quick start the runners started to spread up the track and up the climb at Mellor Knoll. Unfortunately the ground was absolutely rutted from the cows between the climb and this is where I went over on my ankle….. 😞.
I carried on hobbling/running and started the climb up Totteridge and hung onto 3 runners as my ankle got its movement back. I cheered on the Clayton runners coming back down the climb. Think Ryan Wilkinson was the first of them followed by Mr Orr, Nutter & Wigham.

Once at the top it as tussocks and heather and around the trig. I started to ignore my ankle and thought right it’s time to pass the 3 runners in front of me as we started the long decent. I got the last one climbing back over Mellor Knoll before the big dipper field to the finish.

It is one of my favourite races, in a stunning area.

Barbara Savage had a great day with first Vet and 1st vet 50. Linda Lord was 1st Vet60 and then myself included we won the ladies team for Clayton. Well done all.

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
9 Ryan Wilkinson M 00:52:45
11 Andrew Orr MV40 00:53:33
12 Mark Nutter MV50 00:54:38
13 Jack Holt MV60 00:55:05
20 Ivan Whigham MV50 00:59:15
24 James Hickie MV50 01:03:33
25 Barbara Savage LV50 01:05:14
27 Peter Dugdale MV60 01:06:39
28 David Naylor MV60 01:06:49
29 Andrew Dugdale MV50 01:07:36
31 Linda Lord LV60 01:07:59
32 Sarah Helliwell L 01:12:24

Full Results

LOTHERSDALE SHOW

Two Clayton Harriers ran in the Lothersdale Show fell race. Alan Life was our first finisher in 7th place and Scott Baistow was 12th.

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
7 Alan Life MV50 13:90
12 Scott Baistow M 14:39

Full Results

PERIS HORSESHOE

Report By Ralph Baines

It’s never a large entry for this race, there is a Half Peris taking in Elidir Fawr, Y Garn and Glyder Fawr and finishing at the car park at Pen y Pass which is about two and a half hours with 4500ft of climbing. Altenatively the Full Peris does the same route at the beginning then continues on the Miner’s track before doing Lliwedd, Snowdon and Moel Cynghorion totalling 8500ft. Andrew Priory and I raced it for a second successive time, last year was glorious weather, this time not so, but we were familiar with the route and knew what was to come. The rocks were very slippery all the way round the course and also coming of the Glyders down to Pen Y Pass was particularly boggy, a good pair of shoes made quite a difference.

Ralph Baines at the Peris Horseshoe fell race.

Ralph Baines at the Peris Horseshoe fell race. Photo by Beau Dog Photography

We ran a chunk of the middle section with Tim Laney who was a member of Clayton many years ago and now lives in Bath. The Descent off Lliwedd was very technical and the climb up Snowdon by the Watkin Path was a long drag, never sure how far off the top we were. I knew it was about an hour from the top to Llanberis and wasn’t too tired this year so we had a good run off and finished in the sunshine in 5:08 hr. The day was completed with sausage, egg and chips at Pete’s Eats and a long drive home.It’s never a large entry for this race, there is a Half Peris taking in Elidir Fawr, Y Garn and Glyder Fawr and finishing at the car park at Pen y Pass which is about two and a half hours with 4500ft of climbing. Altenatively the Full Peris does the same route at the beginning then continues on the Miner’s track before doing Lliwedd, Snowdon and Moel Cynghorion totalling 8500ft.

Andrew Priory at the Peris Horseshoe fell race. Photo by Beau Dog Photography

Andrew Priory at the Peris Horseshoe fell race. Photo by Beau Dog Photography

Andrew Priory and I raced it for a second successive time, last year was glorious weather, this time not so, but we were familiar with the route and knew what was to come. The rocks were very slippery all the way round the course and also coming of the Glyders down to Pen Y Pass was particularly boggy, a good pair of shoes made quite a difference. We ran a chunk of the middle section with Tim Laney who was a member of Clayton many years ago and now lives in Bath. The Descent off Lliwedd was very technical and the climb up Snowdon by the Watkin Path was a long drag, never sure how far off the top we were. I knew it was about an hour from the top to Llanberis and wasn’t too tired this year so we had a good run off and finished in the sunshine in 5:08 hr. The day was completed with sausage, egg and chips at Pete’s Eats and a long drive home.

OMM LITE YORKSHIRE DALES

Report By Colin Woolford

The OMM (Original Mountain Marathon) is just that – originally launched as test of team work, mountain skill and running ability the The OMM has long been the bench mark of multi day navigation based events in the fell running/orienteering community.  The OMM Lite is a more recent idea, developed as an entry point to multi day running events, it is on trails and rights of way rather than open fell/mountain with the navigation being less daunting. The checkpoints are at path junctions or significant features rather than on some tiny contour feature in the middle of nowhere!

Colin Woolford and at the OMM lite

Colin Woolford and Paul at the OMM lite

The other key difference is that the the competitors in teams of two, don’t need to carry their overnight kit like on the full OMM, you return to a central point to refuel, recover and sleep.  The OMM also want to encourage families to attend so family tents, partners and children  are welcome to make use of the event cafe and bar!  This would be my second OMM Lite (and 10th Mountain Marathon) and the plan was that  last years team mate – Graeme from Scotland would run with me whilst our wives and children would amuse themselves around the Yorkshire Dales for the 7 hours on the Saturday and the 5 hours on the Sunday of the “Long Score” format.  We would be charging around the Hawes area finding red and whie flags and collecting points.

Well, that was the plan.

On Wednesday before the Friday night drive to Hawes Graeme rang to say his wife had been quite poorly and that the weekend was in doubt… They would know more after a Thursday morning doctors visit.  By 10.00 am Thursday morning, the weekend was off! With Jenny ordered to bed rest, Graeme clearly wasn’t going to abandon her with their 6 year old to come and charge around boggy bits of Yorkshire with me.  Gutted!  So a quick scan of the website and OMM rules and a brief exchange of emails and text messages with the organisers and it became clear I could turn up and run solo, but be ‘non competitive’ for the weekend having been judged to have had enough experience to do so -or find a partner and transfer the entry, which we could do right up till the start on Saturday morning.

By the time I was able to start reaching out to people I thought might be up for it it was Thursday evening!  No joy with the ‘usual suspects’ so I thought it was time for drastic measures and a post on the Team Clayton FB page – someone must be up for it and available!  But no… desperation kicked in, the idea of being non competitive just did not appeal – those that know me, know I am never going to win these things – but I am damn well going to put a shift in and the idea of getting a “good score” but it meaning nothing was too frustrating to consider.  Time for a post on the FRA FB page.  BINGO!  Within thirty minutes I had some potential partners, with one looking promising, he had done the OMM before, completed the Spine Challenger race (110 miles up the Pennine Way) and could get a pass for the weekend.

We arranged to speak Friday lunch time and by then the show was back on the road. so Paul, and I met at registration on Saturday morning in Hawes at 8.30 am and by 9.45 were running the OMM together.

And what a weekend it was! The weather was wet to say the least, torrential rain had caused many of the rivers to be in spate,  so several fords were now marked as out of bounds and a few checkpoints were dropped for competitor safety, but the two of us seemed to find an even stride. When you have 7 hours to fill on the hill with a complete stranger, you talk about a lot of stuff!  It turns out we were both “mid table” in our results. I’ve always said top 50% is a good result for me, top 75% is more common!  SO what happened that Saturday was just bizarre… We came in after 6 hours 45 minutes, 41 km and a score of 500 points to find ourselves in 9th!!!  9th!!! I’ve never been that high up a leader board in my life!  A celebratory beer was in order!  We were both gob smacked that we clicked the way we did and were keen to put in a good performance to see what we could do on the Sunday..could we improve our lot? would we slip down the field? – we had met the teams in 7th and 12th and seen several of the other teams around us earlier on the hill – competition was going to be strong.

Sunday came and the forecast was shocking – heavy rain due in from mid morning and a stronger wind for the rest of the day. We were going to have to dig deep to battle the elements and see if we would hold on. Neither Paul or I had ever finished in the top ten before… we kinda liked the view!

Sunday we set off at 8.40 at a gentle pace to allow ourselves a gradual warm up. It was a tough day and much more traditional OMM terrain, with greater distance between the check points to boot.  the high ground was particularly tough in the wind, but we both felt we had enough in the tank to push for the higher value checkpoints – the risk with these events is always that you can push too far and end up burnt out and miles away from the finish line which leads to penalty deductions if you are late back. I have on several occasions made this mistake and lost most of my points by being 30 minutes and later back to base!  We were both keen to avoid such a mistake today.

We nailed it. 4 hours 56 minutes and 30km on our feet we came back knowing we couldn’t have done any better or given anymore.  Cold, wet and keen to get the results we sat down to eat the finishers meal and waited for the course to close and results to come in….7th!!!  7th!!!  We’d gained places!  My highest finish ever in a race, never mind a mountain marathon – with a complete stranger by my side!  Astonished didn’t begin to describe the expression on our faces. We knew we had run well, but 7th!

Paul was every bit as amazed as I was, 7th was his best ever result also. To top it all we were 3rd in age category.  3rd!!!

All in all we had plucked triumph from the jaws of my despair – on Thursday evening I wasn’t sure if I was even going to be there at all. To then place in the top ten is still, a few days later… quite astonishing.  I am sure there is a message in there somewhere.  I am still to chuffed to work out what it is though.

Roll on the ROC Mountain Marathon in two weeks time.

Full Results

ONE FOOT IN THE GARGRAVE

Report By Adrienne Olszewska

This is a low key challenge event organised by the LDWA (Long Distance Walkers Association). It’s a 23 mile route around Malhamdale along trails, paths and county lanes and is the perfect event for any runner wanting to try out longer distances. The route is very runnable with only one steep climb up the side of Gordale Scar.

This event was a bit of a confidence booster as I had entered a longer event the following week. I needed to make sure I could still do the time on my feet as I’ve been a bit scant on training over the last couple of months. I managed to joggle round merrily and had a good time as well. The weather was kind despite a wet start and the conditions underfoot weren’t too bad despite a week of continuous rain beforehand.

I finished in 26th place overall with a time of 5 hours and 33 minutes.

Full Results

SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER

LAKE DISTRICT MOUNTAIN TRIALS

Report From Katy Thompson

Wendy Dodds and I took part in the Lake District Mountain Trial from Gatescarth Farm, Buttermere last Sunday. I was doing the Medium course as usual but Wendy had dropped down to the short due to breaking her fibula a couple of months ago.

Runners set off at minute intervals and at my start time of 8.54 the rain was fairly light and in the valley bottom we were sheltered from the wind. However, conditions deteriorated and we were battling into the wind along Hindscarth Edge and down to Honister. Quite a lot of runners called it a day here and ran back down the road to Gatescarth.  After a slow start I was just getting going so carried on over the side of Grey Knotts to Checkpoint 4 on Seathwaite Fell above Sty Head tarn. Here we learnt that the Medium and Classic courses were being abandoned due to the deteriorating conditions and we were sent down to Seathwaite where we were ferried back to the finish. I think I felt disappointment and relief in equal measure. I had been out nearly 4 hours and would probably have been out another 3.

Of 58 starters, ten runners – either very fast or very early starters – did complete the Medium, with a further 15 reaching Checkpoint 4, and prizes were awarded accordingly. The Short course  was completed by 47 out of the 60 starters, including Wendy who had climbed well but found the descents more testing on her injured leg.

I think this is the first time the event has had to be abandoned mid-race, but the organisation was excellent and everybody was accounted for and ferried back to the event centre with little fuss.

Although the courses seemed rather longer than usual, and would have been testing even in good conditions, they offered lots of route choice and the Mountain Trial is a great navigation exercise. The short course can now be tackled in pairs – an ideal introduction to this event.

Full Results

RIBBLE WAY RUN HALF MARATHON

Alison Smith was our only runner in this inaugural trail half marathon. The race takes place along the scenic banks of the River Ribble following the Ribble Way. Alison finished in 74th place coping admirably with mud, puddles, cows and soggy fields.

Alison Smith at the Ribble Way Half Marathon.

Alison Smith at the Ribble Way Half Marathon.

Pos Name Cat Time
74 Alison Smith FV45 02:14:56

Full Results

THE GREAT NORTH RUN

Report from Lynsey Birtwistle

Sunday 10th sept saw me take on my third great north run. The weather was a bit damp when we got to the start and quite chilly but perfect for running really. We met up with team Clayton Karen, Anita, helen and mark and then everyone went into their pens for warm up. This was my first race back since breaking my toe and I hadn’t run anywhere near half marathon distance since may so I was feeling the pressure. I set off too quick (which is quite normal for me!) but managed to find a comfortable pace around the 8 minute mile mark and stuck at it. The support of the crowds is amazing and really spurs you on. I began to struggle around 9 miles which I knew I would through lack of training and I had to really grit my teeth and dig in. When I came down onto the sea front in South Shields I knew I was in with a chance of sub 1:45 which I secretly wanted to get. I gave it everything down that final mile and crossed the line in 1:44:59!!! I don’t half make it difficult for myself sometimes. This is a 5 minute pb so definitely gave me a confidence boost and I got to meet the legend steve cram who asked me about my race!!! Well done team Clayton great day out

Team Clayton at the Great North Run

Team Clayton at the Great North Run

Report from Colin White

Despite protests of injury and not expecting a great time before the race he managed to come home in his fastest GNR time of 1:40:52 for his best position of 3069th.

Pos Name Finish Time
3069 Colin White 01:40:52
3656 Alun Hall 01:42:50
4466 Lynsey Birtwistle 01:44:59
11447 Mark Knowles 01:58:30
12729 Justin Birtwistle 02:00:20
20868 Helen Harrison 02:14:07
36660 Karen Clarkin 02:50:32
36661 Anita Jones 02:50:32

Full Results

THE YORKSHIREMAN

There were Clayton runners in all three categories in this year’s Yorkshireman off road marathon. Congratulation to Christopher Holdsworth on his win in the half marathon despite a navigational error at the beginning of the race!

Marathon Solo Runners

Alex Cran was our first finisher in 39th place with a time of 4:28. Three Clayton ladies also ran finishing in 94th, 96th and 115th place.

L-R Vicky Heys, Angela Shian and Irene Roche. Photos by Woodentops

L-R Vicky Heys, Angela Shian and Irene Roche. Photos by Woodentops

Pos Name Cat Time
39 Alex Cran MV40 4:28:57
94 Vicky Heys FV40 5:20:37
96 Angela Shian FV40 5:20:41
115 Irene Roche FV50 5:42:18

Marathon Pairs Runners

Dave Motley won the pairs even running with former Claytoner Ian Livesey. Martin Terry and Dawn Terry were 10th overall in the pairs race.

Martin and Dawn Terry at the Yorkshireman Off Road Marathon. Photo by Woodentops

Martin and Dawn Terry at the Yorkshireman Off Road Marathon. Photo by Woodentops

Pos Name Cat Time
1 Dave Motley / Ian Livesey M 3:39:26
10 Martin Terry / Dawn Terry MIX 5:22:06

Half Marathon Runners

Christopher Holdsworth at the Yorkshireman Half Marathon. Photo by Woodentops

Christopher Holdsworth at the Yorkshireman Half Marathon. Photo by Woodentops

Pos Name Cat Time
1 Christopher Holdsworth M 1:40:05
50 Jeffrey Pickup MV60 2:15:35

Full Results

WWRS MANCHESTER

The WRRS was held in Wythenshawe Park on 10 September for a second year. One of the most exciting and varied courses in the race series, the route takes place largely over trails, including grassy parkland and dirt paths and starts and finishes on a local athletics track, situated within the park.

Report from Michelle Abbott

The women’s Manchester 10 k was a 2 lap course starting then finishing with a full lap of the track. The course though was more of a xc and trail, with a bit of ducking through trees kind of run. I wasn’t on set for a race just a nice steady away run so was surprised I came in in 9th place overall.  It was well organised with lots of support on route

Full Results

SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

HARDMOORS 60

The Hardmoors 60 route follows the Cleveland Way from Guisborough to Filey passing through coastal resorts and fishing villages such as Saltburn, Staithes, Robin Hoods Bay, Ravenscar, Scarborough and Filey while following cliff tops for the main duration of the race. Competitors will have 18 hours to complete the 62 miles.

Ultra-runner Martin Terry who was 1st V50 at the Hardmoors 60

Ultra-runner Martin Terry who was 1st V50 at the Hardmoors 60

Awaiting official results but congratulations to Clayton runner Martin Terry who was 1st V50 in this year’s event.

JUNIOR HOME INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN RACES

Congratuations to Briony Holt who after earning an England vest went on to finish in 4th place in this event and 3rd England counter.England won in both age categories U17s and U20s in boys and girls. A great debut performance for Briony.

Briony Holt running for England at the Junior Home International Mountain Running event. Photo by Woodentops

Briony Holt running for England at the Junior Home International Mountain Running event. Photo by Woodentops

Report from Briony Holt

After three weeks of waiting for the weekend of the Junior home international, it was finally here. We travelled up to Scotland on the Friday to be greeted with an outdoor adventure centre, where some of my England team mates were. The first part of the weekend was basically just a meet and greet session, putting bags in the dorms and getting ready to check out the course. It was also a chance to get some food before driving to Peebles as we were all starving!

When we first saw what we were running up, everyone was surprised by how flat it was, not the type of route I’m used to – these thoughts were soon changed on the day of the race! It started on a gradual uphill that lead to a funnel to get through a gate in the wall. Then the hill got a little steeper which followed by a gradual downhill section leading us to the next ‘climb’. We contoured around the hill for a little bit before being hit by the steepest section of the course about half way round. I’d say that this part was the only real hill in it! Then the undulating downhill started which lasted for basically the rest of the course. From the races I’d been used to running, it was a lot flatter and this added to the nerves that were already there. I knew I would find it hard! After an early start, it was race day. The face paint and glitter were ready to be applied and our England kits were all lined up along the dormitory floor. The atmosphere was surprisingly calm but I think everyone was quietly nervous!

Briony Holt (2nd from left) with her England Team Mates. Photo by Woodentops

Briony Holt (2nd from left) with her England Team Mates. Photo by Woodentops

We arrived at Peebles High School where Dave and Eileen Woodhead were ready for pre race photos with the England team. He had a stash of GB flags including a Yorkshire flag (his home ground)! Everyone was kept there for a good 10 minutes which helped calm the nerves as they took our minds off the actual race. Considering how small the pens were, I knew that I wouldn’t get a good start. However, I soon caught up with a good uphill to the first section of downhill. I was in 5th place for most of the race until the downhill section where I managed to make ground on the girl in front which secured me fourth position and third England counter. For my first international race, I was over the moon as I wasn’t expecting anything above 6th place! We won the team as well which is always a bonus! I loved the experience as it was a chance to race against some of the top athletes in Britain, but most importantly, it was an opportunity to get to know some of my fellow competitors better. Thankyou to all of the coaches and team mates who have helped me achieve my goal, and to my parents for being the weekend taxi!

NORTHERN ATHLETICS ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Men

The men ran six stages and the club entered 4 teams. Team A were 30th with a combined time of 2:13:21, Team C were 91st with a combined time of 2:39:15, Team D were 101st with a combined time of 2:56:25. Unfortunately, Team B were disqualified but ran an excellent combined time of 2:22:58.

Full Results

Ladies

The ladies ran four stages and the club entered 2 teams. Team A finished in 18th place with Laura Hesketh winning the first leg. She ran the 3rd fastest leg in the ladies competition. Team B finished in 51st place with a combined time of 1:50:34

Clayton Ladies at the Northern Athletic Road Relay Championships

Clayton Ladies at the Northern Athletic Road Relay Championships

Report from Angela Shian

We went to Sports City on Saturday with 2 ladies teams: these types of events always get the butterflies going when you’re on start line, crowded in with top sprinters..!! In an overwhelming stadium, (loudest cheers of encouragement coming from team orange of course.!) team A was Laura Hesketh, Claire vincent, Amanda Duffy & Donna Airey. All 4 ran fantastic legs. Coming a very respectful 18th position overall. We nearly burst with excitement as Laura came sprinting into the Stadium in first position on leg 1, she had an outstanding run, and achieved 3rd over all on fastest leg. Team 2: Michelle abbot headed out in leg 1, Lyndsay Birtwistle (made her relay debut leg 2) Vicky heys was on leg 3 and myself on leg 4, our overall position was 51, out of 86 teams (quite a few dq) A big thank you to both teams to the ladies that ran, we to make sure we continue to compete in these prestigious events and of course, cheer the loudest..!!

Full Results

Juniors

The club entered 8 junior teams.

Clayton Juniors at the Northern Counties Road Relays

Clayton Juniors at the Northern Athletics Road Relay Championships

U13 Girls finished in 18th place. U13 Boys A Team finished in 12th place and U13 Boys B Team were 19th. U15 Girls A Team finished in 27th place and U15 Girls B Team were 36th. U15 Boys Team A Finished in 26th place and U15 Boys B Team were 41st. U17 Mens Team were 27th.

Full Results

RED ROSE 50

Report from Adrienne Olszewska

Adrienne Olszewska and Nicholas Olszewski took part in the inaugural Red Rose 50, a 50 mile (well actually 52 mile) challenge event organised by the LDWA. The route starts and finishes at Jumbles Sailing Club taking competitors up and over Winter Hill, on to Rivington, Brinscall, Houghton, Mellor Brook, Witton Park, Tockholes, Darwen Tower, Entwistle Reservoir and Holcombe Tower.

In typical LDWA style entrants were provided a detailed route description and looked after superbly at 8 checkpoints groaning with goodies to keep you going. The recent rainy weather made the going especially boggy on the various moorland sections and I managed to fall over quite a lot almost from the start. So much so, that at the first checkpoint I was asked if I had enjoyed the spa treatments! The conditions underfoot made for slow going at times but that was countered by some nice, easy flattish bits where I was able to trot along and get in front of the speedy walkers that kept passing me on the climbs. Even as a veteran of LDWA events, I am still constantly amazed and impressed by the speed that some of those walkers can maintain.

I was hoping to finish at midnight and to get to the checkpoint at Entwistle reservoir before it got dark enough for a head torch. As I was running around the reservoir in almost total darkness, I missed the steps up to the top carpark and found myself at the damn. So I headed up the road to get to it the other way and saw car lights. With a cheery hello I appeared out of the darkness full of mud to see some people and some cars who were most definitely NOT an LDWA checkpoint. Awkward! I beat a hasty retreat and headed back, fortunately a couple of people were just heading up the steps and I finally found the checkpoint.

The final section in the dark was the tricky navigation around the back of Bull Hill skirting the MOD firing range. It’s boggy and tricky even in the daylight so it was a welcome relief to have teamed up with a speedy walker who knew the route and to find a set of red lights marking the route like a runway strip!

Didn’t quite hit the midnight target but only over by 25 minutes. I am happy with 16 hours 25 minutes and 47th place,considering my lack of serious training and the conditions underfoot. There were 166 starters and 25 retirements.

Nick has been plagued with injuries for much of the year so this event was ideal to tackle as a test of his recovery. He had a fantastic run with no navigational errors and was at the front of the event in a group of four or five runners from start to finish. He finished in 4th place with a time of 11 hours and 15 minutes. A great return to form.

Full Results

THREE SHIRES FELL RACE

A baker’s dozen of Clayton Harriers were on the entry list for this race and several orange hoops have been spotted on the photos. Still awaiting results.

Report from Alan Dorrington

The shire counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire may have long changed themselves, but the Three Shires boundary stone still lies at the top of the Wrynose Pass road and forms the central point of the race which is named after it. Starting and finishing in Little Langdale, at the eponymously named pub, the Three Shires race is a classic AL Lakeland race, which whilst just scraping a “Long” classification, certainly deserves its A category. A nice easy start rolling along to Greenburn is abruptly replaced by a brutal and very long climb up Birk Fell and then up onto Wetherlam. It’s tough mentally as you can see exactly where you are headed as the race stretches out above you and tough physically as the route gains around 1700ft in1 mile of distance.

Clayton Runners at the Three Shires Fell Race. Photo by Steve Wilson

Clayton Runners at the Three Shires Fell Race. Photo by Steve Wilson

Thankfully once Wetherlam summit is reached it becomes much more runnable, down off the back of Black Sails with only the rocky path up Prison Band to Swirl How to break things up. Clear conditions on the day meant the runners had fantastic views all around the Coniston Fells and over to Bowfell and Scafell. The route then drops pretty much in a straight line down sometimes boggy slopes toward the Three Shires Stone on the Wrynose road. Just under half distance and so far so good. But the hardest part of the race is to come, up and over Pike ‘O’ Blisco before a long and at times taxing descent down Wrynose Fell to Blea Tarn.

The final part of the race up and over Lingmoor Fell is a real test of resolve. The climb is long, at times steep, often boggy and with a couple of false summits. If you had anything in reserve at that point, it’s soon used up and it’s a real battle to keep moving well, up and over Mart Crag and onto a long run into the finish back at the pub. I had my usual inability to move well downhill later on in the race, and so struggled in somewhat slower than I had hoped, but the tea and pasty at the finish soon took care of that and the satisfaction of completing one of the longstanding classic Lakeland races in great weather soon replaced any grumpiness about times and the like.

Report from Carl Helliwell

I headed up with the Z-team to do the 3 Shires at the Langdales on Saturday. After a couple of months of niggles I was hoping for a niggle free race and this is thankfully what I got. The weather was brilliant as I headed up the first climb with the usual faces from various clubs. I knew it would roughly be an hours-worth of climbing as my legs started to get their rhythm and felt stronger the further I climbed. This is also a good chunk of the race and I thought I needed to make the best of it. It is a stunning area for a race and was well organised by Ambleside. Every runner was given a pasty, brew and a commemorative 35 year mug for doing the race. Well done to all members for doing the race. Andy Laycock was the first one home in 9th position, plus a special mention to Mark Nutter who next year will complete his consecutive 30th 3 Shires fell race. Well done all who ran.

AWAITING RESULTS

SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

ASDA FOUNDATION BURY 10K

Top ten finishes for Danny Collinge and Calum Holmes at the Asda Foundation Bury 10K.

Team Clayton at the Asda Foundation Bury 10K

Team Clayton at the Asda Foundation Bury 10K

Pos Name Cat Time
3 Danny Collinge M 00:34:10
7 Calum Holmes M 00:37:11
96 Reece Lawrence M 00:42:39
244 Chris Lawrence M50 00:47:09
589 Alison Thorne F45 00:54:20

Full Results

BURNLEY LEISURE 10K

Report from Luke Turner

I do the course a lot on training runs so despite doing the road relays yesterday I decided to still have a go at racing it. The conditions were good, dry and not too cold. I went out in the leading pack of 3 and sat on the shoulders of the other two comfortably for the first 4 miles. Unfortunately going into the 5th mile yesterday’s relays caught up with me and my legs started to tire and I fell off pace a little. I managed to come home in 3rd which I’m really happy with having ran the race on very fragile legs. It’s one of my favourite courses and I’ll definitely be back next year hopefully for the win

Happy Harriers at the Burnley Leisure 10K

Happy Harriers at the Burnley Leisure 10K

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
3 Luke Turner MS (003/019) 00:37:36
20 Robert Morrison M40 (004/016) 00:45:13
27 Cassandra Smedley F35 (002/013) 00:47:16
28 Colin White M40 (007/016) 00:47:41
35 Stuart Proctor M40 (008/016) 00:50:58
36 Brian Wildman M50 (006/020) 00:51:48
38 Nina Kewin F35 (004/013) 00:52:24
49 Ian Hargreaves M40 (011/016) 00:54:40
57 Melanie Hirst F40 (003/021) 00:56:21
79 Helen Harrison F50 (003/008) 01:00:31
85 Christine Egerton F60 (004/005) 01:01:51
103 Ron Chappell M60 (008/008) 01:08:48

Full Results

EMBSAY FELL RACE

Richard Briscoe was our sole runner in Embsay Fell Race organised by BOFRA.

Pos Name Cat Time
37 Richard Briscoe M 26:20

Full Results

YARROW RIVER SPLASH 10K

A scenic one lap race in and around woodland, following the River Yarrow, starting and finishing in the Yarrow Valley Country Park, Chorley. This course takes in the crossing of the River Yarrow. Deborah Greenwood and Bianca ran in the race.

Deborah Greenwood and Bianca Bennett after the Yarrow Splash

Deborah Greenwood and Bianca Bennett after the Yarrow Splash

Report from Bianca Bennett

Muddy fun with a scenic route. The course was well signposted and marshalled. I haven’t raced in a while and I was glad I picked this race. It has blown the cobwebs off and given me my mojo back. Great XC prep too!

Pos Name Cat Time
87 Bianca Bennett F 1:04:59
129 Deborah Greenwood FV45 1:14:10

Full Results

PARKRUN RESULTS

Latest parkrun results for Clayton-le-Moors Harriers

Latest Burnley junior parkrun results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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About the author

Adrienne Olszewska