And the wind did howl, and the wind did moan… but it still doesn’t deter Clayton-le-Moors Harriers.  We are a hardy bunch and a bit of a breeze and a nip in the air isn’t going to get our way! Out in force at the cross country in Towneley park, up on the fells, pounding the roads, and parkrunning in nasty conditions. You just can’t keep a Harrier down.

Mid-Lancs Cross Country – Towneley

This was home turf for many of our members especially the juniors who run here most Saturdays so it was an excellent turnout and event for them. There were a few first-timers for the seniors running in this event so well done to them and we hope it is the first of many!

Junior Race Report – from Andy Armstrong

A blustery cold day greeted our junior runners on Saturday for the latest round of the Mid Lancs XC Series. Despite the weather we had an excellent turnout with 27 young athletes braving the conditions.

Our under 13 girls secured first team place and our under 15 boys grabbed the second team position. We don’t really like to single runners out as they all did superbly just to turn out & run in the conditions but a special mention has to go to Jackson who, having finished his race, continued running through the finish funnel and back onto the field to run in with his younger brother Josh (in his first XC competition).

I also have to mention a gutsy performance from Lucy Stevenson in the under 15 girls race. It’s not easy for an adult to finish at the back of the field, it’s even harder for a teenager; Lucy continues to turn up & train hard and the results will come.

Gutsy runner Lucy Stephenson

U-11 Girls
Our under 11 girls turned out in force and there were top ten finishes for both Ella Dorrington and Sophie Ashworth who was running her first cross country race. Well done to our youngest girls who put in some solid performances in tough conditions.

U-11 Boys
Another win for Jackson McKay and some great performances all round in difficult conditions. It was great to see Jackson heading back onto the course to support his brother Joshua; do we have the Brownlee brothers of the future? Let’s hope so! Well done boys.

Jackson running back to support his brother Joshua after finishing in first place.

U-13 Girls
Our exceptional under 13 girls continue to enjoy success with superb runs from all four of them earning a well deserved first team result. There’s just no stopping Briony, Ellie, Liberty and Millie.

Our unstoppable U-13 girls. L-R Ellie Root, Liberty Thompson, Millie Stubbs, Briony Holt

Team Position – 1^st place!

U-13 Boys
Two of our U-13 boys took part. Well done Adam and Harry.

Adam Quinn in the U-13 boys race

U-15 Girls
Alice Pier and Lucy Stevenson represented the club in this age group. Well done girls!

U-15 Boys
Our under 15 boys ran well and earned themselves 2^nd place team. Great effort from Curtis, Thomas and Ryan.

U-17 Women
Bethany Quinn was our sole representative in this goup and finished in 9^th place with a time of 18:23 Well done Bethany!

U-17 Men
Jordan McDonald had a great run finishing in 6^th place with a time of 19:58. Well done Jordan!

Ladies Race Report by Ladies’ Captain, Irene Roche

Ladies XC Captain, Irene Roche, in action at Towneley

I arrived at Towneley Park today via wind power and extremely cold one at that! Should have put more layers on over the usual hoody and jacket! However, spirits were not iced or crushed amongst the good turnout we had today. Although we complained about the cold, the start line was awash with tangerine and with the passing of best wishes to “have a good run”, we were off.

It’s safe to say the wind both pushed us on and pushed us back, depending where you were on the field. Having battled the elements, Clayton ladies all finished in excellent style. From the front Angela overtook Vicky, Natalie (relatively new to XC) following close behind. A particular well done to our first three counters! The results show excellent efforts also, from the rest of our ladies.

The Vet 55s gained first place for their group while other categories came in with good positions. Particular congratulations to Nikki Kay for completing her first XC and to Jacqueline Kershaw for giving it a go “instead of the road”. Much appreciated girls!

And so, for the magnificent turn out by Clayton members today, a big thanks as always to all.

Cheers everyone, Irene

Ladies Team Results

Team A – (A Shian, V Heys, N Harrison) 13^th place
Team B – (I Roche, J Knightley, D Richardson) 20^th place

Over 35 Team Results
Team A (A Shian, V Heys, I Roche) 8^th place
Team B (J Knightley, D Richardson, J Rushton) 10^th place

Over 45 Team Results
Team A (I Roche, J Knightley, D Richardson) 4^th place
Team B (J Rushton, K Brady, K Thompson) 8^th place

Over 55 Team Results
1^st place (I Roche, J Knightley, K Thompson)

Mens Race Report by Men’s Captain, Ian Greenwood

Clayton showed their true colours at the Mid Lancs Cross Country at Towneley Park, Burnley. I would just like to say a big thank you to all Team Clayton that turned out at Burnley on Saturday. It was great to see the young talent in the club putting in some outstanding performances. Senior men’s team on the day finished second to Blackburn Harriers. Let’s have the same performance at the next fixture at Blackpool in February, and that will see us gain promotion to division one where Clayton Harriers belong.

On a personal note sorry I had to drop out on the day, all down to a Christmas virus and a niggling injury. Let’s see Team Clayton out in force at Blackpool.

Ian Greenwood, Senior Mens Cross Country Captain

George Pier (far left) giving Dave Motley and the other senior men a run for their money!

Well done to George Pier who ran in the senior men’s race, finishing 62^nd overall and 9^th U20. He was the 5^th Harrier to finish making him a counter in our 5^th team place. George is definitely giving the senior men a run for their money. One to watch!

Garry Wilkinson – member of the senior, V40 and V50 teams.

Senior Men Team Results

Team A (C Holdsworth, J McKenna, B Holdsworth, L Smith, G Pier, D Motley) 5^th Place
Team B – (R Belshaw, C Helliwell, G Wilkinson, A Orr, J Hanson, A Cran) 11^th Place

Vet 40 Team Results
Team A – (B Holdsworth, G Wilkinson, A Orr, A Cran) 3^rd Place
Team B – (M O’Donnell, M Hogan, D Naughton, J Wilcock) 12^th Place

 Vet 50 Team Results
Team A – (G Wilkinson, D Naughton, J Wilcock) 3^rd Place
Team B – (P Booth, Stephen White, A Howarth) 13^th Place

 Vet 60 Team Results
(P Booth, D McCallum, D Scott) 1^st place

Full Results

Garstang 10K – 11th January

Well done Stephen Biscomb who came 90th in a field of 475 runners with a time of 00:42:36.

Full Results

Fell Race Results

Firbank Fell – Sunday, 11th January

Ladies fell captain, Jean Brown, Carol and Alan Life and Stephen Fish all took part in the senior KWL Firbank Fell race   It is described as a fast cross-country/fell course that contains a surprising amount of climbing and as the seniors have 2 laps there are 6 streams to cross.  The course can be quite exposed in poor weather. “The weather was very cold wet and windy and we had our cags on most of the time”, said Jean.  Her son, Christopher Brown took part in the junior race.

Christopher Brown finished in 34th place with a time of 7:14 in the under 12s race in a field of 73 runners. Well done!

Full results

The Trigger Race – Sunday 11th January

Also over the weekend was the Trigger race organised by Nicky Spinks. In the Trigger Race entrants navigate their way from Marsden over Black Hill, Bleaklow and Kinder to Edale visiting three trigs points on route. The linear route is measured at 20 miles with 4500 feet climb.

198 runners that took part. It was a very successful race despite dire weather forecasts in the week leading up to the race. The altered course and the weather conditions – wet underfoot and a howling wind made for slower times overall.

Wendy Dodds took part finishing in 151st place in a time of 5:51:47

Full Results

Parkrun Roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 139 runners took part.

 Keswick parkrun – total of 77 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 30 runners took part.

Coming up

Northern Athletics 12 & 6 Stage Road Relays Championships

The date and location of the Mens 12 stage and Womens 6 stage Northern Relays have been released, 28th March at Sefton Park in Liverpool – Clayton Harriers are looking to enter teams into this event and improve on last years position.

If ANY able bodied male or female runners would like the opportunity to represent their club please contact Tom Brewster (mens) or Angela Shian (womens) to register your interest.

Club Membership Renewals

Subscriptions for 2015 became due on January 1st 2015 and renewal forms have been sent to members during December. Please take some time to check your personal details and advise any changes to the Membership Secretary.

If you do not currently pay your subscription by standing order please consider joining the many members who already do. A standing order form is attached to the renewal form.

More details and payment information

President’s Social Run – Saturday 17th January

After running from Blacko Chapel for 23 years, sadly it is now up for sale, so
this year I will try a run from our house. We can probably cope with the usual
number.  Usually very muddy with lots of stiles!

2.00pm – 47 Stone Edge Road, Higherford, BB9 6BB.

PFO Orienteering- 17th January

Need to improve your navigation skills? Why not have a go on one of the orienteering courses organised by Pendle Forest Orienteers at Gawthorpe Hall this Saturday

Details

And finally…

Good luck to all of our club members who are taking part in the Hebden, the Stanbury Splash, the East Lancs Hospice 10k, or KWL Giggleswick fell race.  Have a great run and don’t forget to tell us how it went.

Fell captain, Dave Motley will be guest editing the next weekly roundup.