It’s a cracking roundup this Easter weekend.  No eggs, just wins! You lot have been busy, many running more than once and in different disciplines.  We’ve had some great results. There’s been fell, trail, road and lots and lots of tangerine.  The future’s bright!

Out in force this weekend!

Pete Hartley Memorial Liver Hill Fell Race – 31 March

Report From Chris Funnell

It might have sleeting and gusting winds but that didn’t dampen the buzz of excitement as the Pete Hartley Memorial Liver Hill Fell Race heralded the start of British Summertime and the eagerly awaited return of mid-week racing.

There was a strong display of orange and white with 22 Clayton members (including El P) making up a total turnout of 158 runners in the starting line up on the sports field at the Marl Pits. Due to the high winds the only part of the pre-race briefing I managed to hear was “…you finish on the race track”. In the end after some deliberation and consultation with fellow Clayton members I opted to pack my cag in my bum bag rather than wear it as I remained optimistic about the conditions once we got going.

I remembered the race from last year and the need to try to get a reasonable position in the initial charge across the field which then bottlenecks into a narrow path up an embankment that quickly churns up like a wildebeest river crossing. Once clear of the embankment there was a steady climb of about 500 feet over the next mile or so before reaching the open moor and a game of Russian roulette over the boggy sections commenced. Seeing others sink in front of me I successfully negotiated two bogs but succumbed to a third immediately sinking up to my shins. At this point the front runners including Jacob Boyle could be seen running back from the summit. After rounding the summit and the initial descent you were then back on to the boggy moorland and this time with a head wind to contend with. The route had at least 4 or 5 stiles which on the return leg had to be negotiated with runners on the out leg. Depending on timing these at least provided a couple of welcome seconds of respite. The final mile was an enjoyable descent and the chance to stretch out although in the final section only just managing to stay upright (more though good luck than good footwork). It was then back on to the playing fields and a cordoned route onto the race track and a final sprint to the finish where a young and enthusiastic race helper congratulated me and thrust a Cadburys Crème Egg into my hand. It doesn’t get better than this I thought. This is an excellent organised race held this year in memory of the sad loss of the excellent fell runner, photographer and Rossendale Harrier, Pete Hartley.

Katy Thompson added; ” I think Pete must have been smiling down on us because, although the wind was still cold and strong, the rain and snow from earlier in the day held off for the race.

As usual, I was very slow on the first climb but came to across the muddy fields and managed to pass George.   There are a number of tricky stiles to negotiate, made even more difficult when you meet the front runners coming back. I could see Linda Lord on the loop to the summit of Liver Hill, but she was too far ahead to catch.

The first half of the return run is much more uphill than you realise on the way out, then it’s a fast downhill on tracks and through the woods. I passed El Presidente on the way down, but he got me back on the slight incline just before the final fields. (Very ungentlemanly of you, Dave!).

After the kamikaze descent familiar from the cross country, it was across the muddy fields to the finish where Denise was handing out crème eggs to everyone. Looking down at my legs, they were so muddy that I couldn’t tell where my running bottoms ended and the skin began!”

Full Results 

Littleborough 5k Road Series – 1 April

Five club members braved atrocious weather conditions to compete in the first race of the popular Littleborough 5K Road Race series organised by Cannonball Events. This fast course with very little climb is a great opportunity to test out your racing legs and push for a personal best. Ninety nine runners took part in this event.

Congratulations to Team Roche who cleaned up the V55 category taking home the accolade for the male (John) and female (Irene) so well done to them. Three other members also braved the miserable conditions to race; Jean Knightley, Leanne Cottam and Nikki Kay.

Well done to Nikki Kay in particular who managed to knock a whole 5 minutes off her best time in this event last year – looks like all her hard work in training for the London Marathon is really paying off.

Full Results

Caldervale 10 – 3 April

Dynamic duo Julia Rushton and Nerina Gill took on the Caldervale 10 mile road race and this is what Julia had to say; “Caldervale10 may only be just down the road from Guys 10 but the terrain is far tougher, think of it as a short Hendon Brook. A great atmosphere, a village event where everyone is welcome. Lovely quiet rural lanes virtually traffic free. One of my fave road races.”

Full Results

Pendle Fell Race – 4 April

Senior Race

On a glorious Easter Saturday a fantastic turnout of 41 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers lined up for this classic local fell race; a good few of them running their first fell race. Clayton-le-Moors Harriers won the Lancashire Team Trophy and fielded an impressive 8 complete mens teams and a ladies team. We had vet category wins for Alan Life, Pete Booth, Irene Roche and Katy Thompson.  Chris Holdsworth had a great race finishing in 6th place overall and 2nd place Lancashire Championship.

First time fell racer Danny Collinge said; “I have one word for it, and one word only…HARD!”

Danny Collinge at the Pendle Hill Fell Race. Photo by Ryan Wilkinson

Competing in only her second fell race, Helen Burnett reported; “It was great to take part in the race as a member of Clayton up a hill I can see from my window at home. As a new fell runner and newish Clayton member, I received loads of support and encouragement from the long standing fell running members who were both running and marshalling. Great family atmosphere with the kids races first and then lovely to see the friendly banter of George and Katy Thompson in the first climb up Pendle, an inspiration for me and Dave! I did enjoy the steep climbs but need to toughen up for the downhill and was pleased with a strong finish down the last mile on the road. Enjoyed a well earned shandy afterwards in the Pendle Inn with a lot of the Claytoners. I’m proud to have done a race where local friends have said “nutters” and “mental”.

George Thompson, Helen Burnett and Katy Thompson climbing up Pendle. Photo by Ryan Wilkinson

Dave Burnett added, “Yet again I have been shown what fell racing is all about, losing over 20 places on the second ascent was soul destroying – I’m either going to get fitter or carry Numchucks next year.

First time fell racer, Matthew Duckworth described his race as “awful” but added he can’t wait for the next one!

First time fell racer Matthew Duckworth at the Pendle Fell Race. Photo by the Woodentops

Another new fell racer, Michelle Butschock said; “This was my 1st race on Pendle and it feels like a real accomplishment. Had all sorts of negative thoughts in my head going up but once at the trig I must’ve had the biggest smile on my face!! The marshal at the trig was fantastic, really encouraging, all the Claytoners were at the finish cheering me on inmy battle to the line with another runner, the whole atmosphere through the day was fab. ”

Junior Races

There was a great turn out across all the age groups at the junior races, with a number of first timers.  Some great performances from the juniors, as always, promising a bright future for the club.

Clayton Juniors looking like they mean business at the Pendle Fell Races

Full Results

Guiseley Gallop – 5 Sunday

A couple of Clayton Harriers were spotted at this event.

Full Results 

Rivington Pike Fell Race – 4 April

Three vet men and one Clayton Lady were flying the club flag in one of the oldest and historic fell races in the country, organised by Horwich RMI Harriers. The race is 3.2 miles with 800ft of ascent.

Ron Hill at the Rivington Pike Fell Race. Photo by Mark Sammon

Our vet men, Stephen Fish, Ted Orrell and Ron Hill made 14th team place – not bad for a threesome whose ages total over 200 years between them!

Full Results

Wollaton Park Easter 10k and 2k Runs – 6 April

Team Holdsworth had a great day out at Wollaton Park Easter multi terrain 10k. The Family 2k fun run was enjoyed by Roanna and Finan, especially the Easter eggs received at the finish.

Team Holdsworth, resplendent in tangerine, at the Woollaton Easter Races

Breton took 4th place overall in the 10k race and first vet prize, in a field of over 600 runners.

Full Results

Hollingworth Lake 5k and Golden Mile – 6 April

Organising, marshalling, running and winning at Hollingworth Lake 5k

Shrouded in mist and murk, the weather was a far cry from the glorious sunshine of the Pendle Fell races but that didn’t deter us. 28 club members, including 5 of our junior members, took part in this fast, flat 5k race.  There was a great win by Danny Collinge taking Clayton to team victory with Jacob Watson and Jordon McDonald. Second win of the weekend moving from the fell FV55 to the road FV50  for Irene Roche and Steve Biscomb taking the V60 win.

L-R Jacob Watson, Danny Collinge and Jordan McDonald. Team winners at the Hollingworth Lake 5K

Golden Mile Fun Run

Seven of our Juniors took part in the Golden Mile fun run.  Brilliant runs from all of them.  Top ten finishes for Dexta Thompson and Adam Stevenson and a particular mention for Liberty Thompson who ran in both races!

Clayton Juniors at the Golden Mile Run

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

Another week of great parkruns for our club members and, with it being the Easter Weekend, it would seem there has been a little bit of parkrun tourism going on as well.

We took the top four postions at the Burnley parkrun so very well done there to Jacob Watson, Mark Aspinall, Jon Hanson and Paul Brannon. Jonathon Pye was second at Penrith and John Hartley was in fifth at Pendle.  Shiny new PBs for Stephen Ainsworth, Eloise Pemberton and Rachel Stevenson. Well done to Marion Wilkinson, who despite her long-term involvement with Burnley parkrun, only took part for the first time this weekend!

Burnley parkrun – A total of 201 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 66 runners took part.

 Bolton parkrun – A total of 307 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 202 runners took part.

 Ashton Court parkrun – A total of 307 runners took part.

Cardiff parkrun – A total of 600 runners took part.

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 75 runners took part.

Penrith parkrun – A total of 96 runners took part.

Southampton parkrun – A total of 549 runners took part.

Club Road Palladium – Latest Standings

In the Road Palladium Competition members receive points for competing in any road race. There are separate competitions for Ladies and Men. Points are awarded as in the following example: If five men members compete in a road race then the first man home is awarded five points; the second man home is awarded four points; and so on.

Latest standings show Irene Roche leading the Ladies table and Jacob Watson leading the Mens table.

Runners of the Month

Well done George Pier for winning February senior runner of the month for his great performance at Muddy Shoes & at the Mid Lancs League Cross Country races.

Well done junior runner of the month Ryan Clarke for a brilliant run at Winter Warmer 10K.

Kit Manager

The club is looking for a new Kit Manager to take responsibility for our junior and senior clothing range. So, if you want to play a key part in making Team Clayton the smartest team around this is your chance! The job involves sourcing and designing new lines, storing the stock, as well as selling to members. The club wants to move to offering electronic payment as well as providing an online shop, so some computer skills are needed for the role.

We need more help to make our club even better. If you think that you could be our Kit Manager, please get in touch with either myself or any committee member.

Jim Hickie, Chair