Parks, proms and pioneering the Pennine Way

Plenty of great performances this week in a plethora of races in parks and along proms as well as the English Fell Championships. Some sad news too with the passing away of an honorary member – we reminiscence about one of his past achievements.

MONDAY 6 JULY

Hathersage Fell Race
Dave Motley (Dane in the results) took part in this 4.5 mile race with 1066 feet of climb. He finished 27^th in a field of 253 runners with a time of 36:15

Full Results

TUESDAY 7 JULY

20 Barriers
This race follows a scenic route of just over 5 miles on the field paths, trails and canal towpath in the countryside to the south of Carnforth ‘Gateway to the Lake District’. The race gets its name from the number of stiles and other field boundaries crossed en route but none of the ‘20 barriers’ should present any unusual hazards or difficulties.

The inclusion of the race in a Lancashire clubs grand prix meant a record turnout of 200 runners. Unfortunately the organisers reported that persons unknown tried to sabotage the race by removing and redirecting some of the markings which led to some of the runners unfamiliar with the route going off course on a false trail. Next year any marking out will take place just before the race and it will  be the runners’ responsibility for staying on the right route.

Full Results

Rochdale 10k

Nikki Kay and Richard Stevenson at the Rochdale 10K. Photo by Deborah Stevenson

Nikki Kay Reports

It’s always a great atmosphere at Rochdale. The Rochdale Harriers are very welcoming and organised and it’s a great event. The marshals are very encouraging and the whole event is welcoming to all abilities. The course is nice with some surprisingly tough uphills. I was hoping to get under the hour this year but a busy slow start and the torrential downpours prevented this. I finished in 60 mins 43 secs, which is 2 minutes faster than last year. The socks at the end were a little better than last year too. I will definitely be back again next summer.

Full Results

WEDNESDAY 8 JULY

Rob Shepherds Stirton
Two members took part in this 5.5 mile fell race with 1200feet of climbing organised by Keighley and Craven AC

Full Results

THURSDAY 9 JULY

Bull Hill FR
A quartet of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took to the fells for this race. Alan Life was our first man home finishing in 8^th place overall and 1^st V50. Linda Lord was our first lady home finishing in 157^th place and 1^st FV65. Mark Taylor and Julie Toman completed our gang of four.

Full Results

Todmorden Park 5k Series
There was a huge turnout for the second race in this summer series.  Organised by Cannonball Events, this is a fast-paced and flat 5K course run in 5 laps around Todmorden Park.

Jordan McDonald and Jacob Boyle at the Todmorden 5k. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Men’s Age Category wins for Jordan McDonald U18, Andrew Stubbs M45, Stephen Ainsworth M55, Robert Hirst M65, David Scott M70 and Richard Lawson M75.

kenan Eti, Thomas Bradley and Laura Hesketh at the Todmorden 5K. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Women’s age category wins for Alice Pier U18, Irene Roche F55, Anita Jones F60, and Marion Wilkinson F70

Amanda Duffy and Elizabeth Mullan at the Todmorden 5K. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Full Results

FRIDAY 10 JULY

Sedburgh Sports – no results

SATURDAY 11 JULY

Addingham Gala Fell Race
A quartet of Clayton men took part in this race in a field of 100 runners in this 6 mile fell race with 984 feet of climbing.

Clayton Harriers at Addingham Gala Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

 Full Results

Bradda Niarbyl Fell Race

English championship race of 15.5 miles with 5869 feet of climb. A team of five Clayton-le-Moors Harriers crossed the Irish Sea to take part in this English Championship Race. Representing the men were men’s captain Dave Motley, with Dave Bagot and Pete Browning. Representing the Ladies were ladies’ captain Jean Brown and Wendy Dodds.

Fell Captain, Dave Motley said it was a heavy weekend on the beer. Racewise, he said that Dave Bagot had a stormer finishing 49th and picking up a championship point whereas he had worst race of his life.

Almost vertical start at the Bradda Niarbyl championship race. Dave Motley pictured.

Dave Bagot was our first Clayton Harrier to the finish and had the following to report;

The Bradda Niarbyl was a tough but very enjoyable race. There were 5 Clayton Harriers who raced and we were also supported around the course by Joanne Motley, Ryan Wilkinson and Garry Wilkinson. The course went out and back along the coastline from Port Erin to Niarbyl Bay. It involved a series of long gradual climbs with some fast descending in between. I felt strong most of the way round although struggled on the last climb. A brilliant atmosphere at the prize giving which featured live bands, the highly entertaining obstacle course beach race and plenty of beer! Well done to all who ran, and a big thanks to the race organisers and marshals.

Dave Bagot at the Bradda Niarbyl championship race. Photo by Ryan Wilkinson

Full Results

Piece of Cake Half Marathon

Report by Nerina Gill

One thing you can be fairly certain of: if a race is called Piece of Cake, it won’t be. A half marathon on the Long Mynd was never going to be flat, but it was up and over some of the most spectacularly beautiful scenery the British Isles has to offer, on a perfect summer day.

Julia Rushton and Nerina Gill at the Piece of Cake Half Marathon. Photo courtesy of How Hard Can It Be Events

We had to carry more than we’re used to, with first aid kits and at least a litre of water added to the usual fell-pack requirements, so three miles of climb at the start had us nicely warmed up. But the breeze across the Shropshire hills at the top put the smiles back on our faces.

A fairly technical route in places was made harder by the need to dodge runners taking part in a 24 hour race on the same day, sheep made extra skittish by last week’s round-ups and walkers toiling up the steep tracks we were trying to fly down. At least one runner came to grief on the final descent. But we made it safely back to base (okay I did take one tumble, but the damage was fairly minimal) and were greeted by a fabulous array of cakes, and a brilliantly blingy cake shaped medal. A lovely day out, with a race thrown in for good measure.

Full Results

Pretty Muddy 5K

This is a 5k muddy obstacle course where ladies can show cancer that hell hath no fury like a woman in pink. Donna Airey and Lucy Stevenson took part supporting this worthy cause and getting pretty muddy at the same time!

Donna Airey (far left) at the Pretty Muddy Charity 5k Obstacle Race

Lucy Stevenson (L) with her mum, Deborah, at the Pretty Muddy. They won their wave! Well done ladies.

Wasdale – no results yet

SUNDAY 12 JULY

Blackpool Summer 10k
Another week another win. Congratulations to Christopher Holdsworth on his win at the Blackpool Summer 10K. With almost 3 minutes clearance between Chris and the second runner this really was a resounding victory. Great form from Chris. There were top twenty finishes for Dominic Carr, Jon Hanson and Ryan Clark.

Chris Holdsworth at the Blackpool Summer 10K. Photo by Jackie Mellor Clarke

Dominic Carr reports

Just managed to beat my 5 year 10k PB and get under 40mins for the first time. Banished a few disappointments from a crap 3 peaks in April, and knocked off a long term goal. Finished in 39:18. Was 2nd vet 40 and only 5 secs off the vet 40 prize!! I had run all the race with the guy on my shoulder, he just had more left in the last quarter mile. Tried my absolute best, so no regrets. Finished 11th too, out of 505 runners.

Dominic Carr and John Hanson at the Blackpool Summer 10K. Photo Jackie Mellor Clarke

Surprised by such a high finish, but you can only race who turn up. Big thanks to John Roche for all the speed training and tips. Clayton Le Moors Harriers are really lucky to have such a good quality session in the week which John does for the love of the sport and the club.  As much as I said I wouldn’t, started to wonder about getting under 39 mins now…

Ryan Clarke at the Blackpool Summer 10K

A good race for Sophie McIntosh who scored a personal best and managed to crack the 60 minute mark. Must have been her lucky Um Bongo vest. Well done Sophie.

Team McHoldsworth ( Sophie McIntosh and Christopher Holdsworth) at the Blackpool Summer 10K.

Full Results

St Anne’s Carnival 5K & Fun Run

Run amidst St. Anne’s seafront attractions and holidaymakers at the height of the summer and in conjunction with the town carnival, this race has a truly festive atmosphere. The flat, accurately measured 5k course marked with kilometre signs takes competitors from the wide walkway adjacent to the pitch and putt course to the western end of the attractive Fairhaven Lake and back to finish close to the pier.

Our sole representative in the 5K race was Julie Toman who came 78th in a field of 123 runners with a time of 27:43

Team Thompson were out again this weekend racing at the shorter event in St Anne’s.The race runs from near St. Anne’s Pier onto the sea wall, clockwise round the pitch and putt and back onto the sea wall to finish a little way down from the start. To suit the more serious of the young athletes, the race is a measured and certificated 1500m with stage markers every 500m, a distance particularly suitable for younger athletes, but which also gives a sense of achievement to older competitors.

Team Thompson at St Annes.

Dexta came 4th and was first in his age category, Liberty was the first girl finisher. Kady was the 2nd in her age category and Felix was 1st in his age category. 127 runners took part.

Almost a clean sweep there Team Thompson. Where will they be racing this weekend?

Full Results

Towneley Park 10

Another huge turnout for the latest in the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix race series. An impressive 51 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers raced around this hilly course, starting and finishing with the avenue triangle.

Jacob Watson at the Towneley Park 10K. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Jacob Watson had a great race and was our first finisher taking 3^rd place overall and Laura Hesketh continues her good form finishing as first lady in the race.

Laura Hesketh first lady at the Towneley Park 10K. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Men’s age category wins for Paul Hesketh (1^st M50), John Hartley (1^st M55), David Scott (1^st M70) and ted Orrell (1^st M75).

Ladies age category wins for Fabienne Richmond (1^st F35), Helen Burnett (1^st F40), Dawn Terry (1^st F50), Irene Roche (1^st F55), andMarion Wilkinson (1^st F70

Clayton Ladies – runners and volunteers – at the Towneley Park 10k. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Full Results

We Love Manchester 10K

6 Clayton Harriers took part in this 10K in Manchester.

L-R Bryan Searby, Clare Wilson, Lynsey Birtwistle, Justin Birtwistle

Dan Balshaw was our first Clayton finisher in 13^th place overall and was pleased to have run a sub 36 minute race. Bryan Searby was also pleased with his result as he continues to push his times down.

Justin Birtwistle is missing from the results but completed the course in 55:30 He also helped Ron Hill at the end as Ron sprinted the last bit and, whilst waiting for his runners pack, he started feeling weak and his legs went! They had run out of water and so Justin gave him his and two other men helped to sit him down.

Bryan Searby reports; We love Manchester was a great race, Flat fast course just short of 2000 entered. Weather was perfect sun came out. Plenty of PB’s, myself included. Knocked over 2 mins off with a Chip time of 45.24. Dan was going out for a sub 36 and the lad did it. The future is bright. The future is Clayton.

Full Results 

Parkrun roundup

As always lots of our members taking part in parkruns this weekend. Top ten finishes for Jonathan Pye and Kenan Eti at Burnley with new PBs for Chris Snell, Nick Roscoe, John Wilcock, and Bronia Olszewska. A second place finish for John Hartley at Pendle parkrun and a new PB for Ellie Root.

Burnley parkrun – A total of 310 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 71 runners took part.

 Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 78 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 130 runners took part.

Other news

Jim Dawson 1929 – 2015

It is with great sadness that we report the death of one of our honorary members, Jim Dawson, who has died at the age of 86 in a nursing home in Longridge. He joined the club in 1969 just in time for the Pennine Way Relay attempt in 1970, and was very active till his seventies both running and supporting. Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends.

His funeral will take place at Preston Crematorium, near Grimsargh, on Monday 27th July at 2.30pm and afterwards at a local hostelry. Please contact Richard Lawson if you would like to attend.  email: valric55@virginmedia.com

Richard Lawson remininisces

In 1969 many of the club’s best runners departed over an argument as to whether we should amalgamate with Blackburn Harriers.  The club was left with about 30 members, no women, and a new secretary John Haworth who was behind a lot of the good work subsequently done.

The Pennine Way had been opened fairly recently and Wainwright had done his book, so it was decided to attempt to set a good time for others to try and beat. It was like a military operation and we had maximum publicity in the Burnley Express over several weeks. 24 were chosen and were split into 2 teams, each to run 3 sections of the 6 that the distance was split into. We did lots of recces and this meant a lot of travelling up to the Cheviots and down to Derbyshire. Beechams gave us some jungle juice which we had to drink 45 minutes before the run. They were testing the stuff out to give to people working in heavy industry. You can see what that has developed into!

We could run by ourselves in the daytime but at night, and over 1500 feet, we had to run in pairs. There was a telephone base so we could keep in touch and each was given a target time. It began in Derbyshire about 4.00 one morning. My first leg was from the White House above Littleborough, along the reservoirs past Stoodley,then down to the Tod H Bridge road some 8 miles done in 47 minutes…we were fit in those days. I handed over to Jim Dawson who had to run up the big hill over to Colden where our team’s first sections finished. Our team then came here for breakfast before our second stint. All 24 ran the last leg  of 2+ miles into Kirk Yetholm. We did it about 34 hours. Other clubs followed and we had 2 more attempts, less successful in the later 70s, and the ladies had a go and did well. I think Dave Scott and myself are the only 2 still running.

I remember they were constructing the M62 at the time and the footbridge had not yet been built. WE had to get permission from the army to cross their land.