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ByAdrienne Olszewska

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 18th place and Colin Woolford was 39th.

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!

Pos name category time
18 Richard Briscoe Msen 00:45:02
39 Colin Woolford MV40 00:54:45

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 2nd place with Roger Brewster in 28th and 1st 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 2nd 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!

Pos Name Cat Time
2 Tom Brewser M 32:37
28 Roger Brewster M60 38:29

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

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

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

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

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

Leanne Cottam and Rachel Todd. Photo by Sport Sunday

Pos Name Cat Cat Pos Time
6 Luke Turner MS (003/043) 00:40:06
9 Matthew Duckworth MS (004/043) 00:41:25
10 Dave Motley MS (005/043) 00:41:52
11 Richard Stevenson M40 (004/026) 00:41:58
16 Chris Snell MS (008/043) 00:42:38
21 Jonathan Cleaver MS (012/043) 00:43:20
23 Jordan McDonald MS (014/043) 00:43:27
24 Paul Hesketh M50 (001/023) 00:43:29
27 Jonathan Pye MS (015/043) 00:44:02
33 Michael O’Donnell M40 (007/026) 00:44:45
38 Alan Dorrington M45 (007/021) 00:45:19
43 George Pier MS (020/043) 00:46:02
44 Gareth Berry M40 (011/026) 00:46:05
46 James Boult MS (022/043) 00:46:41
49 John Wilcock M50 (004/023) 00:46:59
50 David Moynihan M50 (005/023) 00:47:04
51 Michael Clarke M40 (012/026) 00:47:15
55 Craig Nicholls M40 (013/026) 00:47:59
59 Sean Clare M50 (008/023) 00:48:47
60 Robert Morrison M50 (015/026) 00:48:58
61 Andy Bradley M50 (009/023) 00:49:06
67 Adam Stephenson MS (026/043) 00:49:40
68 James Dunderdale MS (027/043) 00:49:57
72 Jeffrey Pickup M65 (001/005) 00:50:23
73 Elizabeth Mullan FS (001/0013) 00:50:26
75 Andy Quinn M45 (010/021) 00:50:38
80 Mick Hughes M40 (018/026) 00:51:08
83 Alex Braysford M45 (011/021) 00:51:28
84 Cassandra Smedley F35 (002/007) 00:51:42
93 Paul Foster M45 (013/021) 00:52:43
94 Andrew Webster M45 (014/021) 00:52:52
106 Chris Lawrence M50 (017/023) 00:54:12
108 Mark Taylor MS (038/043) 00:54:12
111 Stuart Proctor MS (040/043) 00:54:38
112 Donna Airey F35 (003/007) 00:54:42
114 Colin White M40 (019/026) 00:55:25
116 Andrew Howarth M55 (004/011) 00:55:49
117 Nerina Gill F45 (004/008) 00:55:55
118 Carl Carey M45 (015/021) 00:56:36
122 Jean Knightley F55 (001/005) 00:58:03
124 Jane Ryan F40 (002/011) 00:58:18
127 Peter Dugdale M60 (006/007) 00:58:53
129 Julia Rushton F50 (003/011) 00:58:59
131 Colin Woolford M40 (021/026) 00:59:19
132 Andrew Taylor M55 (055/011) 00:59:22
142 Bryn Barnes M65 (004/005) 01:01:07
143 Bethany Quinn FS (006/013) 01:01:12
144 Donna Scott F50 (004/011) 01:01:41
150 Ian Hargreaves M50 (022/023) 01:02:31
125 Lucy Scott FS (005/007) 01:02:54
153 Justin Birtwistle M40 (023/026) 01:03:03
158 Lisa Ellis F35 (005/007) 01:03:26
162 Mark R Knowles M40 (026/026) 01:04:21
163 Alison Thorne F45 (005/008) 01:04:26
170 Michelle Butschok F40 (009/011) 01:06:33
171 Rachel Todd F40 (010/011) 01:06:34
172 Leanne Cottam F35 (006/007) 01:06:35
176 Jane Hylands F45 (006/008) 01:08:36
180 Joanne Motley F35 (007/007) 01:10:12
184 Helen Harrison F45 (008/008) 01:11:58
185 Karin Goss F65 (002/002) 01:12:02
186 Julia Taylor F55 (002/005) 01:12:20
187 Judith Carey FS (013/013) 01:12:56
191 Geraldine Varley F55 (004/005) 01:15:34
192 Anita Jones F60 (002/002) 01:17:17
197 Jack   McGuire M60 (007/007) 01:22:52

Full Results

SABDEN TRAIL JUNIOR RACES

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

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.

Pos Name Time
4 Olly Plant 3:49

U9 Girls

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

Pos Name Time
4 Ruby Cleaver 4:32
7 Charlie Plant 5:35

U11 Boys

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

Pos Name Time
5 Guy Whalley 9:46
6 Charlie Barnes 10:04
7 Thomas Ashworth 10:04
10 Brayden Clarkson 10:51
13 Fraser Anforth 13:55

U11 Girls

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

Pos Name Time
6 Emily Nicholls 11:11
8 Darcey Hirst 11:55
9 Ellisia Smedley 12:07
10 Joni Higgins 14:16

U13 Boys

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

Pos Name Time
3 Robbie Smedley 8:13
4 Harry Cole 8:34
6 Matthew Jackson 8:45
8 Finley Stubbs 8:49
11 Charlie Birtwistle 9:34
12 Luke Guest 10:14
14 Jake Anforth 10:19

U13 Girls

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

Pos Name Time
1 Helana White 8:51
6 Rachel Stevenson 13:13

U15 Boys

Michael Stevens finished 2nd in the U15 Boys race.

Pos Name Time
2 Michael Stevens 8:31
4 Lennon Jackson 9:06
5 Adam Stevenson 9:06
6 William Nicholls 9:07
9 Jake O’Dowd 11:03

U15 Girls

3rd place for Ella in the U15 girls race.

Pos Name Time
3 Ella Dorrington-Levy 9:43
4 Sophie A Ashworth 9:56
8 Keira Stevenson 11:14

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

pos name category time
4 Matt Perry M 00:30:07
10 Peter Coates M40 00:32:23
81 Mark Taylor M 00:40:59
91 Wayne McIntosh M 00:41:47
100 Darren Rushton M40 00:42:55
119 Joanne Perry F 00:46:30

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 8th place with a time of 17:42.

Matthew and Lennon Jackson at the Todmorden Park 5K

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

Pos Name Cat Time
8 Jacob Watson M 17:42
25 Matthew Jackson MU12 19:33
27 Lennon Jackson MJ U14 19:44
40 Stephen Green M60 20:28
65 Michelle Abbott F35 22:51

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

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

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.

Pos Name Cat Time
23 Andrew Laycock M 05:05:28
54 Wendy Dodds LV65 07:02:05

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

Briony Holts ran at Kirkby in Furness on Saturday for BOFRA  It was a gradual steep road start which changed to a steep hill once entering the farmers field from the road. It was dry, windy and humid and felt like there was no air, which made it hard to breathe at times. Briony kept a good pace and secured 2nd place.

U17 Race

Briony in the U17 race

Briony in the U17 race

Pos Name Time
5 Briony Holt 20:43

U14 Race

Ella Dorrington in the U15 race

Ella Dorrington in the U15 race

Pos Name Time
18 Ella Dorrington 19:52

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

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 13th overall and I came in 37th. 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

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.

Pos Cat Time
65 Ivan Wigham M50 02:40:01

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Burnley parkrun – A total of 359 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
3 Jonathan PYE 18:36 SM25-29
4 Matthew DUCKWORTH 19:02 SM25-29
8 Nicholas HENNESSEY 19:26 JM15-17
10 Michael STEVENS 19:37 JM11-14 New PB!
12 Daniel PLANT 19:55 VM35-39
13 Gareth BERRY 20:23 VM40-44
18 Paul FOSTER 20:56 VM45-49
25 Reece Adam LAWRENCE 21:11 JM15-17
30 Simon WILSHAW 21:30 JM15-17
38 Lennon JACKSON 21:59 JM11-14
41 Chris LAWRENCE 22:10 VM50-54 New PB!
43 Charlie BARNES 22:24 JM10 New PB!
49 Aaron LUNDIE 22:34 JM15-17
50 Wayne MCINTOSH 22:38 VM35-39 New PB!
54 Michelle ABBOTT 22:45 VW35-39
62 Guy WHALLEY 23:29 JM10 New PB!
67 Bethany WHEATCROFT 23:44 JW11-14
106 Katy THOMPSON 25:15 VW60-64
133 Lucy SCOTT 26:12 SW30-34 New PB!
140 Imogen FERGUSON 26:29 JW11-14
142 Lisa ELLIS 26:30 VW35-39
144 Ian HARGREAVES 26:35 VM50-54
160 Annabel WILCOCK 27:09 JW15-17
161 John WILCOCK 27:09 VM50-54
172 Richard LAWSON 27:39 VM75-79
187 Donna SCOTT 28:13 VW50-54
241 Heidi KEWIN 30:18 JW11-14
252 Stuart BARKER 30:47 VM50-54
256 Robert HIRST 30:57 VM65-69
263 Marion WILKINSON 31:17 VW75-79
320 Joni HIGGINS 36:46 JW10 First Timer!

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 167 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
151 Robin PRICE 34:48 VM70-74

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

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
144 Eileen JONES 30:07 VW65-69

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

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
30 Martin BRADY 25:25 VM55-59 First Timer!

Pendle parkrun – A total of 102 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
2 Richard STEVENSON 20:16 VM40-44
6 Alex CRAN 21:05 VM45-49 First Timer!
7 Paul BRANNON 21:10 VM55-59
33 Dawn TERRY 25:48 VW50-54
45 Eleanor Betty ROOT 26:55 JW15-17
76 Christine LEATHLEY 34:18 VW65-69
77 Yvonne WICKHAM 34:20 VW50-54
98 John HARTLEY 44:35 VM60-64

Witton parkrun – A total of 87 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
2 Jacob WATSON 18:33 SM30-34 First Timer!
7 Chris SNELL 19:31 VM35-39 New PB!
14 Robbie SMEDLEY 21:40 JM11-14 First Timer!
15 Jonathan CLEAVER 21:45 VM35-39
19 Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY 23:02 VW35-39 First Timer!
30 Carl CAREY 26:13 VM45-49
70 Ellisia SMEDLEY 36:57 JW10 First Timer!
71 Julia RUSHTON 36:58 VW50-54

Worcester parkrun – A total of 448 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
124 Lisa JOHNSON 25:51 VW45-49 First Timer!
342 Emily JOHNSON 33:54 JW10 First Timer!

 

ByAdrienne Olszewska

The heat is on!

What a scorcher! But as always you have been keeping your cool and making your presence felt. You’ve been out in huge numbers at lots of events, competing in championship races, winning medals and enduring the heat with a smile on your face.

WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE

BILLY KNOX 65TH BIRTHDAY 5K COWM RACE

Ron Chappell was our sole runner in this 5k race. He finished in 42nd place. A total of 48 runners took part.

Full Results

BROWN WARDLE (AND A BIT MOOR)

Five Clayton runners took part in this short 3.3 mile fell race with 1181ft of ascent. Alan Life was our first finisher in 6th place overall. Wayne McIntosh was 26th with Stephen Fish in 28th and 1st V60. Carol Life was our sole lady runner and she finished in 34th place overall and 1st LV50

Pos Name Cat Time
6 Alan Life V50 32:22
26 Wayne McIntosh Sen 40:26
28 Stephen Fish V60 42:17
34 Carol Life LV50 46:18

Full Results

HOLCOMBE TWO TOWERS

In the first of three races this week Peter Coates joined Martin Brady for this mid week fell race.

Report from Peter Coates – Race 1

At the Holcombe Two Towers race there was just myself and Martin Brady in action for Team Clayton in this little gem of a midweek race organised by Holcombe Harriers. This is a short but surprisingly tough 4 mile fell race across and around Holcombe Moor with some steep climbs. I finished 7th overall out of a field of 109 and was first vet40 so a good evenings work which would hopefully sharpen me up for the big race at Tebay at the weekend.

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
7 Peter Coates M40 00:36:42
71 Martin Brady M50 00:51:18

Full Results

FRIDAY 16 JUNE

BARROWFORD GP 5K ROAD RACE

This fast and flat 5k race is the latest race in the popular Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix series and, as always, there was a bumper turnout of Clayton Harriers across the board.

A Race

Five fast lads took on the seriously speedy A Race with top ten finishes for Jacob Watson, Luke Turner and Matthew Duckworth. Jonathan Pye just outside in 22nd place and George Pier in 30th. All five with comfortably sub 20 times.  The race was won in 14:27 by Jonny Mellor of Liverpool Harriers.

Clayton fast lads in the A Race at Barrowford. Photo by David Belshaw

Clayton fast lads in the A Race at Barrowford. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
13 Jacob Watson MS 00:16:48
17 Luke Turner MS 00:17:22
19 Matthew Duckworth MS 00:17:27
22 Jonathan Pye MS 00:17:41
30 George Pier MS 00:18:46

Full Results

B Race

A huge turnout of 65 Clayton Harriers took part in the B race with an astounding range of ages from 15 to 75.  Jon Cleaver was our first finisher in 3rd place overall and Amanda Duffy was our first lady finisher in 32nd place overall, 2nd lady and 1st F35. There were plenty of age category wins for our youngsters and vets as well. 1st M17 for Josh Hall, 1st F35 for Amanda Duffy, 1st F55 for Irene Roche, 1st M65 for Jeffrey Pickup, 1st F50 for Julia Rushton, 1st FJ for Beth Quinn, 1st M75 for Richard Lawson and 1st 7o for Marion Wilkinson.

Team Clayton out in force at the Barrowford 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Team Clayton out in force at the Barrowford 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
3 Jon Cleaver M40 (002/021) 00:17:30
8 Paul Hesketh MS (002/018) 00:18:47
10 James Boult MS (004/018) 00:18:51
11 Daniel Plant MS (005/018) 00:18:56
13 Josh Hall M17 (001/001) 00:19:00
14 Gareth Berry M40 (005/021) 00:19:06
16 Michael Clarke M40 (007/021) 00:19:10
20 Mick Hughes M40 (008/021) 00:19:20
22 David Moynihan M50 (002/018) 00:19:23
26 James Dunderdale MS (008/018) 00:19:32
27 Michael O’Donnell M40 (010/021) 00:19:34
32 Amanda Duffy F35 (001/009) 00:19:52
34 Sean Clare M50 (004/018) 00:19:56
37 Elizabeth Mullan FS (002/011) 00:19:59
38 John Roche M55 (003/014) 00:20:05
41 Craig Nicholls M40 (013/021) 00:20:10
42 John Wilcock M50 (006/018) 00:20:11
44 Paul Foster M45 (004/014) 00:20:17
45 Adam Stephenson MS (010/018) 00:20:19
48 David Naughton M55 (006/014) 00:20:44
51 Robert Morrison M40 (014/021) 00:20:52
53 Jason Pier M45 (006/014) 00:20:57
56 Neil Garnett M55 (007/014) 00:21:02
57 Andy Quinn M45 (007/014) 00:21:05
59 Cassandra Smedley F35 (002/009) 00:21:07
70 Andrew Webster M45 (008/014) 00:21:46
72 Chris Lawrence M50 (012/018) 00:21:57
74 James Hickie M55 (009/014) 00:21:59
76 Michelle Abbott F35 (003/009) 00:22:06
78 Irene Roche F55 (001/006) 00:22:13
80 Jeffrey Pickup M65 (001/004) 00:22:17
81 Colin White M40 (017/021) 00:22:21
84 Carl Carey M45 (011/014) 00:22:28
86 Angela Shian F40 (003/010) 00:22:42
87 Stephen Breckell M65 (002/004) 00:22:44
90 Julia Rushton F50 (001/005) 00:22:59
96 Alfie White M15 (001/001) 00:23:52
97 Jean Knightley F55 (002/006) 00:23:54
98 Janine Pollard F45 (003/008) 00:23:55
100 Jane Ryan F40 (004/010) 00:24:05
104 Andrew Taylor M55 (011/014) 00:24:23
105 Donna Scott F50 (003/005) 00:24:24
106 Lisa Johnson F45 (004/008) 00:24:25
107 Justin Birtwistle M40 (018/021) 00:24:26
108 Bethany Quinn FJ (001/001) 00:24:28
110 Lisa Ellis F35 (004/009) 00:24:30
111 Lucy Scott FS (008/011) 00:24:30
112 Richard Lawson M75 (001/001) 00:24:31
114 Bryn Barnes M65 (003/004) 00:24:53
115 Bianca Bennett FS (009/011) 00:24:56
121 Jane Hylands F45 (005/008) 00:25:24
122 Michelle Butschok F40 (007/010) 00:25:26
123 Leanne Cottam F35 (005/009) 00:25:28
125 Rebecca Bradshaw FS (010/011) 00:25:49
132 Deborah Greenwood F45 (008/008) 00:26:29
133 Mark. R. Knowles M40 (020/021) 00:26:34
140 Tracy Plant F35 (008/009) 00:28:40
141 Karin Goss F65 (003/003) 00:28:55
142 Geraldine Varley F55 (004/006) 00:29:00
143 Judith Carey F35 (009/009) 00:29:09
147 Marian Wilkinson F70 (001/001) 00:29:42
149 Jack McGuire M60 (005/005) 00:30:15
150 Anita Jones F60 (003/003) 00:30:22
151 Ron Chappell M65 (004/004) 00:30:24
152 Sharon Wilson F40 (010/010) 00:31:33

Full Results

JUNIOR RACES

U9 Race 1K Race

Charlie Plant was our first finisher in this race (she is wrongly listed as a boy!). She was 8th overall and in another show of sibling support, she went back after finishing her race to support her younger brother Olly.  Ruby Cleaver had a great race to finish 12th overall and 1st girl in her age category. Emily Johnson continues to improve and raced to 17th place.

Ruby Cleaver in action in the U9s Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Ruby Cleaver in action in the U9s Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
8 Charlie Plant M9 (005/007) 00:04:42
12 Ruby Cleaver F7 (001/006) 00:05:07
17 Emily Johnson F9 (008/011) 00:05:24
25 Olly Plant M7 (002/002) 00:06:41

U13 Race 2K Race

Racing hard against his former clubmate Dexta Thompson, Robbie Smedley had to settle for 2nd place.  Our U13 boys all ran strongly. Helana White was our first girl in the race in 11th place and 2nd girl overall in the race.

Charlie Barnes in action in the U13s Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Charlie Barnes in action in the U13s Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
2 Robbie Smedley M13 (002/010) 00:07:14
3 Harry John Cole M13 (003/010) 00:07:30
4 Matthew Jackson M13 (004/010) 00:07:34
9 Finley Stubbs M13 (006/010) 00:07:48
11 Helana White F13 (002/004) 00:08:02
16 Charlie Birtwistle M13 (007/010) 00:08:20
17 Luke Guest M13 (008/010) 00:08:36
20 Charlie Barnes M11 (007/012) 00:08:44
23 Thomas Ashworth M11 (008/012) 00:08:53
25 Toby Birtwistle M11 (010/012) 00:08:57
26 Jake Anforth M13 (010/010) 00:08:59
28 Imogen Ferguson F13 (004/004) 00:09:16
32 Emily Nicholls F11 (006/010) 00:09:57
34 Darcey Hirst F11 (008/010) 00:10:00
35 Fraser Anforth M11 (012/012) 00:10:31
36 Ellisia Smedley F11 (009/010) 00:10:32

U17 3K Race

Oue U15 and U17 runners dominated this race with strong performances all round. Nick Hennessey took the win with Michale Stevens snapping at his heels in 2nd. Millie Stubbs was our first girl and 2nd overall in the race.  There were age category wins for Nick Hennessey, Michael Stevens and Millie Stubbs.

Millie Stubbs and William Nicholls in the U17 Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Millie Stubbs and William Nicholls in the U17 Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
1 Nicholas Hennessey M17 (001/002) 00:10:51
2 Michael Stevens M15 (001/008) 00:10:53
4 Reece Lawrence M17 (002/002) 00:11:36
5 Lennon Jackson M15 (003/008) 00:11:37
9 William Nicholls M15 (006/008) 00:12:09
10 Millie Stubbs F17 (001/002) 00:12:31
12 Sophie Ashworth F15 (002/006) 00:12:44
15 Bethany Wheatcroft F15 (004/006) 00:13:59
16 Keira Stevenson F15 (005/006) 00:14:24
17 Jake O’Dowd M15 (008/008) 00:15:28

Full Junior Results

SATURDAY 17 JUNE

BUCKDEN PIKE

Clear blue skies greeted the runners at the start of the Buckden Pike Fell race. Numbers were a little down this year due to a clash with the Championship race taking place at Tebay.

Mark Nutter at the Buckden Pike Fell Race, Photo by Andy Firth

Mark Nutter at the Buckden Pike Fell Race, Photo by Andy Firth

Mark Nutter was our first finisher in the race in 26th place overall and took the 1st V50 win as well. Linda Lord was our only lady runner and finished in 62nd place and 1st WV65.

Linda Lord in the Buckden Pike Fell Race. Photo by Andy Firth

Linda Lord in the Buckden Pike Fell Race. Photo by Andy Firth

Pos    Name Cat    Time   
26 Mark Nutter (1st) M55 48:51
46 Jack Dugdale M 52:27
55 Andrew Dugdale M55 55:31
59 Peter Dugdale M60 57:12
60 Wayne McIntosh M 57:15
62 Linda Lord (1st) W65 58:45

Full Results

MUCKLE TOON ADVENTURE FESTIVAL

Report from Dave Motley

Another annual pilgrimage to the Muckle Toon Adventure Festival for Team Perry, Team Motley & Team Clarke and this year we were joined by Team Helliwell. The festival based in Langholm in the Scottish borders is a mix of MTB, road sportive, trail running and on the event filed they have all sorts going on from trampolines to climbing walls and tent talks on various subjects. There is something for everybody from little kiddies right through to the most sporty of us, on top of this the weekend was topped off with camping, drinking and BBQ in the glorious Scottish Summer.

Muckle Toon Trail Races

Muckle Toon Trail Races. L-R Matt Perry, Jo Perry, Sarah Helliwell, Carl Helliwell, Dave Motley and Russ Clarke

The races themselves are tough and testing trail routes with lots of climbing and the 25 degree heat certainly didn’t help. The 10k & half marathon were on the Saturday and set off at the same time with a route split after about a mile. I found the initial climb tough after last week’s 22 for 22 on Pendle and the 85 miles in my legs was really showing. After the first few miles I found myself in about 7th or 8th but with a big descent to come I found my legs and seemed to carry the momentum through the field for the next 10 miles feeling stronger and stronger. I eventually finished the race in 3rd place managing to gain that position after about 12 mile. Matt Perry runner up at the race last year had to settle for another 2nd with Russ Clarke in 5th and Carl Helliwell in 12th.

Whilst us blokes were out doing the half, the wives were tearing up the 10k with Mrs Perry finishing the tough 10k course in 41st position in a time of 62:16 and Mrs Helliwell 51st in 65:46. Mrs Motley was chief babysitter on Saturday so I think she had the harder job looking after 6 kids whilst we got to run, however she did get her break and ran the 5k on the Sunday in a time of about 27mins. A belting weekend and Team Motley will be back for more in 2018

Muckletoon 10K Trail Race

Pos Name Cat Time
41 Jo Perry F 01:02:16.4
51 Sarah Helliwell F 01:05:46.9

Full Results

Muckletoon Trail Half Marathon

Pos Name Cat Time
2 Matt Perry M 01:34:22.0
3 Dave Motley M 01:42:23.1
4 Russ Clarke M 01:48:16.5
12 Carl Helliwell M40 02:00:30.8

Full Results

PILLING 10K SERIES  – RACE 2

Laura Hesketh was our sole representative in this 10K road race. She finished in 8th place overall and the first lady runner with a time of 37 minutes dead

Pos Name Cat Time
8 Laura Hesketh F 00:37:00

Full Results

TEBAY

Peter Coates joined nine other Clayton Harriers to compete in the third race of the FRA British Championships at Tebay. Super vets Kieran Carr and Wendy Dodds took first place in their respective age categories with Jack Holt taking 2nd in his.

Tebay Fell Race. L- R Kieran Carr, Jack Holt, Peter Coates, James, Neil Hardiman and

Tebay Fell Race. L- R Kieran Carr, Jack Holt, Peter Coates, James Williamson, Neil Hardiman and David Bagot

Report from Peter Coates Race No.2

Over 450 runners with a good turnout from Clayton lined up for this championship race in gloriously hot sunshine. The heat was going to make this 8.1 mile race with 3000Ft of ascent an absolute beast particularly with what was warned as being a extremely tough final climb up Blease Fell.

I soon settled into the race after what was quite a chaotic start to the race with runners choosing different lines up the rough track. I spotted Dave Bagot up ahead just before we began the climb to Rispa Pike and set my sights on reeling him in and managed to pass him on the boggy path just after the summit. The next few miles were a mix of killer climbs and fast descents. I still felt strong as I reached the summit of Linghaw and began an exhilarating descent off the fell towards the stream crossing before the final killer climb up Blease Fell which looked massive. This was a real tough climb in very hot weather but I managed a good climb and still felt strong when I finally reached the summit. It was then a case of running the final 2 miles on a long gradual descent back to the finish in Tebay.

Barbara Savage at the Tebay Fell Race. Photo by Steve Angus

Barbara Savage at the Tebay Fell Race. Photo by Steve Angus

What a fantastic race in stunning scenery in glorious sunshine and one which I thoroughly enjoyed running against the UK’s top fell racers. I finished just ahead of Dave Bagot who had a great race considering his heroics of the previous weekend on Pendle so massive respect to Dave!

Pos    Name Cat    Time   
96 Peter Coates M40 01:27:01
105 David Bagot M 01:27:53
138 James Williamson M 01:31:24
200 Geoffrey Gough MV55 01:36:48
211 Jack Holt (2nd) MV65 01:38:23
217 Neil Hardiman MV45 01:38:41
315 Kieran Carr (1st) MV70 01:48:08
382 Wendy Dodds (1st) FV65 01:58:08
421 Barbara Savage FV50 02:06:44
427 Katy Thompson FV60 02:10:31

Full Results

SUNDAY 18 JUNE

FATHER’S DAY 10K

James Dunderdale was our only runner in the Father’s Day 10K race organised by Lancaster Race Series. He finished in 7th place overall with a time of 41:57.

James Dunderdale in the Fathers Day 10K

James Dunderdale in the Fathers Day 10K

Position Name Cat Time
7 James Dunderdale M 00:41:57

Full Results 

FRECKLETON HALF MARATHON

A quartet of Clayton Harriers took to the scorching roads of Freckleton for this half marathon race. David Moynihan was our first finisher in 69th place.  Sarah Angelone was our first lady finisher in 125th place.

Sarah Angelone and Janine Pollard ready for the Freckleton Half Marathon

Sarah Angelone and Janine Pollard ready for the Freckleton Half Marathon

Report from Sarah Angelone

Well what can I say about the freckleton half? It was the hardest race I’ve ever done!!! In scorching heat with no wind the hardest battle was not the physical pain but the mental battle to keep going. Luckily the water stations, armed with sponges and showers were a god send and something I eagerly kept a look out for throughout the route and after each one looked like I’d been for a swim never mind out for a run!!! Glad I got round the gruelling 13.2 miles but I wouldn’t want to do it again.

Pos    Name Cat    Time   
69 David Moynihan M50 01:40:01
125 Sarah Angelone F S 01:48:38
183 Vicky Heys F45 01:56:50
219 Janine Pollard F45 02:01:31

Full Results

HELM HILL RACES

Report from Peter Coates –  Race No. 3

BOFRA race at Helm Hill Kendal.  I decided to do this race after we stopped up in the Lakes following the previous day’s race at Tebay.  This was my first BOFRA race and I enjoyed the low-key feel although with runners of the calibre of Ben Mounsey and Simon Bailey competing the quality of the field was definitely not low key.  This was a relatively short 3.3 mile race and I was not sure how the legs were going to feel following the previous days tough racing.  The race starts with the climb up Helm Hill and my legs felt dead going up the short climb but once at the top my race head took over and I tried to pick runners off were I could along the twisty paths and sharp climbs and descents.  I was pretty shattered at the finish but I did enjoy the race and didn’t do too bad considering.

Peter Coates at the BOFRA Helm Hill Race.

Peter Coates at the BOFRA Helm Hill Race.

Pos    Name Cat    Time   
9 Peter Coates M40 28:06

Full Results

OLDHAM 10K

BRITISH  ATHLETICS EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP TRIALS

 Report from Chris Holdsworth

Three Peaks Fell Race 2015 – Constant hail, sleet, snow and wind leading to mild hypothermia.

Tour of Pendle 2015 – Cramp so bad that I almost had to get evicted off the Big End for squatting so long… AND almost being beaten by Dave Motley *Shudder*

Edinburgh Marathon 2016 – re-aggravation of a hip injury from mile 15 and pushing through to the end (Possibly not so clever in hindsight).

Howarth Hobble 2017 – Blowing up with 6 miles to go after 26 miles of tough, boggy, brutal running and looking as well as Jonathon Brownlee did after THAT infamous moment.

Home International Race, Sedbergh 2017 – now joins the list of toughest races I’ve endured!

Making my England debut, I’d hoped to have kinder conditions, but the forecast (unsurprisingly for the middle of June) provided intense, windless heat on the Sedbergh Hills.

Chris Holdsworth ready for his England debut. Photo by Sophie McIntosh

Chris Holdsworth ready for his England debut. Photo by Sophie McIntosh

The race began shortly after 1pm and despite the weather, I quickly found myself in 2nd place on the tail of leading England runner Chris Smith. Having reduced my miles for the race, my legs were feeling very good. However, the warmth soon sapped and drained everything I had and I found myself in massive oxygen depletion earlier than usual. Summiting and returning down the way we came, I felt my dry and dehydrated hamstrings both begin to strain and pull… A painful run back down on tender legs, the next loop back round will be one I won’t forget in a while.

Chris in action.

Chris in action.

I’d never felt sick whilst running before, I’m usually quite adept at keeping myself composed and well, but the next slog up the climb brought on involuntary retching, blurred and diminishing vision, and the tightening of lungs, throat and every muscle in my legs.

Success for Chris on his England debut.

Success for Chris on his England debut.

I was running for England though, there wasn’t any chance I was going to let my pace drop any further – so I clawed and battled my way back to the summit, and endured the pain all the way back down.

Gold medal winning England Team

Gold medal winning England Team

Finishing 6th in the World Mountain Trials race and 3rd in the Home Internationals, I was able to help England secure victory and a gold medal – as well as a bronze medal, two shredded hamstrings and one hell of an Englishman’s sunburn for myself… well worth the pain!!

AWAITING FULL RESULTS

TRAILBLASTER

A men’s team, a ladies’ team and a number of juniors gave the club a real presence at this year’s Trailblaster endurance event featuring laps in and around Towneley Park.

Team Clayton at the Trailblaster endurance event.

Team Clayton at the Trailblaster endurance event.

Report from Michelle Abbott

The event and support was amazing with loads of people coming down to give their support and run laps with us (too many to mention but you were all brilliant) which was amazing. It was definitely a bit too hot to be out for 12hrs, but with team and family support and pure grit we got through every lap together which paid off in the end. At 7.30pm already tired and ready for a lie down ,I was anxiously waiting for Nina to come in so I could get out and equal the record of 25 laps I knew I had to be back before 8 so that Cassie could get out and complete the 26th lap –  so no pressure!

After a hot 5 laps I was off with a little help from one of our juniors,Sophie, who ran the full lap with me and the support coming into the last 1.7 was amazing with George Pier running along with me for the last push. I got in with 3 mins to spare. we got the ladies 12hr team win and record! We will be back again. Such an amazing team effort – male and female.

Junior Runners at the mini Blaster. Photo by David Belshaw

Junior Runners at the mini Blaster. Photo by David Belshaw

Everyone worked really hard with well deserved wins all round even for our juniors who took on a full lap in the miniblaster. Matthew Jackson leading all the way with Lennon on his tail until the last K when Lennon pulled in front and won by 6 secs leaving Matthew in second – sibling rivalry keeps them pushing.

 Report from Lynsey Birtwistle

I can honestly say that this is one of the best days running I have ever had. Both teams performed so well in the heat and the team spirit was amazing. It was so hot out there and each lap got harder and harder.

Trailblaster Ladies Team

Trailblaster Ladies Team

Lots of friendly Clayton faces came down to cheer us on and join in with our massive spread of food in the party tent!!! The last couple of hours were brilliant and both teams worked well together to win both men’s and women’s team prizes. Cannot wait for next year!

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Abingdon parkrun – A total of 347 runners took part

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
10 Alan DORRINGTON 19:16 VM45-49 New PB!
68 Ella DORRINGTON-LEVY 22:59 JW11-14

Burnley parkrun – A total of 340 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
7 Richard STEVENSON 19:19 VM40-44
8 Matthew DUCKWORTH 19:22 SM25-29
14 Matthew JACKSON 20:12 JM11-14
16 Gareth BERRY 20:30 VM40-44
19 Michael STEVENS 20:56 JM11-14
37 Gordon BARRETT 22:10 VM55-59
49 Charlie BARNES 22:41 JM10
57 Aaron LUNDIE 23:21 JM15-17
61 Michelle ABBOTT 23:35 VW35-39
62 Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY 23:36 VW35-39
63 Philip NAYLOR 23:39 VM35-39 New PB!
65 Bethany WHEATCROFT 23:50 JW11-14
72 Daniel PLANT 24:01 VM35-39
87 Dawn TERRY 24:35 VW50-54
96 Bryn BARNES 25:05 VM65-69
115 Carl CAREY 25:53 VM45-49
128 Annabel WILCOCK 26:24 JW15-17
129 John WILCOCK 26:27 VM50-54
133 Donna SCOTT 26:31 VW50-54
163 Rebecca BRADSHAW 28:08 SW25-29
172 Mick HUGHES 28:24 VM40-44
197 Christine Jennifer EGERTON 29:21 VW65-69
220 Judith CAREY 30:12 VW35-39
223 Sophie MCINTOSH 30:25 SW25-29
238 Robert HIRST 31:09 VM65-69
248 Christine LEATHLEY 31:57 VW65-69
260 Richard LAWSON 33:03 VM75-79

Burnley junior parkrun – A total of 120 runners took part

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
6 Bethany WHEATCROFT 08:43 JW11-14 New PB!
7 Joshua MCKAY 08:49 JM10 New PB!
9 Guy WHALLEY 08:59 JM10 New PB!
17 Imogen FERGUSON 09:17 JW11-14
48 Darcey HIRST 11:18 JW10
66 Fraser ANFORTH 12:12 JM10

Concord parkrun, Sheffield – A total of 88 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
15 Martin BRADY 23:17 VM55-59 First Timer!

Cuerden Valley parkrun – A total of 209 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
83 Paul THOMPSON 28:11 VM45-49

Mile End parkrun – A total of 278 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
212 Eileen JONES 30:16 VW65-69 First Timer!

Pendle parkrun – A total of 94 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
3 David EDMONDSON 20:24 VM50-54
33 Eleanor Betty ROOT 27:32 JW15-17

Witton parkrun – A total of 116 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
115 Julia RUSHTON 50:23 VW50-54

 

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Going the extra mile

What a week! There have been some amazing efforts from our members as they took part in the Pendle Hill 22 for 22 challenge with plenty more of you turning up to support and join in along the way.  There’s also been plenty of action with some great performances and success in the Inter-Counties competition.

PENDLE HILL 22 FOR THE 22

The terrorist attack at the MEN Arena left 22 dead and 119 injured. Many of our club members have felt the impact of this atrocity and thankfully our junior member who was there escaped unhurt. A charity event to raise money for the We Love MCR Emergency Fund and Red Cross was launched.

6 runners, Garry Wilkinson, Matt Perry, Dave Motley, Dave Bagot, Ryan Wilkinson, Lee Smith and Paul Hesketh would run up and down Pendle Hill 22 times making a total of over 80 miles of running with around 22,000 feet of climbing over 3 days.

The 22 for 22 Challenge. Photo by David Belshaw

The 22 for 22 Challenge. Photo by David Belshaw

Support came in thick and fast from members of Clayton Harriers, other local running clubs and local businesses.

Report From Garry Wilkinson

Well 4 out of 5 of us beat the mountain.22 Summit climbs from the Pendle Inn Barley taking in 84 miles and 23,500 feet of ascent/descent. Starting out on Friday at 4pm and finishing Sunday at 4pm.

Claggy conditions during the 22 for 22 challenge.

Claggy conditions during the 22 for 22 challenge.

We wish to thank the Pendle Inn, Barley Village for letting us host the event there and all our sponsors and supporters. Some came to run a few and some just one.

Clayton runners supporting the challenge. Photo by David Belshaw

Clayton runners supporting the challenge. Photo by David Belshaw

Others just came to show their support, feed us and take in the incredible camaraderie these guys produced. We have raised close to £5000 and our original target was a thousand.

You can still donate on www.justgiving.com/WeHeartMCR22

We just can’t thank you enough

Report From Dave Motley

Well I managed to complete the challenge of running up/down Pendle Hill 22 times this weekend and I’m not broken, although my legs are a little sore.

We love MCR

One last time. Photo by David Belshaw

During the challenge 4 of us completed the full 22 reps resulting in us running 83.5mile and climbing 23,359ft!! I’ve just checked and this is the equivalent of running from Everest base camp to the summit and back down twice (and a tiny bit more) over the weekend. Unfortunately Man 5, Ryan Wilkinson had to pull out after really struggling with a knee injury with 5 reps to go, but he has already vowed to finish the challenge when he’s fixed, so watch this space.

We had some real low times between us over the weekend with awful weather on Saturday and personally the 1st two legs on Sunday where I couldn’t keep food down (not drink related). But the support we received over the weekend from our families, friends and the running community was amazing.

We have managed to raise over 4k so far and once we’ve counted the buckets and got the last bits of sponsorship hope to be over the 5k mark. You can still sponsor us on the below link. Thanks for all your support, it means a lot to me and the rest of the lads.

TUESDAY 6 MAY

PADDY’S POLE

The weather conditions at the Preston Harriers` organised Paddys Pole fell race were very challenging this year. A very strong westerly wind howled across the fells making progress very difficult at times for the runners and the wind had brought down some tree branches in the lanes near Chipping. The race starts and finishes near Fell Foot and is 3.7 miles , with 1102 feet of climbing. It heads out under Parlick, crosses Blindhurst Fell to Fair Snape Fell (Paddys Pole) and returns with a fast descent to the finish off Parlick. The first three runners were together for the majority of the race and Matt Perry won in 31.06, just two seconds ahead of Sam Harrison of Bowland. They both descended from Parlick at a furious pace as the lead kept changing hands.

Sarah Helliwell was our first lady finisher and Karin Goss was 1st FV60. First place was awarded to both our Men’s and Ladies’ teams.

Pos Name Cat Time
1 Matt Perry M 00:31:06
8 Peter Coates M40 00:34:12
12 Carl Helliwell M40 00:34:49
13 Chris Snell M 00:35:10
25 Andrew Orr M40 00:38:54
29 Sean Clare M50 00:39:27
31 Mark Nutter M50 00:40:25
38 David Moynihan M50 00:41:51
48 Wayne McIntosh M 00:44:36
49 David Naylor M60 00:45:23
51 Colin Woolford M40 00:45:42
53 Andrew Dugdale M50 00:47:55
55 Stephen Fish M60 00:48:54
56 Sarah Helliwell F 00:49:15
60 Joanne Perry F 00:51:32
67 Karin Goss F60 00:57:38

Full Results

WEDNESDAY 7 MAY

ASTLEY PARK TRAIL SERIES

Seven junior runners took part in the second race of this year’s Astley Park trail series. Lennon Jackson was our first finisher in 17th place and Sophie Ashworth was our first girl.

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
17 Lennon Jackson M17 (013/033) 00:05:37
22 Matthew Jackson M17 (016/033) 00:05:43
36 Sophie Ashworth F17 (014/034) 00:06:02
37 Helana White F17 (015/034) 00:06:04
54 Luke Guest M17 (025/033) 00:06:22
61 Imogen Ferguson F17 (024/034) 00:06:30
82 Jake O’Dowd M17 (030/033) 00:07:02

Full Results

SENIOR RACE

Jonathan Pye and David Moynihan took part in the senior race. Jonathan was our first finisher in 13th place overall and David was 44th

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
13 Jonathan Pye MS (004/022) 00:27:46
44 David Moynihan M50 (008/030) 00:30:33

Full Results

BLENCATHRA FELL RACE

Report from James Williamson

The 2017 Blencathra fell race started with the race organiser reading a quote from the great Alfred Wainwright – a request made by the family of Stephen Owen who tragically passed away whilst competing in Loughrigg fell race earlier this year. A poignant reminder of how precious life is and a moment to reflect. A short silence followed by a round of applause in his memory was a fitting way to pay tribute to a fellow runner who died doing what we all love.Blencathra - James Williamson by Stephen White

I’ve been looking forward to this race all year, a real classic Lakeland fell race starting from Mungrisdale taking you over the summit of Bowscale fell, Blencathra and Souther Fell. At 7.5 miles and just shy of 3000ft climb, this is a pretty runnable race (once the 1st climb is out of the way) & affords some stunning views of the surrounding Peaks and Lakes. It wasn’t difficult to get motivated for this, given that Blencathra is my favourite mountain & for me this is by far the best race on the calendar both in terms of value & race route.

The windy conditions this year made it much more difficult compared to the glorious sunshine last season…… although we fell lucky as the relentless rain over the 2 days had halted for a few hours!

3 Clayton vests turned out amongst a strong field for this one – me, Neil & Barbara.

I set off well, felt good on the initial climb up towards Bowscale fell & settled in to a nice rhythm, the run off between Bowscale and the foot of Blencathra is nice & fast and i was able to gain a few places, however I may have overcooked it as the climb up to Blencathra summit felt laboured. I was relieved to reach the top as the fast start and wind resistance really took it out of me. From this point there is a long run off to Souther Fell and back to the finish – nice & fast running that allowed me to regain the places i lost on the climb. A very steep descent down to a small river crossing was energy sapping but I had just enough in the tank to outsprint 2 chaps as I approached the line. Great runs also from Neil & Barbara. Ben Mounsey of CVFR took the win ahead of Steven Hebblethwaite & Martin Mikkelson-Barron. Not the best season so far for me, a mixed bag of results of late, plenty of positives to take but also plenty of areas to work & improve on.

I can’t recommend this race enough!

THURSDAY 8 JUNE

BRONTE 5

Richard Briscoe was our sole runner in this race. He finished in 35th place.

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
35 Richard Briscoe M35 00:34:46

Full Results

EAST LANCS PRIMARY SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY

Report from Rachael White

The East Lancs Schools final saw several Clayton Juniors take part for their towns. Selected as the best 25 Girls and 25 Boys from each of the 5 school regions including Burnley, Rossendale & Blackburn after local Town XC races had taken place. This year the final was held at Marl Pitts, so even before the heavens opened, you knew there would be mud, mud and more mud.

All children taking part did brilliantly in such horrendous rain, whilst the Clayton kids and other club runners are used to it, I did feel sorry for the non-club runners who looked a little shocked when they finished the course.The Girls went first, on the 2.5K route that followed similar to the normal X-Country route and ended up on the track for the final 300m. – Helana White won for Burnley with a commanding lead over second place girl. The boys followed, with great positions for Robbie Smedley (4th) and Mathew Jackson (12th).

NO AVAILABLE RESULTS

KETTLEWELL ANNIVERSARY FELL RACE

Report from Luke Turner

Still not really sure what happened to my legs in that race, but they felt incredible!! First race I’ve ever done where they’ve felt good and I’ve been in control and able to push as and where I want and feel strong all the way round. 5 mile and 1800ft of climb and came home in 7th against some incredible fell runners. Had a blinder of a run. Could even see Ted mason who won it in my sights all the way round! I’ve only been following a proper training plan for two weeks now, just went on regular jogs before that with the odd race. Just wait till next year. Over the moon with that.

Pos Name Cat Time
7 Luke Turner MSen 42.38
57 Andrew Dugdale M55 56.24
63 Paul Dugdale M60 57.31
64 Jack Dugdale MSen 58.23

Full Results

WALSH TWO LADS FELL RACE

Stephen Fish was running solo in this fell race where he finished in 133rd place.

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
133 Stephen Fish M60 (007/009) 00:55:10

Full Results

SATURDAY 10 JUNE

Five Clayton juniors took part in the FRA championship/ inter counties race at the Rossendale 50th Anniversary race.

Report from Tina Hines Holt

it was a brilliant day at Cowpe UK inter counties/FRA fell race despite the weather. It lashed it down just in time for the U17s race and continued into the U19s. It was wet, slippery and had at least 3 big hills to climb. Well done to everyone who ran this difficult course on an awful day.

Briony loved this course but not so much Curtis who has mainly concentrated on the track, and this is only his 2nd fell race in about 3yrs. Briony came 2nd girl in U17s and 1st Lancashire counter and Curtis came 14th boy and 2nd Lancashire counter. After a challenging season Briony managed to secure 3rd place in the FRA overall.

U13 RACE

Pos Name Cat Time
19 Christopher Brown U13B 00:14:59
31 Jenson Bentham U13B 00:15:53

U15 RACE

Pos Name Cat Time
8 Jackson McKay U15B 00:20:51

U17 RACE

Briony Holt in the U17 race. Photo by Woodentops

Briony Holt in the U17 race. Photo by Woodentops

Pos Name Cat Time
24 Briony Holt (2nd Girl) U17G 00:35:19

U19 RACE

Curtis Holt in the U19 Race. Photo by Woodentops

Curtis Holt in the U19 Race. Photo by Woodentops

Pos Name Cat Time
23 Curtis Holt U19B 00:52:48

WEETS FELL RACE

Another big turnout despite the grim weather on the day. Danny Collinge took the win in under 40 minutes.Weets Danny Reece Lawrence was 1st MU18 and Jeff Pickup was 1st MV65. Our first lady was Elizabeth Mullan in 76th place. Anita Jones was 1st W60 and Karin Goss was 1st W65

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
1 Danny Collinge M 00:39:24
8 Jordan McDonald M 00:42:40
13 Chris Snell M 00:45:01
21 George Pier M 00:47:43
23 Michael O’Donnell M40 00:47:52
29 Paul Hesketh M50 00:48:34
34 Sean Clare M50 00:49:19
38 Andrew Orr M45 00:49:55
40 John Roche M55 00:50:09
46 Gareth Berry M40 00:51:10
48 Daniel Plant M 00:51:23
49 David Moynihan M50 00:51:27
51 Craig Nicholls M40 00:51:36
52 Michael Clarke M40 00:51:39
54 John Wilcock M50 00:51:49
63 David Naughton M55 00:53:03
64 Andy Bradley M50 00:53:06
66 Mick Hughes M40 00:53:40
72 Jeffrey Pickup M65 00:54:34
73 Robert Morrison M40 00:56:03
74 James Dunderdale M 00:56:17
75 Stephen Ainsworth M60 00:56:22
76 Elizabeth Mullan W 00:56:24
80 Cassandra Smedley W35 00:56:36
81 Reece Lawrence MU18 00:57:17
82 Adam Stephenson M 00:57:25
87 Chris Lawrence M50 00:58:48
88 Stuart Proctor M 00:59:01
105 Colin Woolford M40 01:01:42
107 Irene Roche W55 01:01:53
109 Andrew Dugdale M55 01:02:12
112 Carl Carey M45 01:03:06
113 Nerina Gill W45 01:03:08
115 Peter Dugdale M60 01:04:20
118 Jane Ryan W40 01:04:38
119 Donna Scott W50 01:05:21
121 Andrew Webster M45 01:06:51
122 Lucy Scott W 01:08:00
123 Lisa Ellis W35 01:08:01
125 Ian Hargreaves M50 01:09:39
131 Julia Rushton W50 01:10:56
134 Bethany Quinn W 01:11:42
135 Mark Knowles M40 01:12:46
136 Janine Pollard W45 01:13:56
137 Michelle Butschok W40 01:14:01
140 Deborah Greenwood W45 01:14:23
147 Karin Goss W65 01:18:04
149 Julia Taylor W55 01:20:39
150 Judith Carey W 01:22:46
151 Jack McGuire M60 01:29:08
152 Anita Jones W60 01:32:37

Full Results

WEETS JUNIOR RACES

U9S RACE

Weets U7

Charlie Plant helping her little brother in the U7s race. Photo by David Belshaw

A trio of our youngest runners took part in the U9s race. Charlie Plant was our first finisher in 5th place overall. Emily Johnson was our next finisher in 6th place and Olly Plant was 7th. In a dramatic finish redolent of the Brownlee Brothers, young Olly took a tumble a few yards short of the finish line and his big sister Charlie ran back for him, picked him up and held his hand all the way to the finish line.

Pos    Name    Cat Time   
5 Charlie Plant U9G 3:55
6 Emily Johnson U9G 4:24
7 Olly Plant U9B 5:01

U11S RACE

Weets U11

Fraser Anforth and Ellisia Smedley in the U11s Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Some great running from our U11s as they raced in grim conditions. Charlie Barnes was our first finisher in 4th place. Ellisia Smedley was our first Clayton girl with a really strong run.

Pos    Name    Cat Time   
4 Charlie Barnes U11B 3:37
5 Guy Whalley U11B 3:39
10 Toby Birtwistle U9B 3:51
16 Fraser Anforth U11B 4:12
17 Ellisia Smedley U11G 4:16
20 Emily Nicholls U11G 4:27
22 Joni Higgins U11G 5:07

U13S RACE

Weets U13

The start of the U13 race. Photo by David Belshaw

Robbie Smedley took lead from the start and finished in first place. Harry Cole battled hard with Elliot Phillips of Barlick but had to settle for 3rd.

Pos    Name    Cat Time   
1 Robbie Smedley U13B 2:47
3 Harry Cole U13B 2:55
12 Luke Guest U13B 3:33
14 Jake Anforth U13B 3:38

U15s RACE

Weets U15

Start of the U15 race. Photo by David Belshaw

Mirroring the U13s Joshua Hall had a decisive lead to take the win with Michael Stevens battling Barlick’s Jack Villiers but having to settle for 3rd place. Sophie Ashworth had a really strong run to finish as first girl in 8th place overall. Some great running from our older juniors.

Pos    Name    Cat Time   
1 Joshua Hall U17B 3:43
3 Michael Stevens U15B 3:55
5 Adam Stevenson U15B 4:21
6 William Nicholls U15B 4:27
8 Sophie Ashworth U15G 4:33
9 Natasha Olszewska U15G 5:21
10 Keira Stevenson U15G 5:39
11 Bronia Olszewska U15G 5:52
12 Jake O’Dowd U15B 5:59

Full Results

SUNDAY 11 JUNE

BOLTON HILL HALF MARATON

Geoff Smith was our only representative at this half marathon event. He finished in 29th place with a time of 02:03:07. A total of 118 runners took part.

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
29 Geoff Smith MV40 02:03:27

Full Results

HAWKSWICK DASH

Report from Andrew Holt

Short, steep, fast and fun this was the 3rd BOFRA race for me this season. The Hawkswick Dash is a 1.3mile loop up and around a 200m ridge then straight back down into the picturesque village of Kettlewell.  A strong breeze blew us up most of the steady-runnable ascent, with a 50m hands and feet grassy scramble to the top, a gentle single-track over a couple of fences then pick a line straight down into the village of hHwkswick for the best decent in the series. Following a dreadful start, no doubt tinkering with my watch, I passed several runners up the hill and onto the top. For reasons unknown I gate vaulted the fence along the top, and no doubt looked a right idiot doing so, then a reasonable descent, passing but also getting passed on the way down. 15 minutes of lung burning fun for £4, in a well organised, fun, traditional fell race.
AWAITING RESULTS

HOWTOWN FR

Wendy Dodds was our only runner in this Lake District Fell Race. She finished in 35th place and 1st  WV60. A total of 65 runners took part.

Howton - Wendy Dodds _ Stephen White

Pos Runner Category Time
35 Wendy Dodds WV60 3.12.16

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Blackpool parkrun – A total of 104 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
25 Philip NAYLOR 23:44 VM35-39 New PB!

Burnley parkrun – A total of 256 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
2 Matthew DUCKWORTH 18:33 SM25-29
3 Jonathan PYE 19:08 SM25-29
6 Kevin DAVIES 19:55 VM55-59
8 Simon WILSHAW 20:43 JM15-17
9 Lennon JACKSON 20:49 JM11-14
20 Alison DUGDALE 21:53 VW45-49
30 Wayne MCINTOSH 23:22 VM35-39
44 Michelle ABBOTT 24:28 VW35-39
55 Caitlin WELSH 25:09 JW15-17
64 Imogen FERGUSON 25:20 JW11-14
90 Richard LAWSON 26:31 VM75-79
100 Tony PILLING 26:50 VM50-54
111 Melanie HIRST 27:29 VW40-44
138 Evan WELSH 28:34 JM11-14
141 Bethany WHEATCROFT 28:52 JW11-14
142 Darcey HIRST 29:00 JW10
170 Christine Jennifer EGERTON 30:39 VW65-69
176 Rachel STEVENSON 30:57 JW11-14
198 Stuart BARKER 31:37 VM50-54
200 Lucy STEVENSON 31:41 JW15-17
205 Helen HARRISON 32:00 VW45-49
207 Robert HIRST 32:10 VM65-69
208 Ron CHAPPELL 32:24 VM65-69
214 Christine LEATHLEY 32:52 VW65-69

Burnley junior parkrun – A total of 87 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
1 Michael STEVENS 07:13 JM11-14 New PB!
3 Matthew JACKSON 07:36 JM11-14 New PB!
13 Imogen FERGUSON 08:54 JW11-14
14 Guy WHALLEY 09:13 JM10 First Timer!

Cuerden Valley parkrun – A total of 122 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
50 Paul THOMPSON 27:29 VM45-49

Pendle parkrun – A total of 67 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
16 Martin BRADY 24:11 VM55-59
34 Eleanor Betty ROOT 27:36 JW15-17
56 Yvonne WICKHAM 32:49 VW50-54

Witton parkrun – A total of 89 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
9 Alan LIFE 23:17 VM50-54 First Timer!
17 Vicky HEYS 25:35 VW45-49
29 Carol LIFE 28:06 VW50-54 First Timer!

 

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Summer runnin’, happened so fast

Summer runnin’, had me a blast! Yes dear readers, summer is here and you lot are busy racing here, there and everywhere. Even slipping in a sneaky race or parkrun whilst on holidays at times. It’s been yet another action-packed week with superb turnouts at local events and great performances on show across the board from juniors to supervets.

TUESDAY 30 MAY

OGDEN VALLEY ROUND

The Ogden Valley Round is the first race in our club summer series. The series is extended to members of Trawden AC and three of their runners also took part. There was a great turnout of 39 runners with plenty of first timers in the Club summer series.

Danny Collinge was the first man over the finish in under an hour. Cassandra Smedley was the first lady finisher. An additional element to racing is added as each runner predicts the time they think they will achieve in the race with a handicap position being given to the closest estimate. Andy Dugdale had the best estimated time with a difference of only 14 seconds.

Report from Teresa de Curtis

Tuesday night saw a group of Clayton members completing the 6 mile Ogden Round fell race organised by Paul Healey. No watches were allowed and the runners had to estimate their finishing times in order to be in for a chance to win a prize.

Teresa de Curtis at the Ogden Valley Round. Photo by David Belshaw

Teresa de Curtis at the Ogden Valley Round. Photo by David Belshaw

The race started from a rainy Barley Green and went across the fields past Buttock Farm up to the top of the cart track. Loved the descent down the cart track, wet, stony and steep before going up the steps. At the top of Pendle, visibility wasn’t great due to the mist. We then followed the wall, across boggy ground and narrow paths towards Ogden Clough and then back to the finish at the Pendle Inn.
Loved this race, the conditions and the terrain. I know that some runners were nervous in case they got lost but John Roche lead a group of runners round and Sarah Helliwell was a voice in the mist too. A great race enjoyed by all and a big thanks to Paul and the marshals.

Report from Cassie Smedley

Ogden - Cassie and Wayne

Cassie Smedley and Wayne McIntosh racing at the Ogden Valley Round race. Photo by David Belshaw

I decided to do the Ogden and Pendle summer series race on Tuesday night. Turning into Barley I started worrying about the cloud cover over Pendle, but whilst signing up was told I would be OK, and wouldn’t get lost and had lots of encouragement by others signing up. So glad that I did. The climbs were tough, the descents were so much fun, and I absolutely loved it. Thanks to all for all your positivity pre race, as I’m sure I would have backed out otherwise.

Report from Lucy Scott

Tuesday evening is usually JR’s summer training, me and James had missed the previous couple of weeks so we were looking forward to a social run out with the team.

We turned up to Barley Car Park in the drizzle and met with other team members for a quick chat about what was actually happening that evening… the next thing I remember is walking out of the pub with my bib number, it turns out we were running the Clayton Summer Series!

Lucy Scott and James Dunderdale at the Ogden Valley Round. Photo by David Belshaw

Lucy Scott and James Dunderdale at the Ogden Valley Round. Photo by David Belshaw

I had no idea about the course or where the start was so we followed the crowd and made our way to the start line. The race began and the weather was getting gradually worse as we made our way up Pendle Hill;  visibility wasn’t great either.
As a team we ran up the hills, down the hills, back and forth over a stream and thoroughly enjoyed it all! The sun even came out for the last mile!

The time that I had guessed to finish at was way off but I shall have a better idea next time I think. Me and James are looking forward to doing the next one at the end of June in Worsthorne. Highly recommended

Pos Name Cat Time
1 Danny Collinge M 56:20
2 Dave Motley M 58:11
6 Sean Clare V50 63:46
7 Mark Nutter V50 65:32
8 Paul Hesketh V50 67:22
9 Michael Hogan V40 68:00
10 David Moynihan V50 70:49
11 Martin Brady V50 70:51
12 Cassandra Smedley L 70:52
13 Wayne McIntosh M 70:54
14 James Boult MU23 72:00
15 Simon Stansfield V40 72:02
16 Rick Moore V50 73:09
17 Andy Dugdale V50 73:34
18 Teresa De Curtis L40 74:58
19 Steve Bury V50 75:10
20 Ian Connell V50 75:20
21 Andy Firth V50 75:58
22 Colin Woolford V40 76:18
23 Richard Briscoe M 77:04
24 Stephen Fish V60 78:11
25 Sarah Helliwell L 82:10
26 Irene Roche L50 82:20
27 Peter Dugdale V60 82:33
28 Lisa Ellis L 99:29
29 Donna Airey L 99:30
30 Lucy Scott L 99:56
31 James Dunderdale M 99:58
32 Leanne Cottam L 100:44
33 Rachel Todd L40 101:35
34 Michelle Butschok L40 101:38
35 Julia Rushton L50 101:46
36 Helen Burnett L40 102:43
37 Carl Carey V40 102:56
38 John Roche V50 103:16
39 Judith Carey L 108:18

Full Results

WEDNESDAY 31 MAY

BADGER STONES RELAY

Report from Racheal White

Clayton Juniors Helana White and Jenson Bentham wanted to take part in the Badger Stone Fell Relay Race so, with a last minute shout for a third junior, back came a familiar face, Dexta Thompson, to make the team up. It was lovely to hear the ribbing of the different teams whilst driving over and I am convinced that it took longer for them to come up with their team name “Jammy Dodgers” than it did to actually run the race.

L-R Dexta Thompson, Helana White and Jenson Bentham

L-R Dexta Thompson, Helana White and Jenson Bentham aka Team “Jammy Dodger”

Looking at last year’s results there were lots of teams taking part so we were really surprised to discover there were only 4 junior teams (2 Boys teams, 1 mixed and 1 female) and only a small number of adult teams for the fell relay race who turned up for this year. Jenson went first and put the team in a good position of 2nd place. He handed over to Helana who was slowly making ground up on 1st place until the 3rd place team runner turned wrongly before the second hill climb and took a big chunk off their run, by cutting their distance short – putting team Jammy Dodgers in 3rd.  Dexta went last and tried to close down the place, but the advantage the other team had was too much. However, as the only mixed Junior team they were 1st place in this class.

Helana was given the trophy for fastest female on the night after beating all the girls team. (The team that messed their route up were given sweets for the most “inventive route”, which was a nice way to handle it) A fun night out, with lots of laughing, giggling & running from the “old” team.  This would be even better with more teams and would make a great relay race for next year.

AWAITING RESULTS

OTLEY CHEVIN

Dave Bagot was our only runner in this 2.8 mile mid-week fell race. Organised by Skyrac AC the race has 689ft of ascent as runners head to the top of the Chevin and back.

Dave Bagot at the Otley Chevin fell race. Photo by Woodentops

Dave Bagot at the Otley Chevin fell race. Photo by Woodentops

Pos Name Cat Time
16 David Bagot M 00:20:52

Full Results

THURSDAY 1 JUNE

HEBDEN BRIDGE FELL RACE

James Williamson was our sole runner in this 6 mile fell race run over trail and open moorland from in Hebden Bridge, with a steep climb up to Stoodley Pike and back. He finished in 17th place with a time of 50:04 in a field of 85 runners.

Report from James Williamson

A last minute decision saw me making the short journey over the border to Hebden Bridge as the sole representative for Clayton in this low key fell race. After a disappointing outing at Weets English Champs race, I was hoping the legs had woken up after a few ‘easier’ days training….. Short fells aren’t my strong point, so I’ve planned to race a few more mid-weekers this summer to help me sharpen up.

The race is 6.2 miles, 1400ft ascent & sets off from the track adjacent to Calder Holmes Park, taking you on a steep ascent to Stoodley Pike monument before some fast running over open moorland as you descend back to the park via dense woodland. I set off nice & bonny to the Pike sitting towards the top 3rd of the field, once I’d touched the monument i knew i could make good ground on the group in front, i opened my stride and enjoyed a comfortable descent back to the finish taking several places on the way. 17th place in around 50 mins & a slightly better outing than Weets – a plus point was knocking 15 minutes off my previous time in this race from 2015!

Pos Name Cat Time
17 James Williamson M 50.04

Full Results

HENDERSON’S END

94 runners entered Hendersons End fell race to run a tough course that starts at the upper barn at Rivington and climbs to the Pigeon Tower, Pike, 2 Lads and the Trig Point before returning back almost the same way to finish back at the barn. This course is approx. 6.8 miles with 1200 ft. of ascent and is a good testing run.

Andrew Howarth was our sole runner finishing in 57th place.

Pos Name Time
57 Andrew Howarth 66:50

Full Results

INGLETON SCENERY

A trio of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took the trip across the border to Yorkshire for the Ingleton Scenery Race. This is a 4.7 mile route around the beautiful Ingleton Falls with 886ft of ascent. Richard Briscoe was our first finisher in 34th place with Andrew Dugdale in 47th and Peter Dugdale in 51st was also 1st V60. A total of 68 runners took part.

Report from Richard Briscoe

What a cracking race! A scenic trail race round the wonderful Ingleton Waterfalls. If you like running up steps and stone slabs this is for you. Last Thursday night there were three different races on but I wanted something different. For four pounds you get race entry and a bottle of beer, you can’t complain.

Pos Name Cat Time
34 Richard Briscoe M35 00:39:55
47 Andrew Dugdale M55 00:43:06
51 Peter Dugdale M60 00:45:38

Full Results

SATURDAY 3 JUNE

ABERSOCH 10K

Even a holiday is a reason to race. Jane Hylands took advantage of a local race while she was on holiday in Wales.

Report from Jane Hylands

A half term holiday in Abersoch meant I was missing the Kelbrook fell race. Luckily the Abersoch 10k and 3k beach race were on the same day, I entered the 10k and my son did the beach race. The 10k is a mix of road, trail and beach running. The village was full of life with a great atmosphere before and after the race with children offering water pistol cooling if required and many residents providing hose pipe showers which were very welcome on such a warm, sunny day especially after the aptly named Tolcyn Brutal climb along the coastline.
The race finishes along the beach with a choice of hurdling the many groynes or running through the water before climbing back up the beach to the soft sand leading to the finish. I managed 57:27 as 121 female out of 374. The race is part of the Abersoch triple crown series (10k, triathlon and half marathon) – I’m tempted by the triathlon next year too. A very well organized race in a beautiful setting – highly recommended.
Full Results

DUDDON VALLEY

Andy Laycock and Dave Bagot took part in this classic Lakeland fell race covering 18 miles around the head of the Duddon Valley with 6000ft of climb over Harter, Hardknott, Little Stand, Swirl How, Dow Crag, White Pike and Caw.

Report from Andy Laycock

I’ve fancied doing one of the classic Lakeland fell races for a while so with a favorable weather forecast I thought I’d give Duddon a go. There was just Dave Bagot and me in Clayton vests in small but strong field of runners lined up in Seathwaite. With the majority of the climbing in the first half of the route, I tried to take it steady until Three Shires Stone and keep something in the tank for the long drag up to Swirl How.

Andy Laycock at the Duddon Valley race.

Andy Laycock at the Duddon Valley race. Photo by Granddayout Photography.

Thankfully conditions were pretty near perfect, clear skies made for easy navigating and a light breeze kept the heat in check. At the top of Swirl How I managed to get myself into a small group with some local runners, they knew the best lines and I was happy to follow for as long as I could keep up. After a tricky descent off White Pike there was just one small climb left, but what looks small and insignificant on the map feels very different 17 miles in. Relieved to see the flagged descent, I headed down off Caw and over the line in 3:12:20, utterly exhausted but a brilliant day on the fells.

AWAITING RESULTS

GRASMERE GALLOP

The Grasmere Gallop 17km Trail Race takes in some of the most beautiful and iconic landscape in the Lake District; Loughrigg Terrace, Loughrigg Fell and Loughrigg Tarn, then returning to the village via the jewels of Rydal Water and Grasmere lake.

Breton Holdsworth at the Grasmere Gallop

Breton Holdsworth at the Grasmere Gallop

Breton Holdsworth took part in the 17K Grasmere Gallop trail race. He finished in 2nd place with a time of 1:11:54. A total of 172 runners took part.

Full Results

KELBROOK

Over 50 Clayton Harriers ran in the latest race of the popular and local Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix series. Jordan McDonald was the first Clayton finisher in 5th place overall with Tom Brester and Luke Turner hot on his heels in 6th and 7th. There were strong performances from our young runners Nick Hennessey and Michael Stevens who were 1st and 2nd MU18 respectively. Irene Roche was our first Clayton in 70th place and 3rd lady.  Jane Ryan was 1st W40, Nerina Gill was 1st W45 and Irene Roche was 1st W55.

Report from Irene Roche

Kelbrook 3

Jordan McDonald and Luke Turner at the Kelbrook race. Photo by David Belshaw

Another warm, sunny day once again for this short, yet challenging, Kellbrook fell race. Quite a good turnout for the 5th race of the Pendle and Burnley Grandprix, to say lots of other races choices were on offer for the weekend. The terrain was dry which helped with faster running this year.

Kelbrook - Ladies

Clayton Ladies out in force at the Kelbrook race. Photo by David Belshaw

Clayton ladies won the team prize with other Clem prizes awarded too. Have to say it was good to see so much tangerine about, including relative newcomers to the club giving the race a go.

Kelbrook 2

Irene Roche, with Carl Carey chasing, at the Kelbrook race. Photo by David Belshaw

Well done everyone, with the usual thanks to all who make it happen, including spectators.

Pos Name Cat Time
5 Jordan McDonald M 24:26
6 Tom Brewster M 24:36
7 Luke Turner M 24:50
9 Nicholas Hennessey MU18 25:21
14 George Pier M 25:48
15 Paul Hesketh M50 25:57
18 Michael O’Donnell M40 26:30
27 James Boult M 27:08
28 Gareth Berry M40 27:10
31 John Roche M55 27:24
36 John Wilcock M50 27:41
40 Sean Clare M50 28:03
41 David Moynihan M50 28:05
44 Richard Briscoe M 28:15
47 Michael Stevens MU18 28:23
48 Andy Bradley M50 28:25
50 Mick Hughes M40 28:42
55 Stephen Ainsworth M60 28:58
56 Michael Clarke M40 29:00
61 James Dunderdale M 29:44
63 Adam Stephenson M 30:19
70 Irene Roche W55 30:51
73 James Hickie M50 31:13
74 Stephen Breckell M65 31:17
75 Chris Lawrence M50 31:19
80 Andrew Webster M45 31:55
81 Stuart Proctor M 32:14
82 Rick Moore M50 31:19
88 Carl Carey M45 33:03
88 Nerina Gill W45 33:05
97 Jane Ryan W40 34:11
99 Andrew Taylor M55 35:00
100 Jean Knightley W55 35:05
101 Donna Scott W50 35:06
104 Julia Rushton W50 35:49
105 Stephen Fish M60 35:51
110 Lisa Ellis W35 36:50
112 Tony Pilling M50 37:12
113 Janine Pollard W45 37:15
116 Bianca Bennett W 37:58
119 Ian Hargreaves M50 38:15
122 Mark Knowles M40 38:23
123 Deborah Greenwood W45 38:35
131 Bethany Quinn W 40:29
133 Karin Goss W65 41:06
134 Julia Taylor W55 41:22
135 Christine Egerton W65 43:14
136 Judith Carey W 44:19
137 Geraldine Varley W55 45:08
138 Robert Hirst M65 45:34
139 Jack McGuire M60 46:08
140 Ron Chappell M65 47:04
141 Christine Leathley W65 47:24
142 Anita Jones W60 48:17
144 Sharon Wilson W40 49:21

Full Results

PENYGHENT

There were nine Clayton vests at the Penyghent fell race. Peter Coates was our first Clayton man in 15th place overall.  Jo Perry was our first Clayton Lady. Super vet Keiran Carr was 69th overall and 1st V70.

A weekend of 2 “Pen’s” – Part One (Sarah Helliwell)

With Kelbrook and Penyghent fell races clashing, Sarah decided to have a go at something new. She took me up on my recommendation and told me she was doing Penyghent . I was on kids duty at the “Gala” as Sarah & Jo Perry set of through Horton with the other 140-ish runners plus a decent turn out from Clayton.

Sarah Helliwell at the Penyghent fell race. Photo by James Williamson

Sarah Helliwell at the Penyghent fell race. Photo by James Williamson

Once of the road it was tough going up the climb with the sun shining as runners were grateful for the breeze near the top. Jo had the stronger legs early on, however it was after my usual 30 mins before I got going and started to slowly pick of runners on the steeper section near the top. On the way back down I had a good tussle with about 4 runners before the last climb back over to Horton and the show field. Peter Coates was the first Clayton runner back with his usual solid run. Legend Kieran Carr won Vet 70 and me and Jo were the lasses holding up the rear. This is a great race as it has got a bit of everything – road, track, good tough steep climb and good decent and lots of grassy stuff in between!

Race report from Peter Coates

Penyghent fell race on Saturday is a 5.5 mile fell race with 1650 foot of ascent that is part of the Horton in Ribblesdale gala. Good turnout from Clayton Harriers to enjoy a great race in a fantastic location. The race leaves the gala field and follows the road through the village towards Brackenbottom before beginning the climb up to Penyghent. The climb gets increasingly steep up to the final bit of the climb which is a bit of a scramble up the rocks to the summit.

Peter Coates at the Penyghent fell race. Photo by James Williamson

Peter Coates at the Penyghent fell race. Photo by James Williamson

There was a slight route change at the summit from previous years due to the path reconstruction which added a bit of extra distance. I managed to pass a couple of runners on the fast descent before the final sting in the tail with the climb up to Whitber Hill from which I managed to hold my position on the run back towards the cart track and back down into Horton. A great family day out was enjoyed and happy with a finish of 15th overall.

Pos Name Cat Time
15 Peter Coates M40 0:56:06
44 Mark Nutter M50 1:03:33
69 Kieran Carr M70 1:07:59
86 Wayne McIntosh M 1:12:25
97 Martin Brady M50 1:15:24
99 Andrew Dugdale M50 1:15:55
104 Peter Dugdale M60 1:17:12
116 Sarah Helliwell L 1:23:19
126 Joanne Perry  1:27:50

Full Results

WHARFEDALE TRAIL HALF MARATHON

This was the 15th year of the running of the Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon and it was held in perfect conditions with runners greeted by warm sunshine, a slight breeze and very dry underfoot conditions with many runners opting to race in light weight road shoes. 418 runners took part on the day.

Chris Snell at the Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon. Photo by Woodentops

Chris Snell at the Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon. Photo by Woodentops

Three Clayton Harriers took part with Chris Snell finishing first for the club in 38th place, Chris Funnell Was 88th and Jeffery Pickup was 140th.

Report from Chris Funnell

I really enjoyed Saturday’s trail race. Starting from Wharfedale Rugby Club in Grassington. Had a quick catch up with Chris Snell and Jeff Pickup before the off. It’s the first time I’d done the race and Jeff said the climb up to Mastile goes on (and on….).

Chris Funnell at the Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon. Photo by Woodentops

Chris Funnell at the Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon. Photo by Woodentops

It was a beautiful clear day and the long climbs ahead were clearly visible. The route took in some spectacular scenery and craggy views and it felt really good to be racing back in this neck of the woods.

Jeff Pickup at the Wharfedale Half Marathon

Jeff Pickup at the Wharfedale Half Marathon

Pos Name Cat Time
38 Chris Snell MV35 01:45:13
88 Chris Funnell MV50 01:53:20
140 Jeffrey Pickup MV65 02:02:19

Full Results

SUNDAY 4 JUNE

BURNLEY 10K

Now in its fifth year, Burnley 10K runners took on the new course that was announced last year.

Like waiting for a bus - all of a sudden three arrive at once! Photo by David Belshaw

Like waiting for a bus – all of a sudden three arrive at once! Photo by David Belshaw

The new route begins and finishes in Towneley Park, in the shadow of the majestic Towneley Hall, the jewel in Burnley’s historic crown.

Helen Welsh and Melanie Hirst. Happy Burnley 10K finishers. Photo by Neil Welsh

Helen Welsh and Melanie Hirst. Happy Burnley 10K finishers. Photo by Neil Welsh

Runners have a flat and fast start and run along the bottom of the Park’s Events Triangle before heading along Hall Road and turning right after the Stables Café. They then follow the tree-lined causeway out of the park for a long downhill section along Todmorden Road.

Burnley 10K - aaron

Junior runner Aaron Lundi at the Burnley 10K. Photo by David Belshaw

The route then levels out to cross Harry Potts Way at Turf Moor, and follows Belvedere Road to the fire station before turning left into Thompson Park. The course follows the picturesque paths taking in the beautiful Boating Lake and Italian Gardens.

Runners leave Thompson Park at Queen Victoria Road then head up Queens Park Road, taking in further parkland then down Ormerod Road to meet Belvedere Road again and the flat and triumphant return to Towneley Park.

Report from Amanda Duffy

Burnley 10K - Paul F and Amanda D

Amanda Duffy racing to the finish with club mate Paul Foster. Photo by David Belshaw

It was an early start for one of my favourite races of the year the Burnley 10k. The new route starts and finishes in Townley Park. After having a bad run last year I had a bone to pick with that course!

The support all around the course was amazing as always and it really does help.

The toughest part of the course for me was the quarry, but it was nice to see Richard Lawson at the top cheering us on! I felt good on the rest of the course and finished 7th female.

It was a great well organised event with lots of excellent performances from team Clayton.

Pos Name Cat. Time
3 Danny Collinge M 00:34:48
9 Andrew Stubbs M45 00:36:40
18 Matthew Duckworth M 00:38:10
31 Jonathan Pye M 00:39:18
32 Nicholas Hennessey M 00:39:34
34 Daniel Plant M35 00:39:44
38 John Hartley M60 00:40:28
64 Richard Briscoe M35 00:42:35
95 Amanda Duffy F35 00:43:52
97 Paul Foster M45 00:43:51
120 Reece Lawrence M 00:44:43
146 Andrew Webster M45 00:45:47
170 Cassandra Darling F35 00:46:56
171 Michelle Abbott F35 00:46:56
172 Chris Lawrence M50 00:46:54
178 Colin White M40 00:47:01
201 Wayne McIntosh M35 00:48:12
213 Brian Wildman M50 00:48:15
230 Stuart Proctor M35 00:48:32
244 Aaron Lundie M 00:48:52
284 Nina Kewin F35 00:49:58
301 Julie Dawes F45 00:50:26
344 Darren Rushton M45 00:51:52
407 Justin Birtwistle M40 00:53:26
452 Danny Pilkington M40 00:45:01
463 Melanie Hirst F40 00:54:34
464 Helen Welsh F45 00:54:37
514 Ian Hargreaves M50 00:55:33
814 Helen Harrison F45 01:01:45

Full Results

KETTLEWELL

Kettlewell fell race is the latest race in the BOFRA championship. A trio of Clayton Harriers took part.

Report from Andy Holt

This was my Second attempt at the BOFRA Kettlewell fell race; one and a half miles of lung busting ascents, scree runs and tussocks on a lovely summer’s afternoon.

Again I’d have my eyes on the clock trying to emulate my daughter, who runs the same route as an U17.

Andy Holt at the Kettlewell fell race. Photo by Woodentops

Andy Holt at the Kettlewell fell race. Photo by Woodentops

I remembered waiting at the bottleneck at the top of the first climb last so worked hard up the hill gaining a dozen or so places, and for the first time I could see the front of the race in front of me.

Trying to run again here was difficult but I managed to potter along, losing places on the runnable bits but catching up and overtaking the group around me on the inclines. The run down for me is pure survival, three ledges starting at a near vertical incline then bottoming  out for several hundred yards until the next one. The last ridge finishes in a scree run which is made worse by the speed you carry into it from the decent above.

I survived, tried and failed miserably overtaking the group of runners in front of me and finished with more cake a dip in the nearby stream.

The times aren’t out yet but some nifty stalking on Strava gives me a rough time of a minute quicker than last year and 10 places higher at 17th. Classic BOFRA fell race, well worth the drive and effort.

Richard Briscoe(67th), Briony(1st)and Jenson (15th)are the three other hoops on show representing clayton today.

Pos Name Cat. Time
18 Andrew Holt MV40 14:14
54 Richard Briscoe M 17:47

U17 Race

Briony Holt was our only runner in the U17 race. She finished 12th overall and 1st girl.

Briony Holt at the presentation for the Kettlewell U17 Race. Photo by Woodentops

Briony Holt at the presentation for the Kettlewell U17 Race. Photo by Woodentops

Pos Name Time
12 Briony Holt 14:56

U12 RACE

Jenson Bentham having put in a strong performance to finish in 18th place in the U12 race

Pos Name Time 
18 Jenson Bentham 8:04

Full Results

PENDLE CLOUGHS

Newly taken over by our club member, Mark Nutter, this is a low-key, cracker of a race. A perfect run for anyone put off by the inclement weather often faced at the Stan Bradshaw or Full Tour of Pendle. The route is open to interpretation as long as all checkpoints are visited and there’s plenty of climbing and good running to be had. A race that you should definitely have on your ‘to do’ list.

And they're off! Runners setting off on the Pendle Cloughs fell race. Photo by Andy Firth

And they’re off! Runners setting off on the Pendle Cloughs fell race. Photo by Andy Firth

A weekend of 2 “Pen’s” – Part 2 (Carl Helliwell)

With my 3 Peaks mileage in my legs I thought I should be doing myself justice and doing a few more longer races, plus with Ralph Baines BG next weekend I had to make sure I am fit enough to help on leg 3! So I decided to do “Pendle Cloughs”, which meant I would give Peter Coates a break at Penyghent (he told me he was bored and missed me), however it meant I had Dave Motley to put up with!

My aim was to turn up, have a go and have a nice day out on our local hill. The race starts at the picturesque village of Downham, as 30 runners mingled in the sunshine with maps in hand. It roughly took me 3 minutes before I forget my mantra and thought right “where’s Motley”? I realised this was a bad mistake as he told me he’d been out the night before, was struggling to keep upright and we both took a bad line to CP1. It was then evident to me that Motley wasn’t the challenge of the day. Que “Alan Life” who knew the route (unlike me – when I studied it for 10mins at midnight the night before).

Carl Helliwell at the Pendle Cloughs Fell Race. Photo by Andy Laycock

Carl Helliwell at the Pendle Cloughs Fell Race. Photo by Andy Laycock

This was my next error as CP2 was not on the wall as I thought and I saw quite a few runners out of the corner of my eye now running to CP3 and coming past me. It took me until the trig to regain my losses and I decided it was now “operation Alan” and I was going to use his knowledge and experience. I also felt that Alan help me enjoy the race and route at a more sensible pace and attitude than I had with my “headless chicken” moments for the first few miles. Alan was definitely the stronger of us 2, as he picked good route options and it was good see what he chose as I studied the map on the way round. He then started to pull away from me as we headed back towards the trig, CP8 and the decent back to Downham. As my guide had disappeared and left me! It was at CP8 I lost 4 places and had to retrace back up the well, which was “well annoying”. This was because I took the top path and not the lower path – idiot!

With tired legs and brain (plus the dreaded cramp looming in my calves) I decided to go back to my mantra and enjoy the last few miles of the race. I was glad to see the finish of what was an eventful day.

I would honestly say that this is a “belting race” and it is great hearing all the tales afterwards of who went where and how the positions where jostled from start to finish, this makes it an enjoyable and fun race. More so than in a normal fell race. This is a great race to take you to different areas of Pendle, to build confidence and gain navigational skills. Many people ran it in pairs, which was good to see. It’s a shame Alan didn’t let me – only joking!

Well done to all Clayton runners, marshals, and Mark Nutter for organising the event. I am sure it will grow in popularity. I will definitely be back as I have unfinished business with a few of them checkpoints…

Pos Name Cat Time
3 Alan Life M50 2:41:24
8 Carl Helliwell M40 2:49:56
10 Andrew Priory M40 2:53:46
14 David Naughton M50 2:58:08
17 Richard Bellaries M60 3:07:27
18 Dominic Carr M40 3:15:50
24 Colin Woolford M40 3:48:35
25 Claire Vincent L 3:48:36

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

As always our club members have been out and about at a range of parkruns in a range of locations. This week saw a visit to Bushy parkrun, the very first parkrun location, a 5th birthday celebration with fancy dress and cake at Towneley Park in Burnley and a new course record at Pendle parkrun for Chris Holdsworth.

Abingdon parkrun – A total of 382 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
16 Alan DORRINGTON 20:34 VM45-49
85 Ella DORRINGTON-LEVY 24:14 JW11-14

Blackpool parkrun – A total of 220 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
54 Philip NAYLOR 24:10 VM35-39 First Timer!

Burnley parkrun – A total of 406 runners took part.

Happy 5th Birthday Burnley parkrun!

Clayton junior runners ready for the birthday parkrun at Towneley. Photo by David Belshaw

Clayton junior runners ready for the birthday parkrun at Towneley. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
3 Kevin DAVIES 18:55 VM55-59
7 Paul BRANNON 19:36 VM55-59
10 Matthew JACKSON 20:00 JM11-14
11 Richard STEVENSON 20:02 VM40-44
14 Adam STEVENSON 20:14 JM11-14 New PB!
22 Reece Adam LAWRENCE 21:29 JM15-17
35 Martin BRADY 22:22 VM55-59
40 Matthew DUCKWORTH 22:40 SM25-29
43 Sophie ASHWORTH 22:50 JW11-14
44 Jonathan PYE 22:50 SM25-29
48 Stuart PROCTOR 23:02 VM35-39
57 Robbie SMEDLEY 23:43 JM11-14
61 Bethany WHEATCROFT 23:56 JW11-14
65 Graham ROPER 24:08 VM55-59
69 Guy WHALLEY 24:18 JM10 First Timer!
70 Michelle ABBOTT 24:20 VW35-39
76 Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY 24:37 VW35-39
81 Caitlin WELSH 24:40 JW15-17 New PB!
85 Nick ROSCOE 24:46 VM45-49
91 Nina KEWIN 24:56 VW35-39
109 Richard LAWSON 25:56 VM75-79
110 Paul FOSTER 25:58 VM45-49
117 Andrew WEBSTER 26:07 VM45-49
120 Evan WELSH 26:16 JM11-14
123 Julie DAWES 26:28 VW45-49
124 John WILCOCK 26:31 VM50-54
125 Chris LAWRENCE 26:37 VM50-54
126 Annabel WILCOCK 26:38 JW15-17
181 Lennon JACKSON 28:43 JM11-14
184 Joanne MOTLEY 28:47 VW35-39
189 Donna SCOTT 28:57 VW50-54
191 Aaron LUNDIE 28:59 JM15-17
203 Darcey HIRST 29:42 JW10
205 Mick HUGHES 29:45 VM40-44
206 Ian HARGREAVES 29:45 VM50-54
251 James BOULT 30:49 SM20-24
283 Helen HARRISON 32:00 VW45-49
292 Emily JOHNSON 32:34 JW10 New PB!
293 Lisa JOHNSON 32:34 VW45-49
295 Ellisia SMEDLEY 32:41 JW10
296 Marion WILKINSON 32:41 VW75-79
378 Charlie PLANT 42:11 JW10
381 Olly PLANT 42:41 JM10

Bushy parkrun – A total of 1242 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
7 Jacob WATSON 17:22 SM30-34 First Timer!

Cuerden Valley parkrun – A total of 179 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
67 Paul THOMPSON 27:19 VM45-49 First Timer!

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 114 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
97 Robin PRICE 35:08 VM70-74

Pendle parkrun – A total of 80 runners took part.

Congratulations to Chris Holdsworth for his new course record at Pendle parkrun.

Chris Holdsworth taking the course record at Pendle parkrun

Chris Holdsworth taking the course record at Pendle parkrun

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
1 Christopher HOLDSWORTH 16:22 SM25-29 New PB!
4 John HARTLEY 21:13 VM60-64
16 Millie STUBBS 23:56 JW11-14
24 Dawn TERRY 26:06 VW50-54
28 Eleanor Betty ROOT 27:03 JW15-17
54 Sophie MCINTOSH 32:15 SW25-29 First Timer!

 

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Mad cows and fell runners!

Wow! Our members have most certainly been out in force this week! We’ve had huge turnouts of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers at Pinhaw and the Calderdale Way relay and plenty of fell running, road running and parkrunning too. You’ve been on the highest of hills, the flattest of beaches and downing pints before the finish line!

LATE RESULTS

BUCKDEN OUT MOOR AND BACK AGAIN – MAY 6

Andrew Dugdale and Peter Dugdale both ran in this low key race around National Trust Land in the Buckden Pike area. Andrew Dugdale was our first finisher in 18th place just under the hour and Peter Dugdale was 21st a couple of minutes over the hour.

Pos Name Cat time
18 Andrew Dugdale M55 00:59:07
21 Peter Dugdale M60 01:02:57

Full Results

TUESDAY 16 MAY

ROGER COLSON BROWNHOUSE RESERVOIR 5K

Jack McGuire was our sole runner in this 5K race. He finished in 30th place with a time of 30:15.

Full Results

WEDNESDAY 17 MAY

BLACKSTONE EDGE

Linda Lord was our sole runner at the Blackstone Edge Fell Race, a 3.5 mile race with 1201ft of ascent.

Pos Name Cat Time
72 Linda Lord LV65 00:49:23

Full Results

JUBILEE ROAD RACES

Jenson Bentham and Helana White were the only Clayton Juniors at the first of this series of summer races.

Jenson had a cracking race and came in 2nd overall in U11 (2nd Boy), with a time of 5:52, followed not far behind by Helana who was 7th overall (3rd Girl U11) in 6:07

Pos Name Cat Time
2 Jenson Bentham U11 5:52
7 Helana White L11 6:07

Full Results

KILDWICK

Five Clayton members took part in the midweek Kildwick fell race, a 3.5 mile race with 1201ft of ascent. Neil Hardiman was our first finisher in 25th place. 

Pos Name Cat Time
25 Neil Hardiman M45 00:31:04
36 Mark Nutter M55 00:32:28
79 Andrew Mark Dugdale M55 00:38:14
85 Peter Dugdale M60 00:39:00
93 Stephen Fish M60 00:41:45

Full Results

SHINING TOR

Ivan Whigham and Andy Firth travelled to the Peak District for this midweek race, a 6.2 mile route with 1020ft of ascent. Ivan Whigham finished first in 78th place and Andrew Firth was 161st.

Pos Name Cat Time
78 Ivan Whigham V55 00:51:36
161 Andrew Firth V55 01:01:21

Full Results

WHOLAN NOOK TRAIL RACE

Another huge turnout of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers for the latest race in the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix. A strong run from Danny Collinge gave him the winning position. In a welcome return to form, Jordan McDonald finishde in 9th place and Luke Turner was snapping at his heels in 11th place. Donna Airey was our first lady finisher.

Team Clayton out in force at the Wholan Nook race. Photo by David Belshaw

Team Clayton out in force at the Wholan Nook race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos Name Cat Time
1 Danny Collinge M 30:23
9 Jordan McDonald M 32:11
11 Luke Turner M 32:43
13 Richard Stevenson M40 33:18
14 Jonathan Pye M 33:27
15 Jonathan Cleaver M 33:30
16 Chris Snell M 33:32
21 Dave Motley M 33:55
23 Josh Hall MJ 33:56
25 Ryan Belshaw M 34:14
32 Nicholas Hennessey MJ 35:05
33 Paul Hesketh M50 35:08
34 George Pier M 35:10
36 James Boult M 35:22
37 Geoff Gough M55 35:52
39 Dan Plant M 36:01
42 Stanley Grewal MJ 36:12
43 Michael O’Donnell M40 36:19
46 Gareth Berry M40 36:32
49 Sean Clare M50 37:07
55 John Wilcock M50 37:34
57 Kieron Mitchell M40 37:40
58 David Moynihan M50 37:48
59 Craig Nicholls M40 37:51
60 Richard Briscoe M 37:52
62 Michael Clarke M40 37:55
63 Stephen Ainsworth M50 38:03
67 Mick Hughes M40 38:12
68 Andy Bradley M50 38:13
72 James Dunderdale M 38:35
75 Robert Morrison M40 38:55
78 Adam Stephenson M 39:10
80 Donna Airey F35 39:19
82 Jeffrey Pickup M65 40:01
84 Elizabeth Mullan F 40:04
89 Andrew Webster M40 40:38
94 Reece Lawrence MJ 40:54
96 Christopher Lawrence M50 41:04
99 Martin Brady M55 41:14
100 Irene Roche F55 41:16
107 James Hickie M55 41:55
114 Sarah Angelone F 42:41
115 Michelle Abbott F35 42:47
117 Darren Rushton M45 43:05
120 Teresa De Curtis F45 43:19
122 Colin White M40 43:28
123 Carl Carey M45 43:31
131 Jean Knightley F55 44:20
134 Julie Dawes F45 44:38
135 Donna Scott F50 45:01
139 Julia Rushton F50 45:46
140 Jane Ryan F40 45:52
143 Bianca Bennett F 46:07
144 Andrew Taylor M55 46:19
148 David Scott M70 46:48
149 Lucy Scott F 46:52
152 Tony Pilling M50 47:15
159 Janine Pollard F45 48:01
161 Ian Hargreaves M50 48:05
168 Rachel Todd F40 40:01
170 Mark Knowles M 49:48
172 Jane Hylands F45 50:09
174 Deborah Greenwood F45 50:34
179 Helen Harrison F45 50:56
180 Michelle Butschok F40 51:32
184 Ted Orrell M75 52:23
188 Julia Taylor F55 53:32
191 Christine Egerton F65 55:44
192 Geraldine Varley F55 57:06
193 Judith Carey F35 57:20
194 Karin Goss F65 57:43
195 Ron Chappell M65 57:43
196 Anita Jones F60 57:51
203 Jack McGuire M60 59:46
205 Sharon Wilson F40 60:02
207 Christine Leathley F65 61:22

Full Results

SATURDAY 20 MAY

BUTTERMERE SAILBECK

CHARLESWORTH CHASE (SIMON’S SEAT)

Report from Mark Nutter

Charlesworth Chase Fell Race BS 8.3k / 366m Saturday 20/05

This race celebrates the marriage of Nick Charlesworth (race organiser) when he chased his bride up the fell.

Having met up with club mates Steve Fish and Andy Dugdale we set off early to this race in the Yorkshire Dales. The race starts from the Craven Arms in Appletreewick and having been there before for a ‘Bedlamite headtorch race’ I knew that parking would be tight, hence the early start.

Mark Nutter at the Charlesworth Chase fell race. Photo by Woodentops

Mark Nutter at the Charlesworth Chase fell race. Photo by Woodentops

Just as the race organiser was about to give starters orders, we saw a very flustered figure running towards us ~ it was Richards Briscoe who had just finished his shift at work and had driven as fast as you could to get to the race. Nothing like setting off early and being prepared then……..!

The route takes you from the pub across a few fields to the river, which you follow for half a mile before crossing a lane then taking a Land Rover track up through the woods to the open fell. From there, runners make their way via a stony / bouldery path to the summit of Simon’s Seat (whoever Simon is…….). Once having your number taken at the top, it’s back the same way.

There is a sting in the tail for this race though, because as you reach the finish line which is just past the pub, you have to drink a pint of beer (no spilling allowed!) before the final 15 meters to the finish line.

So I set off fast, as I usually do, but then started to think about that pint of beer which I had to drink before the finish line. So my tactic was to ease off on the last couple of fields before the finish, just so I would be in a fit state to drink my pint. Well my tactic didn’t work as I ended up racing eye balls out to the very end as I was keen to pass about another 4 runners over those last fields. When I got to the finish my lungs were gasping for air and my heart was beating fast, definitely not in a good state to ‘down a pint’. Those 4 runners I passed earlier got the better of me and finished their pints much quicker than me and carried on to the finish line. It seemed to take me ages to drink my beer, but fortunately I didn’t lose any more places.

It wasn’t long before Richard came into sight, but he was going straight for the finish line ~ it’s not like him to miss a pint. He was soon guided towards the drinks table and forced to drink his beer. Soon after, Andy Dugdale was drinking his beer and was keen to finish before Steve Fish came into sight. Andy struggled with his pint, but then raced off down the road, missing the finish line!! Then Steve arrived, calmly ‘downed’ his pint in record time and ran to the finish.

So the moral of this race is to arrive early, run slow and enjoy your pint at the end!

OLD COUNTY TOPS FELL RACE

The Old County Tops is organised by the Achille Ratti Climbing Club (ARCC). The race is a circular route of approximately 37 miles with 10000 ft of ascent, which starts and finishes close to the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Great Langdale. The route visits the three high points of the old counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, these being Helvellyn, Scafell Pike and Coniston Old Man respectively.

The race is run in pairs. Andy Armstrong and Nicholas Olszewski ran as a pair and Jean Brown once again joined forces with Nicky Spinks of Dark Peak.

Report from Nicholas Olszewski

First time on this event for both myself and Andy Armstrong and when Andy ask me to partner up with him for this event it seemed like a good idea at the time, even though I had a 100 mile event a week later, but we won’t go into that just yet.

Arriving at Langdale at about 07:00 on Saturday morning the weather didn’t appear that bad and Andy and I debated long sleeve or short sleeve top as it was quite warm at the time, we both decided long sleeve, which I’m grateful for and will become apparent later on.

Andy Armstrong and Nick Olszewski at the finish of the Old Counties Tops fell race.

Andy Armstrong and Nick Olszewski at the finish of the Old County Tops fell race.

As we went into the tent for kit check and registration the dark clouds could be seen moving in from over Crinkle Crags and within minutes the rain started and persisted for a good few hours to come, the forecast hadn’t predicted the rain till the afternoon, so it was going to be a bit of a damp start.

The route is straightforward, and for anyone that doesn’t know, you start in Langdale, travel through Grasmere, cross the main road and up to the summit of Helvellyn via Grisdale Tarn, Dollywaggaon and Nethermost Pike to eventually reach Helvellyn, from there it’s a fast and steep decent to the car park at Wythburn , cross the main road again and up Wyth Burn heading towards Greenup Edge, Stake Pass and to the next checkpoint at Angle Tarn. By this point the rain was still coming down and as we gained height again, the temperature was starting drop. At Angle Tarn I decided to put on my gloves and woolly hat, also a dryer waterproof top. In hindsight I should have layered more because as we reached the bolder field on Scafell I was verging onto being hypothermic; my legs were all over the place as I stumbled over the bolder field. My speech was becoming slurred and I was so cold. Fortunately I could recognise in myself what was happening and on the summit put another layer on and consumed 3 Snickers in a matter of seconds before retracing our steps to descend via Little Narrow Cove and out of the wind.

Once we dropped in height and the sun finally came out I began to feel loads better, amazing how quickly you can plummet but also how quickly you can recover if you act quickly enough, anyway, from here the route heads towards Great Moss, skirting round High Gate Crags towards Lingove Beck following Mosedale to Cockley Beck, the next check point, for some much deserved tuna sandwiches and a cup of tea, one last major climb left, Coniston Old Man.

From Cockley Beck you head up between Grey Friar and Great Carrs, God this was an arduous climb, I would hope everyone else felt the same and it wasn’t just me being a mardy pants but as we reached the saddle, you could see runners coming back from reaching the summit of Coniston and heading towards the Three Shire Stone, seeing this spurred me on to the summit of Coniston Old Man, a handful of peanuts and off we went passing others going up as we had a few moments before.

Having checked in at Three Shire Stone, you’ve got this awful bit of road, which is very steep, Wrynose Pass which seemed to go on for ever, finally we reached the turn off, a section I know very well as it’s a part of the Lakeland 100, only a couple of miles left now and on we headed through Blea Moss towards Blea Tarn, cross the road and a sharp steep descent towards the campsite, through Side House to the finish.

Nicky Spinks (L) and Jean Brown setting a new ladies record at the Old County Tops.

Nicky Spinks (L) and Jean Brown setting a new ladies record at the Old County Tops.

This is a great event and has to be done in pairs, myself and Andy Armstrong completed as a pair, first time for both of us, and Jean Brown who teamed up with Nicky Spinks and had a brilliant run and even broke the ladies record. Would I do it again, yes and hopefully with Andy as I ‘m sure we can knock a good bit of time off our 10:34.

AWAITING OFFICIAL RESULTS

PILLING 10K

Report from Amanda Duffy

I decided to have another go at the Pilling 10k to see if I could improve on my PB. It’s a very friendly race on country lanes with lots of PB potential, not a hill in sight! I was trying my best not to go out too fast as it’s my biggest downfall!

Amanda Duffy at the Pilling 10K

Amanda Duffy at the Pilling 10K

Set off at a comfortable pace heading out towards the sea, on the turnaround point I was in fourth place and making some ground on 3rd, at about the 2k mark I moved into 3rd place and managed to stay there and run a pretty even race and a PB by one minute

Pos Name Cat Time
17 Amanda Duffy F35 43:40

Full Results

SUNDAY 21 MAY

BLACKPOOL 10K BEACH RUN

Fresh from completing the Crazy Cow 10K, dynamic duo Cassie Smedley and Michelle Abbot headed to Blackpool for another 10K on the beach at Blackpool.

Report from Michelle Abbot

Well after squeezing in the crazy cow 10 k In 47.27 (had to do it for the cow )soon as we crossed the line myself and Cassie rushed straight over to Blackpool for our first 10k beach run. OMG that was the toughest 10k we’ve ever done its definitely one for list of things to do but perhaps not when you’ve just raced a 10 k 1 1/2 hour prior!

Michelle Abbott and Cassie Smedley at the Blackpool Beach 10K. Photo by Linda Ensby

Michelle Abbott and Cassie Smedley at the Blackpool Beach 10K. Photo by Linda Ensby

I thought it was tougher than fell, xc and the hilliest route put together. We started by running down onto the beach then through some waist deep freezing pools of sea ,over the hard rippled sand into the soft bumpy stuff then into the raked up sand  that you just sank and slid in. It was 5K to saint Anne’s pier then back again with the little incline back up to the finish. My thighs and rear have never felt so much burn;  definitely underestimated how tough that was going to be

Will be back to do it again but not on the back of a 10k just before. This is one you need fresh legs and a lot of will power and grit,  and also some support along the way from Lennon shouting down along the wall with Linda Ensby and David Howard ringing the cow bell cheering us on down on the sand helped us on that last 3K push back.

Pos Name Cat Time
39 Cassandra Smedley LV35 54:41.5
40 Michelle Abbott LV35 54:42.5

Full Results

CALDERDALE WAY RELAY

This event attracts over a thousand runners every year and this year was no exception. We fielded 5 teams for the event. Our ‘A’ team of super-fast lads ran a storm to finish in 4th place with a combined time of 06:23:36 – up one place from last year’s event.

Team B earned a top 20 finish with the Vet 50 team not far behind them in 21st place. Our ladies ran strongly to finish in 61st place with the Mixed team, fielding some last minute substitutions in a respectable 65th place.

Leg 6 runners at the Calderdale Way Relay

Leg 6 runners at the Calderdale Way Relay

A total of 96 teams took part in the competition.

Report from Ladies Fell Captain, Sarah Helliwell

Calderdale Relay Ladies & Mixed Team

At last the day was here! The last few weeks of running around and getting signatures, last minute phone calls, messages and changes to the teams were done and dusted and it was time to enjoy the day!

Sarah Helliwell enjoying the challenge on the Calderdale Way Relay. Photo by Woodentops

Sarah Helliwell enjoying the challenge on the Calderdale Way Relay. Photo by Woodentops

The weather report was good and the day did not disappoint. We headed down to Todmorden in the van for Carl to run leg 3 for the men’s team. I had already had a text from Donna & Elizabeth of the Ladies Team saying that signing on had gone okay and they were ‘ready’ to take on the challenge set by Angela “nobody has ever passed the baton onto me and Vicky at leg 2” like a red rag to a bull, both ladies came in just under the 1hr45min cut off with a 1hr 44min run. Well done girls. Also from what I heard as well John and Michael got under their target time for the Mixed Team. Well done lads!

Clayton Ladies at the Calderdale Way Relay

Clayton Ladies at the Calderdale Way Relay

Leg 2 stalwarts Angela & Vicky for the first time set off before the masses, however Angela did have to be restrained from using the baton on Vicky as she was ‘positively’ encouraged by Vicky to get over them hills! New-comers to the relays Jean and Jo did superbly as neither of them had either done a fell-relay. They both did a good amount of reccying beforehand and did a fantastic job of getting each other around. Great stuff ladies.

Leg 3 was a cracking run from Anna Kelly & Claire Vincent on the short steep section between Todmorden and Blackshaw who were just pipped by one position by young Reece and Wayne from the mixed team.

Leg 3 Runners at the Calderdale Way Relay

Leg 3 Runners at the Calderdale Way Relay

Leg 4 is the tough up and down 9 miler between Blackshaw and Wainstalls which many consider as proper fell terrain. It was some of our more experience runners here as Barbara & Alison ran for the ladies and Katy & Lisa for the mixed team. However it is Lisa we need to thank who stepped in at the last hour to run. Not only was it her first relay but her first proper fell race and she did it the day after flying home from Florida. We may make a fell runner out of you yet!

Leg 5 was looking a bit panicky for me at one point as I waited for Carl to run back down from Blackshaw. I had spent the morning on Todmorden Park with the kids and was starting to worry as I got back to the van and Carl had not returned! Thankfully he made it, but the traffic was awful through Mytholmroyd. I literally got to Wainstalls at the closure of registration! I had Janine, Irene and Teresa to calm me down as we got ready for the mass start. The whistle went and we were off. Teresa and Irene started to pull away up the first hill as myself and Janine made our way over the stiles and steps. I felt okay for the first 20 minutes, then started to struggle as Janine set the pace. I knew that ‘d neglected drinking and eating with having the kids. I got fluid and a gel into me as we made our way up the climb at Queensbury and started to feel better. We kept taking it in turns with me utilising the rough stuff and hills and Janine the flat. We were both chuffed to do our first fell-relay and loved the support that everyone gives as you are going round.

Teresa reported, “After a few detours on the way, me and Janine arrived at the start of leg 5 at Wainstalls to meet up with our team partners Irene and Sarah. We ended up setting off as a mass start. It was a tough run in warm weather but I had a great partner in Irene who kept me going. It’s my first time doing a relay and I’d definitely do it again. Great team and club support, as many have mentioned. Plus, some good support from runners from other clubs on the way round.”

Irene Roche and Teresa de Curtis. Photo by Woodentops

Irene Roche and Teresa de Curtis.

Leg 6 was Julia and Nerina who brought the ladies team home and Paul and Michael bringing the mixed team back. Provisionally the ladies came 61 out of 96 teams and the mixed were 65.

Julia Rushton and Nerina Gill

Julia Rushton and Nerina Gill

I want to say a massive thank you to all those who ran and did the club proud. This is the first time I have ever organised the teams for a relay and it can be a tough job at times. There were a number of new ladies and lads who ran the relays today, with myself included. I want to thank the more experienced generation with helping me organise the teams and giving up their time to recce legs. It is the club and team spirit which shines through at events like this. It would be great to see some of these new faces at fell races over the summer months and putting their names forward for the Ian Hodgson and FRA relays in the autumn.

I hope everyone enjoyed their wine, beer, brew or hot chocolate on Sunday night. Carl enjoyed his homemade Thai curry.

Calderdale Results

Click image to enlarge

Full Results

CRAZY COW 10K

Despite coming lower down the list of this roundup (it’s always ordered by date and then alphabetically if you were wondering) this race took place earlier in the day than the Blackpool Beach 10K and was the first of 2 races for Cassie and Michelle (who maybe took the “Crazy Cow” idea a little too much to heart!).

Sarah Angelone at the Crazy Cow 10K

Sarah Angelone at the Crazy Cow 10K

James Dunderdale was our first finisher in 48th place overall. Sarah Angelone was our first lady finisher in 94th with a PB and a welcome return to form after having a baby last year.

Pos    Name Cat    Time   
48 James Dunderdale M S 00:42:52
94 Sarah Angelone F S 00:45:51
121 Cassandra Smedley F35 00:47:27
122 Michelle Abbott F35 00:47:27
216 Peter Costello M55 00:52:13
227 Lucy Scott F S 00:52:32
391 Deborah Greenwood F45 00:59:31
421 Christine Egerton F65 01:00:40
506 Karen Clarkin F40 01:03:58

Full Results

ST ANNE’S TRIATHLON (FYLDE TRI-OLOGY TRIATHLON SERIES)

This triathlon is part of a series (May & September) and this was the first triathlon Helana ever entered and is still her favourite Triathlon on the calendar. This year she moved up an age category but was determined to give it her best.

Helana White

Helana White

She did well in the pool, (200m swim), and as they have a rolling start it is hard to work out where you are in positions, when you leave the pool. After a windy transition, she had a great start to the cycle leg with a text book (and much practiced) scooting mount. A solid, strong 6K cycle leg followed with wind assistance one way… but headwinds coming back down the promenade. – She looked much more confident on the bike than previous races – this is due Alan Dorrington for sorting the seat height and his riding training with Helana at the cycle track. Thank-You Alan! A quick transition saw her out for the 1.8K run, which she felt strong in and was overtaking people all down this leg.

She was very surprised to be announced as 2nd Girl, as we had expected 4th / 5th whilst waiting for the results, – This is a great Triathlon for adults and juniors, especially first timers

AWAITING OFFICIAL RESULTS

WINDERMERE MARATHON

Pos    Name Cat    Time   
58 Paul Thompson MV45 03:32:58

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Bolton parkrun – A total of 416 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
112 Katy THOMPSON 26:18 VW60-64
113 Paul THOMPSON 26:19 VM45-49 First Timer!

Burnley parkrun – A total of 426 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
3 Jonathan PYE 18:18 SM25-29
7 Nicholas HENNESSEY 18:50 JM15-17
10 Josh HALL 19:35 JM15-17
13 Simon WILSHAW 19:58 JM15-17
15 Gareth BERRY 20:03 VM40-44
18 David MOYNIHAN 20:14 VM50-54 New PB!
20 Michael STEVENS 20:25 JM11-14 New PB!
28 Helana WHITE 21:11 JW10
32 Mick HUGHES 21:47 VM40-44
38 Charlie BIRTWISTLE 22:03 JM11-14
42 Chris LAWRENCE 22:16 VM50-54
44 Reece Adam LAWRENCE 22:22 JM15-17
55 Lynsey BIRTWISTLE 22:48 VW35-39 New PB!
56 Daniel PLANT 22:48 VM35-39
61 Sophie ASHWORTH 22:56 JW11-14
62 Charlie BARNES 23:00 JM10
73 Michelle ABBOTT 23:24 VW35-39
74 Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY 23:24 VW35-39
77 Wayne MCINTOSH 23:30 SM30-34
89 Alfie WHITE 24:02 JM11-14 New PB!
92 Bethany WHEATCROFT 24:05 JW11-14
94 David Ian SCOTT 24:08 VM70-74
97 Dawn TERRY 24:13 VW50-54
98 Nina KEWIN 24:14 VW35-39
104 Lennon JACKSON 24:31 JM11-14
106 Evan WELSH 24:32 JM11-14
124 Bryn BARNES 25:20 VM65-69
131 Lisa JOHNSON 25:27 VW45-49
136 Caitlin WELSH 25:32 JW15-17
139 Melanie HIRST 25:44 VW40-44
149 Helen WELSH 26:02 VW45-49
152 Imogen FERGUSON 26:06 JW11-14
153 Bianca BENNETT 26:09 SW25-29
156 Annabel WILCOCK 26:13 JW15-17
157 John WILCOCK 26:14 VM50-54
162 Richard LAWSON 26:26 VM75-79
167 Ian HARGREAVES 26:34 VM50-54
170 Helen HARRISON 26:47 VW45-49 New PB!
176 Carl CAREY 26:56 VM45-49
259 Darcey HIRST 29:51 JW10
273 Matthew DUCKWORTH 30:11 SM25-29
290 Robert HIRST 31:00 VM65-69
293 Jane HYLANDS 31:05 VW45-49
301 Robbie SMEDLEY 31:30 JM11-14
306 Matthew JACKSON 31:35 JM11-14
311 Ron CHAPPELL 31:45 VM65-69
335 Christine LEATHLEY 33:06 VW65-69
365 Emily JOHNSON 34:46 JW10 New PB!

Burnley junior parkrun – A total of 86 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
8 Bethany WHEATCROFT 8:49 JW11-14 New PB!
15 Imogen FERGUSON 9:31 JW11-14
25 Ruby CLEAVER 10:57 JW10 New PB!
47 Emily JOHNSON 11:58 JW10 New PB!

Dalby Forest parkrun – A total of 204 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
42 Graham ROPER 23:06 VM55-59 First Timer!

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 133 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
125 Robin PRICE 37:17 VM70-74

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 288 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
155 Eileen JONES 29:01 VW65-69

Lytham Hall parkrun – A total of 181 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
30 Philip NAYLOR 23:27 VM35-39 New PB!

Pendle parkrun – A total of 87 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
6 John HARTLEY 21:30 VM60-64
21 Martin BRADY 23:48 VM55-59
46 Eleanor Betty ROOT 28:20 JW15-17

Skipton parkrun – A total of 170 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
2 Tom BREWSTER 18:00 SM30-34
104 Yvonne WICKHAM 28:34 VW50-54

Witton parkrun – A total of 79 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
78 Julia RUSHTON 46:49 VW50-54

 

ByAdrienne Olszewska

The kids are all right

As we steam towards summer, there’s racing galore! As always our members have been racing hard but the glory goes to our younger runners this week.  As well as competing in the FRA championships, lots of our young runners have been stepping up to take part in tough senior races with great success. The future is definitely looking bright for this club if their achievements are anything to go by! Congratulations are in order for Chris Holdsworth, second counter in the victorious Lancashire team in this year’s Inter Counties Championship.

TUESDAY 9 MAY

MEARLEY CLOUGH FELL RACE

There was an excellent turnout of 194 runners for this tough 3.5 mile fell race with 1247ft of climb – a record for a non championship race. Was it the weather, free pasta supper or the prize draw for the rucksack? Maybe it was all of those factors. There was a fabulous range of ages in the race with the youngest runners aged 14 and the oldest vet in his 80s.

Young Clayton runners Curtis Holt, Briony Holt and James Boult at the Mearley Clough Fell Race. Photo by David Belshaw

The race was won by Josh Boyle for the second year running. Matt Perry was our first finisher and 3rd overall in the race. Carl Helliwell and Dave Motley joined him in the top ten.

Matt Perry

Matt Perry on his way to 3rd place. Photo by David Belshaw

Five of our junior runners took part. Nick Hennessey was our first junior in a respectable 40th place overall. Curtis Holt was next chased to the finish by his sister Briony who was 45th overall and 2nd Lady in the race.

Harry Mason stepping up to senior racing at Mearley Clough Fell Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Harry Mason stepping up to senior racing at Mearley Clough Fell Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Harry Mason had a great run to finish 113th and Natasha Olszewska completed the junior cohort in 146th place.

Natasha Olszewska running her first senior fell race at Mearley Clough. Photo by David Belshaw

Natasha Olszewska running her first senior fell race at Mearley Clough. Photo by David Belshaw

Briony Holt was our first lady finisher and Linda Lord was 1st LV60

Position Name Time
3 Matt Perry * 0.32.52
11 Carl Helliwell V40 0.35.23
16 Dave Motley 0.36.13
29 Alan Life V50 0.38.12
31 Geoff Gough V50 0.38.16
35 Paul Hesketh V50 0.38.35
40 Nicholas Hennessey 15 0.40.08
42 James Boult MU23 0.40.14
43 Curtis Holt 17* 0.40.17
45 (lady 2) Briony Holt L15* 0.40.23
51 Chris Funnell V50 0.40.45
52 Ivan Whigham V50 0.40.47
69 Richard Briscoe 0.42.05
70 Mark Nutter V50 0.42.07
78 Craig Nicholls V40 0.43.05
83 David Moynihan V50 0.43.39
99 Mark Taylor 0.45.17
100 Robert Morrison V40 0.45.18
102 Martin Brady V50 0.45.33
111 Andrew Howarth V60 0.46.12
113 Harry Mason 14 0.46.28
114 (lady 9) Teresa De Curtis L40 0.46.36
118 David Naylor V60 0.46.57
122 Darren Rushton V40 0.47.09
124 James Hickie V50 0.47.13
129 Andrew Mark Dugdale V50 0.48.32
132 Peter Dugdale V60 0.49.19
137 Andrew Walmsley V60 0.50.06
138 Colin Woolford V40 0.50.16
144 (lady 14) Linda M Lord L60* 0.51.05
146 (lady 16) Natasha Olszewska L14* 0.51.17
153 (lady 20) Sarah Helliwell L 0.52.52
171 Geoff Laycock V60 0.56.55
180 Karin Goss L60 0.62.47
190 Ron Chappell V60 0.83.41

Full Results

THURSDAY 11 MAY

IAN CASEY MEMORIAL COWM 5K

Jonathan Pye and Ron Chappell took part in the Ian Casey Memorial 5K. Jonathan finished in 3rd place overall with atime of 17:47.  Ron Chappel was 121st with a time of 34:36.

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
3 Jonathan Pye MS (002/021) 00:17:47
121 Ron Chappell M65 (003/003) 00:34:36

Full Results

FRIDAY 12 MAY

PINHAW TRAIL RACE

Another bumper turnout of Clayton Harriers for the second race of the increasingly popular Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix race series. Danny Collinge was our first Clayton finisher in 9th place overall with Jordan McDonald and Dave Motley following on in the top 20.

Clayton runners at Pinhaw

Clayton runners at Pinhaw

Junior runner Nick Hennessey continues his great form to finish in 22nd place overall and 1st MU18. Geoff Gough was 1st M55, Jeff Pickup was 1st M65 and Barry Mitchell was 1st M70

Younger generation coming through at Pinhaw Trail Race.

Younger generation coming through at Pinhaw Trail Race.

Our first lady finisher was Donna Airey in 88th place and 5th lady in the race. Anita Jones was 1st W60.

Report from Craig Nicholls

Having completed the Hameldon Hill race in what I felt to be a timely fashion, I decided that maybe I should have a go at the entire Pendle & Burnley Grand Prix. As a cross country veteran (after two full seasons now – wow) I have become accustomed to donning the Harrier Vest for weekend races but a race on a Friday Night was a whole new experience for me. The decision, however, had been made so any plans for the usual food, alcohol and TV combos were scrapped and the vest was on.

I arrived half expecting to be greeted by about 20 to 30 hardcore running enthusiasts so it came as a great relief to see there were over 200 people from all walks of life and many of them were the   usual Clayton crowd there to support the club and each other.

The run itself was the usual run up hill, run down hill, collapse at the finish sort of affair I’ve come to expect from these events. The scenery (I imagine) was epic and the view of Earby (the one time I glanced up away from my feet) as I ran back down was lovely so I can see why people love them so much and my goal for this summer will be to get fit enough to actually enjoy one.

Craig Nicholls at the Pinhaw trail race. Photo by David Belshaw

Craig Nicholls at the Pinhaw trail race. Photo by David Belshaw

Probably the best thing about these races (for me at least) is seeing so many of our wonderful junior section at the finish line. These guys are a credit to the club and the coaches who give up their free time and are probably the biggest factor in my own development at the moment as you can’t help but be inspired by the progress they are all making.

See you all at Clowbridge Reservoir on Wednesday

Pos Name Cat Time
9 Danny Collinge MSEN 33:18:00
12 Jordan McDonald MSEN 33:45:00
19 Dave Motley MSEN 34:33:00
21 Chris Snell MSEN 34:54:00
22 Nicholas Hennessey MU18 35:04:00
28 Josh Hall MU18 35:43:00
34 Paul Hesketh M50 36:12:00
35 George Pier MSEN 36:14:00
40 James Boult MSEN 36:41:00
43 Geoff Gough M55 36:57:00
44 Michael O’Donnell M40 37:06:00
46 Daniel Plant MSEN 37:35:00
47 Gareth Berry M40 37:36:00
52 John Roche M55 37:52:00
59 Michael Clarke M40 38:31:00
61 Sean Clare M50 38:35:00
63 Reece Lawrence MU18 38:40:00
68 David Moynihan M50 39:02:00
70 Andy Bradley M50 39:08:00
71 Craig Nicholls M40 39:12:00
72 Richard Briscoe MSEN 39:13:00
74 John Wilcock M50 39:18:00
83 Mick Hughes M40 39:58:00
84 Robert Morrison M40 40:07:00
85 James Dunderdale MSEN 40:08:00
87 David Naughton M55 40:27:00
88 Donna Airey W35 40:30:00
89 Adam Stevenson MSEN 40:34:00
93 Stephen Ainsworth M60 40:51:00
94 Jeffrey Pickup M65 41:20:00
95 Elizabeth Mullan WSEN 41:24:00
98 Cassandra Smedley WSEN 41:43:00
99 Paul Foster M45 41:43:00
103 Andrew Webster M45 42:24:00
116 Irene Roche W55 43:11:00
122 Andy Quinn M45 43:30:00
124 Chris Lawrence M50 43:38:00
137 Barry Mitchell M70 45:01:00
143 Carl Carey M45 45:47:00
148 Nerina Gill W45 46:16:00
149 Donna Scott W50 46:36:00
152 Colin White M40 47:05:00
153 Jean Knightley W55 47:11:00
154 Julie Dawes W45 47:19:00
155 Andrew Taylor M55 47:26:00
156 Martin Griffin M55 47:27:00
158 Bianca Bennett WSEN 47:40:00
164 Julia Rushton W50 48:20:00
167 Jane Ryan W40 48:32:00
171 Lucy Scott WSEN 49:28:00
174 Eleanor Root WU18 49:43:00
180 Ian Hargreaves M50 50:24:00
191 Mark Knowles M40 52:20:00
193 Bethany Quinn WSEN 52:31:00
197 Deborah Greenwood W45 53:44:00
200 Jane Hylands W45 55:00:00
204 Danny Pilkington M40 56:25:00
207 Julia Taylor W55 58:23:00
208 Judith Carey WSEN 59:27:00
210 Christine Egerton W65 59:42:00
212 Geraldine Varley W55 01:01:10
213 Ron Chappell M65 01:02:40
214 Anita Jones W60 01:03:10
215 Jack McGuire M60 01:04:20
216 Sharon Wilson W40 01:04:30
217 Christine Leathley W65 01:05:41

Full Results

SATURDAY 13 MAY

BROUGHTON HEIGHTS (INTER COUNTIES)

Congratulations to Christopher Holdsworth whose great form continues as he represented Lancashire in this year’s UK Inter-Counties Fell/Hill Running Championship. In a very strong field he finished in 7th place overall with a time of 42:22 making him second counter in the winning Lancashire team.

Chris Holdsworth representing Lancashire at the UK Inter County Fell Running Championships. Photo by Woodentops

Chris Holdsworth representing Lancashire at the UK Inter County Fell Running Championships. Photo by Woodentops

In the ladies’ race, Louisa Powell-Smith finished in 19th place making her third counter in the Lancashire team who finished in fourth place.

Full Results

FAIRFIELD HORSESHOE

Four Clayton Harriers took part in this classic, Lakeland fell race. Starting and finishing at Rydal Hall the 9 mile route incorporates 2999ft of climbing. Andy Laycock had a great race to finish in 16th place. Wendy Dodds was our sole lady runner and finished in 195th place. Wayne McIntosh and James Williamson completed the Clayton cohort finishing the race together in 263rd an 264th place respectively.

Andy Laycock in the Fairfield Horseshoe fell race. Photo by Richard Gardiner

Andy Laycock in the Fairfield Horseshoe fell race. Photo by Richard Gardiner

 

Pos Name Time
16 Andy Laycock 1:33:46
195 Wendy Dodds 2:02:34
263 Wayne McIntosh 2:12:39
264 James Williamson 2:12:19

Full Results

SUNDAY 14 MAY

CHESTER DEVA AQUATHLON

Well done to Ellie Root who took part in the Chester Deva Aquathlon. After a good solid swim and a decent run on tired legs (having raced at Pinhaw), she finished in 9th place in the girls youth category.

GREAT WHERNSIDE JUNIOR UPHILL

Well done to Josh McKay, Helana White, Jenson Bentham, Christopher Brown, Ella Dorrington, Jackson McKay and Briony Holt who ran at the 5th round of the English Junior Championships at Kettlewell. The uphill only races up Great Whernside featured long steep, grassy climbs on the lower slopes for the younger age groups and rougher rockier terrain for the U15s and above.

This is the toughest level of competition in fell running and our Juniors have been doing the club proud with their efforts at this race(and during the series as a whole), competing on the hardest courses for Juniors in the country.

U13 Race

Pos Name Time
15 Jenson Bentham 10:11
19 Christopher Brown 10:24
28 Helana White 10:48

U15 Race

Jackson Mckay in the U15 Race. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Jackson Mckay in the U15 Race. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Pos Name Time
14 Jackson McKay 13:01
52 Ella Dorrington 16:03

U17 Race

Briony Holt in the U17 race. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Briony Holt in the U17 race. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Pos Name Time
28 Briony Holt 22:08

Full Results

PLUSNET LEEDS HALF MARATHON

Paul Foster was our sole runner in the popular PlusNet Leeds Half Marathon.  He finished in 713th place with a time of 01:38:45

Report from Paul Foster

My favourite event bar none. The city of Leeds really gets behind this event every year and the support around the entire 13 miles is incredible, from the thousands cheering you on in the city centre to the street party atmosphere in the surrounding districts. Every year there are bands, pipers on the route, and this year there was even a women’s choir. Yorkshire loves its sporting events.

Paul Foster at the PlusNet Leeds Half Marathon

Paul Foster at the PlusNet Leeds Half Marathon

The sun was beating down for the third year in a row, and although not as hot as last year, the many hosepipes spraying cold water courtesy of some residents were very welcome. There are quite a few longish hill sections on the run and I was happy with my time of 1:38:45 which was an improvement of 9 minutes over last year, placing 675 out of a field of nearly 6800.

Full Results

WORDEN PARK 10K

Another resounding win for fast lad Danny Collinge at the Worden Park 10K. Dawn Terry was our only lady runner and she finished in 158th place in 50:24.

Pos Name Cat Time
1 Danny Collinge M 0:33:20
50 George Pier M 0:42:42
52 Reece Lawrence M 0:43:00
83 Robert Morrison MV40 0:46:34
93 Christopher Lawrence MV50 0:46:58
100 Brian Wildman MV50 0:47:32
121 Colin White MV40 0:49:10
158 Dawn Terry FV50 0:50:24

 Jack Maguire took part in the fun run finishing in 39th place with a time of 09:29

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Abingdon parkrun – A total of 343 runners took part

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
149 Samuel Spencer HARDISTY 27:06 SM20-24

Bournemouth parkrun – A total of 491 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
26 Michael STEVENS 20:09 JM11-14 First Timer!

 Burnley parkrun – A total of 351 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
2 Tom BREWSTER 17:49 SM30-34
14 Nicholas HENNESSEY 20:01 JM15-17
15 Daniel PLANT 20:12 VM35-39
17 Lennon JACKSON 20:21 JM11-14
18 Simon WILSHAW 20:23 JM15-17
19 Kieron MITCHELL 20:27 VM40-44
23 Helana WHITE 20:45 JW10
24 Jonathan PYE 20:46 SM25-29
26 Gareth BERRY 20:52 VM40-44
32 David MOYNIHAN 21:44 VM50-54
40 Gordon BARRETT 22:16 VM55-59
41 Matthew JACKSON 22:16 JM11-14
58 Aaron LUNDIE 22:59 JM15-17
59 Natasha OLSZEWSKA 23:01 JW11-14 New PB!
61 Charlie BIRTWISTLE 23:04 JM11-14
70 Sarah ANGELONE 23:42 SW30-34
76 Charlie BARNES 24:12 JM10
83 Dawn TERRY 24:27 VW50-54
106 Lisa JOHNSON 25:34 VW45-49
125 Caitlin WELSH 26:03 JW15-17
126 Imogen FERGUSON 26:04 JW11-14
127 John WILCOCK 26:07 VM50-54
128 Annabel WILCOCK 26:08 JW15-17
134 Jake ANFORTH 26:21 JM10
147 Carl CAREY 26:58 VM45-49
151 Melanie HIRST 27:02 VW40-44
152 Helen WELSH 27:02 VW45-49
158 Bronia OLSZEWSKA 27:20 JW11-14 New PB!
165 Lynsey BIRTWISTLE 27:34 VW35-39
166 Charlie PLANT 27:35 JW10
167 Toby BIRTWISTLE 27:35 JM10
168 Adrienne OLSZEWSKA 27:36 VW45-49
172 Andrew WEBSTER 27:43 VM45-49
194 Evan WELSH 28:24 JM11-14
195 Bethany WHEATCROFT 28:25 JW11-14
196 Darcey HIRST 28:26 JW10
204 Mark TAYLOR 28:49 VM35-39
222 Tony PILLING 29:34 VM50-54
228 Alan DORRINGTON 29:49 VM45-49
234 Richard LAWSON 30:00 VM75-79
280 Judith CAREY 32:03 VW35-39
287 Robert HIRST 32:41 VM65-69

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 129 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
113 Robin PRICE 35:42 VM70-74

Dolgellau parkrun – A total of 39 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
13 Katy THOMPSON 25:38 VW60-64 First Timer!

Lytham Hall parkrun – A total of 157 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
43 Philip NAYLOR 23:36 VM35-39 New PB!

Pendle parkrun – A total of 91 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
2 Kevin DAVIES 19:38 VM55-59
3 Jackson MCKAY 19:49 JM11-14 New PB!
7 Paul BRANNON 20:53 VM55-59
8 John HARTLEY 21:23 VM60-64

Rutland Water parkrun – A total of 246 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
111 Eileen JONES 28:08 VW65-69 First Timer!

South Manchester parkrun – A total of 577 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
356 Yvonne WICKHAM 28:13 VW50-54

 

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Making our mark

Well you have certainly been making your mark this week from call ups to Team GB to mass attendance at races.  There have been Great Hill Races, trail races, road racing in parks and by the sea as well as competitive fell racing at Sedburgh.  Roll on long summer evenings and plenty of racing!

TEAM GB CALL UP FOR CHRIS HOLDSWORTH

Our Clayton colleague Christopher Holdsworth has been selected to run for the Great Britain senior men’s team at the World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships, to be held at Premana, Italy in August. This is fantastic news, not just for Chris, but for the whole club, and should be a great inspiration to our junior athletes. International vests, particularly GB vests don’t come round every day, and this selection is just reward for a great winter’s training and some outstanding racing put in by Chris this year.

Chris Holdsworth at the 3 Peaks Race. Photo by Andy Jackson

Chris Holdsworth at the 3 Peaks Race. Photo by Andy Jackson

Well done Chris: the whole club is really proud of you, and we will be with you all the way to Italy.

TUESDAY 2 MAY

GEOFF DOGGATT MEMORIAL 5K

Julia Rushton and Ron Chappell took part in this midweek 5K race. Julia was 43rd with a time of 23:26 and Ron Chappell was 65th with a time of 29:28. A total of 66 runners took part.

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
43 Julia Rushton FV50 23.26
65 R. Chappell MV65 29.28

Full Results

WEDNESDAY 3 MAY

ASTLEY PARK TRAIL SERIES

Jonathan Pye was our sole runner in the first race of this popular series organised by Chorley AC. He finished in 10th place with a time of 27:00

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
10 Jonathan Pye MS (006/027) 00:27:00

Full Results

ASTLEY PARK JUNIOR TRAIL SERIES

Fifteen juniors took part in the junior race which is also one of the summer series of races. Lennon Jackson was our first finisher storming into 17th place with a time of 05:33 with Robbie Smedley snapping at his heels in 18th. Ella Dorrington was our first girl in 40th and with a time of 6:07 with Sophie Ashworth chasing her tail in 41st. Some excellent midweek running from our juniors.

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
17 Lennon Jackson M17 (014/042) 00:05:33
18 Robbie Smedley M17 (015/042) 00:05:34
27 Matthew Jackson M17 (020/042) 00:05:48
38 Jenson Bentham M11 (001/017) 00:06:03
40 Ella Dorrington F17 (014/050) 00:06:03
41 William Nicholls M17 (026/042) 00:06:04
44 Helana White F11 (001/016) 00:06:07
46 Sophie Ashworth F17 (017/050) 00:06:09
59 Luke Guest M17 (033/042) 00:06:21
79 Thomas Ashworth M11 (008/017) 00:06:55
82 Alfie White M17 (037/042) 00:07:08
89 Imogen Ferguson F17 (039/050) 00:07:36
100 Jake O’Dowd M17 (040/042) 00:07:52
117 Emily Nicholls F11 (011/016) 00:08:12
126 Ellisia Smedley F11 (013/016) 00:08:26

Full Results

SATURDAY 6 MAY

CHORLEY DUATHLON

Helana White took part in the Chorley duathlon (Run – Bike – Run) at Astley Park.  The weather was very different to the trail races earlier in the week with very blustery conditions. The wind was blowing against the competitors on the uphill bike section which did not bode well for Helana but she pulled it out of the bag and had a cracking race!

She came in 4th on the run and then only lost 2 places in the bike section; she was delighted with that as she had expected to lose a lot more places in this section. She ran hard to close the gaps and get 6th in the T2 class. She was not too long behind the winner which means lots of points as time from the winner is how points are worked out in this league.

SUNDAY 7 MAY

BEAVERBROOKS BLACKPOOL 10K

Fantastic running all round and a shout out for Team Stevenson over the tannoy at the 2017 Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10K race. There was a new PB for Adam, Keira ditched her pacemaker dad and nipped in under the hour in her first ever 10K race and Lucy, taking a break from GCSE studying, finished in a comfortable 67 minutes.

Team Stevenson in action at Beaverbrooks' Blackpool 10K. Photos by Deborah Stevenson

Team Stevenson in action at Beaverbrooks’ Blackpool 10K. Photos by Deborah Stevenson

Good enough to earn fish and chips and a trip to the arcades.

AWAITING RESULTS

BLACKSTICKS BLUE 10K

Jacob Watson and Stephen Biscomb travelled to … to take part in the Blacksticks Blue 10K race. Jacob was 5th in the race with a time of 37 minutes dead and Stephen was 33rd in 44:15. A total of 146 runners took part.

Report from Jacob Watson

I’m not sure why, but for some reason I favour a challenging, hilly road race over a flat course. My favourite event on the race calendar is definitely Hendon Brook and I’d have to say that, in terms of challenge, this race is its little brother. Much like Hendon Brook, this race takes you over picturesque and hilly country roads and also similarly, being mainly flat, Blacksticks’ first mile does a good job of filling you with a false sense of security.

Jacob Watson at the Blacksticks Blue race.

Jacob Watson at the Blacksticks Blue race.

The next 2 miles however proved very tough, taking any speed I may have otherwise had out of my legs for the sheer downhills in the latter stages. From the off, I decided to set off at what I believed to be a conservative pace in order to save my energy for the climbs to come. I started off in 6th place and things remained that way for the first 2 miles. During the main climb in mile 3 I managed to take 5th but couldn’t close the gap between me and Trawden’s Stephen Hall who was running well in 4th.

Stephen Biscomb at the Blacksticks Blue 10K

Stephen Biscomb at the Blacksticks Blue 10K

The last mile proved tough going with my energy reserves zapped from the previous miles. With Stephen still a good 40 seconds ahead of me I was happy to cross the line in 5th to claim my prizes of cheese and wine! A great race and definitely one for fans of a challenging course.
Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
5 Jacob Watson MS 0:37:00
33 Stephen Biscomb MV60 0:44:15

Full Results

GREAT HAMELDON HILL RACE

Senior Race

It was a beautiful day as huge turnout of 75 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers lined up for this year’s Great Hameldon Hill Race.

Most of the runners at the Great Hameldon Hill Race. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Most of the runners at the Great Hameldon Hill Race. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Always popular with our club members, this race is the first in the local Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix series.

Carl Helliwell warming up before the Hameldon Hill Race. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Carl Helliwell warming up before the Hameldon Hill Race. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Danny Collinge was our first Clayton finisher and 2nd overall in the race. Jordan McDonald was 1st MU23, Carl Helliwell was 1st V40 and Geoff Gough was 1st V55. With 50 men running in the race we had 15 men’s team in with the ‘A’ team (D Collinge | A Laycock | D Motley) taking 3rd place.

Runners heading up the first climb. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Runners heading up the first climb. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

There was a great turnout of women in the race with 25 Clayton Ladies running. Clair Vincent was our first lady home and 5th lady finisher overall in the race. Jean Knightley was 1st L55, Anita Jones was 1st L60 and Karin Goss was 1st L65. With so many ladies in the race we dominated the team results taking 1st (C Vincent | D Airey | E Mullan) and 2nd (C Smedley | T DeCurtis | B Savage) and had 8 complete teams in the event.

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
2 Danny Collinge MS (002/057) 00:38:55
11 Andrew Laycock MS (009/057) 00:41:45
14 Dave Motley MS (012/057) 00:42:35
16 Carl Helliwell M40 (001/027) 00:43:15
18 Jordan McDonald M23 (001/002) 00:43:32
23 Chris Snell MS (014/057) 00:44:10
24 Andrew McFarlane M45 (004/024) 00:44:20
27 Luke Turner MS (016/057) 00:44:34
32 Michael Toms M50 (002/034) 00:45:36
33 Paul Hesketh M50 (003/034) 00:45:45
35 Geoff Gough M55 (001/021) 00:45:58
36 Michael O’Donnell M40 (005/027) 00:46:11
39 Jon Cleaver MS (022/057) 00:46:37
44 Jonathan Pye MS (024/057) 00:47:10
58 Chris Funnell M50 (007/034) 00:48:45
59 John Roche M55 (004/021) 00:48:56
66 Sean Clare M50 (010/034) 00:49:26
73 John Wilcock M50 (011/034) 00:50:02
75 Craig Nicholls M40 (013/027) 00:50:13
80 David Moynihan M50 (014/034) 00:50:25
90 Robert Morrison M40 (015/027) 00:51:28
92 Jeffrey Pickup M65 (002/010) 00:51:48
94 Andy Bradley M50 (016/034) 00:52:10
95 Reece Lawrence M23 (002/002) 00:52:21
97 Claire Vincent FS (002/010) 00:52:36
100 Richard Briscoe MS (037/057) 00:52:51
102 Donna Airey F35 (003/008) 00:53:05
104 James Dunderdale MS (039/057) 00:53:30
114 Mick Hughes M40 (016/027) 00:54:22
116 Paul Foster M45 (014/024) 00:54:27
117 Stephen Ainsworth M60 (002/008) 00:54:33
120 Mark Taylor MS (045/057) 00:54:39
121 Andrew Webster M45 (016/024) 00:54:41
122 Elizabeth Mullan FS (003/010) 00:54:42
126 Martin Brady M55 (010/021) 00:55:18
127 Cassandra Smedley F35 (004/008) 00:55:24
129 Chris Lawrence M50 (020/034) 00:55:44
133 Geoff Smith M40 (018/027) 00:55:58
144 Adam Stephenson MS (046/057) 00:57:14
152 Stuart Proctor MS (049/057) 00:57:41
153 Andrew M. Dugdale M55 (012/021) 00:57:58
154 Stephen Breckell M65 (004/010) 00:57:59
155 Teresa De Curtis F45 (003/016) 00:58:15
159 Barbara Savage F50 (006/014) 00:58:58
164 Nerina Gill F45 (004/016) 01:00:00
171 Carl Carey M45 (020/024) 01:00:34
174 Stephen Fish M60 (005/008) 01:01:39
175 Donna Scott F50 (007/014) 01:01:42
176 Julia Rushton F50 (008/014) 01:01:46
180 Angela Shian F40 (003/009) 01:02:14
181 Martin Griffin M55 (015/021) 01:02:21
184 Sarah Helliwell F35 (005/008) 01:02:41
187 Julie Dawes F45 (006/016) 01:02:52
191 Jean Knightley F55 (001/001) 01:04:13
192 Lucy Scott FS (007/010) 01:04:20
194 Joanne Bennett F45 (008/016) 01:05:18
195 Bryn Barnes M65 (006/010) 01:05:30
196 Jane Ryan F40 (004/009) 01:05:39
197 Michael Clarke M40 (024/027) 01:05:39
202 Geoff Laycock M60 (007/008) 01:06:21
205 Ian Hargreaves M50 (033/034) 01:06:35
211 Janine Pollard F45 (011/016) 01:07:49
213 Justin Birtwistle M40 (026/027) 01:08:33
221 Michelle Butschok F40 (008/009) 01:10:25
222 Mark R. Knowles M40 (027/027) 01:10:26
226 Bethany Quinn F23 (002/003) 01:11:30
236 Deborah Greenwood F45 (014/016) 01:15:25
237 Karin Goss F65 (001/001) 01:15:43
242 Robert Hirst M65 (009/010) 01:19:35
243 Judith Carey F35 (008/008) 01:19:38
244 Jane Hylands F45 (016/016) 01:19:42
245 Anita Jones F60 (001/001) 01:23:16
246 Ron Chappell M65 (010/010) 01:28:11
247 Jack McGuire M60 (008/008) 01:29:40
248 Sharon Wilson F40 (009/009) 01:33:14

Full Results

JUNIOR RACES

Over 30 juniors raced in the first race of this year’s Burnley and Pendle Grand Prix.

Juniors ready to race! Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Juniors ready to race! Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

U9 RACE

Four of our very youngest runners took part in the U9 race. Charlie Plant was our first finisher in 7th place overall and 1st F7 and there was some great running from Ruby Cleaver who was running in her vest for the first time, Emily Johnson and Olly Plant.

Ruby Cleaver

Ruby Cleaver delighted with her first official race for Clayton-le-Moors Harriers.

Pos Name Cat Cat/Pos Time
7 Charlie Plant F7 (1/3) 00:03:41
16 Ruby Cleaver F6 (2/8) 00:04:08
20 Emily Johnson F7 (3/3) 00:04:26
21 Olly Plant M6 (4/5) 00:04:32

U11 RACE

Hameldon - U11 Boy

Harry Cole in the U11 race. Photo by David Belshaw

Changes in the age category rules mean that some of our younger runners took part in the more challenging U11 race despite some of them only being 8 years old on race day. This race took the runners out of the playing field and up and around the Coppice; a big step up from the previous race for a lot of them. However, undaunted our plucky juniors rose to the challenge and put in plenty of gustsy performances. Harry Cole was our first finisher and also the overall winner.Emily Nicholls was our first girl finisher.

Pos Name Cat Cat/Pos Time
1 Harry John Cole M10 (1/3) 00:11:02
5 Harry Wharton M10 (2/3) 00:12:16
6 Charlie Barnes M8 (1/10) 00:12:38
11 Toby Birtwistle M8 (4/10) 00:13:21
15 Brayden Clarkson M9 (6/8) 00:13:41
18 Jake Anforth M10 (3/3) 00:13:52
29 Emily K. Nicholls F9 (4/10) 00:14:54
32 Darcey E. Hirst F9 (7/10) 00:15:02
36 Ellisia Smith F8 (5/6) 00:16:35
38 Joni Higgins F9 (10/10) 00:19:40

U13 RACE

Six juniors ran in the U13 race. Robbie Smedley was our first finisher and 2nd overall in the race. Helana White was first girl in the race and 6th place overall.

Imogen Ferguson powering to the finish. Photo by David Belshaw

Imogen Ferguson powering to the finish. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos Name Cat Cat/Pos Time
2 Robbie Smedley M11 (1/8) 00:10:51
3 Matthew Jackson M11 (2/8) 00:11:16
6 Helana White F10 (1/3) 00:11:34
9 Charlie Birtwistle M11 (6/8) 00:12:08
10 Luke Guest M12 (2/2) 00:12:10
18 Imogen Ferguson F11 (2/3) 00:13:51

U15 RACE

Eight juniors ran in the U15 Race. Michael Stevens was our first finisher and 2nd overall in the race. Ella Dorrrington was our first girl and 2nd girl overall in the race.

Michael Stevens in the U15 Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Michael Stevens in the U15 Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos Name Cat Cat/Pos Time
2 Michael Stevens M14 (1/1) 00:14:42
4 Lennon Jackson M13 (2/6) 00:15:38
7 Ella Dorrington-Levy F12 (1/4) 00:16:59
9 Sophie A. Ashworth F13 (2/3) 00:17:09
12 Natasha Olszewska F14 (1/1) 00:18:01
13 Bethany Wheatcroft F13 (3/3) 00:19:01
15 Jake O’Dowd M13 (6/6) 00:20:23
16 Bronia Olszewska F12 (4/4) 00:20:47

U17 RACE

Four of our older junior runners took part in the U17 Race. Nick Hennessey was our first finisher and 2nd overall in the race. Millie Stubbs was our first girl and also first girl in the race.

Joshua Hall in the U17 Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Joshua Hall in the U17 Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos Name Cat Cat/Pos Time
2 Nicholas Hennessey M15 (2/4) 00:13:32
3 Joshua Hall M15 (3/4) 00:13:39
4 Jay Bowman M14 (1/1) 00:14:31
7 Millie Stubbs F14 (1/2) 00:15:43

Full Results

HEATON PARK 10K

Amanda Duffy was our sole runner in the Heaton Park 10K. She finished 33rd overall, 5th Lady and 2nd FV35 in a field of 291 runners.

Amanda Reports

What a fantastic day to be racing! The sun was out and I was running in the Heaton Park 10K. The course itself was scenic and hilly, a two-lap course mainly on tarmac with some gravel paths which took you round a lake and then a couple of good climbs up towards Heaton Hall. I managed to place 5th female so very happy with that.

Pos Name Cat Time
33 Amanda Duffy V35 00:45:51

Full Results

SEDBURGH (BOFRA)

Senior Race

Pos Name Cat Time
29 Andrew Holt MV40 24:53

U17 RACE

A strong run from Briony Holt gave her 9th place overall and 1st girl in the U17 race.

Briony Holt in the U17 race. Photo by Geoff Thompson

Briony Holt in the U17 race. Photo by Geoff Thompson

Pos Name Time
9 Briony Holt 23:45

U12 RACE

Jenson Bentham was our only runner in the U12 race where he finished 10th overall.

Jenson Bentham at the BOFRA Sedburgh race.

Jenson Bentham at the BOFRA Sedburgh race.

Pos Name Time
10 Jenson Bentham 8:42

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Blackpool parkrun – A total of 187 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
93 Helen HARRISON 29:02 VW45-49 First Timer!

Burnley parkrun – A total of 420 runners took part

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
2 Jonathan PYE 18:19 SM25-29
4 Nicholas HENNESSEY 18:51 JM15-17
11 Jackson MCKAY 19:24 JM11-14
15 Matthew JACKSON 19:34 JM11-14 New PB!
16 Matthew DUCKWORTH 19:35 SM25-29
18 Alan DORRINGTON 19:48 VM45-49
21 James BOULT 19:58 SM20-24
31 Susan BURNS 20:48 VW55-59
33 Paul FOSTER 20:54 VM45-49
47 Donna RILEY 22:02 VW50-54
54 Alison DUGDALE 22:17 VW45-49
58 Gordon BARRETT 22:27 VM55-59
60 Reece Adam LAWRENCE 22:27 JM15-17
64 Chris LAWRENCE 22:34 VM50-54
77 Graham ROPER 22:55 VM55-59 New PB!
86 Bethany WHEATCROFT 23:28 JW11-14 New PB!
100 Lennon JACKSON 23:45 JM11-14
101 Michelle ABBOTT 23:45 VW35-39
102 Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY 23:47 VW35-39
105 Brian WILDMAN 23:50 VM50-54
108 Julie DAWES 23:57 VW45-49
133 Lisa JOHNSON 25:01 VW45-49
134 Imogen FERGUSON 25:04 JW11-14
135 Caitlin WELSH 25:05 JW15-17 New PB!
138 Bryn BARNES 25:07 VM65-69
146 Bianca BENNETT 25:27 SW25-29
147 Lynsey BIRTWISTLE 25:28 VW35-39
148 Toby BIRTWISTLE 25:29 JM10
149 Charlie PLANT 25:29 JW10 New PB!
151 Evan WELSH 25:32 JM11-14 New PB!
152 Melanie HIRST 25:33 VW40-44 New PB!
155 Helen WELSH 25:36 VW45-49 New PB!
168 Annabel WILCOCK 26:01 JW15-17
169 John WILCOCK 26:02 VM50-54
178 Aaron LUNDIE 26:15 JM15-17
187 Donna SCOTT 26:36 VW50-54
199 Beth QUINN 26:50 SW18-19
224 Carl CAREY 27:36 VM45-49
237 Justin BIRTWISTLE 28:22 VM40-44
241 Stuart HARTLEY 28:42 VM60-64
242 Deborah GREENWOOD 28:51 VW45-49
252 Darcey HIRST 29:01 JW10
278 Ron CHAPPELL 29:53 VM65-69
298 Robert HIRST 30:26 VM65-69
306 Judith CAREY 30:47 VW35-39

Conwy parkrun – A total of 276 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
132 Christine Jennifer EGERTON 29:20 VW65-69 First Timer!
196 Christine LEATHLEY 33:07 VW65-69

Lytham Hall parkrun – A total of 180 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
35 Philip NAYLOR 23:37 VM35-39 New PB!

Pendle parkrun – A total of 98 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
1 David EDMONDSON 19:32 VM50-54 New PB!
5 John HARTLEY 21:14 VM60-64
6 Paul BRANNON 21:18 VM55-59
19 Simon WILSHAW 23:02 JM15-17
24 Martin BRADY 23:35 VM55-59
28 Finley STUBBS 24:31 JM10
31 Barry MITCHELL 24:56 VM70-74
46 Eleanor Betty ROOT 26:48 JW15-17
65 Yvonne WICKHAM 29:40 VW50-54

Wyre Forest parkrun – A total of 194 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
43 Dawn TERRY 25:11 VW50-54 First Timer!

York parkrun – A total of 692 runners took part.

Pos parkrunner Time Age Cat Note
393 Eileen JONES 27:46 VW65-69 First Timer!

 

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Feeling epic!

What a week! Big races, small races and everything in between, and, as always, you have been giving it your all. We’ve had runners at the two biggest marathons in the world and at classic Lakeland fell races. We’ve also been celebrating success at the Mid Lancs Cross Country presentations for our juniors and seniors.

MONDAY 17 APRIL

BOSTON MARATHON

It was fantastic to see that Clayton Harrier, Nerina Gill had headed over to America to take part in the iconic Boston Marathon, and especially good to have a lady runner there on the 50th anniversary of Kathrine Switzer’s historic completion in 1967. Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon and a major force in breaking down the barriers for women endurance runners. She ran the race again this year aged 70 wearing her original number 261.

Report from Nerina Gill

I knew a few things about the Boston marathon before I went: it’s the world’s oldest continually run marathon, and entry is by qualification or charity place only; it’s almost a straight line point to point course ending in central Boston; the temperature can be anything from 10 to 30C, and while the first and last four miles are downhill, there are four hills between 16 and 21, the last of which is called Heartbreak Hill.

Well I’d qualified, so I’d earned my place at the start line, and duly arrived at Boston Common to be bussed 26 miles out to Hopkinton. It was already too warm for the disposable extra layers I’d taken with me, and by my 10.50 start the sun was decidedly hot. I decided to ignore the previous day’s email from the organisers recommending that people who weren’t acclimatised should slow down, and set off at my planned pace.

By mile 13 I was more or less on target, but my mile splits were slowing, and I knew it was just going to be about getting through in one piece.

I starting walking through every water station and concentrated on trying to dig in, and keep focussed. At the top of the first hill at mile 17 was an open fire hydrant, and I ran right through it. The water was freezing and drenched me immediately, and I felt my temperature start to come down right away. A few more of those and I began to feel better. Heartbreak Hill was long and wearying, but since I was no longer trying to run at race pace, I was able to stay fairly comfortable.

Once that was behind me I knew it was all downhill, but oh those downhills hurt after that distance, and I got very little extra speed and a nasty bout of cramp. No choice but to walk until it eased, but at least it was clouding over, and the end was in sight.

The ever present crowds became much more cosmopolitan in the city, the signs just as witty, and I was able to relax and enjoy the last couple of miles, and even speed up for the last few hundred yards.

The whole experience was one I’ll never forget, and in the end it wasn’t about the time (4 13 58, still my third fastest) but about being there, doing my first overseas marathon and being part of such an amazing event.

The one other thing people know about the Boston Marathon – it was attacked by terrorists four years ago. The phrase that came out of that was everywhere: Boston Strong. It is, and in the end, so was everyone who ran.

Pos Name Cat Time
184385 Nerina Gill FV45 04:13:58

Full Results

HOLLINGWORTH LAKE 5K

A group of nine club members took part in this Bank Holiday 5K race organised by Cannonball Events. Laura Hesketh was our first finisher and second lady in the race in 18:15. Christine Egerton was 1st FV65.

Laura Hesketh racing hard at the Hollingworth Lake 5K. Photo by MP Bundy

Laura Hesketh racing hard at the Hollingworth Lake 5K. Photo by MP Bundy

Paul Hesketh was 17th and 1st V50 and David Scott and Richard Lawson were 1st V70 and 1stV75 respectively.

Super Vet, Richard Lawson, at the Hollingworth Lake 5K. Photo by MP Bundy

Super Vet, Richard Lawson, at the Hollingworth Lake 5K. Photo by MP Bundy

Lennon and Matthew Jackson were our 2 junior runners.

Pos Name Cat Time
9. Laura Hesketh F 0:18:15.0
17. Paul Hesketh MV50 0:19:02.0
32. Lennon Jackson MU14 0:20:22.0
58. Matthew Jackson MU14 0:21:37.0
86. Michelle Abbott FV35 0:23:27.0
95. David Scott MV70 0:23:50.0
137. Richard Lawson MV75 0:26:42.0
170. Christine Egerton FV65 0:29:12.0
209. Christine Leathley FV65 0:33:21.0

HOLLINGWORTH LAKE GOLDEN MILE FUN RUN

Senior Jack McGuire ran in the Golden Mile race along with junior runners Erin and Millie Hesketh.

Pos Name Sex NetTime
33 Jack McGuire Mv60 08:15.0
39 Erin Hesketh FU9 08:47.0
45 Millie Hesketh FU9 09:08.0

Full Results

WOODLANDS 5K TRAIL RACE

Report from Mick Hughes

After contemplating a few other races that weekend I stumbled across this little race and thought what a fantastic cause – a local couple adding to their London Marathon fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer by staging this 5k trail in Clayton. It would have been a shame to not represent the Harriers there.

Mick Hughes with his prizes at the Woodlands Trail Race

Mick Hughes with his prizes at the Woodlands Trail Race

The course was a loop starting beside the track and heading onto trail through the woodlands then more challenging climbs and rough little descents and twisting turns through the thicker woodland on the other side of the track. There was a good turnout of mixed ages / abilities and I thought I’d test the faster group by staying with the front 2 from the off, I was behind a younger quicker lad most of the way but lead briefly for half a lap. After 2 and a half laps (5k) I had managed to win a tussle for 3rd with a local Preston club runner. Upping my pace on the final half I managed to keep third as the gap to fourth place widened. 3rd place meant a first podium position ever for me,  a 21 minute finish and the prize of Easter chocolate (of course!) and other goodies. I made a good donation to help their fund and was very happy to come in for my first ‘3rd position finish’ for a very worthy cause and especially at Clayton Le Moors

TUESDAY 18 APRIL

PETER ERHARDT COWM RESERVOIR 5K

A trio of Harriers took part in the Peter Erhardt Cowm Reservoir 5K race. John Roche was our first finisher in 20 minutes dead in 21st place over all and 1st MV55.Irene Roche was our first lady finisher in 40th place with a time of 22:43. Julia Rushton completed the team in 45th place and 23:28. A total of 81 runners took part.

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
21 J. Roche MV55 20;00
40 Irene Roche FV55 22:43
45 Julia Rushton FV50 23:28

Full Results

BUNNY RUN 3

Eight Clayton Harriers took part in the third and final Bunny Run in the popular series organised by Woodentops. Our first finisher was junior runner Jackson McKay who was 30th overall and 2nd U15 male.

Jackson McKay giving the seniors a run for their money! Photo by Woodentops

Jackson McKay giving the seniors a run for their money! Photo by Woodentops

James Boult was our first senior finisher in 63rd place. Beth Quinn was our first lady runner in 227th place.

Report from Beth Quinn

On Tuesday night 9 Harriers made the trip over to Haworth to take on the last of the three Bunny Runs. It was a perfect night for the 2.6 miles around Penistone Quarry and we each set off hunting down a fast time.

Beth Quinn at the Bunny Run race. Photo by Woodentops

Beth Quinn at the Bunny Run race. Photo by Woodentops

Several of us, including Wayne, James and myself, managed to take a minute at least off last weeks time. Everyone ran well and was rewarded with Soup and Tiger bread back at the pub, overall it was an enjoyable mid week race.

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
30 Jackson McKay U15 17:37
63 James Boult M 19:11
185 Wayne McIntosh M 23:52
208 Carl Carey MV40 25:09
227 Beth Quinn F 26:20
232 Stephen Fish MV60 26:36
280 Christine Egerton FV60 33:36
281 Judith Carey F 33:40
286 Christine Leathley FV60 37:18

Full Results

WEDNESDAY 19 APRIL

LOUGHRIGG FELL RACE

Our condolences go to the family and friends of the runner who tragically collapsed and died during the running of this race.

Seven seasoned Clayton fell runners travelled up to the Lake District to take part in this 4 mile fell race with 1083ft of ascent organised by Ambleside AC.

Mark Nutter was our first finisher in 98th place overall. Wendy Dodds was our sole lady runner in 135th place and 1st FV60.

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
98 Mark Nutter MV50 36:48
107 Ivan Whigham MV50 37:50
135 Wendy Dodds FV60 40:30
140 Andrew Howarth MV50 41:47
160 Andrew Firth MV50 43:50
161 Andrew Dugdale MV50 43:57
167 Peter Dugdale MV60 44:40

Full Results

FRIDAY 21 APRIL

MID LANCS LEAGUE PRESENTATION

The Mid Lancs League held their annual presentation evening and celebrated success in this year’s cross country League.  The club picked up some team awards and also some individual awards.

Top Row: Mick Hughes, Michelle Abbott, Irene Roche Bottom Row: U15 Girls - Natasha Olszewska, Millie Stubbs and Briony Holt

Top Row: Mick Hughes, Michelle Abbott, Irene Roche
Bottom Row: U15 Girls – Natasha Olszewska, Millie Stubbs and Briony Holt

Team Awards

Gold for the U11 Boys Team and the U15 Girls Team

Silver for the Vet 55 Ladies

Bronze for the Vet 35 Ladies, Senior Men, Senior Men ‘B’ Team, Vet 40 Men and Vet 50 Men

Individual Medals

Gold for Dexta Thompson in the U11 Boys, Silver for Briony Holt in the U15 girls and Silver for Irene Roche in the Vet55 Ladies.

Well done to all our members that took part in this year’s cross country competitions.

Final Standings in Full

SATURDAY 22 APRIL

ANNIVERSARY WALTZ FELL RACE

Wendy Dodds, Chris Funnell, Chris Snell, James Williamson, Wayne McIntosh, Neil Hardiman, Barbara Savage, Simon Stansfield, and David Nield  were on the entry list for the 21st Anniversary Waltz Fell Race. This is an 11.5 mile fell race with 3600 feet of ascent and covers the Newlands Valley Horseshoe in the Lake District.

James Williamson at the Anniversary Waltz fell race. Photo by Woodentops

James Williamson at the Anniversary Waltz fell race. Photo by Woodentops

Report from Wayne McIntosh

Headed up to Newlands once again to take on an early season classic, 11.6 miles and 4000′ of the Newlands Horseshoe just outside Keswick. Lovely spring temperatures meant only a vest and shorts were needed and even a splash of Baz Luhrman (sunscreen) was needed on my sparsely populated head!! We got away on time and set of on the largely trail start in the shadow of Catbells towards the first climb of the day, Robinson.

Wayne McIntosh at the Anniversary Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Wayne McIntosh at the Anniversary Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

I opted for a different tact up here and took a line that had tempted me over the last couple of years, heading right as soon as you get through the fell gate. This worked out well as I cut out in front of Babs (Barbara Savage) who I generally consider a stronger climber than me.

Barbara Savage at the Anniversary Waltz fell race. Photo by Woodentops

Barbara Savage at the Anniversary Waltz fell race. Photo by Woodentops

It also broke the climb into two halves and gave my legs some recovery. I felt pretty strong from this point and was happy to be picking off runners all day to come home in 2.38 and a massive PB around this course, a 16 minute gain on last year and leaves the 3.14 of 2013 a distant memory. Saw a good few Clayton about on the day and a special mention to James Williamson who finished 32nd overall, a great achievement in a reported field of over 500.

AWAITING RESULTS

ANNIVERSARY WA! 

Report from Alan Dorrrington

It was a fully-loaded, full fat version of the Junior FRA series up and over Cat Bells this weekend. Lakeland races tend to be steeper, rockier and rather bigger than our local moors and fells, and the courses at this round were no exception.

Juniors racing at the Anniversary Wa! Photo by Alan Dorrington

Juniors racing at the Anniversary Wa! Photo by Alan Dorrington

Starting straight from the pen up a 45 degree slope, the first climb (for the U11 and upwards) up Skelgill Bank was nearly 600ft, before the ridge towards Cat Bells was reached. It had many competitors on all fours by the top, and for the U15/U17/19 races was a mere warm up before the big climb and scramble up to the Cat Bells summit. The U13 racers had peeled off before this final climb enjoying a wickedly fast grassy descent all the way to the finish, at breakneck speed. The U15/U17/U19s, all running the same course, descended round the back of Cat Bells on a fabulous single track path before (rather cruelly) having to climb back up another 250ft before their final descent. That final climb was torture, even for the strongest competitors and I’ve never seen so many juniors at their absolute limit. It was a true test of fell running ability, and though I seem to be saying this regularly these days, was the hardest course I’ve seen juniors have to tackle.

No matter, our Clayton Juniors were in sparkling form, matching the Lakeland weather. Jenson Bentham looked strong over the ridge to the turn and blazed the descent to take 5th in the U13B race, a fabulous result. Christopher Brown was running strong too and making full use of his descending ability, bagged 15th spot.

Christopher Brown in the U13 Race. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Christopher Brown in the U13 Race. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Ella Dorrington had a really strong race, taking places on the scramble to the summit and pacing her effort well to run the second half of the final climb while many around her walked, beating many of the older girls in the U15G race. Briony Holt also had her usual strong performance, revelling in the steep terrain and long climbs to finish well to the fore of the U17G race.

Ella Dorrington in the U15 race.

Ella Dorrington in the U15 race.

Report from Briony Holt

The third round of the FRA series was held in Keswick at the foot of Catbells, a 450m mountain along the side of Derwent Water. The forecast was saying snow and sleet however, what we did get was nothing like that; sunny spells with a some wind at the summit! Unusual day for the Lake District in April!

Briony Holt in the U17 Race. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Briony Holt in the U17 Race. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Having walked the route the week before, it was a lot steeper than I remembered, starting straight up the west edge to the walkers path at the top, over on to the summit and back down the west edge in to the finish in the town of Skegill. Despite all of my efforts in walking the course previously, I still managed to go the wrong way!
Prior to the race, I was expecting a good result as this course was perfect to my strengths (steep, long and narrow). However, due to having a bad start, I left myself too much to catch up on during the race. I came 3rd U17 girl which to be honest isn’t a position I can complain about! Maybe my strengths have changed a little bit since a year ago. Just to finish this race was an achievement, especially the younger juniors who had to climb a similar height as the under 19’s! Despite not coming in the position I wanted, I absolutely loved the course especially the FREE meat and potato or after the race. Onwards and upwards to the next one!

U13 Race

Pos Name Time
5 Jenson Bentham 11:11
15 Christopher Brown 12:15

U15 Race

Pos Name Time
41 Ella Dorrington 40:59

U17 Race

Pos Name Time
21 Briony Holt 37:10

Full Results

WRAY SCARECROW 10KJ

SUNDAY 23 APRIL

BLACKPOOL MARATHON & HALF MARATHON

Marathon Results

James Dunderdale and Stephanie Hawke took part in the Blackpool Marathon which usually runs on the same day as the London Marathon.

Report from James Dunderdale

I took on my very first 26.2 miler in 2016 at the Manchester Asics Marathon and it couldn’t have gone any worse than it did. I got stuck in traffic jams, started an hour late, had to run 2km to the start line and set off forgetting to take my glasses off. All this aside, my entry last year was a hasty decision and I went in to this race very under prepared and it showed.

This year I lined up at Blackpool having learned from some of my mistakes and things went a lot smoother. I won’t lie and say I followed a training programme and I never trained beyond 13 miles due to boredom – but I was more aware of preparation and my body’s limitations and didn’t try and set off at 10k pace like last year!

So there I was lined up on the start mat running with my Clayton vest, compression socks and a hydration backpack full of gels and McDonald fries for energy. My race plan was simple… stick to my own pace, don’t get carried away and forget the word ‘marathon‘, it’s just long run day! I was expecting myself to be out there for some time so to combat the boredom I took some music to help the miles fly and while I had checked that earphones were permitted, this created problems on its own. My dear wife had planned a surprise play list full of rock and cheesy power ballads (think AC/DC, Meatloaf and Aerosmith) for the long run ahead, however having borrowed the MP3 player off a friend’s 10 year old daughter and not deleting her music first I spent the next few hours listening to hits from One direction, Take That, Cher and What does the fox say? If looks could kill..!

James Dunderdale at the Blackpool Marathon.

James Dunderdale at the Blackpool Marathon.

I was soon knocking the miles down with fear in me that people could hear what was coming from my earphones. My pace was steady and I was feeling confident as I took in the sights of Blackpool. I passed the Tower, Sandcastle, Pleasure Beach and quite literally the hundreds of B&Bs along the front. I’d say this was good the first time but as the course was two laps of the seafront between Bispham and south Blackpool the next three times I passed them saw the appeal fade. All too quickly I discovered that I’m not a fan of loops whether it was in the running sense or the roller coasters thundering around above me. The weather was unusually nice for Blackpool and the crowds looked bewildered that a race was carrying on around them but they behaved and some were inspired enough to whip their tops off and run a few yards beside us with the beer bellies proudly slapping up and down. You couldn’t get upset at this after all… it’s the north and you’re in Blackpool!

The bag of cold McDonalds fries came in handy and kept me topped up with energy longer than I expected. I was within the last 10km before I started to decline and had to dig in and focus. Each and every mile after seemed to go on longer. The sun started to batter me more as the marathon became less of a run and more of a plod along and any small incline became another battle. The 26 mile marker was a real relief and the finish line which was hidden by one last slope. The same thought poured into my head as the Manchester Marathon… never again, but who knows? I got round in 3hrs 55min knocking an hour and a half off last year’s effort. With some real training and the temptation of the big one in London, this PB could be just another milestone.

Pos Name Cat Time
118 James Dunderdale M 3:55:59.7
225 Stephanie Hawke LV35 4:05:37.2

Half Marathon Results

Four Club member took on the half marathon course. First finisher was Paul Foster was new member Paul Foster in a borrowed shirt! He was our first runner and finished in 1:34:40 in 64th place. Double act Michelle Abbott and Cassie Smedley finished within a couple of seconds of each other 1:46:30 and 1:42:32 respectively, despite a tumble by Michelle at the 7K point. Lucy Scott completed our quartet in 385th place and a time of 1:58:30.

Report from Paul Foster

Although this was my second Blackpool Half Marathon, it was my first ever event as a member of Clayton le Moors Harriers, and despite valiant attempts by Deborah Greenwood to get me a race vest in time, the delivery didn’t come in time for Sunday so it was Mick Hughes to the rescue, lending me his race top for the day.

Paul Foster at the Blackpool Half Marathon

Paul Foster at the Blackpool Half Marathon

Blackpool is obviously a flat course, but it is always the weather that dictates whether it’s a tough race or not. Come St Georges Day and it was beautiful sunshine and only a gentle breeze along the Lancashire coastline, and a big friendly turnout for the 3 events taking place; the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k.

I much prefer this event that follows the promenade (closed to traffic for the events) down to the South Shore and back, to the Great North West route earlier in the year, and I had a really good run, coming home with a PB by 4 minutes and 9th in my age group, even though I was really feeling it over the last few miles; something I need to work on!

It was great to be able to wave to fellow Clayton runners out on the course and the support, as always at this event was really good too. A new experience for me though was hearing shouts of “Come on Clayton” from spectators, which made me feel like a proper runner!

There are always ‘sights’ in Blackpool, and this year was no exception, seeing people checking out of their hotels and B&Bs looking worse for wear as you and a few thousand others happily trot past, but this year I had to smile as I passed a group of people waiting patiently for the lights to change at a pedestrian crossing near the tower so they could get across the road. There was no traffic other than runners because the road was closed for the event – I don’t think any runners stopped at the red light!

My next half marathon event is Leeds on Sunday 14th May.

 

Report from Cassie Smedley

What an eventful HM in Blackpool. The weather was great and the atmosphere was brilliant. With there being a 10k, HM and Full matathon there were lots of people. Me and Michelle set off well, on course for a sub 1hr 40. However, 7k in Michelle decided to take too much interest in what the pavement looked like!

Dynamic Duo Cassie Smedley and Michelle Abbot at the Blackpool Half Marathon

Dynamic Duo Cassie Smedley and Michelle Abbot at the Blackpool Half Marathon

Pure grit and determination to finish, and a lots of encouragement and dragging Michelle along by me kept us going. Still a great time of 1hr 46. Brilliant support from the spectators and marshalls as always. Bring on the next adventure!

Pos Name Cat Time
64 Paul Foster MV45 1:34:40.6
194 Michelle Abbott LV35 1:46:30.4
197 Cassandra Smedley LV35 1:46:32.2
385 Lucy Scott L 1:58:30.4

Full Results

BOLTON ONE MILE RACE

Jack McGuire was our sole runner in this one mile race. He  finished in 16th place with a time of 7:28. A total of 90 runners took part

Full Results

MYND DRAGON FELL RACE

Mark Nutter was our sole runner in this 5.7 mile fell race with 2789ft of ascent organised by Mercia Fell Runners. He finished in 18th place overall with a time of 58:59 and was 1st MV55.

Mark Nutter in the Mynd Dragon fell race. Photo by Graham Spencer

Mark Nutter in the Mynd Dragon fell race. Photo by Graham Spencer

Full Results

VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON

On a glorious day 10 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers were in London for the start of the world’s biggest marathon. Dan Plant was our first finisher in 3:05:51. Jon Cleaver finished soon after in 3:08:40. Lynsey Birtwistle was our first lady finisher and she was delighted to crack the 4 hour mark on her third London Marathon. As always our club members rose to the occasion and their hard work over the winter months paid off with some great times. Well done to all of you!

L-R Lynsey Birtwistle, Jane Hyland, Dan Plant, Jane Ellis and Clare Wilson

L-R Lynsey Birtwistle, Jane Hylands , Dan Plant, Lisa Ellis and Clare Wilson

Report from Lynsey Birtwistle

This was my third year and once again I managed a PB and finally the broke the elusive 4 hours! I set off in a quicker pen than last year and, even though you try not to, you do get carried away with the pace. I was going well till about 17 miles then it got tough! I managed to keep up good for age pace until the dreaded 20 miles then the wall came! I had to have several words with myself and I could feel 4 hours slipping away from me. I had to dig so deep in the last couple miles.

As I approached the mall my watch turned to 3:59 I had to sprint to the finish to come in at 3:59:34 a 6 minute PB! Last year I said never again but thank goodness I did! 3 is the magic number. Massive congrats to Dan plant also for running the race of his life and getting good for age

Report from Dan Plant

After getting lucky with a ballot place I was determined to make this marathon count. We got to the race village and there was a buzzing atmosphere and the nerves kicked in big time.

Dan Plant at the London Marathon

Dan Plant at the London Marathon

As the race started I tried sticking just behind the 3 hour pacer but he was really up on the pace so I just ran my own race trying to stick at 6.45s and even shocked myself how long I held it for . The fatigue started to kick in about 22 miles but I kept thinking the GFA time was on! I managed a sprint finish. Finishing 9 seconds under the GFA in 3.05; this is a massive achievement for me achieving a 13 min PB and 22 mins faster than last year. Thanks to all the Clayton runners for the support. Well done everyone some fantastic results!!

Report from Lisa Ellis

When I started running last winter, Running a Marathon was never my top priority but I did tell myself if I got the opportunity to run the London Marathon then I’d take it, after all some people wait years and still don’t get in.

Lisa Ellis and Jane Hylands with their finishers medals.

Lisa Ellis and Jane Hylands with their finishers medals.

The training was tough but so glad it did and although I didn’t pressure myself to a specific time I’m more than happy with the result as it turned out to be a hot run for most of us.

Massive thank you to the Clayton Family for the opportunity and the support, you’re all amazing!

Report from Jon Cleaver

This was my second attempt at London having ran 03:20 there in 2013. I met Dan early morning at the tube station and we went on to meet Lynsey to go onto Blackheath. I must admit I was pretty nervous on the day as I didn’t know how my legs would respond after running sub 3 just weeks before.

I started in pen 1 which was a luxury and off we went at 10:01. My legs didn’t feel brilliant from the off and it doesn’t help that it’s so busy that getting into a groove is nearly impossible for the first 10 miles for fear of tripping someone or you getting tripped. I ran the first half in 01:27 which was on plan, but I knew I couldn’t hold it for much longer. Dan came alongside me around the half way point running like a machine and it was great to see a familiar face, that didn’t last for long however as he left me for dust after about a mile. At that point I reset my expectations and just wanted to finish in a respectable time.

L-R Dan Plant, Lynsey Birtwistle and Jon Cleaver

L-R Dan Plant, Lynsey Birtwistle and Jon Cleaver

Slowing down actually let me take in a lot more of what was going on and the crowds were amazing 5 people deep in places. Seeing Justin a number of times on the route spurred us on and our families at Buckingham Palace. I actually got a second wind about mile 23 but by then it was too late to try for good for age. Dan Plant deserves a mention he has grafted like you would not believe over the last 4 months and I’ve taken him on some brutal long hilly training runs and I have never heard him complain! He smashed his PB and got good for age which means he is guaranteed a spot next year. Top guy, top training partner and top result – I knew he’d do it

Pos Name Cat Half time Finish Time
2425 Plant, Daniel 18-39 01:29:03 03:04:51
2856 Cleaver, Jonathan 18-39 01:28:19 03:08:40
4604 Cran, Alexander 45-49 01:33:50 03:20:13
4069 Hogan, Michael 45-49 01:35:42 03:16:58
11649 White, Colin 40-44 01:48:51 03:54:38
13234 Birtwistle, Lynsey Jeanetye 18-39 01:54:11 03:59:34
20765 Ellis, Lisa 18-39 02:11:27 04:30:35
24633 Wilson, Clare 18-39 02:15:30 04:46:04
27454 Hylands, Jane 45-49 02:20:03 04:58:04
29282 Naylor, Philip 18-39 02:22:19 05:07:05

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Burnley parkrun – A total of 410 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
6 Richard STEVENSON 17:54 VM40-44 New PB!
7 Andy LAYCOCK 17:56 SM20-24
9 Jonathan PYE 18:01 SM25-29
12 Nicholas HENNESSEY 18:25 JM15-17 New PB!
13 Chris SNELL 18:26 VM35-39
14 Kevin DAVIES 18:29 VM55-59
15 Josh HALL 18:32 JM15-17 New PB!
18 Jackson MCKAY 18:59 JM11-14
24 Reece Adam LAWRENCE 19:58 JM15-17
27 David MOYNIHAN 20:15 VM50-54 New PB!
32 Lennon JACKSON 20:49 JM11-14
43 Alison DUGDALE 21:32 VW45-49 New PB!
44 Donna RILEY 21:33 VW50-54
47 Michael STEVENS 21:45 JM11-14
48 Martin BRADY 21:49 VM55-59
65 Harry SMITH 22:20 JM10
67 Charlie BARNES 22:32 JM10
70 Chris LAWRENCE 22:34 VM50-54
71 Millie STUBBS 22:34 JW11-14
72 Sophie ASHWORTH 22:35 JW11-14
91 Aaron LUNDIE 23:25 JM15-17
96 David Ian SCOTT 23:31 VM70-74
103 Sarah ANGELONE 23:53 SW30-34
105 Julie DAWES 23:58 VW45-49
110 Dawn TERRY 24:13 VW50-54
119 Bethany WHEATCROFT 24:34 JW11-14
128 Kian ADAMS 25:09 JM10 New PB!
130 Bryn BARNES 25:10 VM65-69
138 John WILCOCK 25:32 VM50-54
144 Annabel WILCOCK 25:40 JW15-17
155 Ian HARGREAVES 26:01 VM50-54
158 Melanie HIRST 26:05 VW40-44 New PB!
163 Imogen FERGUSON 26:07 JW11-14
197 Helen HARRISON 27:10 VW45-49
200 Beth QUINN 27:13 SW18-19
257 Darcey HIRST 29:15 JW10
262 Robert HIRST 29:35 VM65-69
300 Heidi KEWIN 31:22 JW11-14

Burnley Junior parkrun – A total of 75 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
4 Michael STEVENS 7:53 JM11-14 New PB!
13 Bethany WHEATCROFT 9:01 JW11-14
15 Imogen FERGUSON 9:03 JW11-14 New PB!
16 Kady THOMPSON 9:05 JW10 New PB!
22 Brayden CLARKSON 9:50 JM10
29 Darcey HIRST 10:42 JW10
50 Emily JOHNSON 12:38 JW10

Congleton parkrun – A total of 224 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
1 Jacob WATSON 17:21 SM30-34 First Timer!

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 227 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
131 Eileen JONES 29:28 VW65-69

Pendle parkrun – A total of 90 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
1 Paul HESKETH 19:48 VM50-54 New PB!
3 Simon WILSHAW 20:30 JM15-17 New PB!
7 John HARTLEY 21:10 VM60-64
25 Barry MITCHELL 24:53 VM70-74
59 Yvonne WICKHAM 30:19 VW50-54
60 Christine Jennifer EGERTON 30:24 VW65-69

Witton parkrun – A total of 98 runners took part.

Pos   parkrunner   Time   Age Cat   Note  
16 Carl CAREY 25:54 VM45-49 New PB!
20 Katy THOMPSON 26:22 VW60-64
23 Paul THOMPSON 26:31 VM45-49
58 Judith CAREY 33:34 VW35-39 First Timer!

 

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Eggstra Good!

It’s been an ‘eggs’cellent week of racing over the Easter Break. You have been out racing and indulging in a lot of parkrun tourism to burn off all those Easter Eggs no doubt. There’s been some particularly good performances from our junior runners this week making the future look very bright for this club. The club is also delighted to hear that super vet John Harley has been asked to represent England in the Master’s Marathon in October.

MARATHON MAN JOHN HARTLEY CALLED UP FOR ENGLAND TEAM

The club are immensely proud of the news that John Hartley has qualified to represent England in the Master’s Marathon in October. John reports, “44 years I have been running and this is the icing on the cake. All the hard work this winter running 10 miles a day before work in the dark and cold has all been worthwhile. Massive thanks to my family who have been so supportive without that this would not be possible. I just need to keep training hard now and do myself proud in October”.

John Hartley - marathon man

John Hartley – marathon man

TUESDAY 11 APRIL

BUNNY RUN 2

Half a dozen Clayton Harriers took a trip across the border into Yorkshire for this fast and furious mid-week fell race; the second in the popular Bunny Run series organised by the Woodentops.

Team Clayton at the Bunny Run. Photo by Woodentops

Team Clayton at the Bunny Run. Photo by Woodentops

Pos Name Cat Time
81 James Boult M 20:13
120 Richard Briscoe M 21:45
188 Wayne McIntosh M 24:14
216 Bianca Bennett F 25:57
266 Beth Quinn F 26:44
234 Stephen Fish MV60 27:11

Full Results

WEDNESDAY 12 APRIL

MIKE MCGEE MEMORIAL COWM 5K

Four Clayton Harriers ran in this midweek 5K race. John Roche was our first finisher in 16th place overall, a welcome return to injury free racing for him. Julia Rushton was our sole lady runner and she finish in 44th place. Bryn Barnes was back in the vest and finished in 58th place and the team was completed by Ron Chappell in 78th place.  A total of 87 runners took part.

Pos Name Cat Time
16 John Roche MV55 20:18
44 Julia Rushton FV50 23:47
58 Bryn Barnes MV65 25:40
78 Ron Chappell MV65 30:16

Full Results

FRIDAY 14 APRIL

CALDER

VALE COUNTRY 10 MILER

Two Clayton men took part in the Calder Vale 10 mile race. Richard Stevenson was our first finisher in 5th place overall and with a time of 01:02:06, and Brian Wildman was 74th in 01:22:53. The organisers describe the race as one undulating lap with some challenging hills using quiet country roads.

Richard Stevenson and Brian Wildman at the Calder Vale Country 10 Miler. Photo by Deborah Stevenson

Richard Stevenson and Brian Wildman at the Calder Vale Country 10 Miler. Photo by Deborah Stevenson

Pos Name Cat Time
5 Richard Stevenson MV40 01:02:06
74 Brian Wildman MV50 01:22:53

Full Results

CALDER VALE FUN RUN

Adam and Lucy Stevenson, and Helana and Alfie White took part in this 4-mile race. Adam was 4th   overall and 1st junior, with Helana not far behind as 1st girl. There were great runs from Alfie and Lucy on a hilly course. Most importantly, according to a reliable source, there was a rather excellent selection of homemade cakes. The four junior runners were joined by vet legend Jack McGuire.

L-R Lucy Stevenson, Helana White, Alfie White and Adam Stevenson at the Calder Vale fun run. Photo by Deborah Stevenson

L-R Lucy Stevenson, Helana White, Alfie White and Adam Stevenson at the Calder Vale fun run. Photo by Deborah Stevenson

Pos Name Cat Time
4 Adam Stevenson M 26:23
6 Helana White F 26:43
8 Colin White M 27:57
26 Alfie White M 31:58
43 Lucy Stevenson F 37:35
50 Jack McGuire M 39:05

Full Results

SALFORD 10K ROAD RACE

A trio of Clayton Harriers headed over to Salford for this fast 10K race. Laura Hesketh was our first finisher in 98th place with a time of 37:17. Stephen Biscomb was 205th in 42:16 and Donna Airey was 256th in 44:07. There were 600 runners in this race.

Pos Name Cat Time
98 Laura Hesketh FS 37:17
205 Stephen Biscomb M60 42:16
256 Donna Airey F35 44:07

Full Results

SATURDAY 15 APRIL

HELM HILL FELL RACE

Andrew McFarlane took part in this 14.3 mile race with 6791ft of ascent organised by Helm Hill.  He finished in 03:25:18.

Andrew McFarlane at the Howgills Fell Race

Andrew McFarlane at the Howgills Fell Race

AWAITING OFFICIAL RESULTS

LANCASHIRE COMBINED EVENTS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Congratulations to all of our junior runners who took part in the events held over 2 days at Wilsons Playing Fields in Clayton-le-Moors.  Robbie and  Ellisia Smedley came 2nd and 3rd in their respective events and Helana White also earned a bronze medal.

RIVINGTON PIKE FELL RACE

Great to see a real spread of ages in this race with three of our MU18 runners chasing down the more experienced vet runners. Danny Collinge was our first finisher in 24th place overall with Nick Hennessey our first U18 runner in 54th place.  Our men took 3rd place in the team results as well as 3rd place in the Vets.

Nick Hennessey at the Rivington Pike Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Nick Hennessey at the Rivington Pike Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Report from Mark Nutter

Rivington Pike Fell Race BS 3.25m / 700ft

On Saturday I had the choice of some LSD training (Long Slow Distance – not the drug!) with the Clayton X-Team at Clough Head or F&F (Fast & Furious) at Rivington Pike Fell Race. Well, I decided on the latter option as I last ran at Rivington in 1999 so thought I’d see how my fitness level compared to 18 years ago when I finished in 20.55.

After registering at the Crown Pub in the centre of town I pinned my number to my chest and set off for a warm up. I soon realised why I hadn’t done this race more often. Tarmac! I’m not a big fan of the black stuff and would much prefer the steep craggy fells. Anyway, here I was so thought I’d make the best of it. I was soon spotted by clubmates Andy Dugdale and Steve Fish, who were surprised to see me. ‘Did you know this is a road race, Mark?’  Enough said ~ my initial realisation was confirmed!

Still warming up I bumped into club mate John Francis who I haven’t seen for ages. I’m sure he told me this was his 38th Rivington Pike race. That’s an amazing accomplishment.

So, at 3pm the race started and all 371 runners sprinted off on the flat tarmac section for half a mile before starting the gradual climb to the tower. After leaving the road there was an option of ‘right of the tree’ or ‘left of the tree’. I took the slightly shorter but muddier option to the right because a) I gained a few places and b) I got my mudclaws dirty which made me feel in ‘race mode’.

Mark Nutter getting the mudclaws dirty on the Rivington Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Mark Nutter getting the mudclaws dirty on the Rivington Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Already ahead of me were Clayton’s Danny Collinge, Nicholas Hennessy, Alan Life, Geoff Gough, Stan Grewal and Reece Lawrence. I knew the climb, which is about a mile long, was going to hurt so it was a case of head down and dig in. The entire route was lined with spectators and it felt like a stage in le Tour de France with spectators cheering and giving mild ‘encouragement’. ‘Come on Mark’ I heard. It was Clayton stalwart Harry Walker who won the race in 1972 in 17.02. That spurred me on further so I dug in a bit deeper and soon reached the tower. Now it was all down hill for the return, so it was time for brain off / brakes off as I hurtled passed many runners including a couple of Clayton scalps before taking the muddy section by the tree. The final half mile was torture, my calves screaming and my quads burning on that flat tarmac, but I kept the pressure on and passed about another dozen runners before crossing the line with a lung bursting finish.

So, how did my fitness level compare to 18 years ago? Well, my time of 24.28 was just a minute per mile slower than 18 years ago, so pretty happy with that. Maybe I should have tried some of that LSD stuff before the race ~ it might have helped me get a bit closer………..!!

The race was won by Chris Farrell of Horwich RMI in 17:27 which is still not as quick as Harry Walkers time of 17:02 back in 1972!

Pos Name Cat Time
24 Danny Collinge M 20:35
54 Nicholas Hennessey MU18 22:25
62 Alan Life MV50 22:54
81 Geoff Gough MV55 23:23
116 Mark Nutter MV55 24:28
117 Stanley Grewal MU18 24:30
169 David Moynihan MV50 25:20
174 Reece Lawrence MU18 26:26
224 Christopher Lawrence MV50 28:27
230 Andrew Dugdale MV55 28:46
271 Stephen Fish MV60 30:48
371 John Francis MV70 51:47

Full Results

RIVINGTON PIKE JUNIOR FELL RACES

Unfortunately, there are no results as yet for the junior races but there was a great turnout of junior runners despite the race falling in the middle of the school holidays.

Clayton Juniors at the Rivington Pike Fell Races. Photo by Rachael White

Clayton Juniors at the Rivington Pike Fell Races. Photo by Rachael White

Helana White and Sophie Ashworth both had great runs in the U13/U15 race and Helana was 1st U13 girl and Sophie was 3rd U15 girls. Our U13 boys were out in force and all did very well. Lennon Jackson was injured on the course earning himself a free lift from the Mountain Rescue but thankfully no serious damage done.

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Bolton parkrun – A total of 377 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
19 David MOYNIHAN 21:35 VM50-54

Burnley parkrun – a total of 396 runners took part

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
1 Jacob WATSON 17:36 SM30-34
3 Chris SNELL 18:30 VM35-39
4 Josh HALL 18:51 JM15-17
8 Nicholas HENNESSEY 19:33 JM15-17
13 James BOULT 19:50 SM20-24
19 Mick HUGHES 20:36 VM40-44 New PB!
28 Daniel PLANT 21:22 VM35-39
32 Sean CLARE 21:44 VM50-54
34 Donna RILEY 21:56 VW50-54
48 Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY 22:48 VW35-39
55 Carl CAREY 23:03 VM45-49
58 Colin WHITE 23:04 VM40-44
63 Michelle ABBOTT 23:22 VW35-39
68 Nina KEWIN 23:43 VW35-39
74 David Ian SCOTT 24:01 VM70-74
77 Lynsey BIRTWISTLE 24:11 VW35-39 First Timer!
86 Dawn TERRY 24:39 VW50-54
87 Charlie BIRTWISTLE 24:46 JM11-14
91 Lisa ELLIS 24:57 SW30-34 New PB!
93 Toby BIRTWISTLE 24:59 JM10
117 Beth QUINN 25:55 SW18-19
118 Justin BIRTWISTLE 25:58 VM40-44
123 Donna SCOTT 26:01 VW50-54
136 Annabel WILCOCK 26:26 JW15-17
138 John WILCOCK 26:26 VM50-54
151 Melanie HIRST 26:50 VW40-44
200 Darcey HIRST 28:32 JW10
208 Bethany WHEATCROFT 28:49 JW11-14
272 Judith CAREY 31:07 VW35-39
281 Robert HIRST 31:30 VM65-69
283 Ron CHAPPELL 31:37 VM65-69

Cleethorpes parkrun – A total of 259 runners took part

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
3 Jackson MCKAY 18:39 JM11-14 First Timer!

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 142 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
127 Robin PRICE 33:24 VM70-74

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 398 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
256 Eileen JONES 30:13 VW65-69

Fountains Abbey parkrun – A total of 514 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
221 Keira STEVENSON 26:34 JW11-14 First Timer!
349 Rachel STEVENSON 30:34 JW10 First Timer!

Keswick parkrun – A total of 280 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
62 Martin BRADY 23:01 VM55-59 New PB!
109 Andrew TAYLOR 26:01 VM55-59 First Timer!

Lytham Hall parkrun – A total of 259 runners took part

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
69 Philip NAYLOR 24:21 VM35-39 New PB!

Pendle parkrun – A total of 96 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
3 Paul HESKETH 20:45 VM50-54
8 John HARTLEY 21:12 VM60-64
57 Yvonne WICKHAM 30:38 VW50-54
61 Christine Jennifer EGERTON 31:28 VW65-69
84 Christine LEATHLEY 37:22 VW65-69

Penrith parkrun – A total of 235 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
5 Jonathan PYE 18:55 SM25-29

Wimpole Estate parkrun – A total of 447 runners took part

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
246 Helen HARRISON 28:57 VW45-49 First Timer!

Witton parkrun – A total of 66 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
23 Paul THOMPSON 27:02 VM45-49

 

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Grinds, Bunnies and Horseshoes

The lighter nights are here and midweek evening races are coming back so lots of you are racing 2 or 3 times a week now. This week saw the first British Fell Championship race in Northern Ireland and some Lakeland fell running debuts. There’s also been some super fast racing at the Fastrax, Cowm and Littleborough 5K races. Plus trail running and some parkrun tourism.

TUESDAY 4 APRIL

BUNNY RUN 1

269 runners lined up on a sunny Tuesday evening on Penistone Hill near Haworth to take part in the first of the popular Bunny Run series organised by the irrepressible Woodentops. Three Clayton Ladies ran.

Christine Egerton at the Bunny Run Race. Photo by Woodentops

Christine Egerton at the Bunny Run Race. Photo by Woodentops

Pos  Name Cat Time 
199 Dawn Terry FV50 26:40
266 Christine Leathley FV60 37:09
267 Christine Egerton FV60 37:29

Full Results

WEDNESDAY 5 APRIL

GRISEDALE GRIND

Andrew Firth was our sole representative in this 2.5 mile race with 1575ft of ascent organised by Keswick AC.

Pos  Name Cat Time 
97 Andrew Firth MV50 00:41:48

Full Results

JOE SALT MEMORIAL COWM 5K

A dozen Clayton Harriers took part in this midweek 5K race. Laura Hesketh was the first Clayton finisher and first Lady runner in the race, 4th place overall,  with a time of 17:48. Stephen Green was our next finisher in 19th place and 1st MV60. Cassie Smedley was 1st L35 and Irene Roche was 1st L55

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
4 Laura Hesketh FS 17.48
19 S. Green MV60 19.47
25 L. Jackson MJ 20.36
37 A. Lundie MJ 22.01
38 Cassie Smedley FV35 22.09
41 Michelle Abbott FV35 22.3
45 Irene Roche FV55 22.39
52 Nina Kewin FV35 23.15
55 Julia Rushton FV50 23.42
66 Heidi Kewin FJ 25.43
68 Jane Hylands FV45 25.57
77 Julie Taylor FV55 28.46

Full Results

LITTLEBOROUGH 5K

Julie Dawes was our sole runner in the first of the Littleborough 5K race series.  She finished in 79th place with a time of 0:25:16

Full Results

SATURDAY 8 APRIL

COLEDALE HORSESHOE

Another dozen Clayton runners took to the Lakeland fells for the Coledale Horseshoe fell race. Matt Perry had a fantastic run to be our first finisher in 14th place overall, confidently holding his own amongst some top level fell runners.

Matt Perry at the Coledale Horseshoe Fell Race. Photo by Paul Dobson

Matt Perry at the Coledale Horseshoe Fell Race. Photo by Paul Dobson

Next in was Andrew Laycock in 38th place. Dave Motley also put in a strong performance fresh from the Manchester marathon last Saturday.  Teresa de Curtis and Sarah Helliwell were representing the ladies and were both taking on a Lakeland fell race for the first time.

Sarah Helliwell loving her first Lakeland fell race. Photo by Paul Dobson

Sarah Helliwell loving her first Lakeland fell race. Photo by Paul Dobson

Report from Teresa de Curtis

This weekend saw a group of Clayton members running the high fells of the Lake District and some making great times.

The Coledale Horseshoe from Braithewaite near Keswick is an 8.5 mile route with 3300 feet of ascent or thereabouts.  This was mine and Sarah Helliwell’s first Lakeland race and both of us had plenty of pre-race nerves.  Unfortunately, for Sarah, she had succumbed to the end of term lurgy and had been struggling with a bad cold all week but being made of tough stuff she was determined to compete.

Teresa de Curtis in action at the Coledale Horseshoe fell race. Photo by Paul Dobson

Teresa de Curtis in action at the Coledale Horseshoe fell race. Photo by Paul DobsonFull

On the day, the conditions were good, clear skies and plenty of warm sunshine (not always a runner’s friend).  Sarah and I started off at a very comfortable pace but due to a major bottle neck at the beginning of the first ascent, we were at a standstill for 2 or 3 minutes according to Strava and  ‘Strava never lies!’ (Donna Airey, 2017)

The first daunting climb was 2000 feet and 2 miles long up to Grizedale Pike!  Part way up Sarah was struggling with her chest and told me to go on.  It felt like forever reaching the summit but the run off was worth it and once you commit yourself and as Andy Firth says – empty your mind, it’s surprising how many less confident descenders you end up passing.  There was a great rocky scramble through scree and crags up to Eel Crag and you had to be careful of the loose rock.

The final descent, approximately a mile long, was great fun if you love descending, and once again, I managed to sail pass quite a few runners.

I finished the race in 2hrs and 3mins, according to my watch, and waited for Sarah at the finish line. Unfortunately, John Sharples informed us that Dominic Carr had taken a tumble and had a suspected broken finger. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Dominic.

As always, the camaraderie and support from fellow Claytoners and runners from other clubs was fantastic.  A female runner came and shook my hands and congratulated me on my descending and nicknamed me the Demon Descender.  Pretty darn chuffed with that (she didn’t mention my ascending though – oh well never mind eh?)

As quoted by Sarah Helliwell, “Coledale Horseshoe – cracking race, weather and a beautiful part of the lakes!”  What more could you ask for?

Pos    Name    Cat    Time   
14 Matt Perry MS 01:20:19
38 Andrew Laycock MS 01:27:29
46 Dave Motley MS 01:28:58
52 Kirt Livesey MV40 01:29:55
93 Dominic Carr MV40 01:37:54
133 Jon Sharples MV60 01:43:00
202 Chris Funnell MV50 01:53:44
219 Chris Whiteoak MS 01:58:24
238 Andrew Firth MV50 02:01:46
243 Teresa de Curtis LV40 02:03:05
267 David Nield MV50 02:06:11
310 Sarah Helliwell L 02:18:04

Full Results

DONARD CHALLENGE

The Donard Challenge is the first race of the British Fell Running Championships. There are four races in each participating nation and the Donard Challenge is in Northern Ireland. A quartet of Harriers travelled to take part.

Paul Hesketh at the Donard Challenge. Photo by Richard Cowan

Paul Hesketh at the Donard Challenge. Photo by Richard Cowan

Pos Name CaT Time
118 Neil Hardiman MV40 01:17:52
128 Paul Hesketh MV50 01:19:10
200 Wendy Dodds FV60 01:30:31
236 Barbara Savage FV50 01:44:19

Full Results

WARDLE SKYLINE

A few Clayton vests spotted on photos of this 7 mile fell race with 1250ft of ascent organised by Rochdale Harriers.

No results are available as yet but Andrew Walmsley, Robert Hirst, Stephen Fish, Chris Snell and Peter Coates are in some of the photos.

Awaiting Results

SUNDAY 9 APRIL

 3 VILLAGE 10

Report from Jonathan Pye

Starting in Wetherall in the sleepy Cumbrian countryside, the 3 villages 10 mile road race should probably be renamed 5×2 road race because it’s two five mile laps around (wait for it) 3 Cumbrian villages. The race seemed to attract quite a few keen runners from the border county clubs and I wouldn’t have found out about it had Jonathan Cox of Eden Valley runners fame not mentioned it to me the day before. I set off like a fool and did the first three miles at 5:55 pace before discovering that this road race involved those pesky things called hills. The climbs were hardly steep but more lengthy and persistent and I found myself needing a second wind (non existent in the sunshine) at the halfway stage. Despite my naive and naughty fast start I still hit my target of sub 70 minutes coming home around the 1:08 mark. An enjoyable outing for a man who regards anything further than 5k as the devil’s plaything.

Awaiting Results

FASTRAX 2K

Some excellent results for our junior runners in the Fastrax 2K race with Lennon Jackson taking the win and Helana White first girl and 4th overall.

Clayton Juniors at the Fastrax 2K race with coach Marion Wilkinson. Photo by Woodentops

Clayton Juniors at the Fastrax 2K race with coach Marion Wilkinson. Photo by Woodentops

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
1 Lennon Jackson M13 (001/001) 00:07:37
2 Matthew Jackson M11 (001/001) 00:07:54
4 Helana White F10 (001/002) 00:08:07
7 Charlie Barnes M8 (002/004) 00:09:10
12 Imogen Ferguson F11 (001/001) 00:09:43
14 Darcey Hurst F8 (001/003) 00:10:13
15 Ellisia Smedley F8 (002/003) 00:11:49

Full Results

FASTRAX 5K

A great run from Jacob Watson who battled Trawden’s Nick Gaskell to take the win at this flat and fast 5k race.

Jacob Watson powering to the finish. Photo by Woodentops

Jacob Watson powering to the finish. Photo by Woodentops

Our junior runners Nick Hennessey and Stanley Grewal put in strong performances amongst a competitive group of young runners.

Nick Hennessey doing it in style at the Fastrax 5K. Photo by Bryn Barnes

Nick Hennessey doing it in style at the Fastrax 5K. Photo by Bryn Barnes

John Hartley continues his great form to finish in 16th place and 1st Vet60.

Supervet John Hartley at the Fastrax 5K. Photo by Woodentops

Supervet John Hartley at the Fastrax 5K. Photo by Woodentops

Amanda Duffy was our first lady finisher in 29th overall and 2nd F35.

Amanda Duffy making it look effortless at the Fastrax 5K. Photo by Woodentops

Amanda Duffy making it look effortless at the Fastrax 5K. Photo by Woodentops

Pos    Name    Cat    CatPos    Time   
1 Jacob Watson MS (001/008) 00:16:49
12 Nicholas Hennessey MJ (004/007) 00:18:44
16 John Hartley M60 (001/003) 00:19:43
18 Stanley Grewal MJ (006/007) 00:19:52
25 Richard Briscoe MS (008/008) 00:21:04
29 Amanda Duffy F35 (002/003) 00:21:26
32 Michelle Abbott F35 (003/003) 00:22:04
42 Jack McGuire M60 (003/003) 00:29:49

Full Results

FLEETWOOD 10K

A trio of Clayton Harriers took part in the Fleetwood 10K. The race runs along Fleetwood’s Outer Promenade and Esplanade with great views over Morecambe Bay and is a flat and fast course. Dan Plant was our first finisher in 10th place with a time of 39:22 followed by James Dunderdale in 18th place and 43:02. Lucy Scott was our sole lady runner and she was 80th in 53:05. A total of 231 runners took part.

Pos Name Cat Time
10 Daniel Plant M 39:22.2
18 James Dunderdale M 43:02.6
80 Lucy Scott L 53:05.0

Full Results

RADCLIFFE 10K MULTI-TERRAIN RACE

Martin and Kath Brady took part in this 10K multi-terrain race.  Martin was 72nd in 49:18 and Kath was 141st in 56:25. A total of 254 runners took part.

Pos Name Cat Time
72 Martin Brady M55 49:18
141 Kath Brady F50 56:25

Full Results

RIVINGTON 10M TRAIL CHALLENGE

Organised by Mad Bull Events this race follows a beautiful and scenic route from the Bowling Green in Rivington village and heads out alongside Anglezarke Reservoir towards White Coppice. It then follows the path to Wheelton Plantation up through the woods and out at the top following a trail up and around back down to White Coppice and on to Rivington.

Three Harriers took part. Ludovic Salsmann was our first finisher in 118th place. Dawn Terry was our first lady finisher in 133rd place and Julia Rushton was 173rd. A total of 255 runners took part.

Pos Name Cat Time
118 Ludovic Salsmann V40 1:39:01
133 Dawn Terry F50 1:41:26
173 Julia Rushton F50 1:48:53

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Banstead Woods parkrun – A total of 186 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
85 Katy THOMPSON 25:27 VW60-64 First Timer!

Brueton parkrun – A total of 477 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
263 Helen HARRISON 27:55 VW45-49 First Timer!

Burnley parkrun – A total of 391 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
4 Nicholas HENNESSEY 18:59 JM15-17
7 Josh HALL 19:12 JM15-17
21 Lennon JACKSON 20:15 JM11-14 New PB!
28 Robbie SMEDLEY 20:31 JM11-14 New PB!
32 Adam STEVENSON 20:40 JM11-14 New PB!
38 Kevin DAVIES 20:59 VM55-59
46 Nick ROSCOE 21:30 VM45-49
52 Matthew JACKSON 21:47 JM11-14
55 Helana WHITE 22:02 JW10
64 Chris LAWRENCE 22:22 VM50-54 New PB!
67 Martin BRADY 22:29 VM55-59
69 Charlie BARNES 22:32 JM10 New PB!
78 Carl CAREY 23:02 VM45-49
86 Michelle ABBOTT 23:23 VW35-39
87 Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY 23:26 VW35-39
93 Nina KEWIN 23:42 VW35-39
95 David Ian SCOTT 23:44 VM70-74
111 Aaron LUNDIE 24:16 JM15-17
112 Jake ANFORTH 24:17 JM10
114 Julie DAWES 24:23 VW45-49
115 Sarah ANGELONE 24:27 SW30-34
125 Brian WILDMAN 24:46 VM50-54
142 Richard LAWSON 25:22 VM75-79
153 Beth QUINN 25:59 SW18-19
170 Annabel WILCOCK 26:29 JW15-17
198 Deborah GREENWOOD 27:43 VW45-49
208 Donna SCOTT 28:08 VW50-54
213 Charlie PLANT 28:17 JW10
214 Daniel PLANT 28:17 VM35-39
231 Christine Jennifer EGERTON 28:43 VW65-69
241 Darcey HIRST 29:11 JW10
242 Heidi KEWIN 29:12 JW11-14
244 Ron CHAPPELL 29:16 VM65-69
281 Judith CAREY 31:03 VW35-39
348 Ellisia SMEDLEY 35:45 JW10

Conwy parkrun – A total of 288 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
72 Sophie ASHWORTH 24:27 JW11-14 First Timer!

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 131 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
126 Robin PRICE 36:02 VM70-74

Pendle parkrun – A total of 105 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
1 David WALKER 18:42 VM35-39 New PB!
9 John HARTLEY 21:27 VM60-64
33 Barry MITCHELL 24:51 VM70-74

Penrith parkrun – A total of 186 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
5 Jonathan PYE 18:40 SM25-29 New PB!

Skipton parkrun – A total of 187 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
2 Tom BREWSTER 17:53 SM30-34

South Manchester parkrun – A total of 339 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
225 Yvonne WICKHAM 27:32 VW50-54 First Timer!

Witton parkrun – A total of 80 runners took part.

Pos  parkrunner  Time  Age Cat  Note 
10 David MOYNIHAN 22:23 VM50-54
24 Paul THOMPSON 26:28 VM45-49 New PB!
25 Nerina GILL 27:19 VW45-49