The days are long, the nights are short and there is an abundance of racing opportunities for our members to get their teeth into. It’s all been rather scenic this week with hills, parks, waterfalls and people dressed up as cows.
Austwick Amble – Monday 25 May
This year’s Austwick Amble, held in conjunction with the Annual Street Market, was held in dry but overcast conditions this year. The event attracted a record numbers of entrants, some of who had travelled from far afield, including a party from Orion Harriers in Essex and a family from Sark in the Channel islands.
Runners received enthusiastic support from spectators, particularly at the start and finish located in the centre of the village. This year there was a full programme of junior races from Under 12 up to Under 18.
Lennon Jackson was our sole junior representative and finished in 12th place in the U12 boys race with a time of 11:50. Well done Lennon!
The senior race (8 miles with 1,200 feet of ascent and descent) featured a record field of 169 runners who set off from Austwick Village at 1.00pm, with the weather overcast but still dry. Paul Hesketh was the first Clayton man home and was also the leading V50. Jeffrey Pickup was leading vet 60.
Senior Race
Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
21 | Paul Hesketh | MV50 | 00:56:22 |
50 | Chris Whiteoak | M | 01:01:59 |
57 | Richard Briscoe | M | 01:02:48 |
59 | Sean Clare | MV50 | 01:03:15 |
64 | John Wilcock | MV50 | 01:04:22 |
66 | Jeffrey Pickup | MV60 | 01:04:39 |
70 | Gary Balmer | MV40 | 01:05:38 |
76 | Nigel Weaver | MV50 | 01:06:55 |
93 | Andrew Howarth | MV50 | 01:09:45 |
110 | Colin Woolford | M | 01:11:48 |
125 | Stephen Bury | MV50 | 01:14:33 |
Bowley Hill Race – Monday 25 May
A half dozen Clayton Harriers took part in this trail run that takes part in conjunction with the Great Harwood Agricultural show. Dave Motley and Adam Shaw were running as part of the Run 4 Nepal team to raise awareness of their upcoming National 3 Peaks Challenge to raise money for the victims of the recent earthquakes in Nepal.
Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
4 | Ryan Wilkinson (Run 4 Nepal) | MSEN | 44:27 |
7 | Dave Motley (Run 4 Nepal) | MSEN | 45:50 |
19 | Adam Shaw (Run 4 Nepal) | MSEN | 51:00 |
30 | Stephen Breckell | MV60 | 53:17 |
53 | Bryan Searby | MV40 | 58:57 |
60 | Amanda Duffy | FV30 | 62:51 |
63 | Ron Chappell | MV65 | 63:38 |
Fishwick 5 Mile Trail Race – Mon 25 May
Tanya Bunkham was flying the Clayton-le-Moors flag in this 5 mile trail race. She finishied in 32nd place with a time of 42:03. She described it as a small race, nice scenic route looping route around the nature reserve but with a killer hill thrown in twice for good measure!
Johnny Butterworth Memorial Trail 5k – Tuesday 26 May
Yvonne Wickham was the sole Clayton-le-Moors Harrier in this event.
Vernon’s (formerly Welcome Inn) 5k Series – Tuesday 26 May
Three Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in the second race in the Vernons Summer Series
Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
43 | Tony Pilling | MV50 | 00:23:58 |
47 | Richard Lawson | MV70 | 00:24:12 |
48 | Anthony Hughes | M | 00:24:23 |
Harrock Hill Race – Wednesday 27 May
232 runners took part in this event. Representing Clayton-le-Moors Harriers were Nigel Weaver and John Francis.
Pos | Name | Cat | Time | ||
69 | Nigel Weaver | M50 | 42.44 | ||
225 | John Francis | M70 | 66.29 |
Ingleton Scenery – Thursday 28 May
A trio of Harriers took part in this brand new race. The Ingleton Scenery Off Road Race features a five-mile route along the famous Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, with runners climbing 800ft during the race. Looks like a stunning place to run, it’s going on my to-do list for next year!
Pos | Name | Category | Time |
39 | Mark Nutter | M50 | 00:38:03 |
61 | Peter Dugdale | M55 | 00:43:46 |
88 | Julie Toman | F45 | 00:53:00 |
Blackpool Promenade 10 Miler – Saturday 30 May
240 runners completed this 10 mile run around a two loop course of 4 and 6 miles, on the traffic free North Promenades of Blackpool. Stephen Biscomb and Donna Airey took part in this event.
Donna reports; Watch time 1 hour 21 mins 28 secs. Smashed my target of 1 hour 30 and maybe a sneaky 10k PR. Thanks to my supporters and the firemen, they made me want to “look good”!
Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
39 | Stephen Biscomb | MV60 | 1:12:54.4 |
77 | Donna Airey | F | 1:21:28.0 |
Catforth Canter 5k – Saturday 30 May
Well done to Amanda Duffy who was our sole representative at this fast-paced 5k. She finished in 67th place with a time of 23:21 in a field of 112 runners.
Duddon Valley Fell Races – Saturday 30 May
The Long Duddon is a classic 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.
The Short Duddon is run at the same time over a 10 mile course with 3000 feet of climb up Dow and Caw. Both are category A fell races so navigational ability, proper kit and some idea of what you’re doing are all essential.
Report from Peter Browning
Saturday May 30th, saw the third round of the 2015 English Fell Running Championships with the Duddon Valley Fell Race. This event is a classic AL Lakeland race, and was founded in 1978 by my wife Sandi’s uncle, Ken Ledward. Although the course doesn’t take runners to any of Cumbria’s highest peaks, there are still 18 miles and 6000 feet of climbing to be tackled, and in misty weather, the route poses many difficult navigational problems.
This year however, the 325 starters were pleased to welcome a nice weather window in what has been a dismal May, and although it was never that warm, the clouds remained high and good visibility maintained throughout. Four Clayton Harriers started the race, all veterans of one sort or another. It’s a great shame that our talented senior runners were all absent, but maybe that’s another story for another day.
I must confess to having been quite nervous prior to the race, not having done a race as tough as this for quite some time. “Start slowly and work your way into the race” was the general advice, and this is what I did. 254th place at checkpoint one to a finish position of 188th tells its own tale, and I was delighted to discover that the old stamina and ability to keep going at a steady pace all the way was still lurking in there. The climb from the foot of Hard Knot to the top of Little Stand (checkpoints 2 to 3) looks daunting when you first see it, and although it took me a good 26 minutes, it passed quickly enough. Once through the Three Shires Stone checkpoint, you are on the way home, and whilst there is some rough ground, notably towards the Dow Crag checkpoint where in the 1991 race, I tripped and fell face first into the ground smashing a front tooth out and badly cutting my lip, knees and hands, there is also some good fast running towards White Pike if you have anything left in the tank. No scares for me on Dow Crag this year, though when I finished the race in 1991, having been scraped off the floor by my club mate Steve Breckell and the late Paul Martin from Bolton, my club vest was definitely more red than white! It’s amazing what adrenalin can do. A fast descent from the last checkpoint on Caw takes you back down to the finish at the Newfield Inn.
Race winner Rob Hope from Pudsey and Bramley was showered, changed and on his third pint by the time the Clayton runners got back, but for the record their times were:
- Rob Hope (V40) 2. 44. 01
- Peter Browning (V55) 4.11.15
- Andy McFarlane (V45) 4.12.32
- Kieran Carr (V70) 4.23.46
- Wendy Dodds (LV60) 4.28.09
Both Kieran and Wendy won their respective age group categories, and I was absolutely delighted to be first Clayton finisher since I can’t remember when. Now, when’s Wasdale?
Long Race
Pos | Name | Category | Time |
188 | Peter Browning | MV55 | 04:11:15 |
195 | Andrew McFarlane | MV45 | 04:12:32 |
211 | Kieran Carr | MV70 | 04:23:46 |
223 | Wendy Dodds | FV60 | 04:28:09 |
Short Race
Pos | Name | Category | Time |
26 | Andrew Howarth | MV50 | 02:11:37 |
Malham Kirkby English Junior Fell Championships – Saturday 30 May
This was a well attended FRA race with a steep climb straight up having to use hands to get up the steepest parts, also up through a stream then decent back down the same route. All juniors did very well and the weather stayed fine for them. Extra bonus was the big goody bag each child received.
The races take place amid some beautiful scenery and there were some great performances from all of our juniors.
Under 8’s.
Joshua Mckay – 15th (4.53)
Kady Thompson – 22nd – (5:19) (5th girl)
Under 10’s
Dexta Thompson – 4th (7:54)
Under 12’s
Jackson Mckay 6th (10:52)
Lennon Jackson 56th (13:32)
Under 14’s
Liberty Thompson 51st (19:07) (15th girl)
Malham Kirkby Senior Fell Race – Saturday 30 May
Chris Whiteoak and Linda Lord represented the Clayton Harriers at the senior Malham Kirkby Fell Race. Linda was 1st LV65.
Pos | Name | Category | Time |
21 | Chris Whiteoak | M | 29:46 |
53 | Linda Lord | FV65 | 36:32 |
Blackpool Triathlon – Sunday 31 May
Grace and Ellie Root took part in the Blackpool triathlon on Sunday 31 May.
Grace was up 1st in the T1 category, she was in heat 2 and led the race right from the start in the swim, she held her lead throughout all disciplines and won her heat. Overall she came 13th and was really proud of her performance.
Ellie was up next in the T3 category. She was in a tough heat, swimming and cycling well, but came into her own again in the run where she gained 3 places to finish 6th overall.
Well done girls
Coniston Gullies – Sunday 31 May
Coniston Gullies is a brilliant fell race for the fearless fell runner. It may be short in distance, but it has a lung buster of a climb and a tremendous descent which is a sheer drop taking in a scree section. It’s a classic up and down race, not for the faint hearted.
Briony Holt travelled to Coniston Gullies for the 2nd BOFRA race of the series. It was wet, boggy and very steep with a rocky underfoot. Briony ran in u14s and came 1st girl luckily without any cuts, bruises or tears that unfortunately some of the other athletes endured during their race. Well Done Briony
Crazy Cow 10K – Sunday 31 May
Described as a great race with a great atmosphere on a flat course partly through Avenham Park.
Matthew Duckworth reports: “Crazy is the word, arriving there to a carnival atmosphere full of fancy dress cow runners! I wasn’t feeling my best today however I still managed to steal a sub-40 finish and Bianca again finished with a PB! So was a very good day on a flat, but very windy, course!”
Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
9 | Matthew Duckworth | M | 00:39:39 |
39 | Ryan Clarke | M | 00:45:34 |
57 | Bryan Searby | MV40 | 00:47:37 |
60 | Sarah Angelone | F | 00:47:47 |
102 | Leanne Cottam | FV35 | 00:51:25 |
106 | Bianca Bennett | F | 00:51:37 |
Never outshone by the seniors, our junior runners ran well in the Crazy Calf Junior race with 1st overall Dexta, 2nd boy & girl Felix & Kady. Go Team Thompson!
Pos | Name | Time |
1 | Dexta Thompson | 00:06:14 |
3 | Kady Thompson | 00:07:59 |
6 | Felix Thompson | 00:08:27 |
8 | Jack McGuire | 00:08:46 |
Edenfield Fell Race – Sunday 31 May
Six Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in this local fell race that starts from Edenfield Cricket club. It’s a 6.4 mile route with 1565ft of ascent.o
Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
14 | David Naughton | M55 | 00:53:57 |
16 | Andrew Orr | M40 | 00:54:14 |
25 | Alex Braysford | M40 | 00:57:33 |
67 | Linda Bostock | F55 | 01:10:26 |
87 | Ron Chappell | M65 | 01:27:46 |
Parkrun Roundup
There was a little bit of parkrun tourism going on this week. As usual the Clayton-le-Moors Harriers were out in force at the Burnley parkrun, many of them warming up for the Crazy Cow 10 the following day. Almost all of the top ten finishers were our club runners and there were new PBs for Elouise Pemberton, Bianca Bennett and Christine Egerton.
Burnley parkrun – A total of 251 runners took part
Pos | parkrunner | Time | Cat | Note |
2 | Jonathan PYE | 18:10 | SM25-29 | |
3 | Jacob WATSON | 18:28 | SM30-34 | |
4 | Curtis Robert HOLT | 19:01 | JM15-17 | |
5 | Chris SNELL | 19:49 | VM35-39 | |
6 | Matthew DUCKWORTH | 19:52 | SM25-29 | |
7 | Laura HESKETH | 19:54 | SW30-34 | |
10 | Simon WILSHAW | 20:44 | JM15-17 | |
12 | Adam SHAW | 20:52 | SM30-34 | |
19 | Helena LEATHLEY | 21:31 | SW20-24 | |
20 | Andrew WEBSTER | 21:59 | VM45-49 | |
25 | Sophie ASHWORTH | 22:24 | JW11-14 | |
27 | Martin BRADY | 22:32 | VM50-54 | |
65 | Stephen GREEN | 24:39 | VM60-64 | |
69 | Andrew TAYLOR | 24:48 | VM55-59 | |
84 | Elouise Sylkie PEMBERTON | 25:34 | SW25-29 | New PB! |
86 | Ian HARGREAVES | 25:38 | VM50-54 | |
90 | Annabel WILCOCK | 25:55 | JW11-14 | |
91 | John WILCOCK | 25:56 | VM50-54 | |
95 | Bianca BENNETT | 26:11 | SW25-29 | New PB! |
96 | Ron CHAPPELL | 26:22 | VM65-69 | |
125 | Kian ADAMS | 27:56 | JM10 | |
150 | Christine Jennifer EGERTON | 28:34 | VW65-69 | New PB! |
153 | Jenson BENTHAM | 28:44 | JM10 | |
162 | Nicola KAY | 29:26 | SW30-34 | |
195 | Christine LEATHLEY | 32:23 | VW65-69 | |
198 | Bronia OLSZEWSKA | 32:46 | JW10 | |
217 | Milly MACCABE | 34:02 | JW10 | |
226 | Judith CAREY | 35:24 | VW35-39 |
Pendle parkrun – A total of 37 runners took part
Pos | parkrunner | Time | Cat | Note |
1 | Paul HESKETH | 20:08 | VM50-54 | |
3 | John HARTLEY | 21:15 | VM55-59 | |
22 | Yvonne WICKHAM | 29:01 | VW50-54 | First Timer! |
Bolton parkrun – A total of 304 runners took part
Pos | parkrunner | Time | Cat | Note |
80 | Julia RUSHTON | 24:45 | VW50-54 |
Inverness parkrun – A total of 96 runners took part.
Pos | parkrunner | Time | Cat | Note |
39 | Katy THOMPSON | 24:17 | VW60-64 | First Timer! |
51 | George THOMPSON | 25:11 | VM65-69 | First Timer! |
Keswick parkrun – A total of 127 runners took part.
Pos | parkrunner | Time | Cat | Note |
86 | Eileen JONES | 30:04 | VW60-64 |
Sewerby parkrun – A total of 142 runners took part.
Pos | parkrunner | Time | Cat | Note |
136 | Robin PRICE | 37:08 | VM70-74 | New PB! |
Woodbank parkrun – A total of 116 runners took part
Pos | parkrunner | Time | Cat | Note |
73 | Ron HILL | 28:09 | VM75-79 |
Woodhouse Moor parkrun – A total of 446 runners took part.
Pos | parkrunner | Time | Cat | Note |
11 | David BAGOT | 18:28 | SM20-24 | New PB! |
Kit News
If we can get to the minimum order we will be ordering Clayton branded cropped vests/tops sizes start at xxs (30in) and cost £22 contact our kit manager, Nicola Thompson, if you would like one ordering. Nicola21@ntlworld.com
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