Seniors Competitions – Clayton-le-Moors Harriers

Up hills, down dales and round the streets

It’s nearly the Easter holidays but there is no let up to your racing action. The fell season is in full swing now with County Championship medals among the successes this week, as well as a batch of PBs for our road devotees reaping the rewards of their winter training in the warmer weather. With some mountain orienteering and aquathloning (is that a word?) thrown in for good measure, it’s the usual diverse roundup of racing, results and rumbustious fun that you lot always seem to have.

Tuesday

Pete Hartley Memorial fell race – Liver Hill

This popular mid week fell race escaped the wintry conditions of last year that saw marshalls struggling with hypothermia and was run off in reasonable, if boggy conditions this time.

Karl Steinegger of Ambleside AC was first home in 34:47 and first of the twelve Clayton runners back was Peter Coates.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
5	Peter Coates	V40	36:38
14	Chris Snell	SEN	38:47
20	Ryan Wilkinson	Sen	41:04
21	Neil Hardiman	V45	41:12
44	Ivan Whigham	V55	44:15
47	Mark Nutter	V55	45:13
60	Richard Briscoe	SEN	49:12
67	Andrew Howarth	V55	49:45
76	Darren Rushton	V45	51:04
79	Colin Woolford	V40	51:29
85	Barbara Savage	LV50	52:20
110	Stephen Fish	V60	58:39

Sole Clayton Junior in the Junior races was Ella Dorrington who was 1st U13G and 7th overall in the U13s race.

Full results

Wednesday

The Colin & Brenda Robinson Cowm 5k, Whitworth

The Club Road Championships continued midweek in Whitworth for the Cowm 5k in less than ideal conditions. A large contingent of Clayton runners braved the weather, with 15th placed James Boult leading them home.

Race report from James Boult:

A wet and blustery night set the scene for the second race in the 2017 Road Championships, with two laps of the scenic Cowm reservoir in Rochdale making it a fast, furious course. With a good Clayton turnout assembled on the start line and the absence of the big guns in play we quickly realised that 50 points were up for grabs and 5 of us stood a good chance of taking them home. Setting off bang on 7 a small incline leads onto the first of two laps, with me, Dan Plant and Recce Lawrence leading the way. Moving to the top of the pack I made sure I stuck at a comfortable pace for the first lap, keeping steady as not to blow up and ruin the race.

By the second lap it was a two horse race between me and Dan, and I could feel him on my heels the whole way. I upped the pace again while maintaining a comfortable speed and by the gate leading onto the reservoir I found myself to be a couple of places ahead. Putting in another kick I managed to put a few places between myself and Dan and kicked on. Keeping a comfortable pace I knew I could up the tempo if needed, but with Darwen half on Sunday I kept it easy and didnt push as not to risk injury. Feeling strong coming into the final half a KM I upped the pace again, taking four more places on my way to a 15th place finish and just 20 seconds shy of a PB set last July. Dan took 2nd Clayton counter with Mick Hughes in 3rd. Some fantastic results and PBs galore made for a successful championship race.

James Boult at the Cowm 5k.
Photo: David Belshaw

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
15	J. Bould	MS	19.12
20	D. Plant	MS	19.36
25	M. Hughes	MV40	20.05
26	L. Jackson	MJ	20.09
27	J. Wilcock	MV50	20.12
30	D. McMullan	MV50	20.18
32	S. Green	MV60	20.29
36	R. Morrison	MV40	21.05
38	A. Quinn	MV45	21.1
39	A. Airey	MS	21.12
42	R. Lawrence	MJ	21.25
44	Cassandra Smedley	FV35	21.36
46	C. Lawrence	MV50	21.44
52	Donna Airey	FV35	21.58
53	M. Brady	MV55	22.04
57	M. Kewin	MJ	22.36
61	Michelle Abbott	FV35	22.56
68	Nina Kewin	FV35	23.5
71	W. McIntosh	MS	24.18
72	Lisa Ellis	FS	24.2
73	Lisa Johnson	Fv45	24.48
74	Beth Quinn	FJ	24.52
77	Heidi Kewin	FJ	25.2
80	Julia Rushton	FV50	25.4
82	I. Hargreaves	MV50	25.48
87	B. Barnes	MV65	26.34
88	Jane Hylands	FV45	26.46
94	R. Lawson	MV75	27.33
103	Karen Clarkin	FV40	29.14
106	Marion Wilkinson	FV75	30.16
107	R. Hirst	MV65	30.22
108	Anita Jones	FV60	30.46
109	Christine Leathley	FV65	33.13
110	R. Chappell	MV65	30.39

Full results

Saturday

Pendle Hill Fell Races

It’s been a few years since the Pendle Hill fell races had some nice Spring weather and the rain and clag was back again for this year’s edition, particularly for our hardy Juniors who raced before the adults. This year, extra spice was added to the races as they doubled up as the Lancashire Fell Championships in all age groups. Plenty of recent rain made the fellside fairly soggy, especially on the climb up from Buttock.

Senior Race

Chris Arthur of Bowland Fell Runners was a clear winner this year, with our own Chris Holdsworth leading the club charge in 5th place. Danny Collinge was 2nd U23 in 9th place, after setting off at a blistering pace.

Linda Lord at Pendle.
Photo: David Belshaw

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat Pos	Time
5	Chris. Holdsworth	MS	(004/042)	00:34:41
8	Matt Perry	MS	(005/042)	00:36:26
9	Danny Collinge	M23	(002/005)	00:36:36
15	Peter Coates	M40	(002/036)	00:38:39
37	Chris Snell	MS	(017/042)	00:40:50
48	Geoff Gough	M50	(006/037)	00:42:52
60	Neil Hardiman	M40	(011/036)	00:44:17
105	Craig Nicholls	M40	(024/036)	00:49:52
112	Claire Vincent	FS	(006/016)	00:50:34
121	Teresa de Curtis	F40	(006/010)	00:52:24
125	Mark Taylor	MS	(038/042)	00:52:38
130	Rick Moore	M50	(026/037)	00:52:56
134	Barbara Savage	F50	(003/007)	00:53:46
141	Andrew M Dugdale	M50	(029/037)	00:55:16
150	Linda Lord	F60	(001/003)	00:56:26
154	Wayne McIntosh	MS	(039/042)	00:57:02
155	Katy Thompson	F60	(002/003)	00:57:03
182	Michelle Butschok	F40	(010/010)	01:07:06
183	Karin Goss	F60	(003/003)	01:07:57

Chris Holdsworth at Pendle.
Photo: David Belshaw

Senior Results

Junior Races

The rain came down and the clag came in shortly before the start of the Junior races, leading to some of the wettest and boggiest conditions seen in a long while over Barley Green and up to Buttock. This didn’t deter our Juniors, with Emily Nicholls putting in a spirited performance in the U11G for 9th girl, despite being a distinct height disadvantage over the stone stile in her race. Robbie Smedley chased the leaders hard up to the turn in the U13B race, and was rewarded for his efforts with a well deserved Bronze medal. He was followed up in that race by Luke Guest in 16th.

Jackson McKay finished well clear to take the Lancashire title in the U15B, with Adam Stevenson and Lennon Jackson not far behind in 6th and 7th with Will Nicholls in 11th and Jake O’Dowd in 13th. Ella Dorrington was closing in at the finish on the winner of the U15G but had to settle for Silver, 2 seconds down in her first year in this age group. Bethany Wheatcroft and Heidi Kewin also both stepped up to the U15 distance and climbing really well, finishing 9th and 11th.

Finally, Nick Hennessy away from his more familiar tarmac surfaces, put in a great performance to keep some experienced and older U17 boys in sight on the climb high onto the fell and secure 4th place.

U11s race

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat Pos	Time
20	Emily Nicholls	F11	(009/012)	08:33:00

U13s race

Robbie Smedley working hard before the turn on his way to 2nd place.
Photo: Alan Dorrington

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat Pos	Time
3	Robbie Smedley	M13	(003/021)	00:16:32
21	Luke Guest	M13	(016/021)	00:20:11

U15s race

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat Pos	Time
1	Jackson McKay	M15	(001/016)	00:18:47
6	Adam Stevenson	M15	(006/016)	00:22:21
7	Lennon Jackson	M15	(007/016)	00:22:24
9	E Dorrington-Levy	F15	(002/010)	00:22:42
11	William Nicholls	M15	(009/016)	00:22:55
21	Bethany Wheatcroft	F15	(008/010)	00:29:00
22	Jake O’Dowd	M15	(014/016)	00:29:45
24	Heidi Kewin	F15	(010/010)	00:30:05

Ella Dorrington descends to the finish.
Photo: Deborah Stevenson

U17s race

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat Pos	Time
4	Nicholas Hennessey	M17	(003/005)	00:26:46

Happy muddy Juniors.
Photo: Deborah Stevenson

Junior Results

Junior FRA Championship West Nab

Four of our Juniors, Helena White, Briony Holt, Christopher Brown and Jenson Bentham travelled over to Holmfirth for the 2nd round of the Junior FRA Championships and were rewarded with better weather than in Lancashire…

Briony Holt running in the U17G for her first year took an excellent 3rd place against older opposition. It’s shaping up to be a great year again on the fells for Briony. Helena White was 7th in U13G with Jenson Bentham 12th in U13B and Christopher Brown 20th.

Full results

Jenson Bentham pushing on up the first climb.
Photo: Geoff Thompson

Helena White with her own distinctive style.
Photo: Geoff Thompson

Briony on her way to 3rd place U17G.
Photo: Geoff Thompson

Calderdale Hike

This longstanding event offers both marathon distance and ultra distance (37.2miles) routes round the Calderdale hills, with checkpoints at great sounding places like Coolam, Slatepit Hill and Lumbutts. Andrew Armstrong and Nick Olszweski (among others) ran, preparing for the Fellsman Hike in late April. Nick ran round in 7:40 with full results to follow.

New Dungeon Ghyll fell race

Wendy Dodds was the Clayton representative here, coming in 1st WV60 in 42nd place and a time of 56:31.

Full results

Sunday

Lads Leap fell race

This AS race unsurprisingly packs in a fair bit of climb in it’s 5.9m route around the popular Crowdon area of the Peak District, steeped in rock climbing history, and randomly, populated by large white hares. Stephen Fish MV60 was the sole Clayton runner, finishing in 1.24.54

Report from Stephen Fish:

Always keen to try a race I’ve not previously done and being unavailable for Saturday’s Pendle race, I picked out the Lad’s Leap on the Sunday to do.

On a pleasant, early, spring morning I set off to the Crowden Campsite, situated on the Woodhead Pass in the Peak District National Park, for the start, only taking 50 minutes of travelling to reach.

124 runners lined up on the start line to tackle the demanding route that takes in Lad’s Leap twice. Once a short road section was out of the way, a long lung-busting climb ensued and lead onto Robinson’s Moss. This portion of the race was very boggy underfoot, with more than one competitor having to extract their shoes from said bogs. After about a mile over the tops, through deep heather, the route then had a long descent into a disused stone quarry. All this lost height had to recouped, as we re-joined the outward route over Lad’s Leap again. The earlier lung-buster climb now became an exhilarating descent down the welcome finish line.

A pretty good race in my book, which had a bit of everything. One I would recommend, certainly justifying its category ‘A’ status.

Full results to follow

Baildon Boundary Way (Runners)

Martin Terry was running here, on a shorter race distance than of late…

Pos	Name		Cat	Time
108	Martin	TERRY	M55	01:50:10

Full results

Kong Mini Mountain Marathon – Coniston

A beautiful Spring day in the Lakes saw Alan Dorrington teaming up with friend Greg May for this 4hr score event held around the Old Man of Coniston range. A strong collection of high scoring controls over the back half combined with a headlong descent off Wetherlam via Hen Tor to Tilberthwaite saw them pick up 4th Vet pair.

Goat’s Water from Goat’s Hause.
Photo: Alan Dorrington

ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon

A rare (and evidently painful) foray onto the roads for some, and a sharpner for London for others, Manchester’s rainy streets (bathed in sunshine) were the backdrop for this weekend’s 26.2 miles. ‘Team Sub 3’ were led in by a charging Lee Smith in 2:50:13, followed by Jon Cleaver in 2:56:17 and a presumably lost and disoriented Dave Motley in 2:56:58 wondering where the fells were. With John Hartley winning the V60 category in 3:06:38 and Danny Pilkington also running round in 6:34:53, that made for some solid Clayton miles over the weekend. A fantastic effort by all!

Report from Jon Cleaver:

I had booked this for training on my route to London for a PB, however after a couple of solid 20 mile races at Spen and Trimpell I felt ready to give a PB a go especially considering the forecast was as good as it was ever going to get. After meeting Dave & Lee at the Lowry we went over to the start on the Chester road near Old Trafford. The route takes you towards the city centre before turning back and heading out to Sale and Altrincham at the half way point then back to Emirates cricket ground for the finish.

I hatched a plan to run a moderate first half learning from my Trimpell experience and went through just under 88 minutes where I saw Gary Wilkinson filming the race. I was feeling confident at that point so pushed a bit harder and took my pace down 5/10 seconds a mile all the way to mile 23 where I caught up with Dave and then through to what feels like the longest finish in history. Really pleased with 02:56:17 finish and the other Clayton lads Lee Smith, Dave Motley and John Hartley did incredibly with Lee getting the bragging rights on the day running an incredible 02:50. 3 weeks to London!!

Jon Cleaver cruising to his sub 3hr marathon.
Photo: Lynsey Birtwhistle

Pos	Name	Time	Cat	Cat Pos
121	Lee SMITH	02:50:13	V35	32
249	Jon CLEAVER	02:56:17	V35	66
273	Dave MOTLEY	02:56:58	V35	69
583	John HARTLEY	03:06:38	V60	1
8652	Danny PILKINGTON	06:34:53	V40	1058

Full results

Darwen Heritage Half Marathon

Described as undulating, and definitely scenic and with great views, this Darwen Dashers organised half is in its second year now. Jacob Watson stormed round to 9th place overall in 1:20:01 with a solid group of Clayton Seniors, Vets and Ladies behind. The Ladies picked up the team prize with Cassie Smedley, Michelle Abbot and Vicky Heys all scoring.

Report from James Boult:

Having absolutely shattered my half marathon PB last year, taking 45 minutes off in total with 38 of them coming off at Darwen I returned this year excited for what is one of my favourite races of the year. Conditions were perfect as we set off and knowing a comfortable pace consistently would mean I’d break the 1.42 I ran here last year, I started with a good game plan. In what is one of the nicest and most scenic 10ks I’ve done the views alone make for a good distraction and it wasn’t long before I reached 6k. Telling Rob on the drive over that I felt good and was going to go for it I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist the allure of a good race.

Having raced my last 2 half marathons with him we’ve become a great team and mange to bring out the best in each other, evidenced in our performance at Manchester in October. He joined me at 6km and we naturally took the pace up, reaching 10km in 45 minutes; bang on time and two minutes faster than last year. The race at Darwen doesn’t start until 9 miles in and as I drove on with water stations a good relief in the heat, the hills started. Steep and gradual and short and even steeper, they come thick and fast after mile 8. At 14km I was bang on track for a sub 1.40 but pain in my glutes restricted speed on the flats and I struggled to get momentum.

Forcing myself through i reached the final 2 and a half miles of pure downhill, finding myself another 3 minutes up on last year. Managing to pick up enough speed to get back to comfortable 6 minute miles I raced onto the finish to knock 5 minutes off last year’s time and to take 3rd Clayton counter in 55th place. Rob came in a couple of minites after to shatter his time from last year too, in what was a great turnout for team Clayton. Ben Fish took the overall win, crushing the course record on the way to a 69 minute finish. Roll on next year.

Team Clayton at the Darwen Heritage Half Marathon
Photo:

Mich Hughes enjoying the sun at the Darwen Heritage Half. Photo:

Mick Hughes enjoying the sun at the Darwen Heritage Half.
Photo:

Pos	Name		Cat	Cat Pos	Time
9	Jacob	Watson	M S	(006/072)	01:20:01
35	Andrew	Orr	M45	(007/029)	01:30:51
55	James	Boult	M S	(026/072)	01:37:29
57	David	Moynihan	M50	(004/029)	01:37:58
64	Robert	Morrison	M40	(017/039)	01:39:31
96	Mick	Hughes	M40	(022/039)	01:44:35
110	Christopher	Lawrence	M50	(012/029)	01:47:07
127	Cassandra	Smedley	F S	(004/040)	01:49:22
128	Michelle	Abbott	F S	(005/040)	01:49:22
144	Geoff	Smith	M40	(027/039)	01:53:10
146	Vicky	Heys	F45	(006/030)	01:53:28
147	Irene	Roche	F55	(002/006)	01:53:28
148	Nerina	Gill	F45	(007/030)	01:53:28
231	Angela	Shian	F S	(022/040)	02:08:10
260	Andrew	Webster	M45	(027/029)	02:15:03

Full results

Padiham Aquathlon

Alfie and Helena White donned their swimming costumes and club vests for the Aquathlon this Sunday. Mum Rachael reports:

Flying the Clayton Flag at Padiham Aquathlon, Helana came 1st Girl and 3rd overall in her age cat and Alfie (age 14) had to do the adults distance 600m swim & 5k run. Very proud of them both

Alfie and Helena White at the Padiham Aquathlon.
Photo: Rachael White

Awaiting results

Garstang Gallop 7

Five Clayton Harriers took part in this 7 mile race that raises money for UK Prostate Cancer. Stephen Biscomb was our first finisher and also 1st MV60. Christine Egerton was our sole lady runner and also 1st LV65.

Pos	Name		Cat	Time
33	Stephen	Biscomb	MV60	00:49:06
40	Richard	Briscoe	MV35	00:50:36
58	Brian	Wildman	MV50	00:55:16
117	Christine	Egerton	FV65	01:08:10
120	Ron	Chappell	MV65	01:09:45

Full results

Parkrun results

Burnley Junior Parkrun

A total of 58 runners took part

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Cat	Note
3	Nathan KEWIN	08:16	JM11-14
9	Bethany WHEATCROFT	09:22	JW11-14
12	Heidi KEWIN	09:32	JW11-14
13	Brayden CLARKSON	09:37	JM10	New PB!
15	Kady THOMPSON	10:13	JW10
18	Darcey HIRST	10:22	JW10	New PB!
25	Charlie PLANT	10:51	JW10
40	Joni HIGGINS	12:19	JW10
53	Olly PLANT	14:57	JM10

Burnley Parkrun – a total of 210 runners took part

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Cat	Note
5	Laura HESKETH	18:14	SW30-34
13	Terry O’LEARY	20:01	VM35-39
17	Sean CLARE	20:43	VM50-54
31	Stephen AINSWORTH	21:48	VM60-64
32	David MOYNIHAN	21:51	VM50-54
40	Donna RILEY	22:16	VW50-54
42	Gordon BARRETT	22:18	VM55-59
44	Kevin DAVIES	22:22	VM55-59
50	Reece Adam LAWRENCE	22:32	JM15-17
55	Charlie BARNES	22:46	JM10
60	Michelle ABBOTT	22:59	VW35-39
64	Charlie BIRTWISTLE	23:08	JM11-14
75	David Ian SCOTT	23:53	VM70-74
80	Nick ROSCOE	24:08:00	VM45-49
84	Aaron LUNDIE	24:14:00	JM15-17
85	Nina KEWIN	24:16:00	VW35-39
94	Jake ANFORTH	24:36:00	JM10
101	Julie DAWES	24:56:00	VW45-49
108	Keira STEVENSON	25:12:00	JW11-14	New PB!
109	Lisa JOHNSON	25:12:00	VW45-49
110	Donna SCOTT	25:13:00	VW50-54
111	Toby BIRTWISTLE	25:16:00	JM10
116	Andrew TAYLOR	25:23:00	VM55-59
133	John WILCOCK	25:57:00	VM50-54
142	Annabel WILCOCK	26:05:00	JW15-17
157	Justin BIRTWISTLE	26:39:00	VM40-44
181	Carl CAREY	27:41:00	VM45-49
220	Helen HARRISON	29:53:00	VW45-49
230	Robert HIRST	30:23:00	VM65-69
249	Darcey HIRST	32:11:00	JW10
258	Judith CAREY	32:40:00	VW35-39
288	Ron CHAPPELL	34:09:00	VM65-69

Dewsbury parkrun

A total of 114 runners took part

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Cat	Note
110	Robin PRICE	25:13	VM70-74

Southwark parkrun

A total of 292 runners took part

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Cat	Note
208	Eileen JONES	29:03	VW60-64

Skipton parkrun

A total of 177 runners took part

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Cat	Note
3	Tom BREWSTER	18:17	SM30-34

Pendle parkrun

A total of 76 runners took part

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Cat	Note
12	Martin BRADY	24:11	VM55-59
35	Yvonne WICKHAM	30:48	VW50-54

Witton parkrun

A total of 64 runners took part

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Cat	Note
25	Paul THOMPSON	26:58	VM45-49	New PB!
26	Katy THOMPSON	27:12	VW60-64

Blackpool parkrun

A total of 172 runners took part

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Cat	Note
28	Alan LIFE	22:18	VM50-54
75	Carol LIFE	26:26	VW50-54

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Fells, trails and promenades

Better weather this week as our members headed out onto the fells, trails and promenades to race. A trio of runners braved the dark for a night fell race and our ladies won a team prize at Bleasdale. The first race in the club trail championship was also popular. Conditions were much kinder this year for the half marathoners and there were PBs aplenty. There’s also been success in the junior Flower scar fell races, school cross country and a fabulous day on the beautiful trails around Silverdale.

Sunday 5 February – Late result

Grace Root represented her school in the Keighley and Craven Cross Country League (Race 3) on February 15th. She ran in a mixed field of year 7 and 8’s and came 20th out of 37 runners. Well done Grace!

Grace Root in the pink socks representing her school in the Keighley and Craven Cross Country Champs.

FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY

MR SPARKLE’S DARK ‘UN

This is a night time fell race organised by Darwen Dashers using head torches where runners can expect a couple of stiff climbs, open moorland, mud and a dash down to the finish. Three Clayton Harriers took part. Alan Dorrington was our first finisher in 18^th place overall and Katy Thompson was our first lady in 40^th place and 1^st F60. Geoff Smith was 68^th.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
18	Alan Dorrington	M40	00:39:49
40	Katy Thompson	F60	00:52:40
68	Geoff Smith	M40	01:51:40

Full Results

SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY

BLEASDALE CIRCLE FELL RACE

Fifteen Clayton Harriers part in the Bleasdale Circle Fell Race; a 5 mile race with 1250ft of climbing. Peter Coates was our first finisher in 7th place overall. Kieran Carr was 1st V70.

Pete Browning with Mark Taylor following at the Bleasdale Circle Fell Race. Photo by Stephen Firth

Linda Lord was our first lady and together with Sarah Helliwell and Karin Goss came away with ladies team 1st place. The men’s team was 3rd.

Sarah Helliwell having fun at the Bleasdale Circle fell race. Photo by Stephen Fish

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
7	Peter Coates	MV40	0:40:56
22	Andrew Priory	MV45	0:44:54
24	Dominic Carr	MV40	0:45:36
25	Ralph Baines	MV45	0:45:47
46	Mark Nutter	MV55	0:49:51
48	Ivan Whigham	MV55	0:50:50
49	Kieran Carr	MV70	0:50:58
59	Mark Taylor	M	0:53:12
66	Peter Browning	MV55	0:54:44
69	Richard Moore	MV50	0:55:30
72	Simon Stansfield	MV40	0:56:08
76	Peter Dugdale	MV60	0:58:00
81	Linda Lord	FV65	0:59:42
89	Sarah Helliwell	F	1:05:38
92	Karin Goss	FV65	1:14:37

Full Results

FLOWER SCAR FELL RACE

Described by organisers, Todmorden Harriers, as a gem of a race with steep climbs, rough moor and fast paths, typifying all that’s best about South Pennine fell running. The race starts close to Todmorden town centre and takes take runners to the parts of Tod that other races don’t reach.

Three Clayton men took part in the race. Andy Laycock was our first finisher in 14th place. Dave Edmonson followed in 22nd place with Richard Stevenson snapping at his heels in 23rd in a field of 176 runners.

Andrew Laycock at the Flower Scar fell race. Photo by Woodentops

Report from Dave Edmondson

Although I’d originally planned to do Windy Hill, a niggle had kept me away and I’d figured the fast running there would test those problems too much. So I skipped to Flower Scar which, I now think, has even faster running. In fact, it’s got a bit of everything. Nice paths, rough tussocks, trail and fire roads as well as a dose of thick mud.

Dave Edmondson at the Flower Scar fell race. Photo by Woodentops

I last raced at Flower Scar in 2014 when it was a Clayton Fell Champs race, quite a few went astray near the top I seem to remember, and I luckily sneaked a few places then. It was just over 6 miles then and a bit less climb. Thinking about last time, I spent a bit of time looking at the race map and Google Earth and a bit of local knowledge had helped. Not too much to remember on the unflagged section.

I’ve been gradually cranking up the intensity of racing after a foot problem in the Autumn and wanted to test myself properly. Having said that I couldn’t live with the early pace, Andy Laycock moved away well with the lead group and I only ever caught occasional glimpses of him. I hung on to a group which included Richard Stevenson and just tried to keep contact on the climbs and across the moors. The nav section wasn’t a problem, the lads just ahead seemed to have it in hand and I was pretty confident about where we were. However, we got a quick look at a slightly lost Simon Bailey running back towards us before tearing off to get back in contention. I managed to work my way through maybe half a dozen places on the mainly trail descent working hard and ignoring my niggling calves. Once ahead of the group I hung on, eventually losing one place to a young lad with more hair than I’ve grown in my whole life.

Good banter afterwards with present and past club mates and very glad to be back in a tangerine hoop.

Race winner Andrew Worster – Todmorden

Report from Richard Stevenson

Todmorden Harriers describe this as a gem of a race and to expect steep climbs, fast but runnable descents and (probably) lots of mud! I can’t really disagree with any of these and can confirm there was lots of mud. This year the organises decided to also host a series of junior races which Team Thompson attend and picked up multiple awards, well done Felix, Kady and Dexta.

Richard Stevenson at the Flower Scar fell race. Photo by Woodentops

For the seniors there was just myself, Andy Laycock and newly returned member David Edmondson. Andy soon disappeared from my view not long after the start and went on to have a very good race finishing in 14th, David came past me about halfway around but I managed to stick close by and finished just a place behind him in 23rd.

Apart from a bit of mist on the tops, the conditions were good and with no navigational issues it was a good run out with a chance to get some fell running practice in.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
14	Andrew Laycock	M	01:14:18
22	David Edmondson	M45	01:17:42
23	Richard Stevenson	M40	01:17:57

Full Results

FLOWER SCAR JUNIOR FELL RACES.

A trio of Thompsons took part in the Flower Scar Junior fell races with great success. Felix Thompson ran in the U9s race and finished in 1^st place.

Felix Thompson in the U9s Race at the Flower Scar races. Photo by Woodentops

Kady Thompson ran in the U11s race coming 9^th overall and 2^nd girl.

Kady Thompson. Photo by Woodentops

Dexta Thompson ran in the U13s race and finished in 1^st place.

Dexta Thompson. Photo by Woodentops

Full Results

SILVERDALE CIRCUIT

This was the second event organised by Ascend Events who are striving to put on endurance events for runners and walkers on trails that are simply too good to fall into disuse. The events are self-navigated and challenging but still accessible to participants at all levels with comprehensive route descriptions and well stocked checkpoints. They are a great starter for anyone looking to move away from marked trails and take on more of a challenge. The Silverdale Circuit is a stunning 21-mile route around the Silverdale and Arnside AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). While not as hilly and dramatic as the Lakeland routes on offer, it is a route packed full of fabulous scenery and is entirely runnable.

Report by Adrienne Olszewska

Very much in the style of a LDWA event there is a choice of start times on this event for walkers or runners. I was persuaded (bullied) into putting on my big girl pants and toeing the line with the runners instead of the walkers as I usually try to do. Sure enough within minutes we were trailing at the back, absolutely and completely last. My heart sank and I was beginning to regret not setting off an hour earlier with the walkers. However, I have entered a number of ultra-distance events this year so I decided to not get down hearted and concentrate on joggling along as much as I could and to try and avoid walking any sections.

The course turned out to be runnable throughout with only around 2500ft of climbing in the whole course. The route undulates through lovely countryside, past historic buildings, through nature reserves, along lakeside boardwalks, twists through magical woodland and follows the Morecambe Bay coastal path for a while as well. Simply gorgeous.

While I was steadily trotting along, we gradually began to catch up with some of the other runners who had set off too fast and now were flagging, or were struggling with navigation. Before too long we had caught and passed the walkers who had set off an hour earlier than we had and I was having a ball!

Adrienne, Nick and Bertie the dog at the Silverdale Circuit. Photo by SportSunday Photography

I did begin to flag a little in the last couple of miles but I am blaming a 20-mile run a couple of days prior to the event for that! We finished in 4 hours 38 minutes, which is a superb time for me! I don’t think I’ve ever completed an event like this in much under 6 hours before and it’s all down to the continual trotting throughout and the pacing from Nick and Bertie. We finished halfway down the field in 35th place.

Full Results

STANDISH HALL TRAIL RACE

10 Clayton Harriers hit the bridle paths and woodland trails for this race, organised by Wigan Phoenix. It is also the first race in this year’s club trail championship. There were 238 finishers.

Our first finisher was Chris Snell in 12th place overall with Dave Motley close on his heels in 15th place. Peter Butterworth was 1st V60. Our Men’s ‘A’ team (C Snell | D Motley | J Wilcock) finished in first place.

Donna Airey was our first lady finisher in 98th place overall with Julia Rushton in 166th place.

Report from Mick Hughes

This was my first attempt at this course & first competitive trail championship race for the club. Think I perhaps expected a steady, level, leafy bridle path around a scenic hall but the start & finish is more like a sleepy country lane on a back road. However, it was a cracking view with decent mild weather too. Good turnout for Clayton again. It was a figure of 8 course with a couple of steep climbs and long narrow punishing straights as the sun came out. The biggest surprise was the obstacles in the woods (several tree trunks and a couple of bogs!). The second lap took it out of the legs and made the final mile a pull to most. All in all a good testing and interesting trail loop course and I can understand just why it was chosen for a champ course. The tasty Wigan pie awaited us at the finish and the mood amongst Team Clayton seemed very good once again.

Mick Hughes’ well deserved Wigan pie after the Standish Hall trail race.

Report from Stuart Barker

Ten Clayton Le Moors Harriers travelled to Wigan to complete in the Standish Hall Train Race which is part of the Club Road/Trail Championships. With a gorgeous reasonably warm day, standing at the start with Donna and Julia, chatting about our previous injuries, like you do…. Lots of other clubs in attendance and from conversations with them you get the impression that this is a well-respected race.

Race programme stipulates it as being just over 10k and is all trail, after a quick safety brief, we set of from a farm track, trying to avoid all of the pot holes, trying to settle down into the race (something which I struggle with) I followed Donna and Julia, Donna disappeared within a few minutes but I kept Julia in my sights for a few miles, than I lost her too.

About 2 miles in you tackle the first and only hill, straight up, similar to Widow Hill really, just a bit longer, no issues with that, more twisty left and rights to find yourself into a wood, this is where the sun was laughing at us, has it blinded you, as it filtered through the trees, with tree stumps to avoid and the occasion tree to jump over, it became more of a obstacle course, add muddy mud, twisty routes between trees and a couple of gates to negotiate, it was great fun, a couple of small, really small annoying hills and some steps, then back out into the sunlight, then back in again for more twisty curves. So glad it hadn’t rain leading up to the race, or else this write up would have been muddier.

Out of the wood for the last time, my legs were thinking, ‘we’ve had enough, time to go home now’ the mud was really sucking the energy from them. One last mile to the finish line, where you collect a pie, well actually I got two, that was my tea sorted, really nice too.

Chris Snell was the first Claytoner to finish, closely followed a few seconds later with Dave Motley, then John Wilcock, Peter Butterworth, Reece Lawrence, Mick Hughes, Chris Lawrence, Donna Airey, Julia Rushton, then myself.

Throughout the route, the race was well marshalled, well supported and well organised.

A really enjoyable race and I certainly will put it in my diary for another go in October, just hope it doesn’t rain beforehand.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
12	Chris Snell	MS	(007/047)	00:40:12
15	Dave Motley	MS	(010/047)	00:40:49
45	John Wilcock	M50	(006/025)	00:45:12
50	Peter Butterworth	M60	(001/013)	00:46:27
64	Reece Lawrence	MJ	(004/004)	00:47:33
70	Mick Hughes	M40	(012/022)	00:47:53
91	Christopher Lawrence	M50	(015/025)	00:50:04
98	Donna Airey	F35	(004/011)	00:50:29
166	Julia Rushton	F50	(007/018)	00:58:51
181	Stuart Barker	M50	(023/025)	01:01:03

Full Results

SUNDAY 19 FEBRUARY

CENTRAL LANCASHIRE 5K

Over 300 runners took part in this 5K race that takes part entirely within and around Leverhulme Park. It is a fast paced route and is usually well attended. Aaron Hargreaves was our sole representative in the race and he finished in 75^th place overall with a time of 20:51

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
75	Aaron Hargreaves	M	20:51

Full Results

GREAT NORTH WEST HALF MARATHON

A fast and flat course around the coastal front of Blackpool which race organisers, Fylde Coast Runners, describe as a great race for a PB and an ideal warm up race for the Blackpool Marathon or Virgin London Marathon.

The event is now in its 28th year, and grows in popularity every year. The event attracts over 1500 competitors of all ages and experience and is a great spectator course for the family as it is a two lap course. The weather in previous years has been somewhat unfavourable, however, this doesn’t stop plenty of runners braving the elements to finish this race!

Runners at the start of the Great North West Half Marathon. John Hartley and Dan Plant visible. Photo by David Wood

We had 11 runners in this year’s event. Our first finisher was Daniel Plant who was 78^th overall with a time of 1:28:18. Joining him in the top 100 was John Hartley in 95^th and 2^nd V60 with a time of 01:29:55. Dynamic duo Cassie Smedley and Michelle Abbott finished the course together and were our first lady finishers in 01:43:43.

Some great running and plenty of PBs for all of our runners in this event.

Report from the dynamic duo of Cassie Smedley and Michelle Abbott

The dynamic duo. Cassie Smedley and Michelle Abbot

Cassie: After doing this race last year in just over 2 hours, I was apprehensive as to what the weather conditions were going to be like. Thankfully, no gale force wind or getting covered in sea water! This was a great event and lovely people both racing and spectating. We had a nice chat with a few other runners on route, and found out that some are crazier than us Claytons! Coming up to the last mile Michelle was struggling with her injury, but we both said at the start we wanted 1.45 time, so I decided to offer a helping hand. The crowds were brilliant, and as we raised our arms coming over the finish line, they cheered even louder. This was a great run, with all Claytons getting great results

Michelle: What a brilliant way to do my first half marathon with my running partner, and having a chat on way round with some fellow running pairs. To top it off finishing in a better than expected time of sub 1.45. Cassie really gave me that last push running the last mile hand in hand to the finish after suffering really bad foot pain only 5 miles in. Will be back next year with comfy trainers and a sub 140 in our sight.

Report from Dan Plant

I have done this race twice before and the conditions ain’t been the best, but this year was slightly better and at least you could see the beach. As I was using this race as part of my marathon build up the plan was always to have a good go. I ran really consistent until about 11 mile and I’m sure that wind picked up a notch. But I dug in and I got a full minute PB which I was over the moon with. Well done on the rest of the Clayton runners there were some massive PBs in there. Well done all!

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
78	Daniel Plant	M	1:28:18.9
95	John Hartley	MV60	1:29:55.9
165	Robert Morrison	MV40	1:36:06.8
176	Colin White	MV40	1:37:00.2
279	Cassandra Smedley	LV35	1:43:43.9
280	Michelle Abbott	LV35	1:43:44.0
300	James Dunderdale	M	1:45:08.6
523	Lucy Scott	L	1:57:06.2
569	Alison Dugdale	LV45	1:58:44.3
689	Philip Naylor	M	2:06:23.8
952	Jane Ryan	LV35	2:42:26.8

Full Results

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Just a reminder that our club championships for road, trail and fell are now underway.

The 2017 Club Fell Championship consists of five races, with a member’s best three races counting. The races are:

Sunday 7th May 12 noon – Great Hameldon (BS), Accrington Tuesday 6th June 7:15 pm – Paddy’s Pole (AS), Chipping Saturday 19th August 11 am – Pendle 3 Peaks (AM), Barley Saturday 26th August 2 pm – Pendleton (AS) Saturday 9th September 1:30 pm – Hodder Valley Show (AS), Dunsop Bridge

The 2017 Club Road Championship consists of five races, with a member’s best three races counting. The races are:

Sunday 5th February 11 am – Blackburn Winter Warmer 10k Wednesday 29th March 7 pm – Colin & Brenda Robinson 5k, Whitworth Friday 16th June 7 pm – Barrowford Grand Prix 5k Saturday 15th July 9:30 am – Pendle Running Festival Half Marathon, Barley Sunday 13th August 10 am – City of Preston 10 miles

The 2017 Club Trail Championship consists of five races, with a member’s best three races counting. The first four races are:

Saturday 18th February 2:30 pm – Standish Hall 10k, Wigan Wednesday 17th May 7 pm – Wholan Nook 5 miles, Rossendale Saturday 3rd June 11 am – Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon, Grassington Wednesday 21st June 7 pm – Sabden Trail 5 miles

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Burnley parkrun – A total of 394 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
5	Jacob WATSON	17:18	SM30-34	New PB!
12	Matthew DUCKWORTH	18:22	SM25-29
14	Jackson MCKAY	18:51	JM11-14	New PB!
22	Nicholas HENNESSEY	19:55	JM15-17
26	Terry O’LEARY	20:39	VM35-39
32	Robbie SMEDLEY	21:08	JM11-14
42	Colin WHITE	21:30	VM40-44	New PB!
45	Kevin DAVIES	21:38	VM55-59
50	Helana WHITE	21:48	JW10
51	Adam STEPHENSON	21:54	SM30-34
54	David MOYNIHAN	22:01	VM50-54
58	Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY	22:18	VW35-39	New PB!
60	Sean CLARE	22:25	VM50-54
61	Gordon BARRETT	22:27	VM50-54
68	Matthew JACKSON	23:00	JM11-14
70	Michelle ABBOTT	23:05	VW35-39
76	Sophie ASHWORTH	23:22	JW11-14
77	Jonathan PYE	23:23	SM25-29
83	Wayne MCINTOSH	23:31	SM30-34
84	Carl CAREY	23:32	VM45-49
85	Nina KEWIN	23:34	VW35-39
93	Brian WILDMAN	23:53	VM50-54
99	Sarah ANGELONE	24:00	SW30-34
100	Martin BRADY	24:01	VM55-59
125	Liberty THOMPSON	24:53	JW11-14
127	Bethany WHEATCROFT	24:56	JW11-14
139	Annabel WILCOCK	25:30	JW15-17
140	John WILCOCK	25:30	VM50-54
144	Lisa JOHNSON	25:42	VW40-44
149	Andrew TAYLOR	25:52	VM55-59
159	Jane HYLANDS	26:15	VW45-49
164	Richard LAWSON	26:30	VM75-79
192	Charlie PLANT	27:43	JW10	New PB!
197	Helen HARRISON	27:58	VW45-49
215	Ron CHAPPELL	28:52	VM65-69
222	Robert HIRST	29:10	VM65-69
226	Christine Jennifer EGERTON	29:37	VW65-69
227	Judith CAREY	29:38	VW35-39	New PB!
245	Marion WILKINSON	30:10	VW75-79
317	Christine LEATHLEY	33:54	VW65-69
333	Ellisia SMEDLEY	35:40	JW10
367	Olly PLANT	37:53	JM10

Burnley junior parkrun – A total of 54 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
6	Heidi KEWIN	9:13	JW11-14
7	Bethany WHEATCROFT	9:32	JW11-14
31	Emily JOHNSON	12:27	JW10
38	Jessica MCBRIDE	13:10	JW10
52	Aaron LUNDIE	16:07	JM11-14

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 165 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
101	Eileen JONES	30:43	VW60-64

Heaton parkrun – A total of 695 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
8	Laura HESKETH	18:11	SW30-34	New PB!

Medina I.O.W. parkrun – A total of 312 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
20	Simon WILSHAW	21:36	JM15-17

Pendle parkrun – A total of 105 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	David WALKER	18:56	VM35-39	New PB!
7	Paul HESKETH	21:30	VM50-54
10	John HARTLEY	21:54	VM60-64
34	Barry MITCHELL	25:50	VM70-74
36	Dawn TERRY	26:10	VW50-54

Witton parkrun – A total of 94 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
31	Vicky HEYS	25:13	VW45-49	First Timer!

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Run on for a long time

Yes dear readers, it’s an action packed roundup once again! We’ve had Fell championships, road championships, marathons, half marathons, 10k and 5k racing, ultra-distance events, mountain marathons and cyclocross. You’ve been busy on the fells, the trails, the roads and in the parks. Run on for a long time Harriers!

LATE RESULTS

Jim Smith Brownhouse 5K – Tuesday 13 September

Run during a huge thunderstorm, the results were unfortunately compromised by the weather conditions so there are quite a few gaps in the times for the runners. Three hardy Harriers were amongst 63 brave runners in this race. Robert Hirst was our first finisher in 45^th place and around 27 minutes with Jack McGuire in 52^nd and Ron Chappell in 53^rdaround the 31 minute mark. No times were available for our runners.

Pos	Name	Cat
45	R. Hirst	MV65
52	J. McGuire	MV60
53	R. Chappell	MV65

Full Results

Equinox 24 Hour Relay

Report from Paul Shackleton

I competed in the Equinox 24 hour relay at Belvoir Castle near Leicester last weekend 17th/18thwith a bunch of Birmingham lads from different clubs under the name Cannon Hill Crusaders. In the main team event (teams of 8) we finished 2nd, beaten by 4 minutes by Stilton Striders. Completing 34 x10km laps (210 miles/21000 feet ascent). I ran 4 x10km laps. Average 43 minutes. The accompanying photo was taken around 7am. I’d ran about 30k at this point off no sleep and I’m surprised I look ok because I’m shattered!

Paul Shackleton, still going after 30K and not much sleep!

High Peak 40 – Saturday 17 Sept

Congratulations to Martin Terry who finished in 6^th place overall and 1^st Vet50 in this 40 mile ultra with a time of 06:32:11. The route is a loop around the Peak District among the beautiful scenery of the gritstone and limestone hills and dales. It’s also one of the counting races in the RunFurther championship.

Full Results

As we are all caught up it’s onto this week’s action…

THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

RON HILL 78^th BIRTHDAY 5K

Report from Mick Hughes

A bright crisp Thursday evening in the pleasant foothills of the Pennines between Bacup and Rochdale played host to this special tribute to our very own Ron Hill MBE. Organised by Andems Runners & Rochdale Harriers this birthday race for Ron (a mere 78 years young) was also to celebrate Ron’s 1st victory in the national cross country championships of 1966, 50 years ago where he completed 9 miles in Sheffield in a time of 46:21!

Ian Hargreaves, Ron Hill and Mick Hughes

This 5k race started from the lane behind the Cock & Magpie pub. A hilly start heading up a stony trail to Cowm Resevoir followed by 2 laps of the reservoirs thin perimeter trail track (caution and good timing was needed when pushing forward and taking places here!), then a tight bend doubling back down the steep hill to the finish line. A good attendance and representative mixture of both young and mature runners from a number of clubs made the journey; Todmorden, Oldham & Royton, Halifax, Middleton, Bury, Gossopdale and Trawden as this was also part of their championship series.

Once up on the reservoir and flatter terrain, the pace settled at a fairly quick one in general and there was a good energy and enthusiasm about the short scenic route. Ron had been introduced before the start and received plenty of applause and the mood was set. Andrew Worster (Todmorden Harriers & AC) took first place with an impressive 16:54. 7 Clayton Harriers competed (including Ron) who still managed to run the race in 31:27; a true inspiration to us all. Ron was in demand post-race but me and fellow team mate Ian Hargreaves managed to grab a quick chat and picture with him. He thanked us for coming and said, “What a club Clayton is, eh”! To which I replied, we were honoured to be there. After all it’s not every night you get to race with and be in the company of a true running legend. Here are the times of our club runners;

Andrew Laycock 17:19 | Garry Wilkinson 19:17 | Mick Hughes 20:48

Stephen Biscomb 21:07 | Ian Hargreaves 23:21 | Robert Hirst 28:13 | Ron Hill 31:27

Awaiting Official Results

SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

ENGLISH SCHOOLS FELL RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP

Three Clayton Juniors took part in the English Schools Fell Running Championships. Christopher Brown and Ella Dorrington ran in the Year 7 race with Christopher having an excellent run finishing in 8^th place overall and 7^th boy, and Ella in 30^th place and 6^th girl. There were 93 finishers in this race so well done Chris and Ella! Briony Holt ran in the Year10/11 race and finished in 27^th place overall and 3^rd Girl.

Report from Andy Holt

The final race of Briony’s fell calendar was the English schools Fell race. Held at Sedbergh School this year following two years in the Calder Valley the route crosses the village to and runs up and around the Winder, a 450m peak that forms the entrance to the Howgills. Having run and walked these hills we knew the terrain would consist of steep, grassy tracks that make for fast fell running. The race is aimed at schools but unless your school has any interest in fell running, it’s up to the athlete/parents to enter.

We arrived in plenty of time only to find we’d left our running bag at home, so, following a mad dash back home driving like those people I dislike immensely Briony was prepared to race. The girls and boys run together, and there were approx 70 people in Briony’s race. Following a fall last year in this fixture Briony’s form has been slowly returning, but she was in the year group below her age, running against 4 out of the six England team qualifiers she would have been satisfied with a top five finish.

Briony Holt at the English Schools Fell Championships. Photo by Geoff Thompson

The route is essentially a mile up an inclined track, a mile along a track, another mile up a steep track to the summit then a hair-raising mile or so descent to the finish. Briony was second girl on passing me, looking comfortable and tucking behind the leader conserving her energy for the pull to the summit. The plan was stay in contention until the descent and hopefully Briony’s descending will see her to the finish. Unfortunately Briony blew up on the ascent, and dropped from 2nd to 4th. She easily made up the ground to secure third but had given the leader and girl in second too much distance. It was more satisfying hearing the lead girl smashed the record by 2 minutes, and despite Briony’s lack of form a third place finish was higher than she expected and she was pleased with how she ran today.

Ella Dorrington and Christopher Brown (No 21) at the English Schools Fell Running Championships. Photo by Woodentops

Ella Dorrington was superb, we think finishing in 5th/6th in her respective race was very good for her first time, considering the competition and standard of running. Chris Brown was another good result finishing 7^th in his group.

Year 7 Results | Year 10/11 Results

RAB MOUNTAIN MARATHON

Report by Colin Woolford

The third and final Mountain Marathon of the year for me, and definitely my favourite – the Rab Mountain Marathon. The Rab being its tenth year and this my fifth time of starting off the back of last weekend’s OMM Lite I wanted to have a good one.

The Rab has changed owners recently and is slowly changing format to a more traditional ‘OMM’ style with multiple classes to enter across a spectrum of ‘linear’ courses where you follow a fixed route navigating point to point, fastest time wins through to the classic ‘score’ format where you have a set amount of time to find as many checkpoints as you can, highest score wins. Traditionally the Rab has put on a Long Score and a Short Score. The long being 7 hours on the Saturday, 6 hours on the Sunday the Short being 6 & 5 hours respectively. This was my entry as a male solo in the Short Score.

The event moves around the North West usually held within a few hours of Manchester and this year was to be the Cumbrian part of the Yorkshire Dales – the event centre being Outhgill. This suggested that the event would take place over some steep sided open moorland with Mallerstang Edge to the East and Great Boar Fell to the West, both areas I have not visited before.

Friday night at the Rab is a social affair where there is a meal for those who require one, a small bar and a showcase of “adventure” films, usually with a running theme. I arrived a little late for all that so got my head down early for the Saturday start, which we were informed would be a 3km walk away! At least I wouldn’t need to warm up… A big part of the Mountain Marathon experience that I really enjoy is the anticipation of getting the map when you cross the start line and being handed a piece of paper which reveals which checkpoints (controls) are worth what value. The clock has already started and you have to mark the map up and come up with a plan to best use the available time – six hours for me – to collect as many points as you can. My Saturday plan would take me down the western edge of the course looping further north before heading due south to the overnight camp at the bottom end of the valley – near the Moorcock pub, which we were reliably told had put on extra staff to cope with any Rab’ers requiring refreshment on Saturday night.

The weather was dry on Saturday, cloudy but bright and a constant wind made the course a pleasure. Underfoot it was drying out, and the peat hag moorland was a doddle to run through. The final section from the route I had planned was tough going and took longer than anticipated it wasn’t tussocks, or bog but a very strange soft grass that seemed to swallow your feet as you tried to run through it leaving you taking exaggerated steps to cross it – all 3km’s of it! I reined in my plan to get an extra 25 points from the east side of the course and focussed on heading for the more runnable (Pennine) bridleway to get off this terrain and get back in time. Which I managed with seven minutes to spare and a points total of 295. I was very pleased! My overnight ranking was 70th from 150 starters, top 50% – a good result for me…Onto Day two.

Colin Woolford , exhausted at the end of day one at the midway camp

Day two – I knew it would be wet. All forecasts had heralded rain on Saturday night into Sunday and not really stopping until later that day. Saturday night the rain came around 8pm so sadly the usually ‘social’ Rab overnight camp quietened down early and most were zipping up tents early. I am afraid I was too knackered to seek shelter in the pub! The rain fortunately stopped around 6.00am and stayed off whilst the campsite packed itself away and competitors started their day two. 5 hours and the need to get back up the valley to the farm based event centre and finish line. Not wanting to repeat the same route in reverse, I decided to explore the Eastern side of the valley and devised a plan I thought would net me around 180 points – with a few options depending on how I was going. In short I started poorly and got worse! The first control and 2km’s were fine, steady and stiff I know I take a while to warm up on day two of these things, but this time I was just pooped. Knackered. Achingly tired. The first big climb of the day up Grisedale Pike to find a series of 10 point controls and a big 20 then 30 pointer left me feeling drained and no amount of energy drink or food seemed to be pepping me up. Even my trusty Haribo jelly babies weren’t giving me the lift they usually do, so despite my nav being spot on, and the weather not raining as much as it had threatened I knew my legs weren’t going to carry me where I wanted to go. This was disappointing, but a certain sense of obviousness arose in my mind – back to back mountain marathons? Bloody idiot! On the positive side – at least I found my limit! Day two then became a battle of attrition as I struggled to collect what controls I could and find a route with the least climb and most direct way into finish. If you are late back on a ‘Score’ event, you begin to lose points for every minute you are late. I wanted to hold what I had so had to dig deep to get myself to the finish line with a disappointing 140 points and 30 seconds to spare to end up in 94th from 148 finishersStill a cracking event and good weekend, just next year I won’t be OMM’ing the week before…

SKYRUNNER 3X3000 80K ULTRA TRAIL RACE

Congratulations to Jean Brown who finished 7^th overall and 1^st Lady in this unique ultra-running event linking the Lake District’s highest mountains-Scafell Pike, Helvellyn & Skiddaw. It is a circular route which starts and finishes at Keswick, incorporating a superb variety of terrain on some of the finest mountain trails in the Lake District. From the spectacular rock scenery of Scafell Pike to the rolling ridges of the Dodds, the route combines all the elements of a classic Lakeland run combined with aspects of European style ultra-running.

Following the huge success of the inaugural event in 2014 the Lake District 3 X 3000 80k Ultra Trail is set to be a classic ultra. The course has been designed by 2013 IAU World Trail Running Champion and Salomon International Mountain Runner Ricky Lightfoot.

Report from Jean Brown

People talk about a slump after a target race… after the exhilaration of the UTMB (which was fantastic) I certainly found I had itchy feet, was getting grumpy and had a strong desire to race again after 2/3 weeks. With everything else going on in family life, Saturday was the first opportunity I had so I scanned the possibilities. I was keen to go back to the Isle of Man for their ultra, but by the time I had decided my legs could run again I had missed the entry deadline so that was out… It was then that the ‘3 x 3000 80km ultra trail’ came forward as a contender for my first post-UTMB race. Entering a week before didn’t allow any time for recces, but I knew large sections of the race, if in the opposite direction.

Jean Brown in the 3x3000 Race. Photo by Granddayout photography

Jean Brown in the Skyrunner 3×3000 Race. Photo by Granddayout photography

5am saw me on the start line with around 80 other runners and off we went from Keswick along the shores of Derwent water. The short description of the route is Keswick, Watendlath, Scafell Pike, High Raise, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, Keswick – off road but on paths; not like a fell race where you are usually allowed to take the shortest route from A to B! It is a brilliant route, technical early on, a set of good climbs throughout the route and plenty that was runnable if you had the legs. The wind was a tad stronger than ideal – with wet rocks on the technical section over Scafell Pike I was getting blown across the rock at times, and running against it was only really possible on the flat or downhill. The cloud was also sitting at around 500m making the views less engaging. All good fun though, especially as I came in first lady and 7th overall. It was only a small field but you can only race those that turn up! The very nice Leki poles I won for being the first lady at each of the summits were an excellent bonus prize! A great long trail race for fell runners!

Full Results

SWINTON 10 MILE ROAD RACE

Daniel Isherwood and Kevin ‘Tiger’ Davies ran in this 10 mile road race organised by Swinton Running Club. Daniel was our first finisher in 23^rd place with a time of 01:05:46 closely followed by ‘Tiger’ in 24^th a few seconds later in 01:05:53. There were 158 runners in total.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
23	Daniel Isherwood	M	01:05:46
24	Kevin ‘Tiger’ Davies	M50	01:05:53

Full Results

THIEVELEY PIKE FELL RACE

Sixteen Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in this race organised by club member Pete Booth. It’s a tough but enjoyable 4.3 mile route with 1310ft of ascent. There are races for junior runners with the younger runners taking on a circuit of the boggy and rutty starting fields and the older juniors following the seniors until the turning point at the ruin.

Team Clayton at Thieveley Pike Fell Race. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

The main race sets the runners off from a boggy field beside the Ram Inn, Cliviger and race follows the Mary Towneley Loop to Scout Farm where a sharp left takes them up a mercifully short, ridiculously steep climb to the moor, which levels off towards a ruin at CP4. (U14 &U16 runners turn here down to CP10 and back to the finish.) After crossing a couple of fields it’s back onto rough moorland for the climb to the Pike, steep at first then it eases as you follow the fence to the trig point. A fast grassy descent precedes a shorter, technical drop to the fell gate. Then you battle through a young plantation before a steep ‘sting in the tail’ brings you back to the ruin. A second grassy descent leads to the bridleway for the last push to the finish in the field where you started.

Katy Thompson and Sarah Helliwell at Thieveley Pike fell race. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Peter Coates was our first finisher in 6^th place overall and 1^st M40. Geoff Gough was next in 20^th place and 1^st M55. Ivan Whigham was 33^rd and 1^st M50. Katy Thompson was our first lady finisher and also 1^st F60 hotly pursued to the finish by Sarah Helliwell. Michelle Butschok was our 3^rd lady and the three of them took the ladies team prize.

Michael Frost and Michelle Butschok at Thieveley Pike Fell Race. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

Senior Results

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
6	Peter Coates	M40	37:05
20	Geoff Gough	M55	40:18
33	Ivan Whigham	M50	42:55
41	Mark Nutter	M50	44:13
48	Richard Briscoe	M	44:55
59	Peter Browning	M55	48:32
62	James Hickie	M55	48:46
65	Andrew Firth	M55	49:36
66	Steven Breckell	M65	49:40
68	Peter Dugdale	M60	50:17
69	Stephen Bury	M55	50:29
77	Andrew Dugdale	M50	52:06
79	Katy Thompson	F60	52:25
80	Sarah Helliwell	F	52:40
92	Michael Frost	M60	59:10
96	Michelle Butschok	F40	65:03

Junior Results

A quintet of Clayton runners took part in the junior races. Jenson Bentham was 4^th in the U12 race. The U16 and U14 runners ran with the seniors and Nick Hennessey was our first finisher taking the U16 race as well. Jackson McKay was the winner of the U14 race with Natasha and Bronia Olszewska taking 5^th and 6^th place and 1^st and 2^nd girl.

U16 Race

Nick Hennessey. U16 winner at Thieveley Pike Fell Race. Photo by Bryn Barnes

Pos	Name	Time
1	Nicholas Hennessey	18:08

U14 Race

Natasha Olszewska, 1st U14 girl at Thieveley. Photo by Bryn Barnes

Pos	Name	Time
1	Jackson McKay	15:26
5	Natasha Olszewska (1^st Girl)	23:51
6	Bronia Olszewska	32:45

U12 Race

Pos	Name	Time
4	Jenson Bentham	7:23

Full Results

SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

3 Peaks Cyclocross

Report from Andy Armstrong

The 3 Peaks cyclocross race is a 38 mile cycle event that visits the same peaks as the fell race; Ingleborough, Whernside and PenyGhent. Now in it’s 54th year, it’s billed as “the toughest cyclocross event in the UK” which is undoubtedly true as it’s the only one of its kind. It’s probably the most unusually perverse event to visit the Yorkshire dales; the sight of over 500 competitors shouldering drop-bar rigid frame bikes up the forty degree slopes of Simon Fell, picking their way down the stone slabs off Whernside and hammering down the stony bridleways around Pen-y-Ghent is definitely worth the trip.

For my first attempt at this race I was determined to take it steady and get round in one piece. Cross bikes are tough but there’s a limit to what they’ll put up with and the route is littered with cyclists fixing punctures, broken chains, twisted gears or just nursing injuries born of over-enthusiasm. Being a fell runner, not a real cyclist meant having to make up time on the hill sections; either working hard carrying the bike on the climbs or pushing the limits on the off-road descents (did I say I was intending to take it steady?). A dented rim required a puncture stop near Ribblehead but otherwise the bike stood up to the course well and I finished the race in 4h40m

Also at the race; Andy Laycock had a storming race to finish under the magic four hour mark at 3h52m. Others were less fortunate; Alan Dorrington had a crash coming off Ingleborough, the bike was fine but a knee and hip injury forced his retirement. Paul Hesketh also had to retire due to (his words) “err, technical issues”.

In summary; a top days fun for both competitors and spectators, I’ll be back again next year, hopefully as the former.

Full Results

IKANO BANK ROBIN HOOD MARATHON

More than 1000 runners completed the Ikano Bank Robin Hood Marathon. John Hartley was our sole representative, finishing in 36^th place overall and 1^st Vet55 in 03:06:19.

Report from John Hartley

I was hoping to run under three hours. I set off OK and was going well until mile sixteen. Then the last ten miles became a real struggle and I felt like I was treading water. Mental strength took over and got me to the finish where I was chuffed to find out I had won the Vet55 category and finished 36^th out of 1192 runners.

Full Results

NORTHERN ATHLETICS ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Two teams of ladies took part in the Women’s Four Stage Road Relay Championships and one team of men took part in the Men’s Six Stage Road Relay Championships.

Team Clayton at the Northern Road Relay Championships

Ladies Four Stage Championship

Report from Angela Shian

Clayton Ladies had 2 teams competing in this year’s Northern Road Relays. We all met up nervously at Sport City Stadium in Manchester. The class of opposing runners was a lot higher than last year’s event at Stanley Park. Louisa Powell-Smith on leg 1 on team A came in at a more than impressive 10th position at outstanding time of 17:43, then Danielle Walker running her first race for Clayton again got an amazing time of 18:43. Elizabeth Mullan stepped up to the mark in the first team getting 20:58 on leg 3. Leg 4 was Helena Leathley who despite carrying a nasty cough and cold ( well she couldn’t back out on her sister could she!!!!) still held her own to bring Team A in to 22^nd position which more than qualifies them to compete in the Birmingham nationals in 2 weeks’ time for the second year on the trot!

Team B leg 1 was myself (regretted that one!). Fast and furious is all I can say! Leg 2 was again a debut appearance from Natalie Wright, who I’m glad to say totally loved the experience and gave it her all for 22.14. Leg 3 was our ever faithful runner Amanda Duffy who always give us 100% effort with 22:03. Finally we had Donna Airey who’s going from strength to strength and had a perfect sprint finish in front of a noisy Clayton crowd; her time 21:34. Overall team position 42, more than happy with that! Great day, great team spirit, thanks to Bianca Bennett for support. Good luck to team A at Nationals! We know you will do well.

Ladies A Team – The Ladies’ A team finished in 22^nd place overall.

Name	Pos	Time
Louisa Powell-Smith	10	17:43
Danielle Walker	9	18:58
Elizabeth Mullan	18	20:58
Helena Leathley	24	21:27

Ladies B Team – The Ladies’ B Team finished in 42^nd place overall

Name	Pos	Time
Angela Shian	63	22:18
Natalie Wright	59	22:13
Amanda Duffy	49	22:03
Donna Airey	46	21:34

Men’s Six Stage Championship

Our men finished in 49^th place overall in the competition in a field of 100 teams.

Report from Jacob Watson

Great atmosphere, fantastic support and (for the most part) decent weather made up for a somewhat fiddly and irritatingly short course (5600m instead of 6400m). I’d decided to forgo Captain Brewster’s advice of just setting off at 5k pace and planned on keeping enough energy to got round a 4 mile course. I had a bit of a shock when I’d realised I was about to get back into the stadium for a final lap round the track! I guess I should have made a mental note after the first lap, rookie error! Despite this I’m still pleased with my time and the twists and turns didn’t ruin my enjoyment of it out there. I’ll be looking forward to the next set of road relays in 2017

Name	Pos	Time
Daniel Collinge	34	17:42
Jacob Watson	46	19:15
Matthew Duckworth	55	20:22
Chris Snell	51	20:13
Tom Brewster	49	19:09
Jordan McDonald	49	19:52

Women’s Results | Men’s Results

ROCHDALE HALF MARATHON

Three Clayton Harriers took part in this half marathon race organised by Cannonball Events. The route offers exciting and varied scenery, with the course taking runners on a traffic-free tour of the town and Hollingworth Lake. Jon Cleaver was our first finisher in 13^th place with a time of 01:25:59. Robert Morrison was 75^th in 01:37:54 and Colin White was 157^th in 01:47:30

Report from Jon Cleaver

There was a total of 437 runners for this race starting at Rochdale town hall. The race start time was set for 10:10 so I was busy chatting when the gun went at 10am and had to scramble to the start line setting off right at the back. This involved having to weave in and out of people for the first mile or so to get some breathing space.

The route climbed out of Rochdale and headed to Littleborough on the Canal bank. Coming off the canal we climbed up to Hollingworth Lake and looped round there for the half way point. The run in from there was really fast downhill and back along the canal. The slow start probably helped conserve some energy for the final push back into the town centre. Overall I came 13th in 01:25:59 chip time which was ideal prep for the Manchester half in a few weeks’ time.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
13	Jon Cleaver	M	01:25:59
75	Robert Morrison	M40	01:37:54
157	Colin White	M40	01:47:30

Full Results

ROCHDALE 10K

Ian Hargreaves was our sole competitor in the 10K and finished in 59^th place with a time of 50:56 taking 1^st M50 position.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
59	Ian Hargreaves	M50	00:50:56

Full Results

RUN PRESTON

Five seniors and two juniors took part in the Run Preston races.

L-R (Back) Michelle Abbott, Lisa Johnson, Marion Wilkinson, Mick Hughes.
L-R (Front) Matthew Jackson, Emily Johnson, Lennon Jackson

10K RACE

Three club members ran in the Run Preston 10K race. Mick Hughes was our first finisher in 71^st place overall and with a time of 44:17. Stephen Biscomb was 93^rd in 44:33. Michelle Abbott was our only lady runner finishing in 164^th place overall with a time of 48:06. There were 998 runners in the 10K race.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
71	Mick Hughes	Vet 40	00:44:17
93	Stephen Biscomb	Vet 60	00:44:33
164	Michelle Abbott	FVet35	00:48:06

5K RACE

Great results for our two junior runners in this popular 5K. Lennon Jackson was our first finisher in 12^th place overall with his younger brother, Matthew in 19^th. Success also for our lady runners; Lisa Johnson was our first lady finisher in 47^th place overall with a time of 25:03 and 1^st LV40 and Marion Wilkinson was 167^th and 1^st LV70 in 32:07. There were 323 runners in the 5K race.

Matthew Jackson at the Run Preston 5K. Photo by Tim Waterworth Photography

Pos	Nsme	Cat	Time
12	Lennon Jackson	M	00:21:00
19	Matthew Jackson	M	00:21:47
47	Lisa Johnson	Vet 40	00:25:03
167	Marion Wilkinson	Vet 70	00:32:07

Full Results

STAINLAND 10K TRAIL RACE

This was 6^th race in the club trail championship organised by the Stainland Lions Running club. The route goes through the stunning west Yorkshire countryside running through the woodland and rural roads and trails around Stainland Dean.

John Wilcock was our sole representative at this race. He finished in 27^th place with abime of 55:57. There was a field of 128 runners.

Full Results

Trust 10K Trail Run

The Trust10 is a new, monthly 10k trail run, that gives you the opportunity to explore National Trust places for free. You can take part in a free 10K trail run on the fourth Sunday of every month. Registration is at 8.30am and the run starts at 9am. They are working on offering a timing system, but at the moment there isn’t one in place, if your time is important to you please remember to bring your own timing device for the time being.

Ivan Whigham took part in the Inaugural Trust 10 run at Lyme in Cheshire. He reports:

“I entered this event on Sunday, first one to be organised, and managed 14^th place (I was 7th but lost 2 minutes following non racing runners!). In total 152 runner took part in this inaugural run. The event is free very much like parkrun so for a family a cheap day out for families. They are rolling them out all over the country.”

Provisional results and some photos can be found on the Lyme Runners Facebook page. More information about Trust 10 runs can be found on the National Trust website.

Parkrun roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 299 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
3	Jonathan PYE	18:26	SM25-29
9	Reece Adam LAWRENCE	19:55	JM15-17	New PB!
12	Gareth BERRY	20:32	VM40-44
13	Daniel PLANT	20:43	SM30-34
14	Stanley GREWAL	20:47	JM11-14
15	Stephen AINSWORTH	20:52	VM55-59
19	Mark WIGHTMAN	21:13	VM55-59
26	Gordon BARRETT	22:06	VM50-54
28	Donna RILEY	22:12	VW50-54
43	Colin WHITE	23:07	VM40-44
49	Michelle ABBOTT	23:33	VW35-39
54	Alan DORRINGTON	23:44	VM45-49
55	David Ian SCOTT	23:46	VM70-74
59	Nina KEWIN	23:59	VW35-39
81	Lennon JACKSON	24:53	JM11-14
84	Chris LAWRENCE	25:01	VM50-54
87	Julie DAWES	25:10	VW45-49
99	Bethany WHEATCROFT	25:54	JW11-14
100	Donna SCOTT	25:56	VW50-54
101	Andrew TAYLOR	25:57	VM55-59
102	Annabel WILCOCK	26:01	JW15-17
103	John WILCOCK	26:02	VM50-54
107	Carl CAREY	26:08	VM45-49
118	Aaron LUNDIE	27:04	JM11-14
134	Ron CHAPPELL	27:43	VM65-69
144	Jonathan CLEAVER	28:43	VM35-39
157	Helen HARRISON	29:15	VW45-49
168	Jane PIER	29:43	VW45-49	New PB!
229	Nicola KAY	32:05	VW35-39
236	Judith CAREY	32:22	VW35-39
248	Christine Jennifer EGERTON	33:41	VW65-69
249	Christine LEATHLEY	33:49	VW65-69

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 100 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
82	Robin PRICE	34:24	VM70-74

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 200 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
115	Eileen JONES	29:34	VW60-64

Lytham Hall parkrun – A total of 182 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
171	Philip NAYLOR	36:40	VM35-39

Marple parkrun – A total of 181 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
149	Ron HILL	31:33	VM75-79

Pendle parkrun – A total of 84 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
11	John HARTLEY	22:55	VM55-59
28	Dawn TERRY	26:14	VW50-54

Witton parkrun – A total of 93 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
31	Jude ASHWORTH	27:56	VW55-59

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Everything is awesome…

…everything is cool when you’re part of a team! It’s been a week of making your presence felt in variety of events. You have been representing the county, competing in the FRA junior championships, running in teams at the Calderdale relay, and turning the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix tangerine.

Tuesday 10 May

Mearley Clough Fell Race

Inaugurated by Clayton-le-Moors Harriers’ stalwart Geoff Newsham who has organised the race 18 times since. The first race was in 1998 and attracted a field of 34, with the men’s race won by Garry Wilkinson in 31.55, and the ladies’ race won by Carol Greenwood in 37.11. The attendance has since grown to an average of 130. This year the race organisation has been taken over by Andrew Firth.

With the promise of good racing conditions, 153 runners took part in this tough mid week fell race that takes in the famous ‘Big Dipper’ as used in the Tour of Pendle.

Peter Coates at the Mearley Clough Fell Race. Photo by David Belshaw

The race was won by Josh Boyle and the Ladies race was won by Caitlin Rice. Our first Clayton runner was Peter Coates who finished in 19^th place with a time of 36:58.

Briony Holt at the Mearley Clough Fell Race. Photo by Craig Alderman

Briony Holt was our first lady and 3^rd lady overall in the race finishing in 31^st place with a time of 38:41; a superb run from one of the two youngest competitors in the race.

Linda lord at the Mearley Clough Fell Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Richard Bellaries was 1^st Vet 60 and Linda Lord was 1^st LV60.

Richard Bellaries 1st M60 at the Mearley Clough Fell Race. Photo by Craig Alderman

Position	Name	Cat	Time
19	Peter Coates		00.36.58
25	Alan Life	V50	00.37.58
31 (lady 3)	Briony Holt	L14*	00.38.41
33	Andy Armstrong	V40	00.38.49
35	Andrew Priory	V40	00.38.54
37	Andrew Holt	V40	00.39.13
40	Andrew Orr	V40	00.39.34
42	Richard Briscoe		00.39.45
43	Ralph Baines	V40	00.39.48
44	Geoff Gough	V50	00.39.53
46	Ivan Whigham	V50	00.40.00
52	Chris Funnell	V40	00.40.38
69	Mark Nutter	V50	00.43.10
74	Mark Taylor		00.43.48
77	Peter Browning	V50	00.43.58
84	Richard Bellaries	V60*	00.45.26
86	Andrew Howarth	V50	00.45.58
88	David Naylor	V60	00.46.14
91	Peter Dugdale	V50	00.45.26
92	Stephen Bury	V50	00.46.27
93	James Hickie	V50	00.46.37
95	Andrew Dugdale	V50	00.46.44
100	Jack Dugdale		00.47.27
107	Geoff Smith	V40	00.47.48
113	Andrew Walmsley	V60	00.48.36
114 (lady 10)	Linda Lord	LV60*	00.48.52
121	Stephen Fish	V60	00.50.07
136	Michael Frost	V60	00.54.13
144	Geoff Laycock	V60	00.56.25
152	Phil Thornber	V60	00.64.22

Wednesday 11 May

Cautley Horseshoe

Wendy Dodds was the sole Clayton runner at the Cautley Horseshoe Fell Race. She finished in 46^th place with a time of 01:07:33 and 1^st F60.

Full Results

Wholan Nook Trail Race

There was a whopping turnout of 68 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers at the third race in the popular Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix.

Andrew Webster, Paul Wale and Helen O’Rourke. Photo by David Belshaw

Our first finisher was Jordan McDonald who was 5^th overall and first MJ in the race with a time of 31:44. Carl Helliwell was 1^st M40 and 13^th overall in the race in 33:10, Paul Hesketh was 1^st M50 and 22^nd overall in 33:55, and Barry Mitchell was 1^st M70 in 43:07. The mens’ ‘A’ team finished in 2^nd place with Jordan McDonald, Jonathan Pye, Jonathan Cleaver and Carl Helliwell as counters. We had an impressive 11 mens’ teams in total.

Jordan McDonald at the Wholan Nook Trail Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Our ladies were out in force with an impressive line-up of 24 female runners from the club. Our first lady in the race was Helen O’Rourke who was 6^th lady overall with a time of 39:56.

Lynsey Birtwistle 1st F35 at the Wholan Nook Trail Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Lynsey Birtwistle was 1^st F35, Irene Roche was 1^st F55, and Anita Jones was 1^st F60. Our ladies’ ‘A’ team finished in 3^rd place with Helen O’Rourke, Elizabeth Mullan and Irene Roche as counters.

Janine Pollard followed by Justin Birtwistle being run in by his son Charlie. Photo by David Belshaw

We had a fantastic showing of 8 ladies’ teams in total.

Pos	Num	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
5	168	Jordan McDonald	MJ	(001/004)	00:31:44
10	37	Jonathan Pye	M	(008/046)	00:32:51
11	141	Jonathan Cleaver	M	(009/046)	00:33:01
13	165	Carl Helliwell	M40	(001/020)	00:33:10
18	31	Matthew Duckworth	M	(013/046)	00:33:18
22	166	Paul Hesketh	M50	(001/017)	00:33:55
23	143	Chris Snell	M	(016/046)	00:34:02
28	66	Tom Bradley	MJ	(002/004)	00:34:36
29	33	James Boult	MJ	(003/004)	00:34:37
32	125	Michael Clarke	M40	(005/020)	00:34:59
35	142	Sean Clare	M50	(002/017)	00:35:43
36	117	Richard Briscoe	M	(022/046)	00:35:45
37	167	John Wilcock	M50	(003/017)	00:35:46
39	5	Chris Funnell	M45	(003/024)	00:36:01
42	181	Nick Roscoe	M45	(004/024)	00:36:10
47	16	Stephen Ainsworth	M55	(003/011)	00:36:44
48	134	Daniel Plant	M	(026/046)	00:36:55
50	34	Chris Paul	M	(028/046)	00:37:02
51	67	Andy Bradley	M50	(004/017)	00:37:05
53	91	Michael Hogan	M45	(005/024)	00:37:10
58	140	Reece Lawrence	MJ	(004/004)	00:37:35
72	85	Stephen Biscomb	M60	(002/005)	00:38:12
74	32	Robert Morrison	M40	(013/020)	00:38:20
76	36	Andrew James Webster	M45	(010/024)	00:38:28
81	172	Andy Quinn	M45	(011/024)	00:38:50
85	17	Stuart Proctor	M	(037/046)	00:39:23
86	78	Paul Wale	M45	(013/024)	00:39:24
87	156	Carl Dale	M	(038/046)	00:39:28
91	109	Helen O’Rourke	F	(003/014)	00:39:59
92	25	Darren Rushton	M45	(015/024)	00:40:02
93	177	Elizabeth Mullan	F	(004/014)	00:40:02
98	29	Irene Roche	F55	(001/002)	00:40:54
102	65	Rick Moore	M50	(008/017)	00:41:36
108	176	Joanne Bennett	F45	(003/011)	00:42:07
109	50	Carl Carey	M45	(018/024)	00:42:16
111	75	Lynsey Birtwistle	F35	(001/007)	00:42:18
115	74	Jean Knightley	F55	(002/002)	00:42:26
117	90	Brian Wildman	M50	(010/017)	00:42:32
119	185	Julie Dawes	F45	(004/011)	00:42:40
123	23	Cassandra Smedley	F35	(002/007)	00:43:01
124	111	Jane Ryan	F35	(003/007)	00:43:02
126	39	Barry Mitchell	M70	(001/002)	00:43:07
127	164	Nerina Gill	F45	(005/011)	00:43:10
128	79	Andrew Taylor	M55	(006/011)	00:43:41
133	171	Beth Quinn	FJ	(003/003)	00:44:09
137	43	Tony Pilling	M50	(012/017)	00:44:30
138	30	Bianca Bennet	F	(006/014)	00:44:36
139	131	Helen Burnett	F45	(006/011)	00:44:37
142	163	Juli Anne Rrushton	F50	(003/007)	00:45:02
143	108	Claire Vincent	F	(008/014)	00:45:13
145	128	Ian John Hargreaves	M50	(013/017)	00:45:19
146	175	Janine Pollard	F45	(007/011)	00:45:37
147	122	Danny Pilkington	M40	(016/020)	00:45:39
149	76	Justin Birtwistle	M40	(017/020)	00:45:47
151	133	Leanne Cottam	F35	(005/007)	00:45:57
162	77	Deborah Greenwood	F45	(009/011)	00:48:32
163	132	Michelle Butschok	F40	(009/011)	00:48:52
166	55	Lisa Ellis	F	(010/014)	00:49:39
167	14	Stuart Barker	M45	(024/024)	00:49:53
169	123	Phil Naylor	M	(046/046)	00:50:04
174	107	Martin O’Rourke	M55	(011/011)	00:50:50
177	1	Doug Munroe	M70	(002/002)	00:51:13
178	159	Ron Chappell	M65	(004/004)	00:51:14
180	130	Mark Knowles	M40	(020/020)	00:52:19
184	53	Karen Clarkin	F40	(010/011)	00:57:13
185	49	Judith Carey	F35	(007/007)	00:57:46
186	52	Sharon Wilson	F40	(011/011)	00:58:27
187	54	Anita Jones	F60	(001/001)	00:59:09

Full Results

Saturday 14 May

Fairfield Horseshoe

Couple of Clayton runners spotted on the photos for this classic 9 mile Lakeland Fell Race with 2999ft of ascent taking in the summits of Stile Nab Scar, Great Rigg, Fairfield, and Dove Crag.

Paul Hesketh at the Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race. Photo by Alex Hinchcliffe

Katy Thompson at the Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race. Photo by Alex Hinchcliffe

Paul Hesketh and Katy Thompson took part. Katy Thompson reports’

Despite Inter-counties on the same day and Calderdale Relay the following day, there were over 300 runners at the Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race. A lovely day with a welcome breeze on the top. Great views the few times I looked up. We had to run down the east of the wall from Dove Crag, which was a bit trickier than the west side. I was the only LV60 which meant I could save a bit for running in Calderdale the following day having been called in as a last minute replacement on Leg 3. At least I gave Barbara an easy run!

AWAITING RESULTS

Inter-Counties Fell Running Championship 2016

Congratulations to Christopher Holdsworth and Danny Collinge who were selected to represent Lancashire in this year’s Inter-Counties Fell Running Championships. This year the event chosen was the Ras Moel Eilio, 14th May 2016 (12.8km distance and 915m of climb), starting and finishing at Llanberis.

Christopher Holdsworth at the Inter-Counties Fell Running Championships. Photo by Woodentops

Chris Holdsworth had an outstanding run finishing in 14^th place overall with a time of 64:36 and first Lancashire runner. Danny Collinge was 120^th with a time of 81:10.

Danny Collinge at the Inter-Counties Fell Running Championship. Photo by Woodentops

Lancashire finished 6th overall in the team competition. Well done to both of them who did themselves, the County Team and our club proud!

Team Results | Individual Results

Malham Kirkby Junior Fell Races

The third race in the FRA Junior Championships attracted 12 of our junior runners. Felix Thompson was our sole representative in the U8s race finishing in 16^th place. Jenson Bentham was 2^nd in the U10s race and Helana White was 3^rd girl. Jackson McKay was 4^th in the U12 race. Briony Holt was 2^nd girl in the U14 race and Reece Lawrence was our sole representative in the U16 race finishing in 30^th place.

U8 Race

Pos	Name	Time
16	Felix Thompson	5:28

U10 Race

Helana White at the Kirkby Malham Fell Race. Photo by Geoff Thompson

Pos	Name	Time
2	Jenson Bentham	7:52
22	Helana White	8:38
54	Joshua McKay	9:44
63	Kady Thompson	10:12
75	Tillie Ferguson	11:15

U12 Race

Jackson McKay at the Kirkby Malham Fell Race. Photo by Geoff Thompson

Pos	Name	Time
4	Jackson McKay	10:30
7	Dexta Thompson	10:58
61	Summer Hargreaves	13:34

U14 Race

Harry Mason at the Kirkby Malham Fell Race. Photo by Geoff Thompson

Pos	Name	Time
21	Briony Holt	14:04
46	Harry Mason	16:49
47	Claudia Bentham	17:06

U16 Race

Reece Lawrence at the Kirkby Malham Fell Race. Photo by Geoff Thompson

Pos	Name	Time
30	Reece Lawrence	23:36

Sunday 15 May

Calderdale Way Relay

Report from Ladies Captain, Kath Brady

L-R Tracy Mitchell, Julia Rushton, Elizabeth Mullan and Julie Dawes at the Calderdale Relay

We had 18 ladies running in the ladies and mixed teams, including 6 first timers in a fell relay. Big thank you to our club stalwart Katy Thompson, who stepped in after juggling around on various legs (following Louisa Powell-Smith withdrawal through a foot injury). Helena Leathley and Irene Roche were also last minute changes on their legs. Everyone seemed to be smiling after they finished and enjoyed the experience.

Irene Roche and Orlaith O’Mahony at the Calderdale Way Relay. Photo by Kath Brady

Ladies were led off at 8am by Irene Roche and Orlaith O’Mahony, who handed over to Vicky Heys and Angela Shian at Crag Vale. Barbara Savage and Katy (with tired legs from Fairfield the previous day) followed on the short steep climb from Todmorden to Blackshaw Head. Ever consistent pair of Anna Kelly and Alison Dugdale ran the 4 th and most testing leg. Elizabeth Mullan, our newbie in the ladies team ran well on leg 5 with Tracy Mitchell, who getting back into racing following her two daughters. Helena (not used to this distance or had a chance to recce) was paired with strong and speedy Laura Hesketh on the final leg skirting Halifax.

Laura Hesketh & Helena Leathley at the Calderdale Relay. Photo by Louisa Powell-Smith

Our Mixed team were led off by Club Secretary John Wilcock and Nick Roscoe (who struggled with injury) to hand on to Sean Clare and Alan Dorrington.

Bianca Bennett and Helen Burnett at the Calderdale Relay. Photo by Louisa Powell-Smith

Novice fell relay ladies, Helen Burnett and Bianca Bennett worked hard on leg 3 climb to Blackshaw Head.

Chris Paul and Paul Wale at the Calderdale Relay. Photo by Louisa Powell-Smith

Paul Wale & Chris Paul ran leg 4 to the outlying Wainstalls change over. Julia Rushton & Julie Dawes ran leg 5. Joanne Bennett and Rachel Todd missed the mass team start at 2pm but still managed to pull back a few places before the finish.

The mens’ A team finished in 5th place overall having made a steady improvement from 15th place at the end of leg 1.

Richard Stevenson and Jacob Watson at the Calderdale Relay. Photo by Louisa Powell-Smith

Richard Stevenson and Jacob Watson( Team A) at the Calderdale Relay. Photo by Louisa Powell-Smith

Breton Holdsworth and Andrew Stubbs at the Calderdale Relay. Photo by Louisa Powell-Smith

Breton Holdsworth and Andrew Stubbs (Team A) at the Calderdale Relay. Photo by Louisa Powell-Smith

George Pier and Adam Shaw at the Calderdale Relay. Photo by Jason Pier

George Pier and Adam Shaw (Team B) at the Calderdale Relay. Photo by Jason Pier

Michael O'Donnell and Keiron Mitchell at the Calderdale Relays. Photo by Louisa Powell-Smith

Michael J O’Donnell and Keiron Mitchell (Team B) at the Calderdale Relays. Photo by Louisa Powell-Smith

No results or times available at the moment.

Essar Chester Half Marathon

Over 5000 runners took part in the Essar Chester Half Marathon which starts in the city centre at Chester race course. Well done Matthew Duckworth who was our only runner; he finished in 168^th place in a time of 1:28:25.

Matthew Duckworth after the Essar Chester Half Marathon. Photo – own

Full Results

Worden Park Fun Run

There’s just no stopping Helana at the moment. Fresh from racing on the fells on Saturday she also took part in the Worden Park fun run and finished in 2^nd place overall and 1^st girl. Senior runner Jack McGuire was 10^th in 6:53.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
2	Helana White	FU10	5:33
10	Jack McGuire	MV60	6:53

Fun Run Results

Worden Park 10K

303 Runners took part in the Worden Park 10K race in Leyland. Three Clayton men took part. Rober Morrison was our first runner over the line in 61^st place and with a time of 45:02. Colin White was 88^th with a time of 47:15 and Geoff Smith was 131^st with a time of 50:43

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
61	Robert Morrison	MV40	45:02
88	Colin White	MV40	47:15
131	Geoff Smith	MV40	50:43

Full Results

Parkrun Roundup

Even with all the racing that’s been going on there has still been plenty of parkrun action this week. A large turnout, as always, at Burnley parkrun with the top four spots going to our runners. Well done to new member, Danielle Walker who ran up a storm finishing in 9th place, 1st lady runner, and gaining a new PB at the same time. I look forward to reporting on plenty of future success for her. Lots of PBs for our junior runners and seniors too.

Burnley parkrun – A total of 353 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	Jonathan PYE	18:08	SM25-29
2	Jonathan CLEAVER	18:27	VM35-39
3	Mark ASPINALL	18:29	VM55-59
4	Dave MOTLEY	18:42	SM30-34	New PB!
9	Danielle WALKER	19:34	SW25-29	New PB!
11	Nicholas HENNESSEY	20:00	JM11-14
13	Simon WILSHAW	20:12	JM15-17
17	Lennon JACKSON	20:33	JM11-14	New PB!
19	Gareth BERRY	20:49	VM35-39
22	Nick ROSCOE	20:57	VM45-49
24	Adam QUINN	20:59	JM11-14	New PB!
30	James BOULT	21:20	SM20-24
32	Matthew JACKSON	21:31	JM10
33	Andy QUINN	21:31	VM45-49
37	Charlie BIRTWISTLE	21:57	JM10	New PB!
38	Gordon BARRETT	22:00	VM50-54
49	Andrew WEBSTER	22:42	VM45-49
50	Sophie ASHWORTH	22:43	JW11-14
59	Julie DAWES	23:08	VW45-49
69	David Ian SCOTT	23:33	VM70-74
75	Robert MORRISON	23:46	VM40-44
76	Stephen AINSWORTH	23:47	VM55-59
85	Tony PILLING	24:15	VM50-54
91	Toby BIRTWISTLE	24:30	JM10	New PB!
92	Annabel WILCOCK	24:31	JW15-17	New PB!
93	John WILCOCK	24:32	VM50-54
94	Justin BIRTWISTLE	24:32	VM40-44	New PB!
101	Ian HARGREAVES	24:49	VM50-54
113	Danny PILKINGTON	25:14	VM40-44	New PB!
127	Beth QUINN	25:45	JW15-17
134	Donna SCOTT	26:09	VW50-54
143	Aaron LUNDIE	26:25	JM11-14
155	Philip NAYLOR	26:37	VM35-39
172	Yvonne WICKHAM	27:27	VW50-54
176	Jane HYLANDS	27:39	VW40-44
182	Robert HIRST	27:47	VM65-69
193	Ron CHAPPELL	28:12	VM65-69
196	Stuart BARKER	28:18	VM45-49
334	Kathleen GARNETT	41:20	VW75-79

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 94 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
86	Robin PRICE	34:18	VM70-74

Pendle parkrun – A total of 108 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
2	John HARTLEY	20:11	VM55-59
3	Paul BRANNON	20:17	VM55-59
88	Christine LEATHLEY	33:51	VW65-69

Penrith parkrun – A total of 153 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
108	Eileen JONES	30:27	VW60-64	First Timer!

Woodhouse Moor parkrun – A total of 492 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
13	David BAGOT	18:18	SM20-24

ByAlan Dorrington

Go steep, go long, go orange

There might have been unseasonal snow this weekend, but that wasn’t enough to stop our hardy Clayton runners getting out and about to dust off their racing shoes over the weekend as well as during the week. With top level fell performances from the Juniors, gritty ultra efforts, classic road racing, Parkruns all over the country as well as the Annual Club Awards, there has been plenty to celebrate this weekend.

Wednesday 13^th April

Mike McGee Memorial Cowm Reservoir 5k

Mid-week action from this 5K race around the scenic Cowm Reservoir, in memory of Mike McGee who passed away in 2012. A fast, flat course (and sweets at the finish) attracted two Clayton runners to test their legs.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
40	Stephen Green	M60	002/007	21:23
92	Julie Toman	F45	006/006	27:29

Full results

Saturday 16th April

Anniversary Waltz Fell Race

Representing the third counter in the Club 2016 Fell Championships, this tough Lakeland AM race of 11.5m covers the Newlands Valley Horseshoe and can be prone to bad weather. No such issues this year, with a dry and sunny, if cool day.

Results were not out at the time of writing but David Bagot was first of the Clayton runners home followed by Dave Motley, Andy Orr, Neil Hardiman, Ryan Wilkinson, Paul Wale and Richard Briscoe. By all accounts it was a hard route but an ‘absolute belter’ as described by Fell Captain, Dave Motley.

Partial results

English Junior Fell Championship Series – Todd Crag races

Briony Holt, full gas down to the finish during a dominant performance in the U14 Girls. Pic Alan Dorrington

A strong contingent of Clayton Juniors were in action at the first round of the FRA English Fell Championship Series at Todd Crag, Ambleside. Unfazed by an initial and brutal tarmac climb onto an equally steep and rocky fell section onto Loughrigg Fell, all our Juniors gave it everything with great performances from the U8s through to the U14s.

Jenson Bentham was flying in the U10 Boys, leading for much of the race eventually coming in 2^nd, with Jackson McKay and Ella Dorrington both 4^th in the U12 Boys and Girls races respectively, and a flawless race from Briony Holt to dominate the U14 Girls race.

There were great runs too from Felix Thompson in the U8 Boys (9th), Helena White (4th) and Kady Thompson (19th) in the U10 Girls, and Josh McKay (32nd) in the U10 Boys.

Also in the U12 Boys, Dexta Thompson (8th), Christopher Brown (17th) and Robbie Smedley (24th) all ran strongly, whilst Liberty Thompson was 23rd in the U14 Girls. Special mention to Claudia Bentham, 18th in U14 Girls and running in her first fell race – a tough introduction to fell racing but with more to come from her in the future no doubt.

Jenson Bentham concentrating hard on the descent. Pic Alan Dorrington

Dexta Thompson climbing well on his way to 8th U12 Boy. Pic Alan Dorrington

Jackson McKay with the Fairfield Horsehoe as backdrop, on his way to 4th U12 Boy. Pic Alan Dorrington

With these results, the Juniors have got Clayton off to a strong start in the FRA Junior Club Championships too, sitting in equal 4^th place, only a point or two behind the leading Lakeland fell running clubs. Well done to all of them for a collection of stellar performances on the fell this weekend.

Ella Dorrington holding off the chasers on her way to 4th U12 Girl. Pic Alan Dorrington

Full results here

Fellsman Hike

The iconic Fellsman Hike covers over 60 miles of very rugged Dales moorland, climbing over 11,000 feet along its route from Ingleton to Threshfield. Despite (or perhaps because of!) this, it attracts a large field of regulars and newcomers keen to test themselves to the limit, complete with their mandatory kit issue mug.

Martin Terry, Simon Halliday, Ralph Baines, Nick Olszewski and Adrienne Olszewska all toed the line in Ingleton to begin their long efforts through into the night and the following day. Finishing this gruelling event is a huge achievement, and definitely one for an ultra runner’s ticklist. All made it round in very boggy conditions and deserve huge congratulations on their achievements.

Nick Olszewski heading out of the Stone House checkpoint. Photo by Jane Woodburn.

Adrienne Olszewska sends us this report:

The Fellsman is a high level traverse covering more than 60 miles over very hard rugged moorland. The event climbs over 11,000 feet in its path from Ingleton to Threshfield in the Yorkshire Dales. Most of the route is over privately owned land, the use of which is secured by the organisers for the weekend only. This being the case, the route does not follow well defined footpaths, so the entrants’ navigational skills with a map and compass are tested as well as their physical fitness. Because of this, only fit and experienced walkers or runners should enter.

The organisers’ pre-race briefing warned entrants of cold temperatures and the importance of sufficiently warm kit since blizzard conditions had been seen on some of the hill tops on the course. Fortunately this calmed down and there was only the odd flurry of snow from time to time. We were off on the long slog up Ingleborough, visible this year and snowy on top. Going the opposite way to the classic 3 Peaks Race, it was a slippery descent down towards the Hill Inn and plenty of people came a cropper on the way down, me included. Then the slog up Whernside follows before you turn and head back the way you came. A drop down into Kingsdale and the almost vertical clamber up Gragareth.

At this point I had pretty much dropped behind most of the runners so was on my own until grouping time. It’s a bit of a mental challenge when you are a back of the pack slowie. You can’t rely on following the people in front because they have all disappeared over the horizon and the next person is still quite a long way behind. You have to push yourself to keep going and have confidence in your ability to find your way. A lot of the time you seriously question your sanity and wonder why you are putting yourself through such misery; particularly when you are dragging yourself out of yet another bog and it’s cold, wet and there’s something sludgy and deeply unpleasant swishing around in your shoes. But, you carry on. Maybe because you don’t have a choice since you can only retire at a roadside checkpoint and so you have to at least make it to the next one. Also you don’t want to voluntarily retire without a good enough reason so you think all kinds of daft nonsense such as; “maybe a mild concussion would do it”.

Then you arrive at one of the hill top checkpoints. These are usually a couple of people in a tiny tent wearing so many layers of clothing that they can barely move. They cheerfully clip your tally card and ensure that you are crossed off their checklist. They are often there overnight in harsh conditions, probably feeling the cold much more than you because at least you are moving. It’s a good kick up the bum and their unrelenting cheerfulness is infectious so you head off to the next checkpoint with a much more positive mindset. In this event you have to be grouped at the overnight section. Competitors have to be in groups of at least 4 for safety reasons. It always amuses me when I speak to Nick, who is much faster than me, that I’m so far behind him that he gets grouped at the checkpoint that I get disbanded at the following day! If you are running with other people then you get to stay with them when you are grouped.

On your own though it’s a bit more of a lucky dip. I got grouped with 3 chaps who were fast hiking; Mick, Dick and Cliff (sounded like a sixties pop combo – should have changed my name to Sandy or Cilla to fit in really!). We made good progress through the night despite losing Cliff for a while on the moors heading to Hell Gap. Fortunately, we found him before we got to the next checkpoint otherwise we would have been disqualified. Strangely, a prospect that now horrified me despite kind of hoping for it when I’d been on my own earlier on! We were disbanded at dawn and Mick and I ran down from the top of Great Whernside. He took a better line than me towards the bottom where I got stranded in the peat hags and was floundering around hopelessly for a while until a kind fellow competitor dragged me out and kept me company until the end.

So two finishes on the Fellsman under my belt. I will be back next year and fingers crossed just maybe I will make it under 24 hours. This is a fantastic event organised and run by an amazing army of volunteers that make it a very addictive experience proved year in and year out by the number of people that just keep coming back.

Adrienne Olszewska descending to the Hill Inn from Ingleborough.

Results to follow

Great Langdale Christmas Pudding 10k Take 2

A seasonal hangover from last Christmas, this beautiful, undulating run along England’s most beautiful valley replaced the abandoned Christmas Pud 10k from a flood affected December 2015. Martin Brady and Graham Kissack made the trip to the Lakes to sample its delights.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
81	Martin Brady	M50		46:56
270	Graham Kissack	M65		1:08:58

Full Results

Club Awards Evening – Turf Moor

There was a big turnout of Juniors and Seniors alike for the club’s Annual Presentation of Awards. The event was held at the 1882 Lounge at Burnley Football Club, and those present enjoyed a great evening celebrating the achievement and effort of members and coaches, combined with a little bit of partying. Trophies for Club competitions, as well as for wider series were awarded along with some special awards for individual achievement and support for club activities. Many thanks to all those who helped organise and facilitate this celebration of all things Clayton.

Photo David Belshaw

Sunday 17 April

Radcliffe 10k

Radcliffe’s popular, scenic 10K race, covering parts of the trail, roads and paths of Ringley, with a sting in the tail, takes you through some of the route of the Manchester, Bury and Rossendale Railway line as well as the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal. Peter Butterworth and Kevin O’Brien ran whilst Julie Toman fitted in her second race of the week.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
79	Peter Butterworth	M60	(0032/014)	00:44:29
255	Julie Toman	F45	(015/024)	00:57:43
326	Kevin O’Brien	M70	(003/003)	01:06:20

3 Bridges 10k, Lancaster

This scenic route is almost entirely traffic free, and crosses three bridges spanning the historic River Lune. The course is mainly flat and fast, giving rise to fast times. Martin Brady (V50) completed the race in 46:08 and Daniel Isherwood also ran, completing around the 40 minute mark.

Results to follow

Arant Haw fell race

Taking competitors right into the wilds of the Howgills, this short but steep race has been a popular fixture and represents the final of this years Kendal Winter League. Wendy Dodds was there to represent Clayton.

Results to follow

Parkrun Roundup

Woodbank Parkrun – A total of 182 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
140	Ron HILL	31:52	VM75-79

Bolton Parkrun – A total of 353 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
75	Katy THOMPSON	25:39	VW60-64

Burnley Parkrun – A total of 289 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
3	Jonathan PYE	18:00	SM25-29
4	Jacob WATSON	18:06	SM30-34
5	Richard STEVENSON	18:36	VM40-44
11	James BOULT	19:50	SM20-24	New PB!
12	Nicholas HENNESSEY	20:07	JM11-14
33	Donna RILEY	21:58	VW50-54
37	Lennon JACKSON	22:24	JM11-14
45	Robert MORRISON	22:51	VM40-44
50	Colin WHITE	23:13	VM40-44
51	Charlie BIRTWISTLE	23:14	JM10
58	Matthew JACKSON	23:29	JM10
66	Reece Adam LAWRENCE	23:48	JM15-17
69	Nathan KEWIN	24:04	JM11-14
75	Ian HARGREAVES	24:20	VM50-54
78	Julie DAWES	24:32	VW45-49
91	Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY	25:01	VW35-39
99	John WILCOCK	25:14	VM50-54
100	Annabel WILCOCK	25:18	JW15-17	New PB!
107	Toby BIRTWISTLE	25:33	JM10
109	Justin BIRTWISTLE	25:38	VM40-44
117	Jake ANFORTH	25:58	JM10
121	Lisa JOHNSON	26:13	VW40-44
145	Lisa ELLIS	27:52	SW30-34
182	Robert HIRST	29:08	VM65-69
186	Donna SCOTT	29:16	VW50-54
192	Aaron LUNDIE	29:41	JM11-14
220	Nicola KAY	31:33	SW30-34
234	Philip NAYLOR	32:18	VM35-39
242	Christine LEATHLEY	33:02	VW65-69

Penrith Lakes Parkrun – A total of 185 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
113	Robin PRICE	36:41	VM70-74	New PB!

Pendle Parkrun – A total of 83 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	Paul BROWN	20:26	VM55-59
2	John HARTLEY	20:43	VM55-59

Fell Foot Parkrun – A total of 121 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
19	Martin BRADY	23:34	VM50-54

Tooting Common Parkrun – A total of 413 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
318	Eileen JONES	29:52	VW60-64	New PB!

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Leaping Forward

The clocks have changed, the lighter nights are here and midweek races are back. Still at the mercy of the weather at times, our hardy Harriers have been racing on with gusto. Starting the week with a win at Liver Hill and continuing to run well in all disciplines. We are springing forwards in leaps and bounds.

Happening this week

Reminder from the fell captains: entries are open for the next English Championships race, “Up the Nab” in the Peak District. Also entries are now open for the British Championships race, ‘Sedbergh Sports’ in July. Full details are available on the FRA Website

Tuesday 5th April first in the Summer Series – Coppice Trail Race – starts 6.30 pm from the Peel Park Hotel, Turkey Street, Accrington. Entry £4 which will be donated to East Lancs Hospice in memory of Tony Aspin. There will be free Potato Pie or Cheese and Onion Pie. There will also be a one hour walk for those interested and a number of helpers needed for the race.

Volunteers needed to help out at the Mearley Clough Race on Tuesday 10^th May. Please contact Andy Firth (andrewfirth58@aol.com mob 07470368926) if you can help.

Tuesday 29 March

Bunny Run 1

Well done to Briony Holt who took part in the first Bunny Run in the current series organised by Woodentops. In a field of 275 senior and junior runners she was 39^th overall and 1^st U14 girl

Briony Holt at the first Bunny Run race. Photo by Woodentops

Pos.	Name	Cat.	Time
39	Briony Holt	GU14	20:12

Full Results

Pete Hartley Memorial Liver Hill Fell Race

The second race in the club fell championship competition took place in harsh conditions with 23 Clayton Harriers taking part. Danny Collinge continued his winning streak taking first place.

Danny Collinge leading the way at the Pete Hartley Memorial Liver Hill Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Our first female was Orlaith O’Mahony who was second lady overall to Preston Harrier’s Nicola Jackson.

Orlaith O’Mahony and Chris Paul at the Pete Hartley Memorial Liver Hill Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos.	Name	Cat.	Time
1	Danny Collinge	MU23	00:34:51
15	Peter Coates	MSEN	00:39:15
19	Carl Helliwell	MV40	00:39:42
23	Ryan Wilkinson	MSEN	00:40:13
24	Dave Motley	MSEN	00:40:22
33	Mike Wallis	MV55	00:41:27
40	Paul Hesketh	MV50	00:42:19
48	Sean Clare	MV50	00:42:56
49	Alan Dorrington	MV45	00:43:02
64	Richard Briscoe	MSEN	00:46:07
66	Mark Nutter	MV50	00:46:23
69	Orlaith O’Mahony	LSEN	00:46:56
70	Chris Paul	MSEN	00:46:58
88	Angela Shian	LSEN	00:49:29
92	Colin Woolford	MV40	00:50:11
97	Wendy Dodds	LV65	00:51:55
102	James Hickie	MV55	00:53:32
104	Martin Brady	MV50	00:54:17
108	David Nield	MV55	00:54:32
109	David Naylor	MV60	00:54:39
115	Stephen Fish	MV60	00:55:58
139	Michelle Butschok	LV40	01:05:54
140	Rachel Todd	LV40	01:06:25

Full Results

Junior Liver Hill Races

Well done to the three intrepid juniors that took part in the junior races at the Pete Hartley Memorial Fell Race. In diabolical conditions Jenson Bentham finished 2nd in the U10 race with a time of 11:38, and Helana White was 5th place and first girl with a time of 12:39. Claudia Bentham ran in the U14 race and finished in 16th place with a time of 25:38.

Wednesday 30 March

Colin & Brenda Robinson 5K Cowm Race

206 runners took part in this midweek race of 2 laps of Cowm reservoir with proceeds going to Wythenshaw Hospital Sports transplants funds. Julie Toman was our sole representative in this race finishing in 156^th place with a time of 26:34

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
156	Julie Toman	F45	00:26:34

Full Results

Saturday 2 April

Eskdale Elevation

Edited version of Race OrganiserDave Jones’s report

After three days of awful weather the inaugural Eskdale Elevation took place in constant rain and mist and involved a relatively small but thoroughly competent field of 43 runners – I suspect that with better weather this might have been a somewhat larger field but the race proved to be very competitive and needed not just speed but sound route choice and navigational accuracy. There were plenty of alternative choices utilised, some better than others, but Rhys Findlay-Robinson, despite having a rapidly disintegrating map from Scafell onwards, clearly made some good decisions and came home a clear winner from Richard McGrath , with Muir Morton taking a very clever line off Scafell which gained him five places and put him in third place.

The Ladies’ race was very close indeed, with the Keswick pair of Catherine Evans and Jo Gillyon crossing the line together to claim joint first place a mere four seconds in front of Sue Richmond in third.

As far as the Vets’ categories were concerned all four of the male places were, to my intense delight, taken by Pennine runners, as was the Men’s Team, so unashamedly biased congratulations to Muir, Ian, Dave Bowen, Roger and Dave Ward.

For the Ladies, Jo Gillyon claimed the FV40 as well as joint first place; Kathleen Aubrey got the FV50 and the irrepressible Wendy Dodds got the FV60, while Helm Hill won the Ladies’ Team.

Full Report and Results

Pendle Fell Races

37 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers senior runners took part in this popular early season fell race organised by the club. A field of 172 runners took part overall. The race was won by Rossendale Harriers’ Sam Tosh in a time of 33:46. First Clayton runner home was Matt Perry who had a tremendous run and was 8^th overall with a time of 37:45. Matthew Duckworth also had a good run, knocking nearly 6 minutes off last year’s time despite the boggy conditions.

First four Harrier. L-R Carl Helliwell, Peter Coates, Matt Perry and Andrew Laycock. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

The ladies race was won by Georgia Tindley of Hunters Bog Trotters.First Clayton lady finisher was Louisa Powell-Smith who in her very first fell race was 3^rd lady overall in the race with a time of 43:22. A fantastic run for Louisa who pulled off a great result despite having to stop at the trig point with severe cramp!

Louisa Powell-Smith at the Pendle Fell Race. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

There were top twenty finishes for Andrew Laycock and Peter Coates. Our senior vets also did well with Jack Holt 1^st V60 male, Kieron Carr 1^st V70 male, and Linda Lord 1^st V60 lady.

Congratulations to Andy Bradley who as the new race organiser pulled off a cracking event for all, as did Colin Woolford at the Stan Bradshaw race in March.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
8	Matt Perry	M	00:37:45
11	Andrew Laycock	M	00:38:35
18	Peter Coates	M	00:39:57
21	Carl Helliwell	M40	00:40:23
32	Alan Life	M	00:42:41
35	Matthew Duckworth	M	00:43:06
38	Louisa Powell-Smith	F	00:43:22
41	Sean Clare	M50	00:43:42
43	Andrew Priory	M40	00:44:13
47	Geoffrey Paul Gough	M50	00:44:37
57	Richard Briscoe	M	00:45:19
59	Brian Horrocks	M50	00:45:40
63	Ivan Whigham	M50	00:46:05
66	Jack Holt	M60	00:46:20
74	Mark Nutter	M50	00:47:32
82	Jeffrey Pickup	M60	00:49:03
86	Kieran Carr	M70	00:49:17
90	Mark Taylor	M	00:50:26
91	Peter Dugdale	M50	00:50:52
93	Martin Brady	M50	00:51:15
94	Vicky Heys	F40	00:51:21
96	Andrew Dugdale	M50	00:51:24
100	Peter Browning	M50	00:52:09
104	Angela Shion	F	00:52:46
115	David Naylor	M60	00:53:36
117	Colin Woolford	M40	00:54:03
123	Andrew Firth	M50	00:54:55
126	David M. Horrocks	M50	00:55:15
131	Irene Roche	F50	00:55:22
132	Andrew Walmsley	M60	00:55:34
133	Linda Lord	F60	00:55:40
153	Rachel Todd	F40	01:01:25
155	Michael Frost	M60	01:02:14
156	Bianca Bennett	F	01:02:44
158	Helen Burnett	F40	01:03:04
163	Doug Munroe	M60	01:06:00
168	Karin Goss	F60	01:09:00

Full Results

Pendle Junior Fell Races

Well done to our 24 juniors runners that took part in the Pendle Fell Races. In total, 124 junior runners took part in over the age groups this year. Conditions were pretty grim as the races got under way with drizzle and a cold wind to contend with on an extremely slippery and muddy course. The U8 & U10 runners ran together as did the U16 & U18 but results are supplied separately.

U8 Race

Felix Thompson was our youngest runner of the day and took part in the U8 race in field of 20 runners. He was 9^th overall and the 6^th boy to finish. A good run in pretty unpleasant conditions.

Felix Thompson in the U8 Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
9	Felix Thompson	M	00:03:59

U10 Race

There were 8 Clayton juniors in the U10 race. Finley Stubbs was our first finisher and was 4^th overall in the race. Helana White was our second finisher in 12^th place overall. Some gutsy running from our juniors in tough conditions.

Millie MacCabe in the U10 Race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
4	Finley C Stubbs	M	(004/016)	00:05:13
12	Helena White	F	(004/011)	00:05:59
15	Matthew Jackson	M	(011/016)	00:06:04
16	Joshua McKay	M	(012/016)	00:06:10
20	Jake Anforth	M	(014/016)	00:06:29
22	Kady Thompson	F	(007/011)	00:06:33
27	Milly Su MacCabe	F	(011/011)	00:08:12

U12 Race

Again there were 8 Clayton juniors in the U12 Race. This was a longer course than the previous race with a route on the higher and more exposed fell side. Jackson McKay was our first finisher and second overall. Chasing down a couple of Horwich runners, and pulling off a dramatic last minute overtake, Dexta Thompson was 4^th.

Dexta Thompson literally leaping past his Horwich opponent. Photo by David Belshaw

Ella Dorrington was our first girl battling all the way to the finish to be pipped at the post by Ella Pendlebury of Horwich RMI and settling for 3^rd girl in the race.

Ella Dorrington battling to the finish. Photo by David Belshaw

Special mention for Bronia for the most spectacular full body slide on the home straight; she got up and finished with a smile on her face.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
2	Jackson McKay	M	(002/016)	00:14:42
4	Dexta Thompson	M	(004/016)	00:15:29
7	Robbie M Smedley	M	(006/016)	00:16:24
9	Ella Dorrington	F	(003/021)	00:16:29
16	William M Nicholls	M	(011/016)	00:19:08
19	Summer J Hargreaves	F	(007/021)	00:19:52
29	Grace Root	F	(016/021)	00:21:11
35	Bronia Olszewska	F	(019/021)	00:26:33

U14 Race

Briony Holt was our first finisher, 3^rd overall and 1^st girl in the U14 race. Lennon Jackson was the first boy for the club in 19^th place overall.

Briony Holt storming to the finish in the U14 race. Photo by David Belshaw

Once again our juniors ran their socks off despite the grim weather and tricky ground underfoot.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
3	Briony Holt	F	(001/012)	00:22:25
17	Millie Eve Stubbs	F	(007/012)	00:25:35
19	Lennon Jackson	M	(012/012)	00:26:57
20	Sophie Ashworth	F	(008/012)	00:28:17
23	Natasha Olszewska	F	(011/012)	00:30:26

U16 Race

Simon Wilshaw was our first finisher in the U16 race and 7^th overall. Hot on his heels was Nicholas Hennessey in his debut for the club.

L-R Simon Wilshaw and Nick Hennessey in the U16 race. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

Eleanor Root was our only girl in the race and 2^nd girl overall.

Eleanor Root in the U16 race. Photo by Nicholas Olszewski

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
7	Simon Wilshaw	M	(007/009)	00:26:55
8	Nicholas Hennessey	M	(008/009)	00:26:57
11	Eleanor Root	F	(002/004)	00:32:41

Full Results

Sunday 3 April

Burnley Youth Theatre 5K & Fun Run

Julie Dawes was our sole senior runner in the 5K finishing in 13^th place with a time of 24:29.

Julie Dawes at the Burnley Youth Theatre 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Junior Matthew Jackson and Helana White ran in the fun run taking 1^st and 2^nd places respectively. Well done to all that took part to help fundraise for this fantastic local theatre group.

Matthew Jackson and Helana White winners of the Burnley Youth Theatre charity fun run. Photo by David Belshaw

Results

Darwen Heritage Half Marathon

17 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took to the roads of Darwen for the Heritage Half marathon organised by Darwen Dashers. The race is part of this year’s club road championship.

Team Clayton at the Darwen Heritage Half Marathon. Photo by George S Davies

Report from Jacob Watson

Jacob Watson at the Darwen Heritage Half Marathon. Photo by George S Davies

As my first Half Marathon since I fractured my foot running Hendon Brook in Summer last year, I was a little apprehensive about this challenging, hilly half marathon. There is a reason it has been labelled ‘Darwen Rollercoaster Half Marathon’ which became apparent right from the start. The course itself contains 3 steep climbs, all of which are about 2 miles long, the first one being the longest drag. There certainly seemed to be more uphills than downhills, although the last 2 miles were brilliant fun, especially after I realised there was no more climbing!

Leaving the house, I wasn’t sure what to expect weather wise as it looked pretty miserable, however shortly after the race started the sun came out which really highlighted the scenery, not that there was much of an opportunity to take it in, mind! Most of the route takes place on country roads and through villages, another similarity it has with Hendon Brook (it’s bigger, scarier brother!)

I was fortunate enough to be running in a group of 4 for the first 6 miles, however after a bit of trouble taking on water and getting stitch I couldn’t help but watch as the 3 other runners went off into the distance. Once my stomach had sorted itself out I just focussed on keeping them in my sight and not dropping back any further. Crossing the line, I knew I’d given it my all and was very happy to get under 85 minutes (a faster time than I would have predicted given the hills). Happy days!

All in all, a great, challenging route and I’m very glad it was added to our road championship. I’m hoping it will be good training for Hendon Brook!

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
10	Jacob Watson	M	01:24:48
27	Dave Motley	M	01:29:31
83	Richard Briscoe	M	01:39:40
108	James Boult	M	01:42:32
120	Andrew Webster	M45	01:44:02
128	Robert Morrison	M40	01:45:16
142	Elizabeth Mullan	F	01:47:23
152	Amanda Duffy	F	01:48:52
161	Martin Brady	M50	01:50:16
191	Colin White	M40	01:54:04
200	Angela Shian	F	01:54:35
201	Vicky Heys	F45	01:54:35
202	Nerina Gill	F45	01:54:54
212	Geoff Smith	M40	01:55:57
217	Julia Rushton	F50	01:56:55
283	Lee Moore	M	02:08:16
360	Mr Naylor	M	02:24:47

Full Results

Padiham Aquathlon

Fresh from a storming run at the Pendle Fell Race, Matthew Duckworth took part in the Padiham Aquathlon finishing in 9th place with an overall time of 32:03. Natasha Newell and Tony Pilling competed as a relay and finished in 11th place with an overall time of 33:49.

It was a super Sunday for Team Stevenson! After lots of hard work in the pool over the last few months Keira blitzed her previous swim times at Padiham Aquathlon. Rachel was persuaded to have a go by Keira, worked her socks off and swam beautifully and confidently. Adam decided to throw everything at the run, a tactic that well paid off. Great results for all 3 of them!

Team Stevenson. L-R Adam, Keira and Rachel with their mum Deborah at the Padiham Aquathlon

Results not yet available

Wilmslow Half Marathon

Richard Stevenson ran in the Wilmslow Half Marathon finishing in 83rd place with a time of 1:20:28 smashing his PB. A result of lots of hard work put into training. Well done Richard

Full Results

Parkrun roundup

A busy week for our parkrunners with some parkrun tourism thrown into the mix. Clayton-le-Moors Harriers have been spotted in Scotland and Australia this week.

Imogen and Tillie Ferguson at the Helix junior parkrun in Edinburgh.

Bolton parkrun – A total of 244 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
71	Katy THOMPSON	25:39	VW60-64

Burnley parkrun – A total of 246 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	Jonathan PYE	18:23	SM25-29
2	Jordan MCDONALD	18:33	SM18-19
5	Chris SNELL	19:22	VM35-39
9	Adam SHAW	20:37	SM30-34
12	John WILCOCK	21:08	VM50-54
19	Richard STEVENSON	22:03	VM40-44
20	Reece Adam LAWRENCE	22:11	JM15-17
21	Donna RILEY	22:16	VW50-54
27	Martin BRADY	22:41	VM50-54
33	James HICKIE	23:26	VM55-59
43	Ian HARGREAVES	24:10	VM50-54
45	Charlie BIRTWISTLE	24:13	JM10
54	Julie DAWES	24:37	VW45-49
61	Toby BIRTWISTLE	25:06	JM10
62	Justin BIRTWISTLE	25:07	VM40-44
65	Andrew TAYLOR	25:32	VM55-59
85	Aaron LUNDIE	26:35	JM11-14
102	Ron CHAPPELL	27:44	VM65-69
105	Julie TOMAN	27:57	VW45-49
129	Donna SCOTT	29:24	VW50-54
139	Carl CAREY	29:49	VM45-49
146	Robert HIRST	30:14	VM65-69
150	Jack MCGUIRE	30:30	VM60-64
151	Christine Jennifer EGERTON	30:39	VW65-69
164	Karen CLARKIN	31:22	VW40-44
181	Judith CAREY	32:17	VW35-39
227	Valerie LAWSON	36:45	VW70-74

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 152 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
152	Eileen JONES	57:12	VW60-64

Helix Junior parkrun – A total of 63 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
15	Imogen FERGUSON	8:57	JW10	First Timer!
27	Tillie FERGUSON	10:32	JW10	First Timer!

Lincoln parkrun – A total of 331 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	Breton HOLDSWORTH	17:22	VM40-44

Pendle parkrun – A total of 73 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
3	Paul BRANNON	20:39	VM55-59
4	John HARTLEY	20:51	VM55-59
5	Paul HESKETH	21:03	VM50-54
6	Richard BRISCOE	21:22	VM35-39
12	Susan BURNS	22:27	VW55-59

Penrith Lakes parkrun- A total of 220 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
162	Robin PRICE	37:50	VM70-74	First Timer!

Queen’s Park junior parkrun – A total of 77 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	Dexta THOMPSON	7:35	JM10	First Timer!
7	Liberty THOMPSON	9:23	JW11-14	First Timer!
11	Kady THOMPSON	10:15	JW10	First Timer!
12	Felix THOMPSON	10:18	JM10	First Timer!

Skipton parkrun – A total of 171 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
151	Christine LEATHLEY	34:01	VW65-69	First Timer!

Witton parkrun – A total of 75 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
72	Julia RUSHTON	1:00	VW50-54

Woodbank parkrun – A total of 128 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
107	Ron HILL	32:59	VM75-79

ByJim Hickie

Senior Club Competitions 2016

Now 2016 is here why not look at the Club Championships when planning your races? The first Club Road Championship race is the East Lancs Hospice 10k on Sunday 24^th January, the first Club Trail Championship race is the Standish Hall 10k on Saturday 20^th February, and the first Club Fell Championship race is Heptonstall (BL) on Sunday 20^th March. These three club championships all follow a best four out of seven races format.

The Winter Warmer 10k on Sunday 7^th February is the final race in the 2015 Club Road Championship to replace the cancelled Guys 10.

As well as our Club Championships we also have two more fell competitions – the Pendle Aggregate Trophy and the John North Trophy. Follow the link for a complete list of all our Senior Club Competitions and Awards.

I wish all members a happy and successful 2016!

ByPeter Booth

December Newsletter

Here is the link to the final Harrier edited by me. It’s missing Runner of the Month because the award is under review. However, Harry Manning has provided a list of ‘fast runners’ from the last two months. Paul Healey covers more Old Ground and there are reports on the wet and windy Tour of Pendle and Lee Mill Relays in addition to results and fixtures, as usual. Enjoy! December Newsletter 2015

ByPeter Booth

November Newsletter

This month’s Harrier is a relay, relay, relay good edition. It has reports on the Northern and National Road Relays, the Hodgson Brothers Fell Relay and the British Athletics Hill & Fell Running Relay, organised by Clayton at Barley last month. It also contains all the usual features, results & fixtures for the next 2 months. November Newsletter 2015

ByAdrienne Olszewska

A Bit Of A Do

Huge thanks to all of the organisers, volunteers and supporters who helped make this year’s British Athletics Hill & Fell Running Relay Championships go so smoothly on Pendle. As well as organising we put three teams into the event so read on to find out how they went on. Don’t forget the Mid Lancs cross country fixture is at Towneley Park this Saturday so come on down and take part for the club. Let’s have a good turnout on familiar ground.

Saturday 17 October

British Athletics Hill & Fell Running Relay Championships

74 clubs entered 147 teams in this prestigious event organised by us and run on and around Pendle Hill. Calder Valley Fell runners were the overall winners of the event in 3:29:19, with some stiff competition from Pudsey & Bramley AC 3:29:55 and Dark Peak 3:30:10. Borrowdale Fell Runners were the first vet team, finishing in 3:42:43, 13^th place overall.

The British Relay Championships. Photo by Sarah Helliwell

We entered two men’s teams; an open team and a Vet 40 team. The open men finished in 25^th place with a time of 3:57:06 and the Vets in 34^th with a time of 04:02:36.

First Ladies’ team was Ambleside who were 48^th place with a time of 4:11:06. First Vet Ladies team was Dark Peak in 65^th place with a time of 4:27:14.

We entered a Vet 40 Ladies team who were the 5^th Vets team and 120^th place overall with a time of 5:25:43.

Report from Ladies’ Fell Captain Kath Brady

We entered our only ladies team in the LV40 Championship to support the first year of this new championship category. We finished 5^th out of 11 teams in a time of 5.25.43. 4^th team were just 12 seconds in front of us and 6^th team were just 4 seconds behind us so every second counted.

Irene Roche, a very last minute call up late on Thursday, lead us off up past Black Moss Reservoir and up the Big end of Pendle (7K approx with 450m of ascent) coming home in 8^th in a time of 55.54.

Alison Dugdale & Vicky Heys ran 2^nd leg (15K approx with 630m of ascent) pulled back one place to finish 7^th in 1.41.10.

Vicky Heys at the British Relay Championships on Pendle. Photo by Woodentops

Top navigators Jean Brown & Wendy Dodds on leg 3 picked up their maps half a mile after their start and had a storming run with the 3^rd fastest time in 1.42.53. Both enjoyed the challenge of navigating the optimal route.

Our last leg runner Barbara Savage, set off in the ‘staggered’ mass start finishing in 1.05.46, 9^th fastest on the leg.

There was great club and team spirit throughout the day, Jean was on car parking at 7am, Barbara had been on the start/finish field all day and at 9.45 was digging a trench to lay electric cables! Irene, Alison, Vicky & Wendy were around encouraging all our teams.

We can build on this result at Loch Lomond in 2016, so keep a weekend free for a recce trip to Scotland!

Irene Roche – Leg 1 Runner – Reports

On arrival at Barley, ready for leg 1, I found there was a great buzz about the place. After collecting a map, dinner voucher, dibber and complimentary head buff from Captain Kath Brady, I was ready for Kit check and dibber activator. Off we then all set for the big hill in view! A brilliant atmosphere amongst fellow runners was followed by the lung busting, energy sapping race up the “big end” of Pendle.

Irene Roche at the British Relay Championships on Pendle Hill. Photo by Woodentops

The descent by the steps followed by the immediate climb back up the cart track gave no rest to any of us. I must say my favourite part of the course was running down the steady descent towards Buttock Farm and finally the finish. I loved every minute of it. An excellent team effort from all the Clayton Lady runners in an extremely prestigious event!

Report from Christopher Holdsworth

A lot of people seemed eager to see Clayton fail in their efforts to host this year’s British Relay Championships, so it goes to show just how well the members involved managed to pull it off with all the praise and compliments they have received.

Jonny McKenna (L) and Chris Holdsworth at the British Relay Championships. Photo by Sarah Helliwell

The senior men, although having a few dropouts through injury, fielded a very strong and young team. We started our day with Jordan McDonald eager to induce stress in us all by forgetting his dibber (literally 5 minutes after I gave it him). Jordan had a storming run bringing us back in 30th position in a very strong opening leg. Jonny and I managed to reduce the places by 12 coming in at 18th. Dave Bagot and Paul Thompson took over and put in a solid navigational effort, taking some big scalps along the way. Lee Smith rounded off the day with a good performance, finishing 25th overall.

Jordan McDonald (Front) and Andrew Stubbs at the British Relay Championships. Photo by Woodentops

The vets, who posed a threat throughout the day, finished not far behind in 34th – showing just how even our two teams were at times.

A really great day was topped off by attending Marie Flood and Thomas Brewster’s wedding do in the evening. Congratulations to them both!

Pos	Time	Team	Competitors
25th	03:57:06	MOpen	J McDonald/J McKenna/C Holdsworth/P Thompson/D Bagot/LSmith
34th	04:02:36	MV40	A Stubbs/G Wilkinson/C Helliwell/M Wallis/N Hardiman/B Holdsworth
120th	05:25:43	FV40	I Roche/V Heyes/A Dugdale/J Brown/WDodds/B Savage

Full Results

Pilling 10k

Run on a flat & quiet roads in the pretty village of Pilling. This 10km race series aims to be a friendly series organised by runners who are dedicated to delivering a well-supported series of 10km’s for every type of runner. This is flat, fast and has some excellent opportunities to stretch your legs!

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
28	Amanda Duffy	FV35	00:44:46
41	Lee Moore	M	00:48:01
47	Tony Pilling	MV50	00:49:01

Full Results

Sunday 18 October

Green Drive 5 Road Race – Lytham (incorporating Lancashire 5 Mile Road Championships)

Congratulations to Dave Scott who is the 1^st V70 and to Kath Brady who is 2^nd V50 Lady 5 mile road champions.

Kath Brady sends this report

Having set off from a gloomy East Lancashire heading for better weather in the West of the county, we arrived in plenty of time to check out the first part of the course and to see and encourage the four Thompson Clayton juniors flying by in the 1 mile race

The course starts on a tarmac pedestrian, tree-lined avenue for the first km then onto the pavements of the flat road between Lytham and Warton. Shortly after 2 miles on the main road a left turn on to a country lane, this doubled back and brought us on to the main road back into Lytham. An ideal race for a 5 mile PB.

This would make a great Club Road Championship race. It is a well organised, friendly race. £11 to enter (going back into Lytham club funds) with a nice technical tshirt along with physio students doing free massages at the finish I’d recommend this race.

I tried to set off steady and get into a rhythm to see how my legs would work after a long day helping at the relay. After 2 miles, started to pick a few off with the focus of a couple club of Trawden vests to chase, the remaining 3 miles seem to pass fairly quickly.

Paul Walsh looking resplendent at the Lytham Green 5 Mile Race.

5 Mile Race Results

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
50	Kevin Davies	M50	(005/032)	00:31:17
96	Stephen Biscomb	M60	(006/018)	00:34:46
112	Martin Brady	M50	(014/032)	00:36:17
127	David Scott	M70	(001/006)	00:37:04
129	Brian Wildman	M45	(017/029)	00:37:08
169	Kathryn Brady	F50	(002/018)	00:39:23
198	Paul L.Walsh	M60	(14/018)	00:41:21
262	Kevin O’Brien	M70	(005/006)	00:46:52

1 Mile Race Results

Another sterling performance from Team Thompson at this event. There’s just no stopping them!

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
6	Dexta Thompson	M10	(001/014)	00:05:50
16	Liberty Thompson	F12	(002/003)	00:06:14
48	Kady Thompson	F8	(001/006)	00:07:41
56	Felix Thompson	M6	(001/001)	00:07:59

Full Results

Jimmy Cricket’s 70^th Birthday Cowm 5K

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
42	Robert Hirst	MV65	24:33
54	Julie Toman	FV45	26:17
68	Jack McGuire	MV60	28:28

http://www.ukresults.net/2015/cricket.html

Parkrun roundup

Plenty of PBs and top ten performances from our club members at Burnley and Pendle parkruns this week.

Burnley parkrun – A total of 312 runners took part.

Burnley parkrun. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
3	George PIER	17:40	SM18-19	New PB!
4	Jonathan PYE	17:51	SM25-29
6	Richard STEVENSON	17:57	VM40-44	New PB!
7	Matthew DUCKWORTH	18:25	SM25-29
10	Dexta THOMPSON	18:54	JM10	New PB!
14	Chris SNELL	19:32	VM35-39
16	Gareth BERRY	19:43	VM35-39
18	Nick ROSCOE	19:59	VM45-49
28	Jonathan CLEAVER	20:36	VM35-39
31	Simon WILSHAW	21:08	JM15-17
33	Adam QUINN	21:17	JM11-14	New PB!
34	Donna RILEY	21:18	VW50-54
43	Lennon JACKSON	21:49	JM11-14
44	Andy QUINN	21:51	VM40-44
57	Darren RUSHTON	22:24	VM45-49	First Timer!
59	Ella DORRINGTON-LEVY	22:29	JW10	New PB!
60	Sophie ASHWORTH	22:30	JW11-14
63	Julie DAWES	22:38	VW45-49	New PB!
65	Helana WHITE	22:51	JW10	New PB!
68	Elizabeth MULLAN	22:57	SW30-34	New PB!
75	Jean KNIGHTLEY	23:22	VW55-59	New PB!
79	Liberty THOMPSON	23:42	JW11-14
84	Dawn TERRY	23:56	VW50-54
87	Ian HARGREAVES	24:08	VM50-54	New PB!
100	Elouise Sylkie PEMBERTON	25:03	SW25-29
102	Matthew JACKSON	25:05	JM10
103	Donna SCOTT	25:07	VW50-54
105	Beth QUINN	25:08	JW15-17
121	Imogen FERGUSON	25:55	JW10
124	Stuart BARKER	25:58	VM45-49
125	Donna AIREY	26:00	SW30-34
129	Philip NAYLOR	26:10	VM35-39	New PB!
131	Annabel WILCOCK	26:11	JW11-14
135	Stuart HARTLEY	26:17	VM55-59
137	John WILCOCK	26:25	VM50-54
149	Adam STEVENSON	27:11	JM11-14
157	Julie TOMAN	27:43	VW45-49
178	Toby BIRTWISTLE	28:23	JM10	New PB!
179	Justin BIRTWISTLE	28:30	VM40-44	New PB!
188	Aaron LUNDIE	28:53	JM11-14
200	Kady THOMPSON	29:32	JW10
210	Marion WILKINSON	30:01	VW70-74
222	Christine LEATHLEY	30:47	VW65-69
229	Christine Jennifer EGERTON	31:16	VW65-69
282	Valerie LAWSON	35:27	VW70-74
292	Milly MACCABE	36:32	JW10

Pendle parkrun – A total of 61 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
2	John HARTLEY	20:13	VM55-59
4	Paul BRANNON	21:02	VM55-59
20	Barry MITCHELL	24:16	VM70-74
29	Molly HESKETH	26:48	JW11-14	New PB!

Witton parkrun – A total of 173 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
19	Nick COLLINSON	21:30	JM15-17	New PB!

Bolton parkrun – A total of 267 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
265	Julia RUSHTON	44:40	VW50-54

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 223 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
141	Eileen JONES	29:40	VW60-64

Oakwell Hall parkrun – A total of 149 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
125	Robin PRICE	35:50	VM70-74	First Timer!

Preston parkrun – A total of 261 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
5	Colin SHUTTLEWORTH	19:00	VM55-59

Woodbank parkrun – A total of 138 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
114	Ron HILL	32:37	VM75-79

Category Archive Seniors Competitions

The Colin & Brenda Robinson Cowm 5k, Whitworth

Dewsbury parkrun

Southwark parkrun

Skipton parkrun

Pendle parkrun

Witton parkrun

Blackpool parkrun

92

270

Woodbank Parkrun – A total of 182 runners took part.