Seniors Fell – Page 3 – Clayton-le-Moors Harriers

Muddy miles, pacy parks and fast fells

A real mixed bag this week as our members have been racing all over the place; at the National Cross Country Championships in Nottingham, on the fells of Yorkshire and Cumbria, the parks of Lancashire and Cheshire with some tricky trail running thrown in as well.

SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY

BLACKPOOL STANLEY PARK 10K

Three Clayton men took part in the first of two 10 races organised by Fylde Coast Running in Stanley Park, Blackpool. Terry O’Leary was the first finisher in 26^th place overall and with a time of 41:06. Stephen Biscomb was 36^th overall and 2^nd V60 in 42:45 and Craig Nicholls was 71^st in 46:21. There were 312 runners.

Pos	Name	Category	Time
26	Terry O’Leary	M	41:06.5
36	Stephen Biscomb	MV60	42:45.0
71	Craig Nicholls	MV40	46:21.4

Full Results

MIDGLEY MOOR FELL RACE

Two club members took part in this challenging, moorland fell race. Ryan Wilkinson was our first finisher in 11^th place overall and Katy Thompson was 55^th.

Ryan Wilkinson at the Midgley Moor Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Katy Thompson at the Midgley Moor Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Pos	Name	Category	Time
11	Ryan Wilkinson	M	49:20
55	Katy Thompson	W60	1:09:56

Full Results

SAUCONY NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Report from Pete Browning

The Big Weekender Away Day Racing Trip

Anyone who runs any cross country at all, must do the National at least once in their life. Not only is it the biggest and best XC event there is, it also gives a true picture of your ability. If you are used to a top 50 place in the Mid Lancs, prepare yourself for a massive wake up call. The standard is so high and the pace of the leading runners is so quick; small fish and big ponds come to mind! The 2017 race was held at Nottingham, not too far away really, so disappointing that only Danny Collinge and myself were on the start line for the Senior men’s race.

Pete Browning at the National Cross Country Championship

As I warmed up the under 13 boys race was taking place, and it was fantastic to see four Clayton youngsters competing so well, and Jackson, Robbie, Dexta and Lennon all got stuck in. The Senior ladies only had two Clayton runners also, Sue Allen and Christine Leathley flying the flag for us. The start of the Senior men’s race is something to behold with around 2000 runners charging uphill to the first corner, and after a quick thumbs up to Danny, off we went. The course and venue were really good with a challenging route and numerous mud baths available for the unwary. Just look at the photos of Danny on the internet to see how hard he was trying to get 468th position. For me, a lot slower and 1626th place, but still a lot behind me, and a really enjoyable day and a great sporting atmosphere.

Danny Collinge at the National Cross Country Championship

After all that effort, a stop over in the East Midlands was in order for Sandi and me, so that’s what we did. Sunday morning saw us back on the road heading for home, via Dewsbury to do the Hoppits Hill Race, an old fashioned local fell race organised by long distance queen Nicki Spinks with a minimum of fuss. A lovely 5k course awaited us, well flagged throughout, with me the only Clayton runner in the senior race. Two good climbs and some testing muddy fields gave us plenty to go at, and a finish position of 58th. The biggest contrast between the two races : 2885 entries for the National, 94 for Hoppits Hill.

U13 BOYS

A full team of U13 boys took the trip down to Nottingham to test their mettle against the best in the country. Some great running from our boys was on show on an extremely muddy and tough course with a much bigger field than they are used to.

Jackson McKay at the National Cross Country Championships

Jackson McKay was our first boy with a top 100 position; a really great performance from Jackson. Robbie Smedley managed to inch past Dexta Thompson to make second team counter after snapping at his heels all season – there’s sure to be an extra element of competition at the last Mid Lancs fixture in Leigh!

Robbie Smedley and Dexta Thompson at the National Cross Country Championships

And Lennon Jackson completed the team.

Lennon Jackson at the National Cross Country Championships

An excellent 24^th out of 48 complete teams.

Pos	Name	Time
69	Jackson McKay	0:13:27
150	Robbie Smedley	0:13:59
152	Dexta Thompson	0:14:00
354	Lennon Jackson	0:15:21

Senior Races

Four senior runners joined the junior boys. Cross country stalwarts Sue Allen and Christine Leathley represented our ladies. Danny Collinge and Pete Browning represented the men.

Women’s Race

Sue Allen was our first lady in 777th place and Christine Leathley was 783rd.

Sue Allen at the National Cross Country Championships

Christine Leathley at the National Cross Country ChampionshipsFull Res

Pos	Name	Time
777	Sue Allen	1:02:29
783	Christine Leathley	1:06:01

Men’s Race

Danny Collinge was our first Clayton man in 468^th and 48:40. Unfortunately, there appears to be an error on the results sheet and no positions are given for a number of athletes including Pete Browning who finished in 1:08:25.

Pos	Name	Time
468	Danny Collinge	0:48:40
1626	Pete Browning	1:08:25

Full Results

SUNDAY 26 FEBRUARY

BADGER BAR BLAST

James Williamson and Andrew Firth made the trip to the Lake District to take part in this 7.5 mile fell race with 2221ft of ascent

Report from James Williamson

Hosted by Ambleside AC, the Badger Bar Blast is a cracking little out & back lung buster, taking in the summits of Loughrigg Fell & Silver How. After a slow start to the year due to injury, it felt great to be finally donning the famous orange & white vest for the 1^st time since my move from Trawden.

Conditions were typical of the Lake District for this time of the year – cold, windy and very wet! This didn’t dampen the spirits of the 110 hardy runners and the numerous marshals and spectators who lined the route. The race started at 12.00 prompt and I set off around mid-pack with a view of just going with the flow given the rustiness, having not raced since the Tour of Pendle in November. Early doors I felt good so decided to push on a bit & found myself amongst a good group of 5 or 6 as we summited Loughrigg. A fast & slippy descent off the fell was a great relief to the quads for a short time before crossing the road & on to the ascent of Silver How. The trod leading towards the rocky outcrop of Silver How was saturated and it became a game of Russian roulette with foot placement!

The summit of Silver How was a welcome site as I was confident of gaining ground on those ahead with the fast descent back to the road crossing. The longer the race went on the better I felt, and I tagged on to a couple of Keswick vests, working well together to push up the final sting in the tail on the return to Loughrigg. A quick touch of the summit cairn & then it was pure joy as I let the legs loose on the rocky descent back to Rydal Water, thankfully taking a couple of places on the way. A final push over the finish line left me in 22^nd place in 1hr 11mins – a nice 8 minute improvement on the last outing on this race route in 2015.

A well organised, cheap & cheerful early season Lakeland lung buster was just what I needed to get the racing mojo back. Always helps when they chuck in soup, bread & cake at the finish. It’s time to knuckle down now & focus on the new fell season, one in which I’m Looking forward to being part of with Clayton.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
22	James Williamson	M	1:11
91	Andrew Firth	MV50	1:41

Full Results

BLACKPOOL STANLEY PARK 10K

Five Clayton Harriers took part in the second 10K of the weekend at Stanley Park in Blackpool. Jacob Watson had a great run and finished in 2^nd place with a time of 35:08. Mick Hughes continues to race well and was 29^th with a time of 42:02.

Mick Hughes at the Blackpool Stanley Park 10K. Photo by Mick Hall

Our first Clayton lady was Elizabeth Mullan who was 29^th overall in the race and 5^th lady. Adam Stephenson was 48^th with a time of 44:22.2 and our cohort was complete by Joanne Perry who was 145^th with a time of 52:55. There were 353 runners in total.

Adam Stephenson Reports

It was a gusty afternoon at the Stanley Park 10K but chuffed to have broken the 45 minute mark and got a PB; chip time was 44:22. Don’t know what I can do to run any faster so some hard work ahead! Well done Jacob who finished in 2^nd, Mick who ran an absolute stormer, and proud of Elizabeth as always.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
2	Jacob Watson	M	35:08.1
29	Mick Hughes	MV40	42:02.0
38	Elizabeth Mullan	L	43:22.8
48	Adam Stephenson	M	44:22.2
145	Joanne Perry	L	52:55.9

Full Results

HOPPITS HILL FELL RACE

Jenson Bentham and Ella Dorrington ran in the Blue (U13s) and Green (U15s) races respectively. Both of them took the win. Jenson won his race outright and Ella was 2^nd overall and 1^st girl in her race. They were presented with their prizes by Nicky Spinks.

Jenson Bentham and Ella Dorrington at the Hoppit Hill Races

Enjoying a weekend of racing, Pete Browning was our sole runner in the senior race having taken part in the National XC Championship the day before. He finished in 58^th place in a field of 94 runners.

Report from Alan Dorrington

Now in its 5^th year, this lovely little race held in memory of David Bell is organised by amongst others, Nicky Spinks. Perhaps given her input, the various courses for Juniors and Senior 5km race make up what they lack in distance with some good climbing in an area near Dewsbury known for its rolling hills rather than outright fells.

Jenson Bentham and Ella Dorrington travelled over on the M62 to compete in the 2.3km U13 and 3.2km U15 races respectively (note the new FRA age categories). Jenson was the winner of the U13 race with a solid climb followed by some super-quick descending and Ella used her climbing ability to take a clear lead before the 2^nd big climb on her course, taking first U15G and 2^nd overall in the U15 race. Medals and chocolate prizes presented by fell running royalty in the form of Nicky Spinks made for a memorable day out for both of them.

Full Results

ILKLEY MOOR FELL RACE

Three Clayton men were spotted in the provisional results for the AS category Ilkley Moor Fell Race. The race is a 5 mile race with 1316ft of ascent. Sadly, times are missing from some of the provisional results.

Chris Snell at the Ilkley Moor Fell Race. Photo by Woodentops

Report from Colin Woolford

The Ilkley Fell Race is a firm favourite of mine, which is odd as its short and fast thus appealing to all my weaknesses as a runner!

That said I’d describe it as a good first fell race, it’s at a testing time of year, and the weather usually plays its part: I’ve run this in horizontal sleet/snow before, but the course is marked and well marshalled. The route is everything a fell race should have in my opinion, tough terrain – rocky, muddy etc, steep climbs, runnable descents and good views. Ilkley has all that in squeezed into 5 miles that feels much longer! It has some punishing climbs that really sap your energy – but are over quickly, it has some testing terrain – both mud and rocky/technical stretches, but again they don’t last so long and all these parts are linked by a network of trods and paths, which give the race its speed. The mud made for some slippery descents and I nearly went over a couple of times and saw plenty that did!

I clocked three other orange hoops altogether on the start line, Snell, Hirst and Briscoe and two Clayton spectators – thank you your support was very much appreciated!

Not seen any results as I write this, but according to my Garmin I was faster than last year.

AWAITING RESULTS

OULTON PARK 10 K

Report from Amanda Duffy

It was one of those days where I felt like staying in bed! I had already pre entered for the Asics Oulton Park 10k so off we went! The conditions were very windy which made the race feel a lot tougher than last year. The course itself is on a race track which is undulating so not a PB course but great to run on. I finished 7th female and won the v35 category so it was worth getting up for!

Amanda Duffy in the 10K race at Oulton Park

OULTON PARK HALF MARATHON

Report from Jon Cleaver

There was a 10km and Half Marathon at the Oulton Park race track in Cheshire. I opted for the half as part of my London Marathon training preparation. The race was 6 laps round the track with quite a substantial head wind working against you for half the way. The first few laps flew past, but going round the same route over and over got a bit tiresome towards the end. It was really undulating, windy and over measured, so I was reasonably happy with just a shade over 01:27 & 33rd place for my first HM of the year.

Jon Cleaver at the finish line of the Oulton Park Half Marathon

SEDBURGH SCHOOL FELL RACE

Katy Thompson was our sole runner in the Sedburgh School fell race, the latest race in the Kendal Winter League series.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
88	KatyThompson	L60	46:28

Full Results

STOCKPORT TRAIL HALF MARATHON

Three Clayton Ladies took on the muddier than expected Stockport Trail Half Marathon. Donna Airey was our first lady in 112th place, Lisa Ellis was 250th and Jane Hylands was 317th.

L-R Donna Airey, Jane Hylands, Lisa Ellis

Report from Donna Airey

Lisa and Jane having already signed up and me wanting to get more off road made the Stockport trail half marathon ideal for a longer distance training run. A bit of research showed more hard paths and canal than “trail”. Slightly disappointed, we turned up in road shoes just like the majority of other runners. How wrong we were! It seems storm Doris had other ideas. Recent weather made it a very wet and very muddy run. A poor guy who ran alongside me kept having to keep me upright until he eventually got fed up and pushed on. A well organised race with lots of goodies at the finish. Route was out along the Middlewood way and back along canal. Not the most thrilling route so personally I was glad to have the mud there to make it a more interesting race. Overall it was a good day made even more so by Lisa getting a PB on that course.

Report From Lisa Ellis

Donna Airey, Jane Hylands and I did the Stockport trail HM today. It was a promising start as it wasn’t raining so we all decided to wear road shoes rather than trail as we thought we were running on dry paths, but instead were met with the muddiest paths ever even on the canal.

However we did our best and I even found myself getting a new PB. Donna did amazing and came in 13^th female and 6^th in her category, Jane 15^th in her category and myself 29^th in my category. Altogether 413 runners took part with 409 finishing.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
112	Donna Airey	F	01:44:24
250	Lisa Ellis	F	01:59:09
317	Jane Hylands	F45	02:09:50

Full ResultsF

TERRY NORTLEY 10 MILE TRAIL RACE

Jeffrey Pickup was our sole runner in this challenging 10 mile race on the trails, roads and paths of Ringley. He was 74^th overall and 1^st V65 in a field of 244 runners.

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat Pos	Time
74	Jeffrey Pickup	M65	(001/004)	1:18:47

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Burnley parkrun – A total of 322 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
2	Laura HESKETH	18:20	SW30-34
5	Nicholas HENNESSEY	18:56	JM15-17
6	Jonathan PYE	19:15	SM25-29
8	Dave MOTLEY	19:37	VM35-39
10	Kevin DAVIES	19:41	VM55-59
13	Alex CRAN	19:57	VM45-49
14	Simon WILSHAW	20:01	JM15-17
15	Reece Adam LAWRENCE	20:06	JM15-17
17	Michael HOGAN	20:33	VM45-49
28	James BOULT	21:16	SM20-24
32	David MOYNIHAN	21:53	VM50-54
36	Matthew JACKSON	22:05	JM11-14
47	James HICKIE	22:37	VM55-59	New PB!
53	Chris LAWRENCE	22:52	VM50-54
58	Aaron LUNDIE	22:59	JM11-14
59	Stephen AINSWORTH	23:05	VM60-64
63	Martin BRADY	23:14	VM55-59
69	Michelle ABBOTT	23:33	VW35-39
85	Nina KEWIN	24:10	VW35-39
100	Jean KNIGHTLEY	25:08	VW55-59
110	Carl CAREY	25:22	VM45-49
121	Heidi KEWIN	25:56	JW11-14
122	Sarah ANGELONE	25:58	SW30-34
131	Annabel WILCOCK	26:38	JW15-17
132	John WILCOCK	26:38	VM50-54
148	Richard LAWSON	27:23	VM75-79
203	Nick ROSCOE	29:47	VM45-49
204	Christine Jennifer EGERTON	29:48	VW65-69
211	Judith CAREY	30:06	VW35-39
222	Ron CHAPPELL	30:30	VM65-69
226	Robert HIRST	30:34	VM65-69
235	Marion WILKINSON	31:10	VW75-79
256	Darcey HIRST	31:53	JW10
288	Wayne MCINTOSH	35:03	SM30-34
321	Julie DAWES	43:00	VW45-49

Burnley junior parkrun – A total of 83 runners took part.

Our junior runners were out in force to support Burnley junior parkrun and showcase their running talent at the same time. 20 junior runners took part with the top ten dominated by our runners. Jackson McKay, fresh from a great run at the National Cross Country Championships in Nottingham the day before, came in first and Robbie Smedley who also had an outstanding run at Nottingham grabbed a PB and 2^nd place. There were also new PBs for Alfie White, Charlie Plant and Darcey Hurst together with debuts from Adam Stevenson, Charlie Barnes, Keira Stevenson and Rachel Stevenson.

Clayton Juniors out in force with coach Marion Wilkinson

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	Jackson MCKAY	7:22	JM11-14
2	Robbie SMEDLEY	7:35	JM11-14	New PB!
4	Adam STEVENSON	7:58	JM11-14	First Timer!
6	Matthew JACKSON	8:05	JM11-14
8	Helana WHITE	8:18	JW10
9	Aaron LUNDIE	8:22	JM11-14
14	Alfie WHITE	9:11	JM11-14	New PB!
15	Heidi KEWIN	9:19	JW11-14
16	Charlie BARNES	9:26	JM10	First Timer!
18	Joshua MCKAY	9:39	JM10
19	Bethany WHEATCROFT	9:45	JW11-14
20	Keira STEVENSON	9:46	JW11-14	First Timer!
21	Imogen FERGUSON	9:54	JW11-14
22	Rachel STEVENSON	10:06	JW10	First Timer!
23	Charlie PLANT	10:09	JW10	New PB!
29	Darcey HIRST	10:51	JW10	New PB!
56	Ellisia SMEDLEY	13:00	JW10
58	Emily JOHNSON	13:12	JW10
60	Olly PLANT	13:22	JM10
75	Jessica MCBRIDE	14:39	JW10

Lytham Hall parkrun – A total of 173 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
54	Philip NAYLOR	25:35	VM35-39	New PB!

Pendle parkrun – A total of 88 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	David WALKER	19:11	VM35-39
10	Susan BURNS	23:26	VW55-59
23	John HARTLEY	25:04	VM60-64
26	Barry MITCHELL	25:56	VM70-74
35	Dawn TERRY	27:08	VW50-54
62	Yvonne WICKHAM	31:34	VW50-54

Peter Pan parkrun – A total of 165 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
77	Eileen JONES	29:25	VW60-64	First Timer!

Skipton parkrun – A total of 170 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
35	Roger James BREWSTER	23:42	VM60-64

Witton parkrun – A total of 97 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat
20	Nerina GILL	25:52	VW45-49
24	Julia RUSHTON	26:13	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 to the Hills

It’s been a chilly and hilly kind of week with some harsh weather adding plenty of challenge for our hardy fell runners. There’s also been some coastal cross country, rugged recces, fast 5Ks and a touch of romance as well. There is definitely a fire burning in the hearts of our runners that no amount of arctic blast can extinguish.

SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY

CARNETHY 5 HILL RACE

There were some extremely testing conditions for this Scottish fell race with strong winds, sleet and snow to contend with. 472 runners finished the race with two Clayton Vet runners amongst them. Jack Holt was our first finisher in 190^th place overall and 3^rd M60, and Wendy Dodds was 281^st overall and 1^st F60.

Runners at the Carnethy 5 Hill Race. Photo by Katrina Johnstone

Pos	Name		Time
190	Jack Holt	M60	01:16:04
281	Wendy Dodds	F60	01:22:11

Full Results

MID LANCS CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE – ROSSALL SCHOOL, FLEETWOOD

It was a cold and blustery day on the coast as the Mid Lancs Cross Country League moved to the fixture at Rossall School near Fleetwood with the impressive school buildings as a backdrop to a much drier course than many so far this season.

Our Juniors put in a strong showing with some great results for the U11 Boys who continue to dominate their category this season. Helana White had a great run in the U11 girls, Jackson McKay was 4^th in the U13 boys and our U15 girls’ team finished in 3^rd position. We are still very much in contention for a win in both the U11 Boys and U15 girls category. Sadly we didn’t have enough numbers for teams in all the age groups but well done to all of our junior runners for some strong performances.

U11 GIRLS

Team Position 11^th

Pos	Name	Time
6	Helana White	7:22
65	Emily Nicholl	9:37
69	Ellisia Smedley	10:39

U11 BOYS

Team position 1^st

Pos	Name	Time
1	Dexta Thompson	6:33
3	Robbie Smedley	6:46
11	Jenson Bentham	7:10
27	Matthew Jackson	7:39
47	Joshua McKay	8:20

U13 GIRLS

Ella Dorrington missing from the results

Pos	Name	Time
54	Bronia Olszewska	13:26

U13 BOYS

Team Position 5^th

Pos	Name	Time
4	Jackson McKay	10:40
19	Lennon Jackson	12:06
30	William Nicholls	13:00

U15 GIRLS

Team position 3^rd

Pos	Name	Time
10	Millie Stubbs	12:24
16	Liberty Thompson	13:14
17	Natasha Olszewska	13:15

U15 BOYS

Pos	Name	Time
22	Jay Bowman	17:28

U17 MEN

Pos	Name	Time
10	Simon Wilshaw	24:55
13	Reece Lawrence	25:47

LADIES U20

Pos	Name	Time
4	Bethany Quinn	30:45

LADIES RACE

Eighteen ladies made the trip over to Fleetwood to run in the penultimate fixture of the Mid Lancs League. On a cold and blustery days our ladies got down to some great running despite the chill and the wind. Donna Airey was our first lady and 29^th overall followed in by double act Michelle Abbott and Cassie Smedley. Beth Quinn was our sole U20 lady.

Cassie Smedley chasing Michelle Abbot at the Mid Lancs XC. Photo by David Wood

Team Positions

A Team – 8^th (D Airey | M Abbot | C Darling-Smedley)

B Team – 14^th (I Roche | J Bennett | B Quinn)

Over 35 – 4^th ( D Airey | M Abbott | C Darling-SMedley)

Over 45 – 4^th (I Roche | J Bennett | J Rushton)

Over 55 – 2^nd ( I Roche| J Taylor | C Egerton)

Pos	Name		Time
29	Donna Airey	L35	28:18
30	Michelle Abbott	L35	28:36
31	Cassandra Darling-Smedley	L35	28:36
41	Irene Roche	L55	29:15
55	Joanne Bennett	L45	30:06
60	Bethany Quinn	L20	30:45
62	Julia Rushton	L45	31:16+
76	Bianca Bennett	L	32:33
81	Janine Pollard	L45	32:53
92	Jane Hylands	L45	33:59
96	Adrienne Olszewska	L45	34:43
108	Deborah Greenwood	L45	36:18
111	Julia Taylor	L55	36:30
118	Karen Clarkin	L45	37:10
126	Judith Carey	L35	38:45
127	Christine Egerton	L65	39:34
136	Christine Leathley	L65	43:27
138	Susan Allen	L55	44:40

VET 70 MEN

Richard Lawson was our only V70 in the race and he finished in 3^rd place.

Pos	Name	Time
3	Richard Lawson	35:49

V70 runner, Richard Lawson. Photo by David Wood

MENS RACE

Nineteen Clayton men raced at this fixture. Danny Collinge was our first man in 13^th place overall. Jacob Watson was next in 28^th place well out of his comfort zone but possibly beginning to enjoy cross country running. Dave Motley, Matt Duckworth, Alan Life and Andrew Orr made up our A Team who finished in 7^th place overall. Our V50 mens team finished in 2^nd place.

Jacob Watson swapping the road for XC. Photo by David Wood

Team Positions

Over 40 – 7^th (A Life | A Orr | J Roche | G Berry)

Over 50 – 2^nd (A Life | J Roche | J Wilcock)

Pos	Name		Time
13	Danny Collinge	M	36:31
28	Jacob Watson	M	38:28
44	Dave Motley	M	40:06
82	Matthew Duckworth	M	42:46
93	Alan Life	V50	43:54
96	Andrew Orr	V40	44:06
99	John Roche	V50	44:12
112	Gareth Berry	V40	45:12
114	John Wilcock	V50	45:17
129	Andy Quinn	V40	46:35
141	Mick Hughes	V40	47:54
152	Craig Nicholls	V40	48:39
161	Dave Moynihan	V40	48:59
172	Christopher Lawrence	V50	51:26
180	Andrew Howarth	V50	52:29
181	James Hickie	V50	52:33
182	Peter Browning	V50	52:43
183	Carl Carey	V40	52:48
198	Stephen Fish	V60	59:20

Full Results

SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY

FASTRAX 5K RACES – RACE 2

On a cold and blustery morning, the second race of this fast 5K race saw a quartet of Clayton Harriers racing in a field of 68 runners.

Nick Hennessey at the Fastrax 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Nick Hennessey was our first finisher in 21^st place overall and Michelle Abbot was our first lady in 47^th place.

Julia Rushton at the Fastrax 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Julia Rushton was 1^st F50 and Jack McGuire was 1^st M60.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
21	Nicholas Hennessey	MJ	(010/011)	00:18:56
47	Michelle Abbott	F35	(004/006)	00:23:01
52	Julia Rushton	F50	(001/004)	00:24:15
66	Jack McGuire	M60	(001/001)	00:29:14

Full Results

JUNIOR 2K

There were twenty-one runners in the 2K race and nine of our juniors, including some of our youngest members, took part. All of them ran superbly in tough conditions with many of them finishing faster than last time despite the weather.

And they are off! The juniors at the start of the Fastrax 2K race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
3	Matthew Jackson	M11	(001/001)	00:08:23
4	Helana White	F10	(001/002)	00:08:34
5	William Nicholls	M12	(002/002)	00:08:42
9	Charlie Barnes	M8	(002/004)	00:09:11
14	Jake Anforth	M10	(001/001)	00:09:35
16	Emily Nichols	F8	(001/002)	00:11:07
18	Charlie Plant	F7	(001/002)	00:11:14
19	Darcey Hirst	F8	(002/002)	00:11:22
21	Olly Plant	M6	(001/001)	14:28

Full Results

VALENTINES 10K

Who said that romance was dead; it certainly isn’t at Clayton-le-Moors Harriers with a valentine race for Lucy and James.

Report from Lucy Scott

The weather forecast wasn’t great as we set off to run the Valentines 10k which is part of the Lancaster Race Series. Wind aside, we knew we were in for a fast and flat 10k and the route certainly lived up to its reputation, which was a welcome relief after the Blackburn Winter Warmer last week!

Romantic racers Lucy Scott and James Dunderdale.

120 runners gathered at the start and set off very quickly over the bridge and heading down a cycle path. We were pretty sheltered from the wind on the way down for the first 5k but encountered some gales on the way back up. The cycle path was great for running on with very little turns, a simple out and back run not too dissimilar to the Windmill 10k.

Overall, a great little run if you are after a new personal best as me and James were! Along with our new PB’s, a medal, a flower and some chocolate were awarded on the finish line!

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
24	James Dunderdale	M	0:43:46
53	Lucy Scott	F	0:49:49

Full Results

STAN BRADSHAW PENDLE ROUND RECCE

Sunday saw the second of two race recces lead by race organiser, Colin Woolford. Conditions were a bit testing to say the least but we are a hard bunch and a bit of wind and snow wasn’t going to put us off!

Stan Bradshaw recce

Report from race organiser, Colin Woolford

Thank you to the 26 or so runners who came out to play over the last two recces of the Stan Bradshaw Race Route, both in decidedly poor weather conditions – you brave souls! Sunday’s 40-50 mph winds, snow and ice on the top and toward the end of the run, horizontal snow certainly kept us moving!

Heading down just ahead of the snow storm.

I hope this has given you a refresher of the route or if having never done it, inspired you to come and have a go on March 4th.

It’s been a pleasure meeting club members, and friends of the club, I’d not crossed paths with as well as extra time on the hill with those more familiar.

See you on the hill.

WINDY HILL FELL RACE

Four Clayton men braved the weather to race at the Windy Hill Fell Race. Andrew Laycock was our first finisher in 8^th place overall. He was joined in the race by Garry Wilkinson, James Boult and Wayne McIntosh and between them there was a 3^rd place finish as a men’s team.

Men’s team – 3^rd (A Laycock| G Wilkinson | J Boult)

Report From James Boult

After a sunny and bright 2016 race, I hoped for more of the same if I wanted to beat my time in what was my first Fell Race 12 months ago. What greeted me, and the 200 other competitors at Littleborough Rugby Club instead was the beginnings of snow and an icy chill which made conditions slightly treacherous and harsh underfoot.

James Boult at the Windy Hill Fell Race. Photo by Steve Bateson

With a couple of Fell races already under my belt for 2017 in what has been a slow return to racing, I felt good going into what was my toughest challenge, and furthest distance, of the year so far. Having never raced under such wild conditions I knew it would be an experience, however I underestimated just how much of an experience it would be. With sideways snow and hail pelting us as we set off, and then increasing as we made the steady climb up to the kissing gate, most of the race was spent with heads down and eyes stinging. Strong winds were thrown in as we navigated the treacherous open tops, with already slippy rocks even slippier with ice and small drops in the stones covered by patches of snow which only made themselves known when you fell though them. With no visibility the usually stunning views were masked behind a wall of white, and I had to rely on the fluorescent vest of the runner in front of me to keep on the right path at times.

Conditions improved for the final mile, but the snow and rain from the night before made the ground slippery and the XC style finish became a mudbath. I finished frozen to the bone but achieved what I set out to do; a top 100 finish and a couple of minutes faster than my time from than last year in what is one of my favourite races to kick off the year.

Report from Wayne McIntosh

A quartet of Claytoners headed over to Littleborough in wintery conditions for this year’s Windy Hill fell race. Largely described as a very runnable 9 miles with one memorable climb thrown in. I had done this race twice before and after a poor run last year I was hoping for some improvement. I felt good in the early part of the race, holding position well around mid-pack. Then came the long climb up to the gods, well Blackstone Edge but with visibility down to around 50m and the wind driving a horizontal blizzard it wasn’t the most pleasant part of the race. I got to the top of the climb without dropping any places and knew from here on in the course played to my strengths with some rough running over Blackstone Edge and windy Hill and a cracking descent to the finish.

I think I managed to pick up a few places to finish 133/200 and 1:32 – 4 minutes up on last year, on a day when most of my usual rivals were a good 15 minutes back. Good runs from the rest of the Clayton lot with Andrew Laycock first back in 8th place.

Andrew Laycock at the Windy Hill Fell Race. Photo by Paul Taylor

Pos	Name	AG	Time
8	Andrew Laycock	M	01:06:58
30	Gary Wilkinson	M50	01:14:46
101	James Boult	M U23	01:24:43
143	Wayne McIntosh	M	01:32:02

Full Results

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Burnley parkrun – A total of 318 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
5	Jonathan PYE	18:02	SM25-29
8	Nicholas HENNESSEY	18:42	JM15-17	New PB!
32	Gordon BARRETT	21:56	VM50-54
39	Aaron LUNDIE	22:17	JM11-14	New PB!
42	John WILCOCK	22:29	VM50-54
45	Michelle ABBOTT	22:38	VW35-39
63	Wayne MCINTOSH	23:38	SM30-34
70	Brian WILDMAN	23:59	VM50-54
73	Charlie BARNES	24:10	JM10	New PB!
77	Dawn TERRY	24:27	VW50-54
102	Sophie ASHWORTH	25:16	JW11-14
105	Bethany WHEATCROFT	25:34	JW11-14
122	Ian HARGREAVES	26:28	VM50-54
143	Donna SCOTT	27:33	VW50-54
145	Stuart BARKER	27:35	VM50-54
164	Ron CHAPPELL	28:15	VM65-69
210	Charlie PLANT	30:07	JW10
229	Robert HIRST	31:06	VM65-69
290	Olly PLANT	36:43	JM10
291	Daniel PLANT	36:43	VM35-39

Heaton parkrun – A total of 611 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
6	Laura HESKETH	18:26	SW30-34	First Timer!

Pendle parkrun – A total of 78 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	David WALKER	19:10	VM35-39
25	Barry MITCHELL	26:02	VM70-74
28	Martin BRADY	26:30	VM55-59
43	Yvonne WICKHAM	30:56	VW50-54
45	Helen HARRISON	31:19	VW45-49	First Timer!

Yamba parkrun – A total of 43 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
6	Nerina GILL	23:27	VW45-49	First Timer!

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Trogs, Trails and Winter Warmers

What a great week! A record breaking win at the Grizedale trail marathon for Chris Holdsworth, superb results at the Blackburn Winter Warmers, plenty of trogging at Wadsworth, orienteering at Spring Wood, and Clayton juniors all over the Lancashire Schools Cross Country Championships. Read all about it! Plus information about the next recce day for the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round.

SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY

LANCASHIRE SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

An impressive fifteen of our junior members took part in the Lancashire Schools Cross Country Championships at Witton Park in Blackburn and they were representing schools in 5 different areas; Burnley, Blackburn, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale. There were excellent performances from each and every one of our runners.

Report from Briony Holt

This year’s Lancashire Schools was held at the usual place, Witton Park. The weather was gorgeous ( lovely Winter sun ) and the course was relatively dry with a couple of bogs now and again. With all of the schools in Lancashire competing, I knew it would be busy so the “dry” course wouldn’t be so dry for long! We arrived well before my race just to find out that the race timetable had changed! Lennon Jackson hadn’t heard the news realising that he had turned up 2 hours early! Luckily, my race was the same as it was on the letter meaning I had plenty of time to warm up.

Briony Holt running for Pendle and qualifying to run for Lancashire

The course wasn’t the dreaded ‘saucer’ as everyone thought. They had changed it making some of the senior runners have to go 3 times around the initial field you see upon arriving! However, this wasn’t as bad as it sounds because the race went quickly.

As I watched other Clayton members race, the time passed and it was soon time for me to race. Coach Phil Hall was great at advising me where the driest parts of the course were and where to push on. I was over the moon to come 4th and consequently gained selection for the Lancashire squad in March!

We had several other juniors from Clayton running for different boroughs which made the start lines colourful as they were all wearing different race vests! Everyone ran really well in a highly competitive field showing great sportsmanship after the race. Well done everybody!

Year 7 Girls

A great run for Ella Dorrington earned her 6^th place and first counter in the Rossendale team which finished in 5^th place.

Pos	Name	Team	Time
6	Ella Dorrington	Rossendale	9:04
66	Imogen Ferguson	Burnley	11:32

Junior Boys (Year 8 & 9)

Jackson McKay ran strongly in some stiff completion to finish in 12^th place. Adam Stevenson and Jay Bowman joined him in representing Burnley schools but sadly were one man short of a team on the day. Lennon Jackson is missing from these results but he put in a great show of grit and determination after losing a shoe on the first lap and finishing his race regardless!

Pos	Name	Team	Time
12	Jackson McKay	Burnley	15:32
42	Adam Stevenson	Burnley	17:34
47	Jay Bowman	Burnley	17:51

Junior Girls (Year 8 & 9)

Our junior girls were representing 3 different teams with just Millie Stubbs with enough runners to make a team which finished in 5^th place.

Pos	Name	Team	Time
33	Millie Stubbs	Hyndburn	16:05
44	Sophie Ashworth	Burnley	16:45
45	Natasha Olszewska	Blackburn	17:14
53	Liberty Thompson	Burnley	17:44
60	Keira Stevenson	Burnley	18:53

Inter Girls (Year 10 & 11)

A fantastic run from Briony with a great finish to grab 4^th place in this competitive girl’s race. Briony was representing Pendle schools but there were not enough runners to make up a team. Lucy Stevenson was running for Burnley schools and her team finished in 7^th place.

Pos	Name	Team	Time
4	Briony Holt	Pendle	16:48
56	Lucy Stevenson	Burnley	24:36

Inter Boys (Year 10 & 11)

Nick Hennessey and Stanley Grewal were running for Burnley Schools and finished in 15^th and 30^th places respectively.

Pos	Name	Team	Time
15	Nicholas Hennessey	Burnley	21:43
30	Stanley Grewal	Burnley	23:16

Full Results

PFO – SPRING WOOD

Mark Nutter, Jean Brown and Christopher Brown all took part in the Pendle Forest Orienteers event at Spring Wood in Whalley. This was the third event in a series of four offering a range of competitive levels.

Mark Nutter and Jean Brown took on the Green course which was the most technically challenging course consisting of a minimum distance of 3.1km and 140m of ascent. Mark Nutter was second overall with a time of 38:04 and Jean Brown was 4th and first lady with 61:31.

Junior member Christopher Brown took on the Orange course consisting of a minimum 1.9km and 95m of ascent. He was second with a time of 33:16

Full Results

WADSWORTH TROG

Nine hardy club members took to the bogs and trogs of Wadsworth for this early season, long fell race organised by Calder Valley Fell Runners. It’s 19 miles over rough, moorland terrain with 3650ft of ascent thrown in and is affectionately referred to as ‘the beast’.

Report from Alan Dorrington

Forewarned is forearmed, or so they say. I had run the Wadsworth Trog for the first time last year, surviving and even enjoying the bogs and the rough single track paths on the moors north of Hebden Bridge. This year, armed with knowledge of the route, a good forecast as well as coming off the back of a streaky December spent running 256 miles for charity, I had reasonably high hopes of running hard over the 19 miles of what is known locally as ‘The Beast’.

Alan Dorrington channelling his inner Mark Knopfler at the Wadsworth Trog. Photo by Woodentops

Heading up onto High Brown Knoll for the first time, I felt pretty good and kept the Clayton vests of Martin Terry, Andy Armstrong and Neil Hardiman in sight up to the first checkpoint. This was the pattern for the first half of the race, Neil catching me when the terrain went downhill and me slowly reeling in him on the climbs with Martin and Andy around 100 yards ahead. Over the bogs to Checkpoint 4 at Cock Hill I had the privilege of running with Nicky Spinks, marvelling at her ability to just glide across the difficult terrain whilst I lurched and stumbled my way behind.

Climbing on the road then bridleway to Stairs Edge I reeled in Martin and Andy just as we dropped down to Harbour Lodge and Checkpoint 6. Me being a less than average descender, Neil caught me again here and he, Martin and Andy pushed on up Harbour Hill and over to Top Withins. I however suddenly went in to reverse – maybe as I had been pushing too hard at first, maybe because I hadn’t eaten enough, who knows? Either way I was going backwards fast, runner after runner coming past and my mediocre descending got even worse on the rough single track paths. It wasn’t pretty and I had a real funk on, proper bottom lip quivering stuff. Seeing as we were at the furthest point from the finish, there was no option but to soldier on, though I am ashamed to admit I was going through bail out options in my head for later on the route as we climbed over to the Withins ruins and dropped down the flagged (as in stone) descent to the reservoirs. There wasn’t anything to do other than keep going but to my surprise, with some food and a bit of a self-imposed talking to, I began to pick off runners on the climbs and get going again. As the weather was sunny (as opposed to the rain of last years Trog) the return toward Hebden rewarded runners with great views over Calderdale and beyond, helping lift my spirits.

Barbara Savage and Vicky Heys at the Wadsworth Trog. Photo by Woodentops

By Checkpoint 10 and the second climb of High Brown Knoll from the West, I was going well again on the climbs and finished strongly, save for an emergency pit stop and a slight going off route incident. Even the final death-march up the fields to the finish was completed at a run and after the final gratuitous lap of the cricket pitch I finished in pretty good shape. To my surprise I was 3 minutes quicker than last year and had ‘only’ lost around 8/9 minutes on Neil and Andy, despite the major mid-race wobble. The Trog was the 3rd fell race of around 20 miles or more that I’ve done (all the others being fairly short races) and I’ve still a lot to learn about pacing, and simply toughing it out. To that end, this years Trog was a great learning curve but more importantly was a fantastic, if rather squelchy day out over some fabulous moorland scenery.

Pos	name	category	time
50	Martin Terry	MV50	03:22:04
54	Neil Hardiman	MV40	03:25:45
56	Andrew Armstrong	MV40	03:26:44
74	Alan Dorrington	MV40	03:34:29
97	Nicholas Olszewski	MV50	03:47:35
127	Simon Stansfield	MV40	04:06:17
168	Vicky Heys	FV40	04:52:11
169	Barbara Savage	FV50	04:52:11
171	Angela Shian	F	04:53:47

Full Results

SUNDAY 5 FEBRUARY

BLACKBURN WINTER WARMER 10K

535 runners completed this year’s Winter Warmer 10K race organised by Blackburn Road Runners. As the first race in the 2017 Club Road Race championship the turnout was good with 26 club members lining up at the start with a particularly high turnout of lady runners.

Clayton ladies at the Blackburn Winter Warmer. L-R Sharon Wilson, Karen Clarkin, Lisa Ellis, Jane Rylands, Deborah Greenwood, Geraldine Varley and Anita Jones.

Danny Collinge was our first Clayton finisher in 3rd place overall with Jacob Watson joining him in the top 10 with an 8th place finish. Reece Lawrence was 2nd junior male.

Amanda Duffy at the Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K. Photo by David Belshaw

Amanda Duffy followed by James Dunderdale at the Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K. Photo by David Belshaw

Amanda Duffy was our first lady finisher in 126th place overall, Beth Quinn was 2nd junior female and Marion Wilkinson was 1st F75.

Training partners Cassie Smedley and Michelle Abbot crossing the finish line together at the Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K. Photo by David Belshaw

Race Report from Marion Wilkinson

Standing on the start line on a perfect winter morning after watching our wonderful juniors do their race, the same old questions come into my head. Why I am doing this and the reasons for it, are what drives me on. I can’t stop the advancing years but I can stop becoming unfit. That means I can continue to be involved with the juniors and understand and experience their feelings when they race.

We’re off! Only taken 20 steps and already Danny is leaving the track and on his way to a 3rd place finish. I can see a never ending line of runners heading out of the park and up Buncer Lane, this is the tough bit of the race where you have to focus.

Then it’s the part of the course that I love – DOWNHILL! I manage to pass a few runners thank goodness for my weight training classes as my legs feel strong. Andy’s voice on his loud hailer can be heard and I’m almost home. I know there are 4 Clayton ladies behind me and I intend to keep them there; after all it’s a club champs race and age does not diminish my competitive streak.

Team Positions

Ladies A Team – 2^nd place (A Duffy | C Smedley | M Abbott | C Vincent)

Ladies B Team – 7^th place (N Gill | L Scott | B Quinn | L Ellis)

Ladies C Team – 16^th place (J Hylands | D Greenwood | M Wilkinson | G Varley)

Mens A Team – 4^th place (D Collinge | J Watson | J Cleaver |R Lawrence)

Mens B Team – 13^th place (M Hughes | R Morrison | A Quinn | J Dunderdale)

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat/Pos	Time
3	Danny Collinge	M S	(003/128)	00:34:37
8	Jake Watson	M S	(007/128)	00:36:06
27	Jonathan Cleaver	M S	(017/128)	00:38:31
68	Reece Lawrence	M J	(002/004)	00:42:36
98	Mick Hughes	M40	(020/063)	00:44:29
111	Robert Morrison	M40	(023/063)	00:45:15
113	Andy Quinn	M45	(020/050)	00:45:24
126	Amanda Duffy	F35	(003/031)	00:46:08
127	James Dunderdale	M S	(051/128)	00:46:11
152	Cassandra Smedley	F35	(004/031)	00:47:41
153	Michelle Abbott	F35	(005/031)	00:47:41
154	David Moynihan	M50	(012/036)	00:47:44
167	Claire Vincent	F S	(006/046)	00:48:12
198	Nerina Gill	F45	(004/039)	00:50:08
236	Lucy Scott	F S	(008/046)	00:52:41
241	Ian Hargreaves	M50	(020/036)	00:52:54
256	Beth Quinn	F J	(002/004)	00:53:43
263	Lisa Ellis	F S	(010/046)	00:54:19
332	Jane Hylands	F45	(018/039)	00:57:36
361	Stuart Barker	M50	(032/036)	00:58:31
386	Deborah Greenwood	F45	(027/039)	00:59:25
438	Marion Wilkinson	F75+	(001/002)	01:04:10
447	Geraldine Varley	F55	(010/019)	01:04:08
451	Karen Clarkin	F40	(034/044)	01:04:43
482	Anita Jones	F60	(004/005)	01:07:37
496	Sharon Wilson	F40	(040/044)	01:09:07

Full Results

BLACKBURN WINTER WARMER JUNIOR 2K

218 runners lined up to take part in the Blackburn Winter Warmer 2K race. Dexta Thompson was 2nd overall and 1st M 11-13 with Robbie Smedley hot on his heels in 3rd.

Dexta Thompson and Robbie Smedley leading off at the Winter Warmer 2K race. Photo by David Belshaw

Helana White was our first girl finisher in 12th place overall, 3rd girl and 1st F8-10. Siblings Kady Thompson and Felix Thompson battled each other to the finish with Kady just pipping her little brother over the finish line.

Sibling rivalry between Felix and Kady Thompson at the finish of the Winter Warmer 2K. Photo by David Belshaw

Sibling rivalry between Felix and Kady Thompson at the finish of the Winter Warmer 2K. Jake Anford is hot on their heels. Photo by David Belshaw

It’s a great race for younger runners as the course is completely within the grounds of the park and athletics track.

Emily Johnson enjoying the Winter Warmer 2K race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat/Pos	Time
2	Dexta Thompson	M 11-13	(001/015)	00:07:30
3	Robbie Smedley	M 11-13	(002/015)	00:07:32
10	Lennon Jackson	M 11-13	(005/015)	00:07:57
11	Mattew Jackson	M 8-10	(003/047)	00:08:10
12	Helana White	F 8-10	(001/060)	00:08:13
23	Liberty Thompson	F 14-17	(002/004)	00:08:58
36	Jake Anforth	M 8-10	(013/047)	00:09:24
37	Kady Thompson	F 8-10	(007/060)	00:09:26
38	Felix Thompson	M 5-7	(003/040)	00:09:26
75	Charlie Plant	F 5-7	(002/029)	00:10:42
134	Ellisia Smedley	F 8-10	(044/060)	00:12:37
139	Emily Johnson	F 5-7	(011/029)	00:12:46

Full Results

LONG MYND VALLEYS

Wendy Dodds was our sole runner in this 18.5km fell race with 1370m of ascent organised by Mercia Fell Runners. She was 132^nd overall and 1^st W65. There were 199 finishers.

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat/Pos	Time
132	Wendy Dodds	W65	(001/002)	2:31:46

Full Results

MONTANE® TRAIL 26 – GRIZEDALE

There were168 finishers in the Grizedale trail marathon organised by Epic Events. The course is a figure of eight taking in a loop of Grizedale Forest before the second loop which takes runners over to Lake Windermere and back. Christopher Holdsworth was our sole runner and, not only did he win the race, he smashed the course record set by Marcus Scotney by 13 minutes.

Report from Chris Holdsworth

A 5.30am start, a sore foot that hadn’t eased with rest and a grim, drizzly, foggy morning was not how I’d hoped the day would begin when I booked on to Grizedale 26. Nevertheless, it certainly didn’t put a dampener on the day in the end!

Chris Holdsworth breaking the course record at the Grizedale Trail Marathon. Photo courtesy of Sport Sunday

The marathon began at 9.40am, shortly followed by the half marathon at 10am. The marathoners (and half marathoners) would complete a 1500ft loop to the west of Grizedale forest, which was mostly on undulating, very runnable tracks. At the half way point we made our way back to the visitors centre and headed out for another loop, making our way over to Windermere. This half was much trickier underfoot and included much sharper climbs – the one at mile 24 being a particularly “memorable” one…

I’d known about Marcus Scottney’s course record (3:10) beforehand, and knew on a good day I could break it, and possibly even dip under the sub 3 hour mark. I set off feeling quite sluggish, but soon eased into the race recording the first half in 1.20ish. Going out for the second loop strangely gave me a second wind and quite comfortably made it to the 22 mile mark feeling strong. The last couple of miles were a case of “mind over matter” and knew I was on for a good time and to break the 3 hour mark if I could just hold on. I ended up finishing in 2:57:34, recording 26.7 miles and 3,600ft climbed, breaking the record by 13 minutes.

The course was great and the atmosphere even better. If you like your hills, trails and long distances I definitely recommend giving Grizedale 26 a try!

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
1	Christopher Holdsworth	M	02:57:34.2

Full Results

SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY

Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round Recce

Its 4 weeks away! For those thinking about stepping up in distance and doing a longer fell run (Stan Bradshaw is 16km/ 10 miles and this year is on Saturday March 4th) and are unsure if this race is for them, come try it out and run the route with the Race Organiser.

From Barley Car park (look for the Red VW Transporter). Please bring running kit appropriate for the weather, if you have never been kit checked before under FRA rules, I am happy to advise if yours passes the standard. Whatever you eat/drink on a longer run may be worth considering as this will not be run at race pace – we were two and half hours last time, in the 2016 race the last placed person was about 2 hours 15 mins. Please bring map of the race and compass also – I will have a few spare maps to share out if need be. The race map is also available from Pete Bland Sports.

Remember the aim of a recce is to gain some familiarity with a race route so on the day you can keep your head down and run, rather than wonder which way to turn next!

Either email me at stanbradshawrace@yahoo.com or comment on the Facebook post I will put on to Team Clayton later this week to let me know you are coming.

I will be accepting race entry forms and cash/cheque. The entry form with route grid references (for the route) can be found here.

Parkrun roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 336 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
3	Jonathan PYE	18:42	SM25-29
26	Reece Adam LAWRENCE	22:07	JM15-17
32	Daniel PLANT	22:37	VM35-39
34	Gordon BARRETT	22:44	VM50-54
35	Sean CLARE	22:47	VM50-54
37	David MOYNIHAN	22:56	VM50-54
38	Michelle ABBOTT	22:59	VW35-39
39	Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY	23:01	VW35-39
70	Stephen AINSWORTH	24:32	VM60-64
74	Chris LAWRENCE	24:46	VM50-54
78	Nina KEWIN	24:57	VW35-39
81	Dawn TERRY	25:06	VW50-54
86	Wayne MCINTOSH	25:15	SM30-34
94	Heidi KEWIN	25:38	JW11-14	New PB!
95	Aaron LUNDIE	25:38	JM11-14
96	Andy QUINN	25:39	VM45-49
102	Annabel WILCOCK	25:50	JW15-17
104	John WILCOCK	25:53	VM50-54
116	Lisa JOHNSON	26:23	VW40-44
125	Donna SCOTT	26:53	VW50-54
138	Andrew WEBSTER	27:23	VM45-49
211	Robert HIRST	29:57	VM65-69
218	Christine Jennifer EGERTON	30:23	VW65-69
225	Stuart BARKER	30:36	VM50-54
226	Ron CHAPPELL	30:39	VM65-69
273	Christine LEATHLEY	33:28	VW65-69

Burnley junior parkrun – A total of 36 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
3	Nathan KEWIN	8:39	JM11-14
7	Heidi KEWIN	9:14	JW11-14
9	Bethany WHEATCROFT	9:45	JW11-14
10	Imogen FERGUSON	10:12	JW11-14

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 144 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
124	Robin PRICE	34:13	VM70-74

Pendle parkrun- A total of 86 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	David WALKER	19:13	VM35-39
5	John HARTLEY	22:02	VM60-64
23	David Ian SCOTT	26:40	VM70-74
36	Martin BRADY	29:38	VM50-54
45	Yvonne WICKHAM	30:52	VW50-54

Westerfolds parkrun – A total of 214 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
67	Paul Laurence WALSH	27:17	VM60-64	First Timer!

ByAdrienne Olszewska

What January blues?

No sign of the January blues here at Clayton-le-Moors Harriers! There’s been plenty of great results in cross country, fell racing and on the trails to well and truly blow away the cobwebs. We’ve had new members racing for the first time, returners racing for us again, not to mentions all the regulars and irregulars, out racing and reccying.

SATURDAY 14 JANUARY

ASHURST BEACON RACE

John Francis was our sole representative at this race finishing in 154^th place

Full Results

MID LANCS XC LEAGUE – TOWNELEY

It was a bumper turnout for Team Clayton with well over 70 members of all ages racing on the familiar ground of Towneley Park. It was another great race for the U11 boys and U15 girls who had some great individual placings and 1^st place teams. Our Vet 55 ladies are looking strong and there was a team win for them.

U11 Girls

Helana White was our first U11 girl and 7^th overall in the U11 Girls’ race.

Helana White in the U11 girls’ race. Photo by David Belshaw

Team position 9^th (H White | K Thompson | R Stevenson)

Pos	Name	Time
7	Helana White	8:01
41	Kady Thompson	9:09
62	Rachel Stevenson	9:58
66	Emily Nicholls	10:18
73	Ellisia Smedley	11:03

U11 Boys

With 3 boys in the top five finishers, it was another great performance from our U11 boys. Dexta finished in 1^st place with Robbie Smedley in 3^rd and Finley Stubbs in 5^th (4^th in team placings when non-counters removed)

Robbie Smedley in the U11 Boys’ race. Photo by David Belshaw

Team position 1^st ( D Thompson | R Smedley | F Stubbs)

Pos	Name	Time
1	Dexta Thompson	7:12
3	Robbie Smedley	7:25
5	Finley Stubbs	7:57
17	Matthew Jackson	7:57
24	Jenson Bentham	8:06
55	Jake Anforth	9:03

U13 Girls

Ella Dorrington was our first finisher in 28^th place.

Heidi Kewin in the U13 girls’ race. Photo by David Belshaw

Team position 8^th (E Dorrington | H Kewin | B WHeatcroft)

Pos	Name	Time
28	Ella Dorrington-Levy	11:20
47	Heidi Kewin	12:17
53	Bethany Wheatcroft	12:44
60	Bronia Olszewska	14:02

U13 Boys

Jackson McKay was our first finisher in 4^th place overall.

Team Position 5^th ( J McKay | L Jackson | W Nicholls)

Pos	Name	Time
4	Jackson McKay	10:35
28	Lennon Jackson	11:59
44	William Nicholls	13:07

U15 Girls

A third place finish for Briony Holt with some strong performances from her team mates keeping the U15 Girls’ Team in 1^st place.

Team Position 1^st (B Holt | M Stubbs | N Olszewska)

Pos	Name	Time
3	Briony Holt	11:17
12	Millie Stubbs	12:22
18	Natasha Olszewska	13:22
21	Liberty Thompson	13:51

U15 Boys

Nick Hennessey had a strong run and finished in 4^th place overall.

Team Position 5^th ( N Hennessey | S Grewal | A Stevenson)

Pos	Name	Time
4	Nick Hennessey	14:11
21	Stanley Grewal	15:28
24	Adam Stevenson	16:34

U17 Men

Simon Wilshaw was our first finisher in 16^th place closely followed by team mates Curtis Holt in 17^th and Reece Lawrence in 19^th.

Curtis Holt and Simon Wilshaw racing in the U17 men’s race. Photo by Nick Olszewski

Team Position 5^th (S Wilshaw | C Holt | R Lawrence)

Pos	Name	Time
16	Simon Wilshaw	21:54
17	Curtis Holt	21:58
19	Reece Lawrence	23:23

U20 Ladies

Bethany Quinn was our sole U20 lady and she finished in 4^th place.

Pos	Name	Time
4	Bethany Quinn	29:10

Ladies Race

Report from Ladies’ Captain Irene Roche

It must have been close to a record turnout for the ladies at Towneley Park Cross Country this weekend. With lots of regulars, some returners and a few new ladies.

First timers, Karen Clarkin, Geraldine Varley and Julia Taylor had positive comments at the finish. I think they said they will do another. Very well done girls.

Clayton Ladies out in force at the Mid Lancs XC in Towneley Park. Photo by Nick Olszewski

A special mention goes to Donna Airey who sacrificed her BFC season ticket for event. An excellent run from Donna too, so glad you joined us to help with team points.

Elizabeth Mullan chasing Donna Airey at the Mid Lancs XC. Photo by Nick Olszewski

The course itself offered some mud to tussle with but I have certainly seen it worse. With the temperature being quite mild also, I think we had the luck to have a good day to take part.

Many thanks to all who ran.

Team Positions:

‘A’ Team 9^th (D Airey | E Mullan | C Darling-Smedley)

‘B’ Team 14^th (M Abbott | I Roche | T DeCurtis)

Over 35 Team 5^th (D Airey | C Darling-Smedley | M Abbott)

Over 45 Team 4^th (I Roche | J Bennett | J Knightley)

Over 55 Team 1^st ( I Roche | J Knightley | J Taylor)

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
33	Donna Airey	L35	25:27
35	Elizabeth Mullan	L35	25:30
37	Cassandra Darling-Smedley	L35	25:33
43	Michelle Abbott	L35	26:20
44	Irene Roche	L55	26:20
56	Teresa de Curtis	L45	27:08
60	Joanne Bennett	L45	27:17
62	Jean Knightley	L55	27:32
77	Bethany Quinn	L20	29:10
83	Lucy Scott	L	29:45
86	Janine Pollard	L45	29:51
88	Helen Burnett	L45	30:02
97	Sarah Helliwell	L	30:54
101	Jane Hylands	L45	31:13
113	Adrienne Olszewska	L45	32:24
119	Deborah Greenwood	L45	32:55
123	Julia Taylor	L55	33:28
129	Judith Carey	L35	34:11
130	Geraldine Varley	L55	34:57
132	Karen Clarkin	L45	35:13
137	Susan Allen	L55	37:32
142	Christine Leathley	L65	39:39
144	Sharon Wilson	L35	40:21

Vet 70 Men

Richard Lawson was our only runner in the Vet 70 race.

Pos	Name	Time
3	Richard Lawson	31:57

Senior Men’s Race

Another great turn out for the Clayton men at this local fixture. Despite losing fast lad Danny Collinge during the race our men pushed on to earn a fourth place finish for the team. Jacob Watson was our first man in 39^th and 37:51.

Jacob Watson at the Mid Lancs XC, Photo by Nick Olszewski

Team Positions

Over 40 Team 6^th (P Coates | C Helliwell | A Holt | A Orr)

Over 50 team 6^th (J Wilcock | A Life | A Howarth)

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
39	Jacob Watson	M	37:51
44	Dave Motley	M	38:37
53	Peter Coates	V40	39:05
55	Chris Snell	M	39:07
59	Carl Helliwell	V40	39:14
69	Matthew Duckworth	M	39:46
95	Andrew Holt	V40	41:15
105	Andrew Orr	V40	41:40
114	Alex Cran	V40	42:03
143	Andrew Payne	M	43:38
147	John Wilcock	V50	44:00
156	Nick Roscoe	V40	44:23
164	Andy Quinn	V40	44:52
174	Mick Hughes	V40	45:26
183	Alan Life	V50	46:22
194	Andrew Howarth	V50	47:35
197	James Hickie	V50	47:35
200	Sean Clare	V50	47:43
203	Craig Nicholls	V40	48:02
206	Colin White	V40	48:43
209	Christopher Lawrence	V50	48:56
210	Gary Moore	V40	49:10
212	Carl Carey	V40	49:16
213	David Scott	V70	49:20
225	David Moynihan	V40	51:14
230	Geoff Smith	V40	52:03
232	Peter Browning	V50	52:16
251	Stuart Barker	V50	61:13

Full Results

PETZL NIGHTRUNNER – RIVINGTON

The snow passed over Rivington a couple of days before race day and left Rivington NightRunner with a lovely, clear night and a little bit of the white stuff on the moor for added grip. With a huge moon lighting the way, Saturday night saw an impressive turnout of crazy runners celebrating the last NightRunner of this series and amongst them two Clayton Ladies. Photos of the event were provided by Sport Sunday.

Report from Julia Rushton

The Petzl Rivington night runner was listed as a trail race; this gave the impression that we would be running on relatively tame footpaths. Wrong! I’ve done easier fell races.

We started the race with a steep mile and a half climb on a rocky cobbled path that was tough on the legs as well as the lungs. We continued on rocky paths that needed total concentration to avoid falls. Running in the dark with a couple of hundred people wearing head torches looked fantastic over the hills and against the rising moon. The downward route took in a boggy field, a marshal warned us to watch out for the big hole before the bridge. I didn’t see the bridge until I’d fallen thigh deep into the hole, a cheery chorus of “she’s found the hole” went up around me as I was pulled out.

Nerina Gill and Julia Rushton crossing the line at the Petzl Rivington Night Runner. Photo courtesy of SportSunday

Back on the rocky paths to the finish Neri and I had decided to be sensible and came down at what John Roche would describe as tea and biscuits pace. 1300 feet of climb over 6miles on rough ground, back on tarmac and I tripped over a speed hump on the finish straight. Lovely tee shirt though and I will be tempted to be back again next year.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
249	Nerina Gill	FV40	01:28:46.15
250	Julia Rushton	FV50	01:28:58.05

Full Results

SUNDAY 15 JANUARY

EAST LANCS HOSPICE 10K

Sixteen club members tramped the trails around Great Harwood and Rishton in this popular, fund raiser for the East Lancs Hospice. Danny Collinge won the race with Jon Cleaver taking 1^st M35, John Hartley 1^st M60 and Reece Lawrence 1^st MU18.

Team Clayton at the East Lancs Hospice.
Back Row – Mick Hughes, Ian Hargreaves, Michelle Abbott, Donna Airey, Colin White. Front Row Reece Lawrence and Danny Collinge

The men also took 1^st place in the team results with Danny Collinge, Jon Cleaver and John Hartley making up the team.

Five Clayton Ladies took part. Helen O’Rourke was our first finisher in 71st place.

Report from Jon Cleaver

Great turn out with over 400 runners on a wet and windy morning! This race is predominantly traffic free along the bridleways & canal with a bit of tarmac along the way. It was never going to be a PB course with the conditions underfoot being more like an XC rather than road, but after a racing layoff due to injury after the Ribble Valley I wanted to give it a good go.

John Cleaver heading to the finish at the East Lancs Hospice 10K. Photo by David Belshaw

On the way out it was really boggy and full of puddles, but once your feet are soaked it doesn’t really matter anymore, about 2.5 miles in you have a slog up hill and around the recreation area before a fast descent back down and along the canal bank towards the finish. I had a couple of runners breathing down my neck for the last 2 miles and quite frustratingly got jumped 50 yards from the end which stopped me getting in the top 10.

Overall I ran a minute faster than last year and came 11th, considering the injury I have been carrying and lack of training in recent weeks I am pretty pleased with that. Well done Danny for taking the win!

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat Pos	Time
1	Danny Collinge	MU23	1	00:34:31
11	Jon Cleaver	M35	1	00:37:58
27	John Hartley	M60	1	00:41:03
36	Reece Lawrence	MU18	1	00:42:41
71	Helen O’Rourke	F	5	00:45:48
75	Robert Morrison	M40	11	00:45:51
86	Paul Wale	M45	17	00:47:01
87	Mick Hughes	M40	15	00:46:55
100	Donna Airey	W35	3	00:47:48
101	Colin White	M40	17	00:47:52
104	Christopher Lawrence	M50	9	00:48:13
120	Nina Kewin	W35	4	00:49:32
130	David Moynihan	M50	14	00:50:14
136	Ian Hargreaves	M50	15	00:51:04
251	Helen Harrison	W45	17	00:58:07
273	Clare Wilson	W35	13	00:59:34

Full Results

EAST LANCS HOSPICE JUNIOR RACE

A dozen junior runners lined up in a field of 44 to race at Great Harwood. Dexta won the race in 7:35 and there were age category wins for Lennon Jackson (MU16), Helana White (FU12), Amelia Halstead (FU10) and Charlie Plant (FU8). The girls took 2^nd place in the teams with the boys taking 1^st and 3^rd place in the teams.

Olly Plant. One of our youngest runners at the East Lancs 2K race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat Pos	Time
1	Dexta Thompson	MU12	1	07:35.0
5	Lennon Jackson	MU16	1	08:00.0
6	Matthew Jackson	MU12	2	08:11.0
7	Jenson Bentham	MU12	3	08:25.0
10	Aaron Lundie	MU16	2	08:31.0
11	Helana White	FU12	1	08:31.0
16	Liberty Thompson	FU16	5	09:16.0
18	Amelia Halstead	FU10	1	09:27.0
23	Claudia Bentham	FU16	6	09:39.0
24	Felix Thompson	MU8	2	10:34.0
25	Charlie Plant	FU8	1	10:53.0
34	Olly Plant	MU8	4	13:07.0

Full Results

LAMB’S LONGER LEG

Race Report from Andrew Firth

It’s a bit of a funny name, and I’m not sure why the Longer Leg, but since the race is based at the Lamb Inn, on the Chinley Road just out of Hayfield in the Peak District clearly that’s where the name comes from. It’s surprisingly quick to get to Hayfield from East Lancs, just under the hour on a Sunday morning when the notorious traffic through Mottram is quiet. It’s only a short race, just over 3 miles, but worth the effort with two climbs and two slippery descents, which in today’s weather was exceptionally wet and difficult underfoot.

It’s a low key race, doesn’t appear in FRA calendar and is also strictly pre entry so it’s tends to attract low numbers. If anyone fancies doing it in future years the entry details appear on Hayfield races website. The organiser only made an appearance at 10 o’clock, cutting it a bit fine for a 10.30 start. However the 70 or so runners lined up at the start only a few minutes late, most wearing waterproof tops.

I had a bit of a watch malfunction at the start, and by the time I sorted it out I was dead last as we trudged up the track. I buckled down to the task and slowly gained a few places, dodging really boggy patches as well as a surprising amount of remaining snowdrifts. At the top of the track you turn onto the track that eventually leads to Rushup Edge for a short period followed by a sharp left and quick slippery descent losing all the height we had gained. Traverse around the bottom of Dimpus Clough before a steep haul up to South Head, then the route virtually retraces the outward leg, except we go right to finish in the field next to the pub.

I was happy with performance having been last at the start. The only other Claytoner was Ivan Whigham who finished 32^nd.After the race myself Dinah, Ivan and Kirsty retired to the pub for a well-earned Sunday roast – both myself and Ivan felt compelled to have the lamb, but I’m not sure who got the long leg!

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
32	Ivan Whigham	M55	38:40
50	Andrew Firth	M55	42:28

Full Results

SOREEN STANBURY SPLASH

Seven Clayton Harriers splashed their way around this popular Woodentops’ fell race. Dave Bagot was our first finisher in 15^th place, followed only seconds later by Louisa Powell-Smith who won the ladies race and was 16^th overall.

Louisa Powell-Smith, winner of the ladies race at the Stanbury Splash. Photo by Woodentops

It was also the first race for Wayne McIntosh since he returned to the club so a big welcome back to him.

The Mac is back! Welcome back Wayne McIntosh. Photo by Woodentops

Report from James Boult

From Penistone Hill Country Park, the start of many of Woodentops’ well-established fell races, began the 34^th Soreen Stanbury Splash fell race in typical January conditions. With a quarry already made boggy by a Junior Race beforehand, a couple of hundred fell runners assembled for the usual pre-run briefing from Dave Woodhead. Rain and wind, two weather conditions that seem to permanently occupy the surrounding areas over Penistone Hill, came in force making an already boggy course saturated in mud.

With many of the Clayton contingent racing the East Lancs Hospice 10K over in Great Harwood, I elected for a trip over the boarder to kick start my racing schedule for 2017. After enduring a torrid winter plagued by injury, the Woodentops’ races have helped get my motivation back after a frustrating few months of inconsistency. From a 2016 which saw forty minutes knocked off my half marathon times to end up at 1:33, ten minutes knocked off my 10K time to go down to 41 minutes and five minutes knocked off my 5K time to see an 18 minute personal best, the only discipline I was yet to see improvement in was fell; and the last two Woodentops’ races have helped me get confidence on an area which had been my downfall.

James Boult at the start of the Stanbury Splash. Photo by Woodentops

Starting from the quarry the course heads off along a steady and muddy towpath to one of the courses many descents and climbs. Heading along the footpath towards Bronte Bridge the course heads down right through a soft and muddy descent which ends at the Sladen Beck, an ice cold river which is crossed before a hands and knees job on the other side. Hitting the bridleway you head on up to what becomes the Pennine Way. This gradual climb ends in another sharp descent into Ponden Beck, another water crossing with another even steeper climb at the end of it. Ascending gradually and with burning quads, the lead runners could be spotted through the rain and mist as they flew across the tops back towards the Quarry. The route then heads on what would be a scenic loop around Ponden Clough and Kirk had it not been for a thick mist which limited visibility.

The footpath around the Clough is sharp and small, and with rain and mud it made it quite treacherous. What was visible through the fog was the daunting drop that one wrong movement could see you falling straight down into the unknown. The course then heads back to the quarry across a fast, muddy footpath before re-joining the Pennine Way and taking the course in reverse.

This muddy, wet course is the perfect start to a 2017 fell running season and is one which comes highly recommended for next year. A clearly popular race, the Stanbury Splash is a must for seasoned fell runners and a must for fell runners just starting out or wanting to boost confidence. Tough climbs, fun descents and plenty of mud, it is the perfect fell race for a cold January morning.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
15	Dave Bagot	M	52:32
16	Louisa Powell-Smith	L	52:40
96	Alan Life	V50	61:51
140	Jeffrey Pickup	V60	65:42
183	Chris Whiteoak	M	70:14
186	James Boult	M	70:39
267	Wayne McIntosh	M	81:01

SOREEN STANBURY JUNIORS

Christopher Brown was our sole junior runner in the junior races and he finished in 13^th place. There were 104 runners in the main junior race so well done Christopher!

Pos	Name	Time
13	Christopher Brown	7:49

STAN BRADSHAW PENDLE ROUND RECCE DAYS

As reported in last week’s roundup, Colin Woolford who is the race organiser of the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round is organising some recce days for club members and friends of the club. The first one was on Sunday so read on to find out what it entailed. If you are interested in the next recce it will take place on Sunday 12 February at 10:00am. Meet on Barley Car Park ( look for the Red VW Transporter) and bring running kit appropriate for the weather.

Recce Day Review by Ladies Fell Captain, Sarah Helliwell

After not running properly for over 6 weeks I decided that I needed a goal to get me back on track and miles back into my legs. I decided that the Stan Bradshaw would be the first aim of the year, so I decided to take up Colin’s kind offer of a recce. It was raining, the mist was down, you couldn’t see Pendle, however that didn’t stop 15 of us turning up at Barley. As we set off a number of us knew that the XC fixture the day before was going to make the run a little bit tougher for our legs.

Sarah Helliwell at the XC

The weather around the trig was blustery, very wet and visibility was poor. Perfect to practice the route in. As we made our way around the route, Colin pointed out bits of advice on how and where not to go wrong. He also gave us advice on how to use our map efficiently and what to do if we end up on our own and are unsure of where to go. If members are wanting a spring challenge of a slightly longer fell race in our local area then this is the one. It will certainly get you going for the summer fell season, where there are plenty of local races to take advantage of. You may even find yourself as a contender for the club championship, which are all local races this year using some classic courses.

Getting to grips with tricky conditons

Colin is doing another recce on the 12th February so look out for details on the Team Clayton Facebook page. Even if you are not planning on doing the Stan Bradshaw it is great experience with solid advice from a qualified mountain leader and fellow fell runner. A massive thank you to Colin for giving up his time and well done to all who ran; there was an excellent turn out on the female front. The encouragement to get people out on the fells this year is really apparent, with a good 20 plus regularly turning up at Barley Badgers on a Tuesday (6.30pm Pendle Inn, Barley).

Happy runners after an excellent recce of the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round.

PARKRUN ROUNDUP

Burnley parkrun – A total of 305 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
2	Jonathan PYE	18:31	SM25-29
10	Gareth BERRY	20:59	VM40-44
35	Daniel PLANT	23:09	SM30-34
45	Michelle ABBOTT	23:48	VW35-39
50	Robert MORRISON	24:05	VM40-44
52	Colin WHITE	24:09	VM40-44
64	Nina KEWIN	24:28	VW35-39
75	Julie DAWES	25:09	VW45-49
81	Wayne MCINTOSH	25:26	SM30-34
96	Lisa JOHNSON	26:08	VW40-44
98	Ian HARGREAVES	26:10	VM50-54
109	Annabel WILCOCK	26:39	JW15-17
110	John WILCOCK	26:43	VM50-54
123	Donna SCOTT	27:00	VW50-54

Burnley Junior parkrun – A total of 31 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	Nathan KEWIN	8:29	JM11-14
3	Heidi KEWIN	9:15	JW11-14
4	Bethany WHEATCROFT	9:23	JW11-14
21	Emily JOHNSON	13:19	JW10

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 167 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
39	Wendy DODDS	24:35	VW65-69

Highbury Fields parkrun – A total of 283 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
244	Eileen JONES	29:51	VW60-64	First Timer!

Lytham Hall parkrun – A total of 210 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
185	Philip NAYLOR	34:57	VM35-39

Pendle parkrun – A total of 75 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
3	Paul HESKETH	21:33	VM50-54
17	Martin BRADY	25:21	VM50-54
26	Barry MITCHELL	26:12	VM70-74
31	Dawn TERRY	27:33	VW50-54

Witton parkrun – A total of 75 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
73	Julia RUSHTON	48:13	VW50-54

ByAdrienne Olszewska

2017 gets off to a champion start

What a great start to 2017! One thing is for sure; Clayton-le-Moors Harriers don’t wait to kick start the new year. With parkrun doubles and classic fell races on New Year’s Day you were out and about as you mean to go on. And then, on the first proper weekend, a superb showing at the Lancashire Cross Country Championships with medals and champions galore.

SUNDAY JANUARY 1

NINE STANDARDS FELL RACE

150 runners shook off the excesses of Christman and New Year to line up for the Nine Standards Fell Race over an 8 mile course with 1801ft of climb.

Wendy Dodds at the Nine Standards Fell Race. Photo by Andy Jackson

Wendy Dodds was our sole representative in this race and she finished in 109^th place as 1^st V60 lady.

Pos	Name	Category	Time
109	Wendy Dodds	FV60	01:21:19

Full Results

WHITWORTH NEW YEAR’S DAY AWAKENER 5K

A quartet of Clayton men took part in the popular Whitworth NYD Awakener 5K. Stephen Green was our first finisher in 37th place followed by David McMullan in 38th. Robert Hirst was 85th and Ron Chappell was 89th. There were 98 runners.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
37	Stephen Green	M60	(002/005)	00:24:44
38	David McMullan	M45	(008/014)	00:24:48
85	Robert Hirst	M65	(004/005)	00:33:11
89	Ron Chappell	M65	(005/005)	00:34:25

Full Results

SATURDAY 7 JANUARY

LANCASHIRE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

U11 Boys

55 runners took part in the U11 boys event with Dexta Thompson running strongly to take the win. Robbie Smedley battled hard to earn a bronze medal and third place. Finley Stubbs in 9^th place and Matthew Jackson in 16^th ensured a first place finish for the team. The U11 squad was completed by Jenson Bentham and Joshua McKay

U11 Champion, Dexta Thompson. Photo by David Wood

Team Position – 1^st (D Thompson | R Smedley | F Stubbs | M Jackson)

Pos	Name	Time
1	Dexta Thompson	6:21
3	Robbie Smedley	6:37
9	Finley Stubbs	6:52
16	Matthew Jackson	7:08
22	Jenson Bentham	7:18
43	Joshua McKay	7:54

U11 Girls

Helana White was our first U11 girl in 8^th place in a field of 55 runners. The team finished in 7^th place overall.

Helana White running well in the U11 race. Photo by David Wood

Team Position – 7^th ( H White | K Thompson | R Stevenson | E Smedley)

Pos	Name	Time
8	Helana White	7:12
26	Kady Thompson	8:05
49	Rachel Stevenson	9:07
51	Ellisia Smedley	9:27

U13 Boys

Jackson McKay had a great fun and finished 3^rd overall earning a bronze medal for himself. Lennon Jackson was 27^th. Sadly not enough U13 boys for a team at this event.

Pos	Name	Time
3	Jackson McKay	11:27
27	Lennon Jackson	13:34

U13 Girls

Ella Dorrington was the first Clayton girl in 12^th place.

Bethany Wheatcroft in the U13 race. Photo by David Wood

Team Position – 6^th (E Dorrington | K Stevenson | B Wheatcroft | B Olszewska)

Pos	Name	Time
12	Ella Dorrington	13:32
48	Keira Stevenson	16:11
51	Bethany Wheatcroft	16:33
54	Bronia Olszewska	17:42

U15 Boys

Our U15 boys ran well in a small but very competitive field. Nicholas Hennessey was our first finisher in 13^th place.

U15 Boys in action. L-R Stanley Grewal, Aaron Lundi and Adam Stevenson. Photo by David Wood

Team Position – 4^th (N Hennessey | S Grewal |A Stevenson | A Lundie)

Pos	Name	Time
13	Nicholas Hennessey	13:59
22	Stanley Grewal	14:48
29	Adam Stevenson	16:23
33	Aaron Lundie	19:19

U15 Girls

Our U15 girls put in a strong performance in a very competitive group with a 3^rd place finish and bronze medal for Briony Holt. Some great running from her team mates secured a bronze medal for the team as well.

A rather packed podium. Bronze medal winning U15 Girls Briony Holt, Mille Stubbs, Natasha Olszewska and Liberty Thompson

Team Position – 3^rd ( B Holt | M Stubbs | N Olszewska | L Thompson)

Pos	Name	Time
3	Briony Holt	15:00
14	Millie Stubbs	16:22
23	Natasha Olszewska	17:49
30	Liberty Thompson	19:28

U17 Men

Curtis Holt was our first finisher in this group which was very fast and competitive.

U17 Men. L-R Reece Lawrence, Simon Wilshaw and Curtis Holt. Photo by Andrew Holt

Team Position – 5^th ( C Holt | S Wilshaw | R Lawrence)

Pos	Name	Time
20	Curtis Holt	21:49
21	Simon Wilshaw	22:27
22	Reece Lawrence	23:04

U20 Men

Pos	Name	Time
13	George Pier	45:52

Ladies Race

What a champion bunch of ladies we have!

Clayton Ladies racing in the mist at the Lancashire XC Championship. Irene Roche leads with Teresa de Curtis not far behind. Photo by Steve Bateson

Eleven ladies turned up to race and left with a haul of medals to be proud of. We can boast the Lancashire ladies champion, the champion lady vets team and lots of age category medals as well.

Lancashire Cross Country Champion, Louisa Powell-Smith in action. Photo by David Wood

A really great race for Louisa Powell-Smith who took the race win and the 1^st L35 win as well the gold medal for the ladies vets team (on her birthday too!).

Lancashire Lady Vet Champions! L-R Cassie Smedley, Louisa Powell-Smith and Donna Airey.

Julia Rushton was 3^rd L50. Irene Roche was 1^st L55 and Susan Allen was 2^nd L55. Christine Leathley was 2^nd L65.

Lady V55 Champions. Irene Roche (gold), Sue Allen (Bronze)

Team Position – 5^th (L Powell-Smith | L Hesketh | D Airey)

Vets Team – 1^st ( L Powell-Smith | D Airey | C Smedley)

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
1	Louisa Powell-Smith	L35	24:25
14	Laura Hesketh	L	27:02
37	Donna Airey	L35	31:54
40	Cassandra Smedley	L35	32:38
44	Irene Roche	L55	33:44
45	Teresa de Curtis	L45	34:00
48	Angela Shian	L35	34:49
49	Julia Rushton	L50	35:36
64	Judith Carey	L35	44:13
66	Susan Allen	L55	46:14
68	Christine Leathley	L65	51:20

Mens Race

Danny Collinge was the first Clayton man in 14^th place overall. The team finished in 7^th place. Success was in the air for our vet men with a silver for the team. Mark Aspinall got a Gold medal for the V55 and James Hickie joined him on the podium with a bronze medal. Stephen Breckell got a silver medal for the V65 category and David Scott was 1^st V70.

Danny Collinge at the Lancashire Cross Country Championship Photo by David Wood

Vets Team – 2^nd ( M Aspinall | R Stevenson | P Coates | A Orr)

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
14	Danny Collinge	M	34:00
50	Mark Aspinall	V55	38:15
58	Richard Stevenson	V40	39:10
60	Peter Coates	V40	39:20
65	Matthew Duckworth	M	39:50
85	Andrew Orr	V45	42:32
90	Alan Life	V50	43:18
97	John Wilcock	V50	44:07
124	James Hickie	V55	48:40
130	Christopher Lawrence	V50	49:29
131	Stephen Breckell	V65	50:03
133	David Scott	V70	50:48
137	Carl Carey	V45	54:49

Full Results

SUNDAY 8 JANUARY

CENTRAL LANCS HALF MARATHON

Dan Plant and Colin White took part in the Central Lancs New Year Half Marathon. Dan was our first finisher in 74th place overall and a time of 01:31:45. Colin White kick started his 2017 race diary with a brand spanking new PB of 1:38:56.6.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
74	Daniel Plant	M	1:31:45.0
121	Colin White	MV40	1:38:56.6

Full Results

FASTRAX JUNIOR 2K

We had a great turnout of juniors despite the Lancashire Cross Country Championships the day before. It was also a great opportunity for some of our youngest members to race.

Start of the Junior 2K Fastrax race. Photo by David Belshaw

Lennon Jackson was 2^nd overall and first boy in this 2K junior race. Helana White was our first girl and second girl overall.

Matthew Jackson with Helana White chasing at the Junior Fastrax race. Photo by David Belshaw

A very successful event for our juniors who took first place in every age group we entered!

Emily Nichols with flying feet at the Junior Fastrax race. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
2	Lennon Jackson	M13	(001/001)	00:08:00
3	Matthew Jackson	M10	(001/001)	00:08:29
4	Helana White	F10	(001/001)	00:08:35
8	Bethany Wheatcroft	F13	(001/001)	00:09:38
10	Charlie Plant	F7	(001/003)	00:11:12
11	Emily Nichols	F8	(001/001)	00:11:21
14	Olly Plant	M6	(001/001)	00:13:35

Full Results

FASTRAX 5K RACE

A baker’s dozen of Clayton Harriers took part in this super-fast 5K race. The top spot went to young runner, Max Wharton of Liverpool Harriers with Danny Collinge chasing him for second place and 1^st senior male. Michelle Abbot was our first lady finisher and also 1^st L35. Julia Rushton was 1^st L50

Fastrax 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
2	Danny Collinge	M	(001/010)	00:16:03
10	Jonathan Pye	M	(003/010)	00:17:54
13	Jordan Mcdonald	MJ	(005/008)	00:18:09
16	Paul Hesketh	M50	(002/008)	00:18:28
19	Nicholas Hennessey	MJ	(006/008)	00:18:42
23	George Pier	MJ	(007/008)	00:19:22
26	Reece Lawrence	MJ	(008/008)	00:19:45
32	Sean Clare	M50	(005/008)	00:21:28
35	Richard Briscoe	M	(010/010)	00:22:12
36	Chris Lawrence	M50	(007/008)	00:22:13
38	Michelle Abbott	F35	(001/001)	00:22:38
40	Julia Rushton	F50	(001/001)	00:23:40
42	Martin Griffin	M55	(002/002)	00:24:08

Full Results

GARSTANG 10K

Report from John Hartley

On a misty, but very mild, Sunday morning I set off over to Garstang to do their annual 10K road race. This being quite a tough and undulating course, I was chuffed at the finish when I saw the results and I had won the V60 category. Two other Clayton runners took part; Stephen Biscomb and Martin Brady. There were 480 finishers

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat/Pos	Time
40	John Hartley	M60	(001/012)	00:39:53
87	Stephen Biscomb	M60	(003/012)	00:42:45
159	Martin Brady	M50	(019/043)	00:47:34

Full Results

SCOUT SCAR FELL RACE

The Scout Scar fell race marks the start of the Kendal Winter League race series organised by Helm Hill. It is a classic 5 mile blend of fast hilly cross-country on rough limestone tracks with stupendous views (weather permitting of course).

Report from Stephen Fish

SCOUT SCAR – 4.5 miles/800’ – 08/01/17

Three Clayton runners, Wendy Dodds, Katy Thompson and myself, made the trip up to Cumbria to compete in the ever popular Kendal Winter League, Scout Scar race. This is held in a beautiful area of carboniferous limestone, just outside Kendal and was the first event in the excellent series of races hosted by Helm Hill Runners. The weather was mild (for a change) and quite misty, although navigation wasn’t a problem with approximately 150+ runners competing and a well-marked course.

Stephen Fish at the Scout Scar Fell Race. Photo by Andy Holden

Stephen Fish at the Scout Scar Fell Race. He says this is his pain face – looks like he’s having a great time to me! Photo by Andy Holden

Once the multitude of juniors had finished their races, we finally got under way. Wendy quickly disappeared into the distance, as I got into my rhythm to try and keep Katy in sight. Around the half distance mark, on a long gradual descent, Katy came past me again and gained quite a bit of distance, at which point I gave up any chance of staying with her. With around 1 mile to the finish there is a gradual climb and I was surprised to catch and pass Katy and had to work really hard to keep it that way into the finish funnel. I never saw sight of Wendy anywhere around the route, she had a flyer!

I can thoroughly recommend this popular series of races, especially the Barbondale race on February 12th.

Clayton Results:

Wendy Dodds – FV60 – Well in front of me!

Stephen Fish – MV60 – 45.29

Katy Thompson – FV60 – Approximately 20 seconds behind myself.

New Year’s Day parkrun

Congratulations to Alan Life, Martin Brady, Chris Lawrence and Christine Egerton on completing the New Year double parkrun at Skipton and Pendle!

Burnley parkrun – A total of 128 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
3	Matthew DUCKWORTH	18:45	SM25-29
4	Nicholas HENNESSEY	18:56	JM15-17	New PB!
11	James BOULT	20:37	SM20-24
13	Gareth BERRY	20:39	VM40-44
15	Stephen AINSWORTH	21:07	VM60-64
19	Robbie SMEDLEY	22:17	JM11-14
25	Lennon JACKSON	22:55	JM11-14
26	Helana WHITE	22:58	JW10
27	Aaron LUNDIE	22:59	JM11-14
31	Colin WHITE	23:18	VM40-44
33	Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY	23:30	VW35-39
36	Michelle ABBOTT	23:51	VW35-39
37	Nina KEWIN	23:58	VW35-39
38	Alan CLARKSON	24:03	VM55-59
42	Ian HARGREAVES	24:20	VM50-54
48	Matthew JACKSON	24:59	JM10
58	Bethany WHEATCROFT	25:58	JW11-14
74	Paul WALE	28:08	VM45-49
83	Stuart BARKER	29:17	VM50-54
87	Helen HARRISON	29:55	VW45-49
98	Adrienne OLSZEWSKA	31:31	VW45-49
107	Ellisia SMEDLEY	33:31	JW10	New PB!
108	Anita JONES	33:32	VW60-64

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 172 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
167	Robin PRICE	37:18	VM70-74

Pendle parkrun – A total of 138 runners took part

os	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
12	John HARTLEY	21:51	VM60-64
19	Reece Adam LAWRENCE	22:41	JM15-17
22	Alan LIFE	23:09	VM50-54	New PB!
46	Chris LAWRENCE	25:06	VM50-54	New PB!
50	Martin BRADY	25:21	VM50-54
61	David Ian SCOTT	26:16	VM70-74
67	Dawn TERRY	27:01	VW50-54
120	Christine LEATHLEY	36:56	VW65-69
132	Christine Jennifer EGERTON	41:22	VW65-69

Skipton parkrun – A total of 175 runners took part

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
48	Alan LIFE	23:28	VM50-54
53	Martin BRADY	23:45	VM50-54	New PB!
55	Chris LAWRENCE	23:49	VM50-54	New PB!
93	Carol LIFE	26:29	VW50-54	New PB!
146	Christine Jennifer EGERTON	31:30	VW65-69	First Timer!

Parkrun roundup Saturday 7 January

Burnley parkrun – A total of 308 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
3	Chris SNELL	18:47	VM35-39
7	Dave MOTLEY	19:45	VM35-39
15	Nick ROSCOE	20:53	VM45-49
43	Michelle ABBOTT	23:13	VW35-39
44	Martin BRADY	23:14	VM50-54
53	Robert MORRISON	23:30	VM40-44
58	Daniel PLANT	23:53	SM30-34
64	Colin WHITE	24:08	VM40-44
65	Ian HARGREAVES	24:08	VM50-54
67	Nina KEWIN	24:15	VW35-39
80	Andy QUINN	24:46	VM45-49
86	Julie DAWES	24:57	VW45-49
98	Donna SCOTT	25:40	VW50-54
101	Andrew TAYLOR	25:51	VM55-59
103	Lisa ELLIS	26:02	SW30-34	New PB!
104	Annabel WILCOCK	26:13	JW15-17
146	Carl CAREY	28:02	VM45-49
151	Stuart BARKER	28:15	VM50-54
181	Robert HIRST	29:44	VM65-69
185	Helen HARRISON	29:52	VW45-49

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 145 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
134	Robin PRICE	37:13	VM70-74

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 181 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
42	Wendy DODDS	24:52	VW65-69
57	Nerina GILL	26:16	VW45-49	First Timer!
101	Eileen JONES	30:08	VW60-64

Pendle parkrun – A total of 72 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
4	John HARTLEY	21:35	VM60-64
27	Barry MITCHELL	26:29	VM70-74

Penrith parkrun – A total of 196 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
5	Jonathan PYE	19:25	SM25-29

Puarenga parkrun – A total of 75 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
11	Roger James BREWSTER	21:45	VM60-64	First Timer!

Skipton parkrun – A total of 230 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
112	Yvonne WICKHAM	27:55	VW50-54

UPCOMING CLUB EVENT

Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round Recce Sunday 15th January

For those thinking about stepping up in distance and doing a longer fell run (Stan Bradshaw is 16km/ 10 miles and this year is on Saturday March 4th) and are unsure if this race is for them, come try it out and run the route with the Race Organiser!

From Barley Car park (look for the Red VW Transporter). Please bring running kit appropriate for the weather, if you have never been kit checked before under FRA rules, I am happy to advise if yours passes the standard. Whatever you eat/drink on a longer run may be worth considering as this will not be run at race pace (it will be a gentle trot out!) and I believe we will be on the hill for two hours. Please bring map of the race and compass also – I will have a few spare maps to share out if need be. The race map is also available from Pete Bland Sports.

Remember the aim of a recce is to gain some familiarity with a race route so on the day you can keep your head down and run, rather than wonder which way to turn next!

Meeting time. My original plan was to run in the morning, however, I have been asked by several members if we can run this in the afternoon as there are other races/events happening that Sunday morning. I am happy to do this so will start at a time the majority of you want to run at. Either 10.00 am or 1.30 pm.

Either email me at stanbradshawrace@yahoo.com and state the time (10 or 1.30), call me or better still, comment on the Facebook post I will put on to Team Clayton later this week. The time will be confirmed on Friday.

I will be accepting race entry forms and cash/cheque on this recce and the one on February 12th. The entry form with route grid references (for the route) can be found here http://www.claytonlemoors.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Stan-Bradshaw-Entry-Form-2017.pdf

Clayton members only please for the recces

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Baby it’s cold outside

Winter has come and it’s been a bit parky over the weekend. There were near Arctic conditions on Pendle for the Tour, and it was a bit nippy for runners at the Chorley 10k. Didn’t slow us down though. We’ve had race wins from Jacob Watson and Danny Collinge at 10K distance, age category wins for our vet men and ladies, and team wins at Pendle. Throw in a sack of PBs and it’s all looking rather hot.

WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER

Manchester Run in the Dark 10k

Congratulations to Jacob Watson who won this night time 10k in a time of 35:12. The route follows a course around Salford Quays and BBC Media City.

Report from Jacob Watson

I missed out on this event last year due to injury and, as it’s one which my work colleagues do yearly (raising money for the Bolton Bulls wheelchair basketball team). I was looking forward to finally taking part this year! The race is a 2 lap event, with runners able to choose whether they would like to run 5k or the full distance. The race organisers had clearly put a lot of effort into the event as the atmosphere at Media City was fantastic.

Jacob Watson at the Manchester Run in the Dark 10k

Jacob Watson ( 3rd from left on the front row) at the Manchester Run in the Dark 10k

The route takes part at night and is flat as a pancake, although it does feature a lot of switchback loops which nearly had the better of me! On the first lap I managed to fall while trying to turn back as quick as possible, however I managed to right myself in no time, after telling the marshal I was still fine to run. On the second lap the lead cyclist had left me and given me a few pointers on how to navigate the second lap. I wasn’t paying much attention on the first lap as I was just concentrating on following him round! Unfortunately I got a bit lost half way round the second lap on another switchback, but was shouted back by some of the lapped runners who kindly pointed me in the right direction! Only I could go the wrong way at a road race!

Great event and myself and all my work colleagues managed to grab personal bests. Same again next year then!

Full Results

SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER

Conwy Half Marathon

Ian Hargreaves was our sole runner in this half marathon which starts on Conwy quayside next to the river Conwy and in front of the 700 year old castle. From here it proceeds along the road to Deganwy and on to the West Shore in the Victorian town of Llandudno then along Church Walks and past the pier. A tough bit follows as runner go around the Great Orme which is undulating with a couple of steep sections before a 2 mile downhill section returning to the West shore and retracing the route to the finish on Conwy quayside.

Ian finished in 1036^th place with a chip time of 01:56:34 and bagged a new PB for the distance as well. There were 2408 finishers.

Ian Hargreaves at the Conwy Half Marathon

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
1036	Ian Hargreaves	M 50-54	01:56:34

Full Results

Kendal Mountain Festival – Trail 10K

Wendy Dodds was our sole runner in this 10K trail race around Kendal and part of the weekend mountain festival in the town. She was 62^nd lady and 1^st LV60.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
62	Wendy Dodds	W60	01:01:28

Full Results

Tour of Pendle

The Tour of Pendle is a late season, category AL fell race over and around Pendle Hill and its adjoining moors. It is 16.8 miles with 4833ft of ascent. With the race taking place in November the weather is unpredictable and no two years are ever quite the same. This year despite harsh conditions and plenty of snow, hail, wind and rain there was no move to the bad weather course like last year.

Tour of Pendle CP9 or is it Base Camp Pendle? Photo by Jamie McIlvenny

23 Clayton Harriers finished the race with Peter Coates being the first Clayton man and Sarah Helliwell the first Clayton lady. There were lots of club members dotted around the course either marshalling or simply spectating.

A Day in the Snow – Report from Dave Motley

I woke up Saturday morning hoping for bad weather on Pendle, as knowing the hill really well I figured navigationally it could give me an advantage over some of the competitors, and when I arrived in Barley I wasn’t disappointed. The only problem was that I just wanted lots of low cloud and clag, not snow, hail and freezing cold temperatures! I set off without my jacket thinking, “How cold could it actually be, surely it’ll warm up when I get going?”. How wrong I was. I got to the summit of Pendle and instantly regretted my decision stopping for a minute to grab my jacket from my bumbag. How other competitors managed to run in just a vest I have no idea! (editor’s note: I’m told that John Thompson of Newburgh Nomads is a freak of nature according to one of his fellow clubmates!)

Dave Motley and Andy Laycock at the Tour of Pendle. Photo by Phil Donlan

Although we had bad weather, I couldn’t get any advantage on the navigation as the leaders had effectively carved a path in the snow for the entire field to follow. I had a great tussle with fellow Clayton lads Andy Laycock, Dave Bagot and Pete Coates with the four of us coming together at the bottom of the big end for the final ascent; Mr Coates smashed the climb and left the 3 of us to fight it out on the tarmac to the finish. Luckily I managed to find some energy to take a little out of Dave and Andy and managed to come back second Clayton finishing in 20th place.

First finishers and winning mens team. L-R Andy Laycock, Dave Bagot, Dave Motley, Peter Coates. Photo by Adrienne Olszewska

I think I’ve completed this race 5 or 6 times now and that was definitely the worst conditions I have raced in. The soup, the coffee and cake were certainly welcome in Barley Village Hall at the end and it was great to be part of the winning ream with Clayton taking first prize. In the battle to become fell champion the win puts Mr Coates in a very good position with Dave Bagot. I think me and Carl Helliwell are just behind with one race remaining in Mytholmroyd.

Ivan Whigham having far too much of a good time at the Tour of Pendle. Photo by Nigel Hodgson

Report from Sarah Helliwell

I had never intended to do the “Tour” until about 2 months ago. Firstly I had never run more than 11 miles and secondly not on that kind of terrain for so long! After Carl’s persuasive optimism and a few of his words of wisdom (not that he is an expert at this kind of race) what a treat I was in for! As everyone met before the race there was talk of thick snow on top, tough conditions and more snow to come in, also do not expect to do a fast time! Fast, me and fast are not in the same sentence! I had 2 goals. Get to the cut off before the 2 hours were up and then try to finish the race.

Sarah Helliwell at the start of the Tour of Pendle. Photo by Phil Donlan

We were counted through before we set of past the reservoirs and out up onto Pendle for the first time as the runners made a pretty line through the snow. People were taking photos and admiring the view of the white landscape (remember I am at the back!) We got to the top and the first snow shower came in as visibility became poor as we made our over the tussocks towards the Nick. I ended up in a group of 5 runners as we encouraged each other back towards CP4. When we got to “Geronimo” I realised it was easier to slide downhill on my backside rather than run and was lucky to miss the rocks, it was good fun. As we passed CP4 I got a shout of encouragement from Kath Brady (thanks Kath) and was happy to get through the cut off with a good 12 minutes to spare.

Now the big climbs were to come as we headed over the backbone of Pendle again and another snow shower. It was here that the advice from the ‘mature experienced’ Clayton members paid off, as I slowly began to leave some of the runners I had been running with and started to catch runners who had gone too fast in the first half. I was so glad I had kept eating and drinking as I went up the climbs. I felt relatively good up Ashendean and the Big Dipper before the weather deteriorated again and I headed to the Big End. Thankfully I had caught up 2 girls and we ran as a 3. Just as we started to descend down to CP9 the clouds cleared as we slipped, skidded and sledge our way down, I have never laughed as much running in my life, and thankfully this was distracting me from having freezing feet. We were now down to a group of 2 as we grabbed handfuls of Jelly Babies and Jaffa cakes from Dave Tait before heading back up to see Andy Firth and Di at CP10. I had drunk and eaten everything by this time and was glad to see Andy with drinks, flapjacks and more jelly babies. A massive thank you to you both for hanging out in your tent in horrendous conditions up on Pendle for over 5 hours, a bet the pint tasted good when you got back to the Pendle Inn.

Andrew Firth and Dinah at checkpoint on the trig. Photo by Nigel Hodgson

It was now time for the run back to Barley, I will never honestly say that I have ever experienced cramp in both of my inner thigh…this was literally in the last 10 meters of descending before hitting the flat stuff. My new Portuguese running friend offered my support as she cheered me on and it thankfully subsided and we made our way to the finish line. I was hoping for roughly 4 hours 15 minutes in my head; however I crossed the finish line in 4 hour 24 minutes. I was happy to finish in 1 piece as Carl, Andy Armstrong, the legend that is Pete Browning and Paul Healey were at the finish line. In the debriefing in the Pendle Inn from the “experienced” Clayton men I was told I could take a good 20-25 minutes of my time which would have put around 4 hours mark. I was well chuffed with that for my first ever long distance fell race. It is one I would recommend, especially with it being on our doorstep.

It would be great to see more Clayton ladies running it next year. The support, advice and fun I had on the day has been brilliant. A massive well done to everyone who ran, to Peter Coates with a cracking run and 1st Clayton home and the men for a great result with the men’s team. Well done.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
17	Peter Coates	M40	02:59:42
20	Dave Motley	M	03:01:02
22	David Bagot	M	03:01:31
26	Andrew Laycock	M	03:02:08
40	Andrew Orr	M45	03:09:41
45	Carl Helliwell	M40	03:10:15
52	Chris Snell	M	03:11:46
61	Richard Stevenson	M40	03:14:59
78	Dominic Carr	M40	03:19:14
81	Martin Terry	M55	03:20:46
91	Andrew Armstrong	M45	03:22:53
92	Ralph Baines	M45	03:22:53
97	Andrew Priory	M45	03:23:19
127	Ivan Whigham	M50	03:30:15
144	Chris Funnell	M50	03:32:38
172	Jeffrey Pickup	M65	03:40:38
178	Mark Nutter	M55	03:42:03
187	Pete Booth	M65	03:45:12
192	Kieran Carr	M70	03:45:37
247	Geoff Smith	M40	04:03:01
267	Colin Woolford	M40	04:09:31
290	Martin Brady	M50	04:22:25
294	Sarah Helliwell	W	04:24:42

Full Results

SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER

10K Valencia Trinidad Alfonso

Dave Burnett jetted off to Spain to take part in this popular 10K race. He was accompanied by club member Garry Wilkinson who was there in a coaching/support role for a group of Running CF competitors.

Ever the shrinking violet! Dave Burnett at the Valencia 10K. Photo by Garry Wilkinson

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
346	David Burnett	VETERANO MASC D	01:07:46

Full Results

Arnside Knott Fell Race

Stephen Fish and Wendy Dodds took part in this 6 mile race with 1083ft of ascent.

Report from Stephen Fish

Two Clayton runners, Wendy Dodds and myself, made the trip up to Cumbria to compete in the excellent Arnside Knott race. This race is held in an unspoilt, beautiful area of limestone crags and woods with stunning views across Morecambe Bay to Grange Over Sands, fully justifying the A.O.N.B. status. This was made all the better with the lovely sunny conditions. The route this year had an extra half mile loop added to the previous time I did it in 2014, this increase in distance now moves it up to a category BM. The only downside was I’d forgotten to pack my Clayton vest, which felt strange attaching my race number.

From the off, Wendy slowly disappeared into the distance, as I settled into my rhythm to enjoy the great route through the woods up the Arnside Knott trig point. The additional loop took us out towards the village of Arnside, where the views of the sun reflecting across the bay was breath-taking. I was quite pleased with my run, so treated myself to one of the excellent cakes on sale…..it would’ve been rude not to.

A good race, well worth the short trip up the M6. It’s ‘pre-entry’, so look out for the details around late summertime, if you look to do this one.

Clayton Results:

Wendy Dodds – FW60 57:21

Stephen Fish – M60 – 1.02.47

Full Results

Chorley Fire 10K

The race starts from the Lancashire Fire & Rescue Centre in Chorley and takes an undulating route around the local villages of Euxton and Astley Village on quiet roads.

L-R Michelle Abbott, Reece Lawrence, Chris lawrence, Helen Harrison and Danny Collinge

A half dozen Clayton Harriers braved the chill to take part in this local 10K. Danny Collinge in superb form took first place in a time of 32:57. Team mate Stephen Biscomb was our next finisher in 34^th place and 1^st MV60 in 43:06. Reece Lawrence was hot on Stephen’s heels in 35^th place just 2 seconds behind and 1^st junior male. Michelle Abbot was our first lady finisher in 64^th place overall and 1^st LV35 in 46:42. Christopher Lawrence and Helen Harrison completed the Clayton team finishing in 71^st and 156^th place respectively and with new 10K PBs

Chris Lawrence reports

Well done Team Clayton today at Chorley, especially with the icy conditions. A PB for Helen Harrison and Michelle Abbot who was also a winner in her age category. Well done ladies! Steve Biscombe was a winner in his age category, Reece was 1^st junior male and Danny Collinge was the overall winner of the race. I bagged a PB for myself for 10k which just goes to show that winter training is paying off.

Pos	Name	Category	Time
1	Danny Collinge	M	32:57.8
34	Stephen Biscomb	MV60	43:06.2
35	Reece Lawrence	Junior Men	43:08.7
64	Michelle Abbott	LV35	46:42.2
71	Christopher Lawrence	MV50	47:31.4
156	Helen Harrison	LV45	54:51.4

Full Results

Peak Raid 3 – Grindleford

This was the 3rd in a series of 3 hour mountain marathon events and this event took place in Derbyshire. They take a score format so competitors can set their own pace and do as much as they like as a solo competitor or as part of a pair.

Jean Brown was our only competitor and she finished in 37th place overall with a score of 285 and a time of 2:55:58. A total of 117 competitors finished the event.

Full Results

Preston 10 Mile Road Race

Two Clayton Harriers took part in this 10 Mile road race organised by Preston Harriers with a route that starts at Hutton Grammar School.

Report from John Hartley

Just Kevin Davies and I made the short trip for this two lap, flat 10 mile course. I finished in 45^th place and 2^nd Vet55 in 1:02:53 and Kevin was 77^th and 6^th Vet55 in 01:06:13. There were 413 finishers.

John Hartley at the Preston 10 Mile Road Race. Photo by David Wood

Pos	Name	Category	Time
45	John Hartley	V55	1:02:53
77	Kevin Davies	V55	1:06:13

Full Results

parkrun roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 212 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	Danny COLLINGE	17:15	SM20-24
2	Jonathan PYE	18:36	SM25-29
3	Jordan MCDONALD	18:37	SM18-19
12	Nicholas HENNESSEY	20:25	JM11-14
14	Daniel PLANT	20:37	SM30-34
16	Simon WILSHAW	20:44	JM15-17
17	Stanley GREWAL	20:46	JM15-17
26	Reece Adam LAWRENCE	21:44	JM15-17
27	Lennon JACKSON	21:48	JM11-14
31	Stephen AINSWORTH	22:12	VM60-64
33	Mick HUGHES	22:14	VM40-44	First Timer!
34	Gordon BARRETT	22:17	VM50-54
41	Colin WHITE	22:51	VM40-44
47	George PIER	23:33	SM18-19
50	Michelle ABBOTT	23:37	VW35-39
51	Matthew JACKSON	23:41	JM10
56	Aaron LUNDIE	23:53	JM11-14
60	Chris LAWRENCE	24:11	VM50-54
63	Nina KEWIN	24:28	VW35-39
64	Irene ROCHE	24:35	VW55-59
70	David Ian SCOTT	25:00	VM70-74
81	Carl CAREY	25:41	VM45-49
84	Annabel WILCOCK	25:49	JW15-17
85	John WILCOCK	25:49	VM50-54
86	Lisa JOHNSON	25:52	VW40-44
95	Richard LAWSON	26:48	VM75-79
96	Bethany WHEATCROFT	27:01	JW11-14
105	Donna SCOTT	27:36	VW50-54
106	Julie DAWES	27:50	VW45-49
123	Stuart BARKER	29:07	VM50-54
149	Judith CAREY	31:32	VW35-39

Burnley Junior parkrun – A total of 43 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	Nicholas HENNESSEY	7:24	JM11-14
2	Dexta THOMPSON	7:38	JM11-14
3	Aaron LUNDIE	8:19	JM11-14	First Timer!
9	Bethany WHEATCROFT	9:13	JW11-14
12	Kady THOMPSON	9:21	JW10
19	Imogen FERGUSON	10:36	JW11-14
25	Charlie PLANT	11:45	JW10
32	Emily JOHNSON	13:32	JW10

Cheltenham parkrun – A total of 379 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
15	Alex CRAN	20:06	VM45-49

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 146 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
127	Robin PRICE	34:25	VM70-74

Keswick parkrun – A total of 114 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
77	Eileen JONES	29:24	VW60-64	New PB!

Pendle parkrun – A total of 64 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
4	Paul BRANNON	21:25	VM55-59
19	Dawn TERRY	27:33	VW50-54
53	Christine LEATHLEY	36:44	VW65-69

Stretford parkrun – A total of 369 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
188	Jane HYLANDS	25:50	VW45-49

Witton parkrun – A total of 60 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
59	Julia RUSHTON	51:35	VW50-54

ByAlan Dorrington

Mud’s up!

From stately homes to legs in a state, on road, trail, fell and the country, you’ve kept it going this week and heading toward… well that big event at the end of the year. Not too early to mention it, is it? Either way, some PBs from hard working seniors and some really good performances by Juniors who have also stepped up after putting the work in, all rounded off a sobering week.

Saturday 12 November

Cheshire 10k

Danny Collinge and John Hartley packed their flatland legs and made the trip to the stunning Elizabethan hall at Arley to run this very fast 10k. Undeterred by the rain, both of them posted very fast times in a quality field. Danny set a new PB in 7th place and is edging ever closer to that 32 min mark whilst John blazed round to finish first V60 and 83rd.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
8	Danny COLLINGE	SEN	7	32:14
83	John HARTLEY	V60	1	38:16

Full results

Harriers vs Cyclists

Louisa Powell-Smith spurned two wheels and opted for Harrier mode in this longstanding and unusual race over at Bingley. Probably a wise move as it looked pretty boggy and hard going, even more so on a bike. The Harriers won again, Tom Adams from Ilkley coming in first with Rob Jebb leading the cyclists home. Anna Lupton and Viccy Wilkinson were first runner and rider home respectively, for the women and Louisa was 5th and only 20 seconds of 2nd in a strong international ladies field, the first 4 having been top fell runners with GB vests.

37th Louisa Powell-Smith 42:15s

44th Gary Wilkinson 43:59 (2nd Vet 50)

111th (cycling) Paul Hesketh 48:15.

Full results

Louisa Powell in Harrier mode at Harriers vs Cyclists. Photo: Woodentops

Louisa Powell-Smith in Harrier mode at Harriers vs Cyclists. Photo: Woodentops

Dunnerdale Fell Race

Peter Browning sent this report about this tough late season fell race:

Just two Clayton Harriers made the journey up to south west Lakeland for the mini classic that is the Dunnerdale Fell Race.

After a wild, wet and windy Friday night, race day dawned dry but breezy and surprisingly mild. Conditions on the 8km course were very wet underfoot, with the descents requiring proper respect, but no navigation problems were encountered.
186 runners completed the course, and safely in midfield were our two runners

111. Peter Browning. 60.15
116. Wendy Dodds. 61.18. (1st LV60)

On collecting her race prize, Wendy jumped into the car and headed off to Yorkshire for that evenings FRA Presentation do, to collect her latest national trophy. Clayton’s most competitive runner ever? No question.

Warrington Way

Martin Terry continued his quest to retain his RunFurther V50 title from last year, with a strong finish at this 40 miles trail ultra base around the eponymous route of the same name and starting and finishing in Lymm, Cheshire. Martin was a fantastic 6th overall out of 123 competitors, completing the route in 5 hours 59 minutes. The RunFurther leader board hasn’t been updated yet but hopefully this was enough for Martin to retain his title this year.

Full results

Schools Cross Country Cup, Middlesborough

Ellie Root put her cross -country skills to good use when she competed in this event – Mum Sam reports back:

Ellie has run this week in the regional finals of the Schools Cross Country Cup. She ran in the inter-girls team. Ellie had a decent run and was 32nd. Although she wasn’t a counter her team won their event and have managed to secure a place in the final in December in Formby.

Red Rose Cross Country Round 3 – Leverhulme Park

Leverhulme Park. Photo: Alan Dorrington

It’s been a little reticent in coming but the mud is now finally here. Leverhulme delivered its usual wet conditions and the ever hardworking Jason Pier tried valiantly to find a dri(er) patch to pitch the Orange Tent of Comfort(TM) but it still ended up being at the centre of a squelchy bog. All of which is grist to the mill for the Junior and Senior cross-country teams who lapped it all up, as usual. Not literally.

Juniors

U11 Boys

Robbie Smedley on his way to 2nd. Phot: Alan Dorrington

Robbie Smedley on his way to 2nd. Photo: Alan Dorrington

Once again the U11 Boys produced strength in depth to cover many of the top placings, and take the team prize with ease. Dexta Thompson took his usual place at the head of affairs but a stand out performance from Robbie Smedley saw him take second not far behind with Finley Stubbs coming in as third counter. They were backed up by Jenson Bentham, Matthew Jackson, Joshua McKay and Toby Birtwhistle.

Pos	Name	Time
1	Dexta Thompson	6:52
2	Robbie Smedley	7:05
10	Finley Stubbs	7:20
12	Jenson Bentham	7:22
26	Matthew Jackson	7:44
57	Joshua Mckay	8:40

Toby Birtwhistle

9:07

Dexta Thompson on his way to 1st U11 B. Photo: Alan Dorrington

U11 Girls

Helena White in 5th led the U11 Girls team home to a 6th place overall backed up by Kady Thompson who is improving with every race at the moment, and Summer Hargreaves. The girls were supported by Emily Nichols, Holly Reilly and Ellisia Smedley.

Pos	Name	Time
5	Helena White	7:50
33	Kady Thompson	8:44
37	Summer Hargreaves	8:52
65	Emily Nichols	10:03
66	Holly Reilly	10:05
72	Ellisia Smedley	10:49

U13 Boys

Jackson McKay pushed hard for an excellent 2nd place, along with Christopher Brown, Lennon Jackson and William Nicholls and the boys took 4th place overall in the team event.

Pos	Name	Time
2	Jackson McKay	11:55
22	Christopher Brown	13:32
23	Lennon Jackson	13:33
34	William Nichols	14:37

U13 Girls

Ella Dorrington led Bethany Wheatcroft and Keira Stevenson to 10th place in the team results.

Pos	Name	Time
12	Ella Dorrington	13:40
50	Bethany Wheatcroft	16:10
56	Keira Stevenson	16:36

U15 Boys

Just 3 U15 Boys ran – Stanley Grewel, Adam Stevenson and Aaron Lundie taking the club to 5th place in the team event.

Pos	Name	Time
26	Stanley Grewel	17:31
35	Adam Stevenson	19:30
40	Aaron Lundie	22:23

U15 Girls

The U15 Girls narrowly missed out on 2nd team after great runs from Briony Holt and Millie Stubbs, with Natasha Olzsweska continuing to improve in her races after some hard work in training, with 21st place. Liberty Thompson supported the girls in 26th.

Natasha Olszweska working hard. Photo: Alan Dorrington

Pos	Name	Time
5	Briony Holt	17:53
9	Millie Stubbs	18:55
21	Natasha Olszweska	20:57
26	Liberty Thompson	22:09

Under 17 Boys and Girls

Curtis Holt was 7th and Simon Wilshaw 10th in the Boys race with Lucy Stevenson flying the flag as sole Clayton Girl in 20th in the Girls race.

Senior Ladies

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
54	Michelle Abbot	L35	27:16
57	Irene Roche	L55	27:31
58	Cassie Darling-Smedley	L35	27:37
80	Julia Rushton	L50	29:52
87	Rachel Todd	L40	31:19
90	Helen Burnett	L45	45:24
92	Adrienne Olszweska	L45	32:35
109	Susan Allen	L55	36:38
110	Judith Carey	L35	36:49
114	Christine Leathley	L65	40:23

Irene Roche reports:

There was a good turn out on Saturday for the third meeting of this league. We had plenty of senior ladies and men to make up teams for the club. With the tent ready nice and early (as always) by Jason Pier and helpers, the experience of cross country always has a comfortable and well organised start for us. The course naturally offered plenty of mud and on this particular event much of it vertical as we scrambled out of the woods. However, a rest from the mud was offered from the winding trails through the woods where a bit more speed could be had – if space allowed for passing the runner in front. A challenging course! Well done all who ran.

Senior Men

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
32	Robert Aspinall	V55	40:49
37	Peter Coates	V40	41:09
39	Jonathan Cleaver	Sen	41:29
44	Dave Motley	Sen	41:58
46	Andrew Laycock	Sen	42:06
50	Chris Snell	Sen	42:23
51	Richard Stevenson	V40	42:24
56	Matthew Duckworth	Sen	42:42
66	Andrew Orr	V45	43:43
80	Andrew Holt	V40	44:30
97	Kevin Davies	V50	46:01
98	Gareth Berry	V40	46:02
102	Alex Cran	V45	46:19
116	John Wilcock	V50	47:42
138	Andy Quinn	V45	49:09
166	James Hickie	V55	51:02

184	Andrew Howarth	V55	52:49
194	Craig Nicholls	V40	53:41
215	Carl Carey	V45	56:36

The Senior team was 5th overall and the Vets team 3rd. Well done to all that braved the mud.

Full Results

BOFRA Presentation evening

A rather glamorous location at the Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn saw the BOFRA fraternity reunited for one last time this season with 3 young (and one not so young) Clayton athletes all there to enjoy the final prize presentation.

Briony Holt (1st U17 Girl overall, Ella Dorrington (2nd U12 Girl overall) and Dexta Thompson (1st U12 Boy overall) all picked up their trophies whilst the ever enthusiastic Richard Briscoe picked up his series t shirt for completing the required 8 championship races. Richard was camera shy so here are Briony, Dexta and Ella instead.

U17 G winner Briony, 2nd U12B Dexta and 2nd U12G Ella get their trophies.

Sunday 13 November

Windmill 10k

Clayton at the Windmill 10k

The big race of Sunday, from a Clayton point of view was the Windmill 10k, at Lytham. With a fast and flat course along the coastal fron past Lytham and Fairhaven Lake, the event first ran in 2011 and is growing in popularity. Among the athletes to get a PB was Mick Hughes…

Pos	Name	Category	Time
18	Daniel Plant	Men	40:20
26	James Boult	Men	41:38
28	Stephen Ainsworth	Male Vet Over 60	41:42
46	Stephen Biscomb	Male Vet Over 60	43:19
53	Elizabeth Mullan	Ladies	43:49
55	Mick Hughes	Male Vet Over 40	44:02
67	Colin White	Male Vet Over 40	44:52
88	Robert Morrison	Male Vet Over 40	45:56
101	Adam Stephenson	Men	46:36
104	Michelle Abbott	Lady Vet Over 35	46:43
162	Ian Hargreaves	Male Vet Over 50	49:17
220	Julie Dawes	Lady Vet Over 45	51:00
285	Danny Pilkington	Male Vet Over 40	52:56
292	Tony Pilling	Male Vet Over 50	53:05
308	Jane Hylands	Lady Vet Over 45	53:27
363	Helen Harrison	Lady Vet Over 45	55:05
484	Deborah Greenwood	Lady Vet Over 45	58:29
552	Karen Clarkin	Lady Vet Over 40	1:00:22
601	Anita Jones	Lady Vet Over 60	1:01:45

Full Results

Wadsworth Half Trog

Even Half a Trog is enough bog to strike fear into a fell runners heart but Jeffrey Pickup braved the diluvian conditions of the moors around Wadsworth for this semi-classic race, taking in the ‘best’ bits of the full Bog, sorry Trog race in February. No results yet, but hopefully he has dried out by now.

Parkrun

Burnley Parkrun – a total of 210 runners took part

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
2	Jonathan PYE	18:58	SM25-29
8	Daniel PLANT	20:52	SM30-34
10	Nicholas HENNESSEY	21:18	JM11-14
30	Colin WHITE	23:24	VM40-44
36	Michelle ABBOTT	23:53	VW35-39
44	Nina KEWIN	24:27:00	VW35-39
54	Andy QUINN	25:16:00	VM45-49
55	Sophie ASHWORTH	25:17:00	JW11-14
65	Julie DAWES	25:52:00	VW45-49
72	Donna SCOTT	26:24:00	VW50-54
74	Annabel WILCOCK	26:33:00	JW15-17
75	John WILCOCK	26:34:00	VM50-54
80	Jake ANFORTH	26:53:00	JM10
109	Richard LAWSON	28:35:00	VM75-79
113	Helen HARRISON	28:54:00	VW45-49
122	Stuart BARKER	29:47:00	VM50-54

Bolton parkrun

A total of 191 runners took part.

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
54	Katy THOMPSON	27:45	VW60-64

Dewsbury parkrun

A total of 109 runners took part.

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
99	Robin PRICE	35:41	VM70-74

Pendle parkrun

A total of 51 runners took part.

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
1	Christopher HOLDSWORTH	17:34	SM25-29
17	Martin BRADY	25:49	VM50-54

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge

A total of 137 runners took part.

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
74	Eileen JONES	29:14	VW60-64

Witton parkrun

A total of 54 runners took part.

Pos	Parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
53	Julie RUSHTON	47:08	VW50-54

ByAlan Dorrington

It’s orange to the fore as the Autumn colours race in.

This week the Autumn action comes a variety of sources, from Lakeland mountains, Scottish Hills, the flatlands of Manchester and West Lancashire, and some Northern milltown hills thrown in the mix for good measure. You’ve all been out bagging podium positions, fast PBs or simply getting stuck in and having a right good time. Here’s how it went…

Saturday

British Fell and Hill Running Relays – Luss, Scotland

Pic: Some of the Clayton runners, post Fell and Hill Running Relays. Not sure what Carl Helliwell is thinking but it looks mischevious…

Held in the Luss Hills, on the Western shores of Loch Lomond, this traditional late season event always attracts a big entry and with its Scottish setting this year, also offered a post race ceilidh to entice runners. Clayton sent four teams, an A and B team, a Ladies Vets team and a Mens V50 team.

Leg 1 was a solo leg of 5.9 km with an ascent of 427m (navigational experience and skills required). Leg 2 was a pairs’ leg of 13 km with 1096m of ascent (and a nice sting in the tail) (navigational experience and skills required). Leg 3 was the pairs’ navigation leg and provided a stiff challenge as to expected from a competition championship nav leg, and Leg 4 was a solo leg of 8.3 km with 653 m of ascent.The event was won by a flying Dark Peak Grindslow team in 03:38:58, beating off stiff opposition from Shettleston Harriers.

First Clayton team back in 32nd overall and 2nd MV50 Team, was the team of Phil Hall, Gary Wilkinson, Paul Hesketh, Mike Wallis, Tim Edward and Mark Aspinall. They finished in a time of 04:49:44. Hot on their heels in 36th overall came the B Team of Kirt Livesey, Dave Walker, Carl Helliwell, Neil Hardiman, Chris Snell and Lee Smith in a time of 04:55:38. Just behind in 04:58:18 came the A Team of Danny Collinge, Dave Bagot, Andy Laycock, Dave Motley, Ryan Wilkinson and Matt Perry.

The Ladies Vets team came in in 07:02:49 to claim 1st LV50 Team and 3rd Ladies Vets overall – the team comprised Kath Brady, Katy Thompson, Barbara Savage, Wendy Dodds, Kath Wallis and Anna Kelly.

Kath Brady reports for the Ladies team:

‘Fortunately Katy had been in Luss for 3 days and managed to recce the area along with Wendy and provide useful advice for the rest of the team. As forecast, the morning started wet and misty on the tops. Runners were encouraged to enter the holding pen to have kit checked and prepare to be lead to the start by a traditional Scottish piper.

Leg 1 – solo (4.2km 341m climb). I was on this leg, we were off across a couple of fields then up the steep climb into the mist. A good trog off the top down to a stream to a checkpoint, a traverse round the hill before getting a wonderful glimpse of Loch Lomond and decent to the finish. 43.49 4^th Vets

Leg 2 – pairs(13km 1096 climb). Katy Thompson & Barbara Savage starting with long gradual climb to checkpoint 1 and returning very steeply as checkpoint 5. Both ladies battled wind and rain on the tops moving us up to 3rd in 2.06

Leg 3 Nav leg. With a wealth of experience between them, Wendy Dodds & Kath Wallis set out. Described by locals as long and difficult, the fast men were taking 1hr 20mins! Wendy & Kath were still out on leg 3 a time after the mass start on leg 4, so I walked down the course with Katy to watch for them coming in hoping they may finish together with Anna, but she came flying by us and we continued watching the hillside for our navigation ladies. The rain stopped and midges came out. They finished the navigation leg 2^nd Vets in 3.06

Leg 4 solo (8.3km 653m climb) – A mass start was scheduled for 2.30 but at 2.15 they called runners to the line. Anna, (with a slight ankle injury she sustained whilst reccing Hodgson Relay) had to rush to kit check. This was an out and back route to Beinn Dubh, the first checkpoint on leg 2. Anna finishing 3^rd Vets team in 1.06.

The rules for this event requires experience and completion of an A category Fell race. With the distance to travel and a 10 am Saturday start gave a smaller pool of ladies to select from. We need more ladies racing on the fells to get the experience to compete at this level.’

A great day of racing and great results for the Mens and Ladies Vets alike! No reports back from the Ceilidh but that’s probably a good thing…

Full Results

Wendy Dodds and Kath Wallis setting off on the testing navigation leg. Pic: Kath Brady

Red Rose Cross Country League Round 1

A lovely warm and dry autumnal day greeted the runners at the first Red Rose Cross Country fixture at Leigh Sports Village. An already flat and fast course was made even faster by the hard, dry conditions, leading many to use trail or fell shoes and producing some close racing, particularly in the Juniors, right up to the finish.

The Tent! Pic: Jason Pier.

Juniors

U11 Boys

There were 6 Clayton boys in the U11 race with Dexta Thompson continuing in his winning ways with a clear run at the head of field. Finley Stubbs put in a great sprint finish to come in 9th, with Robbie Smedley backing them up to help the Boys take 1st place in the Team event. Matthew Jackson was close behind with Jenson Bentham and Joshua McKay rounding out a great team effort overall. The Boys are now leading both the Mid Lancs and Red Rose team events – a cracking start to the season.

Pos	Name	Time
1	Dexta Thompson	7:26
9	Finley Stubbs	8:04
12	Robbie Smedley	8:08
15	Matthew Jackson	8:10
26	Jenson Bentham	8:26
59	Joshua Mckay	9:20

Dexta Thompson flying into the finish in 1st place at Leigh Sports Centre. Pic: George S Davies

Dexta Thompson flying into the finish in 1st place at Leigh Sports Village. Pic: George S Davies

U11 Girls

Pos	Name	Time
5	Helena White	8:38
15	Summer Hargreaves	8:59
38	Kady Thompson	9:39
60	Rachel Stevenson	10:26
71	Ellisia Smedley	11:17
77	Emily Nicholls	12:17

Helena White continued her great form after time out with 5th place, whilst Summer Hargreaves also had a great run in 15th. Kady Thompson in 38th helped the girls to 5th Team overall. Well done to Rachel Stevenson, Ellisia Smedley and Emily Nicholls working hard in backing up the rest of the girls in the team.

U13 Boys

Pos	Name	Time
4	Jackson McKay	9:16
24	Lennon Jackson	10:31
35	William Nicholls	11:34

Jackson McKay put in his usual gritty effort for a great 4th place with Lennon Jackson and William Nicholls the other counters to take the Boys to 6th Team.

U13 Girls looking relaxed at the start line. Hopefully Beth hadn’t forgotten something important… Pic: Alan Dorrington

U13 Girls

Pos	Name	Time
10	Ella Dorrington	10:16
61	Keira Stevenson	12:23
65	Bethany Wheatcroft	12:38
68	Bronia Olszewska	12:57

Ella Dorrington led our U13 Girls home in 10th place overall, just behind a big group occupying 3rd to 9th place. Keira Stevenson and Bethany Wheatcroft (in only her second race) filled the team spots taking the Girls to10th Team with Bronia Olszweska completing the squad.

Ella Dorrington on her way to 10th place. Pic: Alan Dorrington

U15 Boys

Pos	Name	Time
14	Nicholas Henessey	14:51
19	Stanley Grewal	15:05
28	Jay Bowman	15:59
32	Adam Stevenson	16:25
39	Aaron Lundie	19:43

Our U15 Boys packed out the placings solidly, led home by Nicholas Hennessy in 14th and Stanley Grewal in 19th. Jay Bowman made up the 3rd counter for them to take 5th Team, coming home in 28th. Adam Stevenson and Aaron Lundie completed the squad.

Aaron, Adam and Jay before the start of the U15 Boys race. Pic: Deborah Stevenson

U15 Girls

Pos	Name	Time
3	Briony Holt	15:26
9	Millie Stubbs	16:27
23	Eleanor Root	17:50
27	Natasha Olszewska	18:16

The all-smiling U15 Girls team had a great day, led home by Briony Holt in 3rd place, Millie Stubbs in 9th, Eleanor Root in 23rd and Natasha Olszewska in 27th. Overall they took 3rd Team to build on their 1st Team place in the recent Mid Lancs fixture.

Our flying U15 Girls team. Pic: Thomas Root

U17 Men

Pos	Name	Time
10	Curtis Holt	21:26
13	Reece Lawrence	22:56
15	Simon Wilshaw	24:12

Just three U17 Men ran but Curtis Holt in 10th, Reece Lawrence in 13th and Simon Wilshaw in 15th still took 5th Team overall.

Men U20

Pos	Name	Time
4	Jordan McDonald	42:28

Clayton XC Dogs, little and large.

Senior Ladies Race

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
32	Elizabeth Mullan	L	24:12
62	Michelle Abbott	L35	26:23
94	Jane Hylands	L45	29:48
116	Deborah Greenwood	L45	32:19
131	Christine Leathley	L65	37:01

A Team – 13th (Elizabeth Mullan | Michelle Abbot | Jane Hylands)

Vets Team – 11th (Michelle Abbott | Jane Hylands | Deborah Greenwood)

Andy Quinn and Mick Hughes. Pic: George S Davies

Senior Men’s Race

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
45	Jordan McDonald	U20	42:28
50	Matthew Duckworth	M	42:46
73	Andrew Orr	V45	44:23
80	Gareth Berry	V40	44:54
81	Andrew Holt	V40	44:59
85	Alan Dorrington	V45	45:24
111	Alex Cran	V45	47:02
121	Mark Wightman	V55	47:38
128	John Wilcock	V50	48:00
154	Andy Quinn	V45	49:51
155	Jeffrey Pickup	V65	49:52
163	Mick Hughes	V40	50:41
183	James Hickie	V55	52:09
193	Peter Browning	V55	53:17
198	Martin Brady	V50	53:42
203	Craig Nicholls	V40	54:17
213	David Moynihan	V45	56:02
220	Christopher Lawrence	V50	56:41

229

Carl Carey

V45

58:01

Vets Team – 10th (Andrew Orr | Gareth Berry | Andrew Holt | Alan Dorrington)

Andrew Holt reports:

‘I arrived dreading today’s run if I’m honest, flat and fast, no mud/rain or wind. Having recce’d about an inch of the course I decided that spikes were too much but I hadn’t brought anything else so was kinda stuck with them. Got to the start line which I love ,the atmosphere and tension, and having watched everyone run away in a mad dash around the football field settled into a reasonable rhythm. Having passed Alan exiting the football field he sat on my shoulder(not that I realised until the start of the next lap) and we ran the pleasant route through the wood and around the golf course, slowly picking runners off along the way. (Strava later confirmed our lap splits had only 30seconds difference between them).

I felt strong after the first lap, started tiring on the second but had enough to hopefully to keep accelerating into the finish. For the second time this season I met Gareth Barry towards the end of the second lap,and he was able to run with us for some time increasing the cheers for Clayton and helping to keep my pace and intensity up. Not wanting the spectacle of a sprint finish between the three of us I opened up with maybe a mile to go,and judging from the shouts from people supporting think I was successful in creating a reasonable gap between myself and Gary and Alan. Entering the final straight,at more than full gas (Briony describes me as running like I need the toilet when I run like this) I saw Gareth screaming past me like I was treading water with Alan coming maybe 10-15 seconds later. I finished thinking what an enjoyable team run ,which was hopefully caught by someone with a camera. This bubble soon burst however when my children thanked the person who beat me and ridiculed me for a pathetic sprint!!’

As ever, a huge thanks on behalf of all the Clayton team to Jason Pier (TentMaster Extraordinaire) for getting things all set up and ship shape for racing.

Full Results

Round Rotherham 50

Martin Terry had a cracking run here to take 3rd overall in 07:43:56 in this 50 miler round, err, Rotherham on a fast flat course and with some of South Yorkshire’s ‘finest’ industrial areas on show.

Full Results

Sunday

Manchester Half Marathon

A huge field of 12000 runners took in this fast flat course through the Stretford and Trafford areas of Manchester, with plenty of entertainment and fancy dress on show. Jacob Watson and Richard Stevenson led the Clayton charge both posting superfast times. Great new PBs were also achieved for James Boult, Rob Morrison and Donna Airey. Well done all!

Richard reports:

We were greeted with typical Manchester weather this morning cold, wet and windy for a well organised race with a course that is perfect for any PB chasers, very flat and fast. Great to see so many familiar faces today at such a large race and very pleased with my time, a new PB.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
82	Jacob WATSON	SEN	35	01:17:33
116	Richard STEVENSON	V40	13	01:19:50
161	Jon CLEAVER	V35	36	01:21:58
667	James BOULT	SEN	295	01:33:07
669	Robert MORRISON	V40	90	01:33:09
985	Donna AIREY	LV35	17	01:36:49
1276	Colin WHITE	V40	183	01:39:16
1305	Amanda DUFFY	LV35	27	01:39:31
4768	Lisa ELLIS	LSEN	653	02:01:42

Full Results

Green Drive 5 mile

Another fast, flat PB inducing course, this event incorporated the Lancashire AA 5 mile Champs. A select group of experienced Clayton athletes were to the fore in their age categories, enjoying the autumnal colours and rural lanes near Lytham and Warton.

Pos	Name	Cat	CatPos	Time
20	Paul Brannon	M55	(002/015)	00:30:26
27	Kevin Davies	M50	(002/029)	00:30:50
75	Stephen Biscomb	M60	(004/016)	00:34:48
108	David Scott	M70	(001/007)	00:38:00
110	Brian Wildman	M50	(017/029)	00:38:12
223	Kevin O’Brien	M70	(004/007)	00:48:55

Full Results

Oldham ‘Milltown to Moors’ Half Marathon

One of the most grueling of races, this half marathon covers a 13.1 mile run through Oldham and its many miles of countryside, pushing challengers to their limits whilst offering some of the best scenery the borough has to offer.

With a very atmospheric start that includes a lap of the Oldham town Centre runners travel a hilly route that takes them to the lovely Saddleworth area of Oldham with spectacular views of the Saddleworth villages and the imposing moorland landscape of the Peak District National Park that lies beyond.

Martin Brady decided he hadn’t had enough racing this weekend and was up for more. He reports:

I entered the Oldham “Milltown To Moors” Half Marathon on the Sunday morning after having run a Parkrun and Leigh cross country the day before. I have a 10 mile trail race in Nottingham next weekend and I have been lacking any distance runs for a few months so I thought this would be a good test. This Half Marathon is claimed to be one of the toughest in the country with lots of long climbs and descents. It is tough but I think Hendon Brook is slightly harder (Lenches wins it for me with the Hendon Brook). I think I was the only Clayton runner at the event. The commentator said at both the start and finish “Here is the Clayton runner – they come down from altitude to do this you know!”. He must think Clayton-le-Moors is in the Himalayas. I did enjoy the race this time. I have done it several times during my running career, the first being in 2001 when there was the foot and mouth outbreak so there was no fell running – this was the nearest thing to a fell race I could find that year. I took it very steady at the start as it has 4 miles of climbing before the first long descent. This paid off as I started to pass quite a few runners later on. My finishing time was 1 hour 53 minutes 20 seconds which is about 25 minutes slower than 2001 but it was much more enjoyable. I think I might pencil this one in again for next year.

Results to follow

Four Lakeland Passes

Nick Olszewski and Adrienne Olszewska were the sole Clayton reps making the trip up the M6 for this event. Adrienne explains more:

‘Four Passes was originally put on by the warden of Borrowdale Youth Hostel and was run from there for many years. It fell into disuse until the LDWA took the route on as a challenge event, but it is no longer on their calendar and Ascend Events believe it is too good a route not to be used as an event.
There’s a choice of 2 start times so Nick and I opted for the earlier 8.30 slot with the walkers as he is still recovering from a recent operation on his toe and I’m a bit of a slow plodder. We thought it would make for a more enjoyable event if the pressure was off and we could just joggle along.
The course is a spectacular 19(ish) miles route taking in four of the Lake Districts most scenic valleys and their adjoining passes. It is a circular route which starts and finishes at Rosthwaite Village Hall in Borrowdale, at the southern end of Derwent Water.
The first pass takes you to Sty Head Tarn situated between the Scafell Massif and Great Gable before dropping to the beautiful but always dramatic Wasdale with Cumbria’s deepest lake. We set off nice and steady with a motley collection of fast and slow walkers and jogglers and trotters like ourselves. The first climb up to Sty Head tarn is nice and steady and we were blessed with good weather allowing us to drink in the spectacular views on the way down to Wasdale. A fairly good path meant we could trot all the way down to the checkpoint.
We were on familiar ground for the second pass which is Black Sail Pass & the third Scarth Gap, as this is part of the route of the Lakeland 100. It was the first time I’ve done it in daylight which didn’t make the slog up Black Sail and the horrid descent any easier really. But at least we got to enjoy the gorgeous views of Haystacks, Wainwrights resting place, on the way up Scarth Gap which is the easiest climb but with another tricky descent to Buttermere straight after.
From Buttermere, The fourth and final pass is an old miners’ path up and over to Honister Mines. It’s a long steady climb on a path made up of loose slate at times which passes an old miners building on the way to the top. When you reach the mines, it’s a good track all the way back down to Rosthwaite, a welcome relief after the previous two trickier descents. This one is much more runnable as you head to the finish.
This is a really excellent, low-key and friendly event that is aimed a wide range of abilities. You can tackle it like a fast fell race or amble round with the walkers. The choice and the challenge is yours to take. There are four checkpoints, two of them groaning with snacks and drinks. There is also a very good finisher’s meal with pudding! This was the first event organised by Ascend Events and I will definitely do another. In fact, I’ll probably head back to this one next year.’

Nick does his best 'Forced Perspective' aka Hagrid impression next to a deceptively diminutive Adrienne. Or is it real?

Nick does his best ‘Forced Perspective’ aka Hagrid impression next to a deceptively diminutive Adrienne. Or is it like that in reality?

Full Results

Parkrun Roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 281 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
5	Jonathan PYE	18:21	SM25-29
6	Laura HESKETH	18:29	SW30-34
17	Richard STEVENSON	20:05	VM40-44
20	Nick ROSCOE	20:34	VM45-49
38	Gordon BARRETT	22:07	VM50-54
52	Ian HARGREAVES	23:22	VM50-54	New PB!
56	Nina KEWIN	23:29	VW35-39
58	Colin WHITE	23:34	VM40-44
61	Robert MORRISON	23:39	VM40-44
64	Martin BRADY	23:45	VM50-54
69	Julie DAWES	23:59	VW45-49
71	Toby BIRTWISTLE	24:02	JM10
72	Daniel PLANT	24:04	SM30-34
78	Sophie ASHWORTH	24:26	JW11-14
85	Lisa JOHNSON	24:36	VW40-44	New PB!
92	John WILCOCK	24:52	VM50-54
94	Annabel WILCOCK	24:54	JW15-17
98	Jake ANFORTH	25:06	JM10
102	Andrew TAYLOR	25:32	VM55-59
111	Andy QUINN	25:45	VM45-49
133	Bianca BENNETT	26:41	SW25-29
160	Robert HIRST	28:12	VM65-69
161	Jack MCGUIRE	28:18	VM60-64	New PB!
181	Ron CHAPPELL	28:49	VM65-69
233	Stuart BARKER	31:38	VM50-54

Pendle parkrun – A total of 83 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
3	Paul BRANNON	20:04	VM55-59
4	John HARTLEY	20:14	VM55-59
12	Richard BRISCOE	22:09	VM35-39
60	Harry WALKER	34:22	VM65-69

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 246 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat
149	Eileen JONES	29:06	VW60-64

Lytham Hall parkrun – A total of 183 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat
156	Philip NAYLOR	35:22	VM35-39

ByAdrienne Olszewska

Searching high and low

Even on a quiet week there is still plenty of action to report. Our junior runners are busy taking part in triathlons, representing their schools in cross country and testing their navigational skills in orienteering events. What a talented bunch they are! The seniors have been finishing off the season in the FRA champs in Langdale and the BOFRA race at Wasdale as well as half marathons, local fell races, orienteering and road races.

North West Junior Triathlon Series

Congratulations to Ellie Root and Helana White. Ellie came 4th overall in the Youth Girls category and Helana came 4th in the T1 girls category.

Ellie Root at the NW Junior Trialthlon Series

Final Standings

WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER

ENGLISH SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CUP

Well done to junior runners Bronia and Natasha Olszewska who took part in the ESAA Cross Country Cup completion running for their school, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Blackburn. Natasha was the first counter for her team (Inter Girls)and they finished in 3^rd place overall in the Lancashire competition. Bronia was second counter in her team (Junior Girls) and their team also finished in 3^rd place in the Lancashire competition.

Results

SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER

LANGDALE HORSESHOE

14 Clayton-le-Moors Harriers took part in this classic Lakeland Fell race that is the final race in the 2016 FRA English Championship. Ryan Belshaw was our first finisher in 91^st place overall and with a time of 02:38:47. Wendy Dodds was our sole lady runner. She finished in 275^th place overall and 1^st FV65. There were 380 finishers in this year’s race.

Ryan Belshaw at the Langdale Horseshoe. Photo by Sam Watson

Report from Andrew Armstrong – Lessons learnt in Langdale

Lesson 1 – You can race with a cold (but don’t expect to be any good).

I’d had a cold for over a week, I’d slogged round a cyclocross course with it and I knew that attempting a tough Lakeland fell race was, at best, unwise. However, as a famous Scot once said, “I’d paid for the tickets” so Saturday morning found me cadging a lift off fellow Clayton runners and arriving to perfect running weather in the Langdale valley. I kept my cold to myself to avoid accusations of getting my excuses in beforehand!

The start is typical of fell races; narrow tracks with lots of jostling, eventually leading to a prolonged slog up to the first real peak of the day at Thunacarr Knott. The pre-race briefing had advised us that the marshalls would be ‘up against it’ at this checkpoint and we were requested not to shout numbers or even to say thank you. As it happens the checkpoint was fairly calm; they must have thought we were a right miserable bunch!

Lesson 2 – You can’t follow someone if they’re behind you.

Discussion in the car was mostly about the best lines off different peaks and I’d made copious mental notes. Visibility was pretty good so I was happy to navigate round most of the course but was keen to follow either Mark Nutter or Jon Sharples at the ‘Bad Step’, a notorious bottleneck on Crinkle Crags. I’d passed Mark just after Ore Gap but resolved to latch onto and follow Jon’s unusual route choice towards the next checkpoint at Long Top. I lost faith when we seemed to be moving too far away from the pack; more fool me as I finally arrived at the checkpoint to see Jon disappearing into the distance! A big queue at the bad step saw Mark catch me up, we navigated an alternative route fairly quickly but Jon was long gone.

Lesson 3 – You can always find yourself alone in a fell race.

Around 400 runners started this relatively short (12 mile) fell race in good clear weather yet I still found myself alone coming off the final peak, Pike O’Blisco. Reluctant to get the map out, I did some hasty dead reckoning by the sun and managed to recover a poor exit line from the Pike to slot into the final descent. A fast and furious charge into the finish past bemused walkers (always good value) saw me finish in just over 3 hours.

Lesson 4 – The best races finish at a pub.

Langdale had a new organiser this year and Dan Duxbury was keen to thank everyone at Ambleside AC whose commitment had made the race possible. To para-phrase Dan; In an era where new trail races/challenges are popping up every week some costing £50, £60 even £80, to be able to put on a race of this calibre for only £10 (including a free pasty at the end!) is a testament to that commitment. Standing in the sun, outside a Lakeland pub, with a pint in one hand and a pasty in the other it was hard to disagree.

Pos	Name	Category	Time
91	Ryan Belshaw	M	02:38:47
109	Andrew Orr	MV45	02:42:18
167	Andrew Mcfarlane	MV45	02:56:29
168	Neil Hardiman	MV45	02:56:35
184	Ivan Whigham	MV50	02:59:38
190	Jon Sharples	MV60	03:02:07
209	Andrew Armstrong	MV45	03:06:33
216	Geoff Gough	MV55	03:07:29
220	Ralph Baines	MV45	03:08:17
237	Richard Bellaries	MV60	03:12:05
239	Mark Nutter	MV50	03:13:27
256	Andrew Firth	MV55	03:17:15
257	Chris Whiteoak	M	03:17:33
275	Wendy Dodds	FV65	03:23:41

Full Results

WASDALE SHOW

Report from Stephen Fish

Two Clayton runners, Richard Briscoe and myself, made the long trip to compete in the Wasdale Show Fell Race, which can only be described as a beast. It was perfect for the final race of the 2016 BOFRA season, with a warm, fine, bright autumn day and good underfoot conditions.

Stephen Fish at the Wasdale Shoe Fell Race. Photo by Stephen White of Granddayout Photography

The event starts easily enough in the flat field next to the show ground. However, once runners have climbed the stile over the wall and out of the field, the relentless and steep climb up Kirk Fell begins. After first negotiating a rocky track, before reaching the fell base, the runners now have a grassy ascent that only seems to get steeper the further up one progresses. Ever upwards to where the terrain now changes to become loose scree until the first false summit, where it becomes rocky and remains like this until the actual summit is reached. The top is 2,631 feet above the start line, which is rather reassuringly marked by a Wasdale Mountain Rescue volunteer. If the ascent wasn’t hard enough, the very tricky descent, through the loose scree begins, not before some stunning views of Western Cumbria, Great Gable and Scafell Pike were to be enjoyed. The race returns via the outward route to the finish funnel, where any attempt of a sprint finish, after the jump off the steep stile, is thwarted by jelly legs and wrecked thighs.

This has got to be the best and toughest race in the excellent BOFRA calendar, a 2.4 mile race, with 2400 feet of ascent, that I couldn’t believe left me so ‘wiped out’ at the finish and for the rest of the day….It was a long drive home. One for the diary next year though.

Report from Richard Briscoe

The Wasdale Show is a classic fell route and a brilliant country show. I had to do it to get the 8 races in to qualify for the BOFRA season. The race is a tough one straight up Kirk Fell, a 4 mile race with 2500 feet of climbing. I did well on the climb dodging the rocks from other runners. Got to the summit and the views were amazing all over the Wasdale area. On the way down was interesting, full of boulders and a scree, and the last section was a grassy slope which was hard to keep on the feet.

Richard Briscoe flying down at the Wasdale Show fell race. Photo by Stephen White of Granddayout Phototography

At the end was a good day and it was great to catch up with friends who do the race every year. The end of the day finished at the Strands Pub, an annual folk event.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
37	Richard Briscoe	M	00:57:11
54	Stephen Fish	MV60	01:11:10

Full Results

SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER

GIN PIT 5

Kevin O’Brien was our sole competitor at this 5 mile trail race organised by Astley &Tyldesley Road Runners.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
205	Kevin O’Brien	M70	00:51:43

Full Results

PENDLE FOREST ORIENTEERS – NICK ‘O PENDLE

Some fabulous weather on the day (and fairly accurately predicted for once!) brought a bumper turn out for this orienteering event organised by Pendle Forest Orienteers. Set in the Nick ‘O Pendle area was always going to be a popular area with some of our navigating runners.

Mark Nutter and Mike Wallis took on the Brown level course which was the most demanding technically and, assuming no major mistakes, around 7km with 370m of climb. Mark finished in 18^th place with an overall finish time of 91:35. Mike Wallis was 19^th with an overall time of 96:22

Katy Thompson took on the Blue course, which is approximately 6km with 320m of climb, finishing in 15^th place with an overall time of 94:04

Colin Woolford was 3^rd on the Light Green course, approximately 3.5km with 130m of climb, with an overall time of 46:05.

Report from Colin Woolford

Sunday’s PFO event on the Nick O Pendle was a tough call between that and the Withins Skyline race over in Haworth but having enjoyed a glass or few on Saturday after some epic chores I decided the more local Orienteering event would be a good trot out for 45-60 minutes. My plan was to arrive early, do the “short blue” – which in technical difficulty terms was at the highest end, but with less climb/distance and be back in time for an early lunch before the Withins Skyline runners had even crossed the start line. Well that was the plan.

Unfortunately the chores spilled in to Sunday morning so I arrived later than anticipated and due to unprecedented demand, the PFO team had begun to call time on several courses as they had run out of maps! (an important tool in orienteering!) So my choice was either the full on Brown course (7km, 350m climb and top level difficulty) meaning for me a good 90+minutes or the Light Green course (3.5km and a civilised 130m climb) or the really easy stuff. Orienteering has five levels of Technical Difficulty – referring to the navigation skills required factored in with distance/climb 5 being toughest, 1 being simplest. I had wanted a TD5 short blue, but settled for the TD4 Light Green, which in the perfect running conditions on Pendle that day was a good call. I came a comfortable third in the end from 17 and had I not made an error right at the start reckoned I could have got 2nd. Note to self – warm up brain as well as legs before next orienteering event!

Several Clayton noted on the results

Report from Adrienne Olszewska

Hot on the heels of a challenging 20 mile challenge, our magnificent seven junior runners decided to try their hands at orienteering. Aaron Lundie, Lucy Stevenson, Adam Stevenson, Keira Stevenson, Rachel Stevenson, Natasha Olszewska and Bronia Olszewska started with the Yellow course.

Show us your dibbers! The Juniors at the finish of the Yellow course. Photo by Deborah Stevenson

This is the easiest course and is around 2.1km with 85m of climb. The terrain was no problem to the group and they flew round in just over half an hour. Always up for a challenge, they took on the orange course as well. This was a more demanding course of around 2.8km and 115m of climb.

Another control found. Keira Stevenson dibs in.

Splitting into two groups, the older runners completed the course in around 75 minutes with the younger group following about 5 minutes later. A fantastic effort from a group of youngsters who remained cheerful and enthusiastic despite getting lost and struggling to find the second checkpoint for quite a while!

Coaches Richard Stevenson and Nicholas Olszewski consult the map to try and work out where on earth they are!

They were accompanied by Adrienne Olszewska, Richard Stevenson, Deborah Stevenson and, unofficially, Nicholas Olszewski who may have lent a hand with some of the navigation.

Full Results

WEST COAST HALF MARATHON

Report from Adam Stephenson

Myself and my partner in crime, Elizabeth Mullan, set off over to Lytham for the West Coast Half Marathon on a beautiful Autumn morning. An early start as it was a point to point event with a bus service included as part of entry fee.

Adam Stephenson and Elizabeth Mullan at the West Coast Half Marathon

It was only my second attempt at this distance having done the Darwen Heritage earlier in the year but I was very confident of bettering my time of 1 hour 55 minutes. Liz was too as her PB over 13 miles stood at somewhere around 1 hour 47 minutes again from Darwen…

Although the race was described as “flat”, which it mainly was, there was definitely some uphill involved, even though they might have been minimal my legs were definitely feeling it as I got towards the seven or eight mile mark, when I lost sight of Liz as we approached the promenade…

She battled past a couple of ladies to earn an impressive third in under 1 hour 39 minutes whilst my tired legs carried me to a 1:42:06.

Quite happy and I would definitely give it another go next year. Overall well organised and well marshalled for the majority with plenty of support and encouragement along the way

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
34	Elizabeth Mullan	L	1:38:58.45
45	Adam Stephenson	M	1:42:06.52
51	Geoff Smith	MV40	1:43:49.80

Full Results

WITHINS SKYLINE

Report from Sarah Helliwell

It was the first time I’ve ever raced over “Haworth” way and I will definitely be back to do some more over there over the winter. It was a lovely sunny day with a slight cool breeze as nearly 300 runners huddled together in the famous “quarry”. There was a brief joke that we shouldn’t get lost as long as we could keep up with Tom Adams – he broke the course record and the next runners were 4 minutes behind him!

It was a fast start out of the quarry as we headed down the track towards the road with about 4 different routes being taken, before we hit a track that led onto the moors. Once on the moor it was hard to pass anyone and vice versa as a long line streamed out in front of me up the hillside. The steeper the climb, the muddier it got and the more I enjoyed it, as I slowly got into a rhythm and passed a number of runners. Once on top myself and a another female runner started picking a route through the mud, ruts and heather, which liked to take your ankles out. We then hit the flag stones as we started a fast descent that eventually crossed a slippery stone bridge before climbing back up onto a track and back to the finish. It was here I started to tire (unfortunately I lost touch with the female runner I’d run with – she beat me by 14 seconds) and I knew it would feel a long mile and half climb back up to the finish. As I came in to the finish I got a high five from Eva and a “mamma” shout from Ralph…

It is a great route to definitely give the legs a good muddy, boggy workout on the first half before a fast return.

Well done to all Clayton runners who ran.

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
11	Tim Edward	MV50	46:17
12	Peter Coates	MV40	46:40
33	Paul Hesketh	MV50	49:48
84	Paul Brannon	MV50	54:45
127	Jeffrey Pickup	MV60	58:08
137	Jean Brown	FV40	58:54
219	Sarah Helliwell	F	66:57
265	Michael Frost	MV60	75:50
278	Robert Hirst	MV60	80:17

Full Results

WITHINS JUNIOR CURLY WURLY RAT RUN

Report from Alan Dorrington

Organised by the indomitable Woodentops over at Penistone Country Park, the Curly Wurly Rat Runs are the kids’ version of the popular end of season Withins Skyline race. Looping in and out of the familiar quarry, with added Halloween fancy dress options and lots of chocolate flying around, this event is a lovely low key finish to what can be a busy fell season for our juniors.

The under 8s were off first, with Felix Thompson enjoying a headlong rush up and out of the quarry, rapidly followed by a steep greasy descent back into it, only for another steep climb back out and up to the finish. Felix stayed upright on the descent, which produced a few comedy faceplants, but no injuries and came home in 16th, being rewarded later with extra chocolate for his fancy dress outfit.

Chris Brown at the Withins Curly Wurly Run. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Hot on the heels of the under 8s, 150 runners from all the other age groups started with the same mad dash to the single track climb out of the quarry, heading off for a fast narrow track across the moor before the rollercoaster drop and climb from the quarry to finish. U10s, 12s and 14s did one lap with only the U16s doing a second round. It all made for fast, chaotic racing but out of the melee, Dexta Thompson found some clear space in front and headed off in his usual determined fashion for 6th place overall and 3rd U12B. He was chased by Christopher Brown in 20th, Ella Dorrington in 32nd, Helena White in 64th, Alfie White in 109th and Kady Thompson in 120th. It was great to see Helena back racing after her impromptu surgery.

Ella Dorrington at the Withins Curly Wurly run. Photo by Alan Dorrington

Notwithstanding the fact that finishers got a stacked goody bag with chocolate and sweets, many waited till the chocolatey prize giving for the infamous ‘chocolate throw’, a sure-fire winner amongst the kids and adults alike.

U8 Race

Pos	Name	Time
16	Felix Thompson	3:23

Main Junior Race

Pos	Name	Cat	Time
6	Dexta Thompson	U12B	6:34
20	Christopher Brown	U12B	7:20
32	Ella Dorrington	U12G	7:38
64	Helana White	U10G	8:21
109	Alfie White	U14B	9:59
120	Kady Thompson	U10G	10:17

Parkrun roundup

Burnley parkrun – A total of 325 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
6	Richard STEVENSON	17:55	VM40-44	New PB!
9	Jonathan PYE	18:18	SM25-29
10	Chris SNELL	18:23	VM35-39
18	Nicholas HENNESSEY	19:20	JM11-14
19	Matthew DUCKWORTH	19:21	SM25-29
22	Dave MOTLEY	19:43	VM35-39
23	Reece Adam LAWRENCE	20:00	JM15-17
28	Mark WIGHTMAN	20:49	VM55-59
30	Daniel PLANT	21:08	SM30-34
33	Simon WILSHAW	21:28	JM15-17
48	Matthew JACKSON	22:06	JM10
57	Colin WHITE	22:35	VM40-44
66	Sophie ASHWORTH	22:55	JW11-14
73	Michelle ABBOTT	23:04	VW35-39	New PB!
74	Martin BRADY	23:08	VM50-54
76	David Ian SCOTT	23:22	VM70-74
81	Nina KEWIN	23:28	VW35-39
83	Aaron LUNDIE	23:29	JM11-14	New PB!
87	Robbie SMEDLEY	23:38	JM10
88	Cassandra Darling SMEDLEY	23:38	VW35-39
89	Carl CAREY	23:40	VM45-49
96	Bethany WHEATCROFT	23:51	JW11-14	New PB!
103	Julie DAWES	24:23	VW45-49
105	Toby BIRTWISTLE	24:26	JM10
108	Chris LAWRENCE	24:36	VM50-54
109	Donna SCOTT	24:40	VW50-54
119	Lisa JOHNSON	25:03	VW40-44
132	Annabel WILCOCK	25:39	JW15-17
133	John WILCOCK	25:40	VM50-54
145	Bianca BENNETT	26:09	SW25-29
179	Helen HARRISON	27:34	VW45-49
192	Justin BIRTWISTLE	28:17	VM40-44
197	Deborah GREENWOOD	28:21	VW45-49
205	Ron CHAPPELL	28:40	VM65-69
215	Robert HIRST	29:14	VM65-69
260	Judith CAREY	32:01	VW35-39

Chadderton Hall parkrun – A total of 42 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
15	Ian HARGREAVES	25:52	VM50-54	First Timer!

Cuerden Valley parkrun – A total of 144 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
13	Alan LIFE	22:21	VM50-54	First Timer!

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 129 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
111	Robin PRICE	36:06	VM70-74

Marple parkrun – A total of 199 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
177	Ron HILL	33:50	VM75-79

Pendle parkrun – A total of 97 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
6	Paul BRANNON	20:30	VM55-59
7	John HARTLEY	20:42	VM55-59
71	Christine Jennifer EGERTON	32:09	VW65-69
76	Christine LEATHLEY	34:36	VW65-69

Skipton parkrun – A total of 141 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
78	Yvonne WICKHAM	27:32	VW50-54

Witton parkrun – A total of 88 runners took part.

Pos	parkrunner	Time	Age Cat	Note
88	Julia RUSHTON	49:55	VW50-54

Category Archive Seniors Fell

Bolton parkrun

Dewsbury parkrun

Pendle parkrun

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge

Witton parkrun

Burnley parkrun – A total of 281 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 83 runners took part.

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge – A total of 246 runners took part.

Lytham Hall parkrun – A total of 183 runners took part.