Category Archive Seniors Fell

ByAdrienne Olszewska

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 26th place overall and with a time of 41:06. Stephen Biscomb was 36th overall and 2nd V60 in 42:45 and Craig Nicholls was 71st 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 11th place overall and Katy Thompson was 55th.

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

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

Katy Thompson 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

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

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

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 24th 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

Sue Allen at the National Cross Country Championships

Christine Leathley 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 468th 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 1st 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 22nd  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 2nd place with a time of 35:08. Mick Hughes continues to race well and was 29th with a time of 42:02.

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

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

Our first Clayton lady was Elizabeth Mullan who was 29th overall in the race and 5th lady.  Adam Stephenson was 48th with a time of 44:22.2 and our cohort was complete by Joanne Perry who was 145th 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 2nd, 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 2nd overall and 1st girl in her race. They were presented with their prizes by Nicky Spinks.

Jenson Bentham and Ella Dorrington at the Hoppit Hill Races

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 58th place in a field of 94 runners.

Report from Alan Dorrington

Now in its 5th 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 2nd big climb on her course, taking first U15G and 2nd 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

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

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

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

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 13th  female and 6th in her category,  Jane 15th  in her category and myself 29th 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 74th overall and 1st 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 2nd 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

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.

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 18th place overall and Katy Thompson was our first lady in 40th place and 1st F60. Geoff Smith was 68th.

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

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

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

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

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

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 1st place.

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

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

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

Kady Thompson. Photo by Woodentops

Kady Thompson. Photo by Woodentops

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

Dexta Thompson. Photo by Woodentops

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

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.

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 75th 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

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 78th overall with a time of 1:28:18. Joining him in the top 100 was John Hartley in 95th and 2nd 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 190th place overall and 3rd M60,  and Wendy Dodds was 281st overall and 1st F60.

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

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 4th in the U13 boys and our U15 girls’ team finished in 3rd 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 11th

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

U11 BOYS

Team position 1st

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 5th

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

U15 GIRLS

Team position 3rd

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 29th 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

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

Team Positions

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

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

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

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

Over 55 – 2nd ( 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 3rd place.

Pos Name Time
3 Richard Lawson 35:49
V70 runner, Richard Lawson. Photo by David Wood

V70 runner, Richard Lawson. Photo by David Wood

MENS RACE

Nineteen Clayton men raced at this fixture. Danny Collinge was our first man in 13th place overall. Jacob Watson was next in 28th 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 7th place overall. Our V50 mens team finished in 2nd place.

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

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

Team Positions

A Team – 7th (D Collinge | J Watson | D Motley | M Duckworth |A Life | A Orr)

B Team – 18th (J Roche | G Berry | J Wilcock | A Quinn | M Hughes | C Nicholls)

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

Over 50 – 2nd (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 at the Fastrax 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

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

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

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

Julia Rushton was 1st F50 and Jack McGuire was 1st 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

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.

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

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.

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 8th place overall. He was joined in the race by Garry Wilkinson, James Boult and Wayne McIntosh and between them there was a 3rd place finish as a men’s team.

Men’s team – 3rd (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

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

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

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 6th place and first counter in the Rossendale team which finished in 5th 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 12th 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 5th 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 4th 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 7th 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 15th and 30th 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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Mens B Team – 13th 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

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

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 132nd overall and 1st 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

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 154th 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 1st 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 7th overall in the U11 Girls’ race.

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

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

Team position 9th (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 1st place with Robbie Smedley in 3rd and Finley Stubbs in 5th (4th in team placings when non-counters removed)

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

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

Team position 1st ( 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 28th place.

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

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

Team position 8th (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 4th place overall.

Team Position 5th ( 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 1st place.FB_IMG_1484571723745

Team Position 1st (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 4th place overall.

Team Position 5th ( 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 16th place closely followed by team mates Curtis Holt in 17th and Reece Lawrence in 19th.

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

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

Team Position 5th (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 4th 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

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

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 9th (D Airey | E Mullan | C Darling-Smedley)

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

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

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

Over 55 Team 1st ( 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 39th and 37:51.

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

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

Team Positions

‘A’ Team 4th ( J Watson | D Motley | P Coates | C Snell | C Helliwell | M Duckworth)

‘B’ Team 18th (A Holt | A Orr | A Cran | A Payne | J Wilcock | N Roscoe)

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

Over 50 team 6th (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

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 1st M35, John Hartley 1st M60 and Reece Lawrence 1st 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

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 1st 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 2nd place in the teams with the boys taking 1st and 3rd place in the teams.

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

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 32nd. 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 15th place, followed only seconds later by Louisa Powell-Smith who won the ladies race and was 16th overall.

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

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

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 34th 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

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 13th 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

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

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.

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 at the Nine Standards Fell Race. Photo by Andy Jackson

Wendy Dodds was our sole representative in this race and she finished in 109th place as 1st 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 9th place and Matthew Jackson in 16th 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

U11 Champion, Dexta Thompson. Photo by David Wood

Team Position – 1st (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 8th place in a field of 55 runners. The team finished in 7th place overall.

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

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

Team Position – 7th ( 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 3rd overall earning a bronze medal for himself. Lennon Jackson was 27th. 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 12th place.

Bethany Wheatcroft in the U13 race. Photo by David Wood

Bethany Wheatcroft in the U13 race. Photo by David Wood

Team Position – 6th (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 13th place.

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

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

Team Position – 4th (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 3rd 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

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

Team Position – 3rd ( 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

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

Team Position – 5th ( 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

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

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 1st 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Vets Team – 1st ( 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 14th place overall. The team finished in 7th 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 1st V70.

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

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

Team Position – 7th ( D Collinge | M Aspinall | R Stevenson | P Coates | M Duckworth | A Orr)

Vets Team – 2nd ( 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

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

Lennon Jackson was 2nd 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

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

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 1st senior male. Michelle Abbot was our first lady finisher and also 1st L35. Julia Rushton was 1st L50

Fastrax 5K. Photo by David Belshaw

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 1036th 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

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 62nd lady and 1st 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 34th place and 1st MV60 in 43:06. Reece Lawrence was hot on Stephen’s heels in 35th place just 2 seconds behind and 1st junior male. Michelle Abbot was our first lady finisher in 64th place overall and 1st LV35 in 46:42. Christopher Lawrence and Helen Harrison completed the Clayton team finishing in 71st and 156th 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 1st 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 45th place and 2nd Vet55 in 1:02:53 and Kevin was 77th and 6th Vet55 in 01:06:13. There were 413 finishers.

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

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

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
75 Toby Birtwhistle 9:07
Dexta THompson on his way to 1st U11 B. Photo: Alan Dorrington

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

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.

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

 

Sunday 13 November

Windmill 10k

Clayton at the 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…15078904_10211573321035462_2209104053296040252_n

 

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: Kath Brady

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 4th 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 2nd 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 3rd 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

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.

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. Pic: Alan Dorrington

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

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

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

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.

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

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

A Team  – 8th (Jordan MCDonald | Matthew Duckworth | Andrew Orr | Gareth Berry | Andrew Holt | Alan Dorrington)

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

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 3rd place overall in the Lancashire competition. Bronia was second counter in her team (Junior Girls) and their team also finished in 3rd 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 91st place overall and with a time of 02:38:47. Wendy Dodds was our sole lady runner. She finished in 275th place overall and 1st FV65. There were 380 finishers in this year’s race.

Ryan Belshaw at the Langdale Horseshoe. Photo by Sam Watson

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

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

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 18th place with an overall finish time of 91:35. Mike Wallis was 19th with an overall time of 96:22

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

Colin Woolford was 3rd 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

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.

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!

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

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

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

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