News – Page 36 – Clayton-le-Moors Harriers

ByJim Hickie

Cannonball 5k Midweek Winter Series (1/4)

The Cannonball Events Todmorden 5k race series started with a bang on Wednesday with 48 headtorch-wearing runners lining up to do battle. 11 athletes were there representing Clayton Harriers from both the senior and junior sections.

The race was started at 7pm sharp by series organiser John Lloyd. Claytons wheelchair athlete Anthony Gotts swiftly disappeared into the darkness with Captain Tom Brewster and Chris Holdsworth heading the runners into lap 1.

Todmorden Harriers Jon Wright gained a healthy lead on lap 3 and a battle between the two leading Clayton Harriers began with positions changing regularly until the fight was decided in the last 200 meters and a sprint to the line for 2nd and 3rd being taken by Tom and Chris respectively – Nick Gaskell hunting the leaders down with a strong final lap to take 4th and securing the mens team prize.

An excellent race was had by Clayton Junior Kenan Eti completing the race in 7th place just ahead of Kevin Davies (alias Nick Faldo, Mahogany Man, Morroccan Sunset……) in 8th resulting in Clayton securing 6 of the top 10 places, Kieron Mitchell coming home in 18th rounding up the senior team.

Clayton Juniors George Pier, Thomas Bradley, Alice Pier and Daniel Bradley all had an excellent outing showing that their efforts in training are paying off.

An excellent start to the series by Team Clayton!

Race 2 of the series kicks off on Wednesday 4th December with hopes high for another top performance for all athletes!

Full Details for the remaining races can be found HERE

Race 1 Results HERE

Race 1 Photos HERE

ByJason Pier

Red Rose Cross Country, Rossendale

The final race of the Red Rose XC League takes place on Saturday 7th December at Marl Pits, Rossendale. Use postcode BB4 7SW please double check before you set off. This course is historically very muddy so please be careful in your choice of footwear. The course has changed slightly from previous years with the start line being moved. Parking will be limited as there are two rugby matches taking place. Please be respectful to the local residents if you park on Newchurch Road. Please DON’T stray onto the rugby and football pitches when warming up. Refreshments, changing and toilets are available in the sports pavilion.

REMEMBER to bring your RED ROSE race number with you.

Juniors please make sure you bring along to EVERY race the following items:

Club Vest, waterproof / windproof jacket, tracksuit bottoms, hat/buff, gloves, trail / fell shoes or cross country running spikes.

Also remember to bring a drink (not fizzy), a banana or cereal bar with you. It’s important that you are fully prepared before you race.

Please arrive at least 45 minutes before your race starts.

START TIMES COURSE MAP

ByJason Pier

junior xc series

Liverpool – Preston – Todmorden – Southend – Schools XC

The juniors have been very busy of late taking part and doing extremely well in races around the country. Their continued improvement and regular attendance at local races is beginning to be noticed by other clubs and runners. It’s great to hear members of other clubs saying “Clayton have got some very good juniors now” It makes all the hard work we ALL put in (juniors and coaches/volunteers) worth while.

Mid Lancs XC, Liverpool, Saturday 23rd November.

12 juniors travelled to compete in race 2 of the Mid Lancs XC League held at Sefton Park, Liverpool. This race was organised by British Athletics and included some of the very best runners from around the UK. Again the juniors gave their all in conditions which were much better than in previous years. The following results only include the Mid Lancs clubs who took part.

U11 Girls: Roanna Holdsworth 36th.

U13 Girls: Briony Holt 17th and Eleanor Root 31st.

U13 Boys: Thomas Bradley 19th and Daniel Bradley 43rd.

U15 Girls: Alice Pier 21st.

U15 Boys: Kenan Eti 25th, Curtis Holt 31st and Simon Wilshaw 42nd.

U17 Girls: Beth Quinn 20th.

U17 Boys: Jordan McDonald 21st and George Pier 28th.

RESULTS

The Best 5k, Preston, Sunday 24th November.

George and Alice Pier took part in the 5k race hoping to set new pb’s on a new course for them. George managed a new pb of 19:27 finishing 18th male. Alice missed out by only 4 seconds posting a time of 22.10 to finish 5th female in the adults race.

RESULTS

Todmorden Park 5k Winter Series, Wednesday 27th November.

5 juniors took part in race 1 of the Todmorden Park 5k Winter Series organised by Cannonball Events. Night running with a headtorch was a whole new experience for them which they all enjoyed. Kenan Eti was 1st MU18 in a pb time of 18.25. After narrowly missing out on a pb in her last race Alice Pier achieved a new pb finishing 1st FU18 in a time of 21.39. George Pier was 2nd MU18, 19.32, Thomas Bradley 3rd MU18, 19.33 with younger brother Daniel 4th MU18, 24.29

RESULTS

Inter Schools XC, Wednesday 27th November.

Briony and Curtis Holt both representing their school Park High, Colne took part in the Inter Schools XC. Briony once again in excellent form finished 1st Girl in her race. Curtis continuing to impress was 5th Boy in his race.

ESSA Cross Country Cup Grand Final, Southend, Saturday 30th November.

Eleanor Root was again representing Skipton Girls High School in this year’s Grand Final held at Southend High School for Girls. Eleanor running in the junior girls race finished 52nd in a field of 136 to help her team to a fantastic 6th place finish.

RESULTS

Well done to ALL of the above for your excellent results.

ByJim Hickie

What a Day!

What a brilliant weekend for Clayton hosting two rather large and very successful events on the same day!

Saturday started with around 440 runners assembled in Barley for the 30th running of the Full Tour of Pendle. The field was boosted this year with a number of runners in the area for the FRA presentation dinner and dance being held at the Mytton Fold hotel in the evening.

“Spencer Riley”

Thirty six Clayton runners set off on a lovely clear, chilly morning, with Spencer Riley, Paul Thompson and Dave Motley making excellent starts. Matt Roberts from Eryri was first home, closely followed by Ian Holmes; Jasmin Paris from Carnethy took the ladies race, all in excellent times. Unfortunately Paul Thompson had to pull out but Spencer finished a fantastic 7th in 2:23:42 – only 6 months after breaking his ankle – quite a recovery! Fell Captain Dave Motley was the second Clayton home in 2:37:01, according to Dave a PB by 15 minutes!

“Capt Motley”

Well done to the other 34 Clayton finishers, including the 4 ladies. The prize giving was a great advert for the club with Spencer picking up his prize for 7th in the open category. Katy Thompson first lady vet 60, Jean Brown was 3rd lady vet 45 and the ladies also taking second team (Jean Brown, Avril Duckworth and Barbara Savage). Well done to Avril in her first long fell race – not an easy one for sure! A number of runners had personal bests on the day – congratulations to all of them.

Many thanks to Keiran Carr for all of his work to put the race on, and all of his helpers and marshals who made it possible.

“Barbara Savage”

After a good scrub a number of us then went along to the FRA dinner at the Mytton Fold Hotel. Marie Greenwood had organised the event pretty much single handed and what a brilliant job she had done! A number of the club were presented with their English championship medals – Linda Lord was the first up to pick up her trophy for coming first LV65, Linda also collected Wendy Dodds’ trophy for being first LV60 and her medal for 2nd LV55 (Wendy is out being Doctor for the Everest marathon so wasn’t able to attend). When it came to the men, Keiran Carr pick up his medal for being 3rd vet 65, again in the English Championships.

Alongside the championship presentations there was also the presentation for the Lakeland Classic series where Jean Brown picked up her mug for being 3rd lady and 2nd LV40. The evening seemed to be enjoyed by everyone – dancing to the band until the early hours!

Many thanks Marie!

ByIrene Roche

Clayton Ladies Liverpool Cross Country

With six ladies at Liverpool, we achieved just about mid table in results from senior to vets. Excellent work girls :-), Rebecca Louise Rawcliffe, Jean Knightley, Georgina Slater, Sarah Whittaker, Christine Leathley and me…
And Clayton Ladies won the FV55 award – Jk, C.L. and me 🙂
Conditions were certainly better than last year, that is, not quite as much mud! With last minute nerves left on the start line, we all enjoyed the race with our own stories to tell.
Its certainly a race apart from the other Mid Lancs fixtures as this one entails standing alongside runners competing for the European Championship qualifiers.
There was a special “buzz” about the whole day out.

Cheers girls, Irene

ByJim Hickie

Tour Of Pendle Results 2013

Results from this years race :-

Tour Results 2013

Thank-you to all Marshals, Supporters, Organisers, Volunteers & Runners for making this another successful Tour of Pendle.

ByJim Hickie

#TeamClayton Ladies at Liverpool XC

(L to R – Irene Roche, Rebecca Rawcliffe, Georgina Slater, Christine Leathley, Sarah Whittaker and Jean Kightley)

ByJim Hickie

Team Clayton at The Tour Of Pendle 2013

What a cracking day with so many of Team Clayton there wearing the vest with Pride! Well done to all finishers in this epic race. Full galleries are available at the below links and results & reports will be available this week!

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Woodentops Photos

Racing Snakes Photos

ByJim Hickie

Race Report Preston 10 mile

Sunday morning around 400 runners lined up for the 32^nd Preston 10 mile 2 lap road race organised by Preston Harriers

Clayton team made up by Nick Gaskell, Steve Biscomb, Martin Brady, Ted Orell & Ron Chappell!

Nick being a new member to Clayton and running a few local 10k’s fancied a go at the 10 mile distance! Finishing in a time of 58.59 overall 10^th and picking up 1^st vets prize!

Since joining Clayton back in the summer I’ve stepped up to doing a mixture of hill and track training and feel this is helping me pace myself in the races! “ I was a bit nervous about running the 10 mile distance as I’ve only really focused on 10k’s / 5k’s coming mainly from an unattached ( non club runner) for years!!

Joining a running club was at first a difficult decision, but now a few months in, running in the Clayton colours as really helped me with my running, there’s lots of support on the social media sites from other members, other clubs and also the spectators at the races too!

Sum up!! going to finish a cracking 2013 off with a few x country’s a few 5k’s up at Cannonball, Longridge 7

2014!! Really looking forward to more races and running for Clayton also working on my times & focusing on the 10k distance!

I love running, it de-stresses me from a hard day’s work..!

The full results list can be found HERE

Nick 😉

ByJim Hickie

Deputy Ladies’ Road & Trail Captain

Candice Heys, our Ladies’ Road and Trail Captain, is recovering following a successful knee operation, and expects that it will be some months before she can return to running and racing. To support Candice in her role, the committee has appointed Rebecca Rawcliffe as Deputy Ladies’ Road and Trail Captain. Rebecca joined Clayton in February this year and is a familiar face at John Roche’s Tuesday and Thursday training sessions. Candice and Rebecca will work together to ensure that our Ladies put up a good performance at the upcoming Witton Park Trail Relays on 2nd February, and also at the Northern Six Stage in Manchester on 15th March.

Jim Hickie, Club Chair