On a bleak day at Berry Hill Park in Mansfield, a selection of Harriers' athletes proudly represented their club at the National Cross Country Relays on Saturday. Mud, rain, and a bit more mud was the order of the day, and with determination they thrived in the conditions. With top athletes coming from all across the UK, the competition was fierce, and we salute the remarkable efforts of all our runners.
Our awesome juniors
Eli Cattermole, Ben Slow, Sam Keighley, Beau Clark, Oliver Powell, Tom Wright, Jacob Ewart, Faye Skilbeck, Abbie Brown, Jemima Jeffs
Our fantastic seniors
Verity Clements, Ellie Horrocks, Cara Bintcliffe, Josh Hall-Brown, Ben Crowther, Max Burgin, Harry Johnson
Gunpowder Plot 10k
There were plenty of fireworks for Will and April Stewart at the Gunpowder Plot 10k on November 5th. Will went off like a rocket, finishing third in a field of 160 runners in 42:46. April was first female finisher, and sixth overall, in 44:35. The course consisted of two laps around the Knavesmire in York on a fast, flat course on a mix of path and grass.
Guy Fawkes 10 Miles
Continuing the Bonfire Night theme, Marc Rocheteau ran the Guy Fawkes 10 Mile race on Sunday. Marc completed this popular hilly road event at Ripley near Harrogate in 1:21:39.
Delamere Half Marathon
Also on Sunday, David Broadley ran the Delamere Forest half marathon. David completed this trail event, with panoramic views of the Cheshire countryside, in 2:20:34.
Cop Hill Fell Race
Nigel Crossfield ran in Sunday's Cop Hill Fell Race, completing the two lap six mile course in 57:02. This is the only race that allows access to Meltham's iconic Cop Hill and is famous for its cake afterwards. Sounds perfect for next year's Fell League!
Shepherd's Skyline Fell Race
Seven Harriers took to the hills above Todmorden on a damp Saturday afternoon to compete in the Shepherd's Skyline Fell Race; the latest race in the club's Fell League. Conditions were very soft underfoot with plenty of mud and puddles but it stayed dry during the race. The 6.2 mile course climbs to Stoodley Pike from the Shepherd's Rest pub in Lumbutts. There is then a steep descent before another ascent followed by a technical, rocky descent to the finish.
Lee Cattermole was first home, finishing 47th in 61:18. Maksymillian Stytsun was next in 70:49. Andrea Ackroyd took maximum points in the women's section, clocking 78:14 and taking second place in the F50 category in her first fell race since the Calderdale Way Relay in May. Jane Hobson was third F50 in 80:41 with Stef Dickinson hot on her heels in 81:02. Martin Ellis (83:08) and Jenny St Romaine (114:05) completed the Harriers' line-up.
This weekend saw the West Yorkshire Cross Country league return for race 2 at Thornes Park in Wakefield. Well done to all of our fine athletes, they had a fun time navigating the autumnal mud!
U11 boys - James Sutcliffe
U11 girls - Beatrice Powell
U13 girls - Lily Atkinson & Alesha Atkinson
U13 boys - James Dix
U15 boys (1st place team) - Eli Cattermole (2nd), Ben Slow, Sam Keighley, Beau Clark, Kai Sladden, Oliver Powell & Thomas Wright
U17 ladies - Jayde Mcgregor & Annie Thorp
U17 men - Charlie Pickens & Will Cattermole
Senior ladies - Katrina Oddy, Bethan Davies & Emma Elmerhebi
Senior men (5th place team) - Harry Johnson (3rd), Ben Crowther, Gareth Burrell, Ken Montgomery, Lee Cattermole, Michael Gaughan, Paul Bateman, Andrew Greenwood, James O'Rourke, Maksymilian Stytsun