A glorious summers evening drew a relatively large turnout for this years event. 28 runners took to the start line with handicaps ranging from scratch through to 18 minutes. It was a scratch runner that conquered the revised 5 mile course as Fiona Murphy crossed the finish line marginally ahead of guest runner Troy Conner. 2nd home was last years winner, Johnny Lister with the ever improving Jack Melia taking the final podium spot.
The shortened 5 mile course along the same canal towpath route proved popular with both organisers, marshals and runners so it's intended to keep this going forward. All involved enjoyed refreshments at the track afterwards where Fiona was awarded with the winners trophy.
The results can be found on the Club Races / Club Summer and Christmas Handicaps page of this website using this link:- Halifax Harriers
My thanks to all who helped make the event a success.
Nigel Rigg
Bluebell Trail 10
April Stewart triumphed at the Bluebell Trail 10 yesterday, crossing the line as the race's first female finisher in 1:21:10. April was also the first Harrier home, placing 22nd overall. Husband, Will, was next in 1:23:53. John Greenwood took first place in the M70 category in 1:50:16. David Ingle (1:37:34) and Jenny Hopkinson (1:44:13) were both third in their age groups.
In total, a dozen Harriers made the short journey to West Vale to participate in this popular race, organised by Stainland Lions. The 10.3 mile multi-terrain event is part of the Harriers' Fell & Trail League. The highly scenic course took runners through woodland, along canal towpaths and cobbled streets and featured the infamous climb of Trooper Lane and a refreshing river crossing towards the end.
Melmerby 10k
Twelve Harriers travelled to Ripon yesterday to take part in the Melmerby 10k; the latest race in the club's Road Race Championships. This fast course took runners along quiet and scenic rural roads through surrounding villages before arriving back at Melmerby. It also proved to be a highly successful outing for a number of Harriers with James O'Rourke (38:04), Rob Hick (43:36) and Jane Stewart (54:23) all placing first in their age groups. Rachel Standish was second F45 in 48:42.
Triathlon
Simon Gelsthorpe took part in the Xterra Weston Park Triathlon in Shropshire. This event is entirely off-road and is one of very few such races in the UK. Simon's race consisted of a 1.5k lake swim, a 37k cycle and a 10k run, which he completed in 3:44:15.
Martin Ellis made the journey across the Pennines to compete in the challenging Horwich Triathlon near Bolton. A 500m pool swim was followed by a scenic, undulating one loop bike ride of 40k ahead of a tough 8.6k trail run to the top of Rivington Pike. Martin finished the so-called, 'Kona of the North', in 3:04:58.
A good number of Harriers ventured off-road to take on three 'extreme' events on Saturday.
Six club members completed the 70th annual Three Peaks Fell Race in the Yorkshire Dales. James Franklin was the first to finish the tough 24 mile course, with around 5,500' of total ascent, taking 112th place in 4:11:29. Next was Steve Sladdin in 4:30:19. Sarah Cumber and James O'Rourke were only a few places apart in 4:53:03 and 4:53:52 respectively. Fred Carver (5:06:28) and Stef Dickinson (5:18:16) were the other finishers. Will Carver started the race but unfortunately had to retire halfway around the course due to a calf injury.
Andrea Ackroyd and David Broadley took on the challenge of the Calderdale Way (CW) 30 Ultra. Both completed the very hilly 30 mile course from Brighouse to Heptonstall along the CW in 7 hours and 9 minutes.
Last, but not least, Ryan Barker participated in The Fellsman, a 61 mile traverse over very rugged moorland, with over 11,000' of climbing, from Ingleton to Threshfield in the Dales. Ryan completed this epic challenge in 15 hours and 7 minutes.
A huge well done to all our athletes!