Unfortunately, until further notice, we are unable to take any new under 11 juniors for the 6pm session on Tuesday evenings due to this session being full. Hopefully we will be able to accept new members in the near future.
For the 50th rendition of this iconic undulating 20 mile road race from Princess Mary Stadium, Cleckheaton, the runners were blessed with blue skies and sun after last year’s cancellation following the snow!
The organisers announced these were the best conditions they had ever had, hence the faster times.
The course is extremely pretty in parts, especially around Hartshead village.
There were 130 runners and the race was won by Jed Bartlett of Hallamshire in 1.50.48! (Wow). The first lady was Laura Hesketh of Clayton in 2.14.13.
Six Halifax Harriers ran. The first four were very close. Sarah Louise Cumber was surprised to take the v50 ladies’ club record (2.25.59), followed by Tom Paget (2.27.30), James O’Rourke (2.28.51). and Simon Johnson (2.33.07).
David Ingle (this race being a firm favourite of his) was next in (2.50.03) and to complete the team was Angela Clarke (3.11.28). Angela had an eventful race after helping a participant who had had an accident enroute!
Ryan Barker once again took on the ‘Dark Skies’ race series at Kielder Water and Forest Park in Northumberland. The ‘dark sky zone’ is the second largest area of protected night sky in Europe, and offers incredible stargazing opportunities. The races this year included a 26.6 mile marathon on Saturday night and an 11 mile race on Sunday night. Both events take on tracks and paths close to the waterside around Kielder Water reservoir, through stretches of forest, using head torches to navigate.
Saturday night started in drizzle, with the forecast worsening to see heavy rain and stronger cold winds after a few hours. The marathon was increased to almost 28 miles due to rerouting, because of fallen trees. But otherwise ran anti-clockwise all around the reservoir. Having missed a big chunk of training due to injury, Ryan paced the run conservatively, but fell back a few positions, during the first hour, with some daylight still helping progress. Over the dam and on the opposite side of the water, Ryan pushed on alone, through cold, wet weather and slippery underfoot conditions on steeper, tighter paths, but maintaining a consistent pace. As he neared the far end, heading towards the tourist spot at Kielder Castle he could see head torches in the distance getting closer and realised he could increase pace, when others were tiring. Turning back towards the finish after going over Kielder viaduct, Ryan passed several runners in the final 5 miles, despite a chilly headwind and heavy rain making it a tough finish.
Ryan finished in 6th position and 1st Vet 50 for the marathon.
For Sunday, and the 11 mile race, the weather improved, with sunshine and later, excellent views of stars, planets and the moon, during a much faster and closer race. The 11 miler had new runners as well as some marathon runners taking on the ‘double’.
On the out and back route, the pace was fast and relentless from lead runners. Ryan was lucky to stay in the top 20, with tired legs from the previous night. Although conditions were much better, a few runners took a wrong turn and lost places, through haste.
Ryan kept a good pace with some ‘fresher’ runners up to the turn point near Kielder viaduct. Using knowledge of the area, to help stay on track, pushing the final 5½ miles back. In the final ½ mile Ryan was closing on 4 runners ahead, but didn’t have the distance eventually to close the gap (the distance was almost exactly 11 miles this time)!
Ryan finished in 11th place and 2nd Vet 50 for 11 mile race.
Overall Ryan was 2nd in the ‘double’ and 1st Vet 50 for the ‘double’, picking up 3 trophies in total. To complete the series there is also a 15 mile race in May.