At the Inskip Half Marathon, Halifax Harriers ladies won the team prize for the third year in a row. As last year, it was April Caufield who led the ladies home in 1:27:15, some 30 seconds faster than last year. Next lady back was Helen Ward 1:32:38 (PB) and first F35. Erika Nightingale completed the team in a PB of 1:41:22.
Halifax Harriers had 24 runners at the race which starts and finishes at Blackpool Dog Showground, which is basically a field stuck out in the countryside with the Race Headquarters a tent.
The race itself was run on pleasant country lanes surrounded by fields which were difficult to see in the fog. With temperatures close to zero, it was a case of wrap up and get on with the running. However, the race being almost flat, good times were recorded with a number of PB’s.
First to finish for Halifax Harriers was Ryan Barker in 1:22:14, closely followed by Will Stewart 1:24:54 and Andrew Wiggins 1:25:35. One second behind was James O’Rourke in a PB of 1:25:36.
The club had a further four prize winners. Fred Carver, under 20 age group, 1:36:33, in his first race over the half marathon distance. David Ingle was first M55 in 1:28:47. Husband and wife duo of Raymond and Susan Hall were both winners of the 70 year age group in 1:44:13 and 2:12:26 (club F70 record).
Other runners for the club were Robert Hick 1:35:37 (3rd M60), Jonny Lister 1:36:05 (PB), Will Carver 1:36:34, Marc Rocheteau 1:40:13, Paul Hopkinson 1:43:27, Ian Giles 1:44:06 (PB), Jenny Hopkinson 1:48:38 (3rd F50), Rachel McCauley 1:51:12 (PB), Stefanie Dickinson 1:51:25 (PB), David Parrington 1:57:29, Deborah Kirkbride 2:01:59, Chris Kirkbride 2:06:55, Kirsty Carver 2:15:21.
YORKSHIRE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Once again, the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships were held at Lightwater Valley Theme Park near Ripon. The course is challenging and undulating over the hills and through the woods.
Halifax Harriers were well represented in the senior events which draws many top regional runners to this prestigious race.
The ladies pair of Katrina Oddy and Rachael Beaumont won Gold and Bronze respectively in the F50 age group.
In the senior men, new recruit Josh Hall-Brown led the men home in 42nd place. Ben Crowther was 51st, Ryan Barker 125th, Lee Cattermole 195th, Tristan Watson 219th and Stephen Fitz-Costa 251st.
Halifax Harriers younger members also had some excellent results. In the under 17 girls, Verity Clements was 10th. The under 13 girls were led home with a great performance by Nia Harrison Sargent in 5th place and well supported by Lillia Mazurke and Amelia Hammond.
The first finisher in the under 13 boys for the club was Will Cattermole supported by Euan Logue and Oliver Norris. In the under 15 boys, James Howard was 23rd with Ned Hughes some five seconds behind in 24th place.
In the under 17 boys, Ewan Wheelwright ran superbly to finish in 9th place, just missing an automatic selection for the Yorkshire Team. The under 20 mens race saw Max Burgin finish in 7th place, one minute in front of Harry Johnson 9th. Hopefully they will both gain Yorkshire County selection and represent the county in future cross country races.
BRIGHOUSE RESOLUTION RACES
At the evening races in Brighouse Halifax Harriers junior runner Foley Marshal was the winner of the 5k race in a time of 21:27. In the multi-lap 10k race Helen Ward was 3rd lady and winner of F35 age group in 42:30. In the same race Angela Clarke was 2nd F45 in 45:07. Paul Bunker ran 48:03.
HIT THE TRAIL 5 MILE RACE
Two Halifax Harriers completed this race with Will Stewart first back in 29th place in a time of 32:20, three places behind in 32nd place was April Caufield 32:39 third lady finisher.
SIR TITUS TROT MARATHON
Peter Clegg celebrated breaking the three-hour barrier for the first time when he finished in 4th place in 2:59:45 on this trail race along the Leeds Liverpool canal. David Parrington finished in 5:13:38
The standard of the elite runners at the Ribble Valley 10k gets higher each year. This race attracts athletes from all over the UK out to get a sub 30 minutes 10k. This year there were 12 men under 30 minutes, with the first three breaking the course record. The winner was Marc Stott in an excellent time of 28:22. The ladies winner was International runner Jess Judd in 32:17. There were also a further seven ladies under 35 minutes.
Halifax Harriers ladies were the Vets champions led home by Katrina Oddy 42:42 (F50 winner), with Rachael Beaumont not far behind in 43:51 (3rd F50) and Angela Clarke made up the team in a PB of 44:50.
Susan Hall was F70 winner in a club record of 1:00:35, breaking her own record by almost four minutes.
Halifax Harriers men were led home by Sunny Curwen in a PB of 39:48, followed by Will Carver 41:47, and Tristan Watson 43:56 (PB).
Other runners for the club were Paul Hopkinson 45:17, Ian Giles 46:59, Jenny Hopkinson 48:24, Sharon Cousen 51:07, Rachel McCauley 51:43 (PB), Fiona Murphy 52:20, David Parrington 54:34, Kirsty Carver 59:13.