Ten Halifax Harriers competed in Saturday's Wharfedale Trail Half Marathon. The 13.2 mile race is on a tough but very scenic course in the Yorkshire Dales. There are a number of challenging climbs with the ascent totalling over 2,000'. There were some excellent performances by Harriers ladies. Hazel Berrett was first Harrier home and was second in her category (F55) in a fine time of 2:12:31. Jane Hobson followed and was third in the F50 category in 2:17:30, continuing her excellent recent off-road performances. Fiona Murphy was first F60 in 2:30:58. Other Harriers to run were Nigel Jamieson, Margaret Deacon, Andrea Ackroyd, Sally Shacklock, Martin Ellis, Sharon Cousen and Jenny St Romaine.
Four Harriers ran in the Stocks Lane Stinger on Sunday. The route is approximately 6.5 miles long on mixed terrain and, as befits the race name, concludes with a gruelling 1.25 mile climb out of Luddenden up Stocks Lane to Mount Tabor, with an average gradient of 11% and a maximum of over 17%. A cooling light rain during the race was gratefully received by the competitors! Harriers ladies again excelled. Alice Vick was the second lady to finish in 11th position overall in 52:46. Rachel Beaumont picked up two prizes - 3rd lady and first female over 50 - with a time of 53:16. Completing the Harriers line-up, Margaret Deacon (64:47) and Martin Ellis (67:07) were both third in their age categories.
It was another fantastic night of great performances by the young stars of Halifax Harriers at Cleckheaton. Molly Firth continued her dominance of the U17 Girls division with another winning 800m and a 200m PB of 26.1, closely followed by Elise Horner with a new PB of 27.41. Jayde McGregor overcame tired legs from her effort in the English Fell Championships and scored a massive PB in the GU15 800m, winning her heat in 2.24.17. Maisie Brown is getting back to her best level with a 28.68 GU15 200m. Nia Harrison Sargent clocked a 200m PB of 27.3. Poppy Jowett won the GU11 75m and Kitty Harrison-Sargent narrowly missed out on a PB in the 80m, finishing 4th. Maisie Gilligan got herself a new PB in th GU17 200m of 29.17, Paige Hardcastle clocking 29.1. Louise Royston won the Senior Women's 200m in 26.81 and, as usual, Claire Ryan turned up and put in a good points winning performance (as a F vet 40).
Sam Keighley won the U13 800m with a (big) new PB of 2.29.24. He was ably supported by Ben Slow and Beau Clark who both worked hard to set benchmark times for themselves. Ben then won the high jump with a leap of 1.25m. In the U13 Boys Albert Jones scored well, finishing 4th in the 600m and 3rd in the Long jump. Euan Logue, Alfie Brook and Elliot Clark all worked hard for points in the U15 division, with Euan posting a huge 800m PB of 2.23.8. and Elliott leaping to second in the Long Jump with 4.5 m. Eesa Idrees represented well in the U17s, winning the discus and coming 3rd in the 200m. And in the U20 division, Ben Combes ran a decent 200m, finishing 2nd in 24.93. All in all, a superb effort from all our athletes. Thank you for your efforts and well done.
On what was probably the worst conditions possible, thirteen members of Halifax Harriers ran in the Tatton Park 10k. Persistent cold rain and some wind saw the runners tackle the undulating course which zig-zagged around the park. Most runners were below their best due to the conditions and it being their first race after lockdown.
The Tatton Park 10k was the first event in Halifax Harriers Club Challenge, a series of 14 races over distances of 5k to half marathon.
Michael King was first back for the club in 41:23, followed by Stephen Fitz-Costa 45:17, Marc Rocheteau 47:16 and Nigel Rigg 47:43. Paul Hopkinson was 3rd M60 in 48:52 and Raymond Hall 1st M75 in 52:11. Samantha Lay field ran 53:17, David Parrington 54:26, Emily King 55:27, John Moore 55:56 and Christopher Kirkbride 57:34. Deborah Kirkbride was 2nd F60 in 58:44 and Susan Hall 1st F70 in 65:47.
RUN ABLE 5K
Five Halifax Harriers members entered this race. Sarah Cumber finished in 3rd place and 1st female in 21:13, Will Stewart finished in 5th place in 21:54 with Simon Johnson just behind in 22:05. April Caufield was 2nd lady in 22:21 and Nigel Taylor ran 26:44.
OLD COLLIERY CANTER 20 MILE
Halifax Harriers had three entrants in this 20 mile race. First back was Martin Ellis 3:28:00 with Andrea Ackroyd just behind in 3:31:17 and 1st lady. Jenny St Romaine was 14th in 3:46:04.
RUN AINTREE RACES
At this event there was the option to run either 5k, 10k or half marathon. In the 5k, Halifax Harriers had two runners – Katie Brook 24:59 and John Moore 27:42. In the10k, Ben Crowther was 8th in 33:24, his best time since 2012 when he then ran 32:19.
Halifax Harriers have now resumed full training, both on the track at Spring Hall and the roads around Halifax and are pleased to be able to now start accepting new members to all sessions. (Full details are on the club website)