Race You to the Summit Fell Race
Eight Halifax Harriers competed in Saturday’s Race You to The Summit fell race. It is a long established race of over 4.5 miles and nearly 1,000’ of climbing that begins at The Summit pub near Littleborough. The course climbs over the moors to the White House pub at Blackstone Edge before heading back down to the start. The early morning rain cleared just before the race start and it remained dry. Kieran Manchester was the first Harrier home in third place overall in a time of 30:39, less than a minute behind the race winner. Jane Hobson was the first Harriers lady back in sixth in the ladies race in 44:39. Other Harriers were Will Carver (39:36), Simon Gelsthorpe (40:54), Paul Hopkinson (48:35), Martin Ellis (52:39), Margaret Deacon (53:36) and Kirsty Carver (59:06).
Apperley Bridge Canter
Four Halifax Harriers participated in the Apperley Bridge Canter, a challenging race of around 10k on a mix of woodland tracks, paths and roads in a rural part of the Aire Valley. The runners enjoyed a great route in glorious sunshine. Sally Shacklock was the first Harrier home in 58:30. Other Harriers were Andrea Ackroyd (59:57), Jenny St Romaine (66:47) and David Parrington (69:01).
Joshua Hall-Brown was first back for Halifax Harriers at the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k in 33:01 (PB). The entry this year was well down on previous years with only 2,700 completing the course. The race started and finished on the Headrow in front of Leeds Town Hall. Improvements to the route eliminated some of the turns through the shopping centre on the way out and the runners had a slight incline on the way to the turn point at Kirkstall Abbey.
The first three men back for Halifax Harriers were Joshua Hall-Brown, Nial Smith 37:59 and Tom Paget 38:01 (PB). The first three ladies back for the club were April Caufield 40:09, Alice Vick 41:58 (PB) and Rachael Beaumont 44:09.
Other runners for the club were James O’Rourke 38:23 (PB), William Stewart 39:34, Stephen Fitz-Costa 43:58, Angela Clarke 44:16 (PB), Erika Nightingale 44:53 (PB), Robert Hick 45:20, Nigel Taylor 46:16, Paul Hopkinson 46:21, Marc Rocheteau 46:55, Stefanie Dickinson 47:29 (PB), Tim Slow 48:42 (PB), David Parrington 54:38, Angela Cowton 58:07 (PB), Kirsty Carver 59:51, Deborah Kirkbride 59:59, Christopher Kirkbride 63:07, Susan Hall 65:04 (3rd F70), Monica Gallagher 65:19.
For the sixth year, Halifax Harriers had their annual club trip to Majorca. Once again, they had warm and sunny weather for the full and half marathons and the 10k. These are one of the few races undertaken by club members intent on having a good time in the warm weather rather than worrying about setting PB’s. This does not stop runners trying their best, but, with the warm conditions and the nature of the course, times are less important than enjoying the day.
The 10k, full and half marathon follow the same 6 miles from the start in front of the magnificent cathedral. The route follows the seafront for the first 3 miles, passing the harbour full of expensive boats, before returning back to the start for the 10k runners. The marathon does two laps and the half marathon one lap of a twisting, undulating route along narrow alleyways in the old town where there are spectators around each corner.
This year Halifax Harriers had their largest team of runners and supporters (27) with runners in all distances from 10k to the marathon. Ryan Barker completed the marathon, only one week after his sub 3 hours at London, in a time of 3:18.
In the half marathon, Harry Johnson was first back for the club and 1st junior in 1:25:31. Other runners in the half marathon were April Caufield 1:34:36 3rd FSen, Will Stewart 1:36:23, Marc Rocheteau 1:53:38, Rachel McCauley 1:56:43, Martin Ellis 2:00:59, Mark Crabtree 2:18:32, Jenny St Romaine 2:18:32.
The 10k saw eleven runners enjoying the coastal run. Sarah Cumber was third lady in 39:53. Simon Johnson 39:26 was 1st M55, Raymond Hall 48:58 was 1st M75 and Hazel Berrett 50:41 was 1st F55. Susan Hall was 2nd F70 in 66:38.
Other runners for Halifax Harriers in the 10k were Andrea Ackroyd 57:15, John Moore 59:37, Natasha Empsall 62:01, Craig Empsall 62:02, Christopher Kirkbride 65:57, Martin Haigh 72:14.
MANCHESTER HALF AND FULL MARATHON
Halifax Harriers had six runners at the Manchester Marathon with Phil Smith just missing out on breaking the three hour barrier in a time of 3:01:03. Next back was Jonny Lister 3:52:17, Sarah Glyde 3:59:11, Sally Shacklock 3:59:51, Nigel Jamieson 4:02:22 and Sharon Castelow 4:03:25.
In the Half Marathon, Joshua Mitchell had a superb run to break the club record by 3 minutes in a time of 1:09:45. Joshua Hall-Brown ran a PB of 1:14:21.