Seven Harriers turned out for the Coiners Fell Race on Bank Holiday Monday; the latest race in the club's fell league championship. The 11k course consists of a tour of Coiners' country above Mytholmroyd on paths, tracks and moorland, taking in Erringden Moor, Stoodley Pike and Bell House Moor. There are spectacular views of Cragg Vale with a total ascent of 300 metres.
Kieran Manchester was the first Harrier, impressively finishing in fourth place in 48:29. Hazel Berrett led the trio of ladies, winning the W60 category in 1:10:52. Hazel was hotly pursued by Jane Hobson, who was just two seconds behind, taking second place in the W50s.
Other Harriers were: James O'Rourke (1:07:33), Stephen Fitz-Costa (1:14:18), Paul Hopkinson (1:16:08) and Margaret Deacon (1:31:24).
On Saturday, Will Carver took on the classic Three Peaks Fell Race in near perfect conditions. The course is 23.3 miles long and involves 5,300' of ascent, taking in the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside. Will recorded a time of 4:24:32, coming home in 161st place out of 387 finishers. 59 runners did not complete the race.
On Sunday, three Harriers competed in the Willow Valley Flyer. The 7.5 mile multi-terrain race was organised by Brighouse Bumble Bees. Starting in Brighouse, the hilly route goes through Willow Valley golf course on both the outward and home bound stretches and includes road, bridleways and footpaths. Rachel McHale was the first Harrier home and fourth placed lady overall, clocking 1:03:24. Angela Clarke (1:05:36) and Martin Ellis (1:09:18) were the other Harriers.
Also on Sunday, in central London, whilst club runner, Ellis Cross, was battling it out and finally defeating Mo Farah, our own Steve Denniss completed the Vitality London 10k in 51:20.
Will Carver and Jane Hobson competed in the Orchan Rocks Fell Race in Todmorden on Tuesday evening; the second race in this season’s club fell league. Last season’s male and female champions were the only Harriers to take part, therefore picking up maximum points. Both are setting the early pace in this year’s competition. Will finished in 20th place and Jane was 56th in times of 28:49 and 34:23 respectively.
Jane reports: “It was a short race, about 5.4km. The start was straight up hill, initially on tarmac that quickly turned into a track through woods and then into fields. Eventually we came out into a farmyard and turned right and flattened out onto moorland for a while. There was another uphill before descending back down to the farmyard, continuing downhill all the way to the finish. There was only a little bit of mud, at the top in the marshy grass, and the weather was perfect, sunny with a light wind.”
The next race in the fell league is Coiners next Monday (2nd May) at 1pm. Registration is at Mytholmroyd Community Centre and the entry fee is £8 (£6 for FRA members). The race is 10.8km (6.7m) long with 295m (968’) ascent.
Another great fun night out on Tuesday at Bunny Run 2 in Haworth with an excellent turnout of a dozen Halifax Harriers. Joshua Hall-Brown overcame his, shall we say "adventurous" footwear choice (spikes!!) to finish 8th in 17:09, just sprinting past Alex Franklin in the closing metres, which was a bit harsh as Alex had run very well and shown Josh the way round. Will Cattermole improved significantly on last week's run to finish 20th and 3rd U17 Boy in 18:39, just behind Liam Parkin, who had a great run on his fell racing debut (despite wearing Josh's hopeless Hokas).
Nigel Crossfield had another stormer in 41st, picking up the 2nd MV50 prize along the way in 20:25. Lee Cattermole didn't manage to win the family battle, but did finish in 48th (20:57), having slid his way around in less than ideal footwear (there's a theme here). Jayde McGregor wasn't far behind in 54th (21:29), picking up a deserved Easter egg for being 3rd U17 girl, to add to the one she won last week.
Jane Hobson led the senior ladies home in 24:52, also winning an Easter Egg for placing third in the FV50 category. Nigel Jamieson was close behind in 25:47. Andrea Ackroyd (26:06), Martin Ellis (28:08) and Jenny St Romaine (33:02) rounded off a really heartwarming show from Team Halifax.
Bunny Run 3 is next Tuesday with the Bunny Relays the following Tuesday. The Relays are a mad dash around the 1.5 mile large Bunny Run loop and will be a fun alternative to Tuesday night road/track sessions if anyone fancies it.