Harriers were well represented at this year's Stoop Fell Race on Sunday morning with some excellent performances in very difficult, icy conditions. Freezing rain overnight resulted in treacherous sheet ice in places, leading the organisers to alter the course, making it slightly shorter than usual. The 4.3 mile course started from Penistone Country Park outside Haworth, and consisted of an out and back route to the top of the Stoop with a total ascent of 820'.
Alex Franklin was first in his category (MU21), finishing sixth overall in 31:55. Ben Crowther was close behind, coming eighth in 32:59. Liam Parkin (36:12) and Ned Hughes (37:12) were also amongst the top 20 finishers. The men's team came second, pipped narrowly to the prize by the hosts, Wharfedale Harriers.
Other Harriers' results: James O'Rourke (46:24), Andrea Ackroyd (49:46), Jane Hobson (55:01) and Martin Ellis (58:52).
Ben Slow and Nia Sergeant-Harrison shared the spoils at this years Christmas handicap covering the cold, icy course in a time 53:26 (37:26). Kitty Sergeant-Harrison finished 3rd just behind in 53:26 (37:53) making it a clean sweep for the over 11 juniors who joined the seniors for the first time. This year saw the best turnout since 2006 with 23 participants, partly due to the club night reccie run that helped boost the numbers – thanks! John Greenwood was welcomed back and finished 5th after missing last year that halted his 35 year continuous record.
How do you rank on the all-time list (since 1985)? See the attached to compare your performance.
Thanks to Nigel Rigg for once again organising the race and to all the helpers on the day.
Races involving food and drink were the order of the day on Sunday.
Myerscough 10
Thirteen Harriers competed in the Myerscough 10 near Preston; the latest counter in the club’s road race championship. All finishers received a piece of Lancashire cheese. Gareth Burrell was first home, continuing his recent fine form, finishing in 18th place and clocking 1:01:38 on the flat, fast ten mile course. Will Carver was next, recording 1:03:57 and taking third place in the M40 category. Erika Nightingale was the first of the three Harriers women, crossing the line in 1:13:58 in third place in the F45 age group. Full Harriers results can be found under the Recent Races tab on the website.
Mytholmroyd Fell Race
Closer to home, four Harriers competed in the Mytholmroyd Fell Race; a tough six mile course with 1,600’ of total ascent over Midgley Moor. Liam Parkin finished in a highly creditable fifteenth place in 54:02 in his first fell race. Cara Bintcliffe (1:11:47), Jane Hobson (1:22:00) and Martin Ellis (1:26:28) also raced. Runners were rewarded with beer, soup and bread at the cricket club afterwards.
Pieathlon
Andrea Ackroyd and Jude Baines took part in the PieAthlon Trail Race in Huddersfield. This fun event involved a number of stops to eat pies during the 6k course. Andrea and Jude ran, walked and ate together, finishing in 57:42 and 57:43 respectively.