Spine Sprint
Harriers were represented in several races over the weekend. Will Carver and Tom Paget took on the fearsome winter edition of the Montane Spine Sprint race on Saturday. This is a physically and psychologically demanding non-stop 46 mile race along the Pennine Way from Edale in the Peak District to Hebden Bridge. Both runners, however, relished the challenge and finished well inside the 18 hour limit. Will made full use of his past experience - this was the third time he has run this race - to finish fourth overall in 10:01:07; smashing his previous best time by almost two hours. Tom was making his debut at the event, completing the course in a very impressive 12:38:21 in 27th place. Fantastic performances by both!
Temple Newsam 10
A trio of Harriers made the trip to Leeds on Sunday morning to compete in the highly popular Temple Newsam 10; a mixed terrain race around the Temple Newsam Estate offering trails, mud and memories galore. Jane Hobson led the three musketeers home, clocking 1:39:22. Andrea Ackroyd was hot on her heels in 1:39:58. Jenny St Romaine finished in 1:57:17.
Jane commented, "I enjoyed that. I tried to treat it more like a training run. [Jane is competing in the 32 mile Haworth Hobble in March]. It was a bit busy in places, but the weather was pretty much perfect."
Stanbury Splash
Three Harriers participated in the Stanbury Splash near Haworth on Sunday; the latest, and penultimate, race in the club's 2023/24 Fell League. This 6.7 mile race, takes in nearly 1,200' of ascent in total, and includes a number of water crossings as well as plenty of mud! Lee Cattermole (1:00:08) took the maximum 10 points. James O'Rourke (1:03:15) and Maksymilian Stytsun (1:13:58) also wore the club colours.
Heaton Park Half Marathon
Joanne Arundale was third female finisher and first in her age group at the Heaton Park Half Marathon in north Manchester, clocking 1:37:12.
Harewood House Trail Half Marathon
Steve and Sarah Sladdin took on the trail half marathon in the grounds of Harewood House near Leeds on Saturday morning. Steve finished in 18th place in 1:42:54. Sarah completed the course in 2:24:26.
Halifax Harriers feature in the new 50 Years of Calderdale exhibition currently showing at the Bankfield Museum (see photo). This is part of Calderdale celebrating its Year of Culture in 2024 to mark the 50th anniversary of its founding as a Borough. The aim of the Year of Culture is to showcase Calderdale by bringing together people to celebrate arts, heritage and sports, and culture in all its forms.
The exhibition runs at Bankfield Museum on Boothtown Road until December 2025. Admission is free.
15 Harriers braved the cold and rain yesterday to tackle the Coley Canter
The 8(ish!) mile multi terrain trail race was an absolute washout mud-fest, taking in the best trails, footpaths and hills in Northowram Pumas territory. With all the recent rainfall, fields had turned into streams, the trails were like skating rinks and the bogs were almost knee deep in places.
Lee Cattermole was the first Harrier back in 1:02.29 in 14th place overall.
There were a few category winners:
April Stewart was 3rd lady and 1st open FSEN with 1:09:11
Simon Gelsthorpe 1st M60 ( 1:14:18)
Mark Crabtree was 1st M65 (1:15:19) and
Hazel Berrett was 1st F60 (1:26:13)
Other runners were:
Ken Montgomery (1:05:24)
Will Carver (1:05:29)
Gareth Burrell (1:05:55)
Tom Paget (1:06:49)
James O’Rourke (1:07:05)
Ryan Barker (1:07:56)
Will Stewart (1:09:56)
Howard Coney (1:15:01)
Stefanie Dickinson (1:24:57)
Martin Haigh (1:54:25)
Thank you to our friends at Northowram Pumas Running Club for organising a fab event once again. Always great to blow off the Christmas cobwebs.
Happy new year from Team HH