The annual trip to Mallorca just keeps getting better and better with more people attending each year. This time there were 36 of us and it was so much fun! Racing, bike rides, meals, yoga, boat trips, karaoke, bingo, table tennis, pool, lots of laughs…. the list is endless.
The centrepiece of the trip was, as usual, the races in the island's beautiful capital of Palma, starting early on the Sunday morning with runners enjoying the stunning sunrise ahead of the races.
Ryan Barker and Max Stytsun took on the full marathon distance, finishing in 3:18:59 and 4:13:25 respectively, with Max setting a Personal Best (PB).
Ten Harriers ran the Half Marathon with April Stewart (1:30:36) and Will Stewart (1:33:17) leading the way. Next was Steve Wilford in a new PB time of 1:43:53. Other Harriers were; Joanne Arundale, Paul Hopkinson, Marc Rocheteau, Jenny Hopkinson, Hazel Berrett, Andrea Ackroyd and Jenny St Romaine.
A total of 15 Harriers and their guests participated in the 9k event. Craig Empsall was first home in 40:35 followed by Mark Crabtree (3rd M65) in 42:11 and Phil Grimes, who won the M70 category in 43:03. Full results are in Recent Races on the website.
Rachel McCauley was an absolute trooper taking part in the 9k and keeping her spirits high after breaking her ankle a few days before the trip. Chris and Debbie Kirkbride heroically pushed Rachel around the course in her wheelchair (see photo).
Thanks to everyone who made it special and well done to everyone who raced and pushed wheelchairs. Thanks Chris and Debbie as always for all the organising.
Who’s coming next year?
Seven Harriers took part in Saturday's Race You to the Summit Fell Race; a race that is now 56 years old. It starts at the Summit Inn on the main road between Todmorden and Littleborough, with competitors running up to the White House pub near Blackstone Edge. Runners then touch the pub wall and run back down for a well earned drink.
In total the course is 4.3 miles long with over 800' of ascent. Halloween costumes are encouraged and a number of Harriers took up the challenge (see photo). As has become customary at this race, Will Carver ran dressed as Gandalf. Despite costume and matching broomstick, Will still managed to be the first Harrier back, finishing in 36th place in 41:06. Rob Hick was next (second M65) in 44:45.
Stef Dickinson was the first of our four ladies in 47:12 (second F50) followed by Rachel Standish, who was first in the F45 category in 47:43. The other Harriers were David Ingle (51:50), Jane Hobson (53:42) and Kirsty Carver (1:03:04).
Well done to all our runners!
This was the latest event in the club's Fell & Trail League. The next League race is the Run Bolton Abbey 10 Mile Trail Race on 10th November. It's pre-entry only. So far, seven Harriers have entered. It would be great to see a few more!
https://racebest.com/races/9fu4f
Harry Johnson was ninth out of more than 18,000 runners at the Manchester Half Marathon on Sunday. Harry set a personal best and club record time of 1:06:21, continuing his recent sensational form. Erawan Wanithanont also represented the club, finishing in an impressive 1:24:15 in 551st place.
Ten Harriers participated in the ever-popular Leeds Abbey Dash 10k. Ben Crowther led the team home in 33:25. Watson Peel was next in 34:54. Tabitha Howe was the first of our ladies, clocking 43:23, with Joanne Arundale (44:08) and Alice Vick (44:18) close behind. Susan Hall was third FV75, setting a new age group club record of 1:13:42.
Husband and wife team, Will and April Stewart, raced in the Holmfirth 10k. April was third female finisher in 17th place in 42:12. Will completed the challenging undulating, but scenic, course in 43:29 in 23rd.
Further afield, John Moore finished the Chicago Marathon in 6:06:27.
Away from the roads, James Franklin ran in the Withins Skyline Fell Race. James finished the 6.2 mile course, with 820’ of total ascent, in 53:28 in 32nd place.
Ryan Barker travelled to South Yorkshire for the Sheffield TenTenTen. This 10k trail race takes place in the city’s Endcliffe Park, incorporating grass, roads, paved paths and woodland trails with a fair number of lumps, bumps, twists and turns. Ryan was second MV50 in 35th place overall in 45:08.
Well done to all our athletes competing at the weekend. Full results are on our website under Recent Races.
Photo of Harry at the Manchester Half Marathon