Stef Dickinson led home the 10-strong Harriers contingent at yesterday's Run Bolton Abbey 10 trail race, finishing in 21st place in 1:37:16.
This beautiful race takes place on the trails around the Bolton Abbey Estate and raises funds for the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope. The ten mile event takes in very varied terrain and scenery with a total ascent of over 1,500', and contains a section in the middle that feels very much like a fell race. Conditions were ideal with cool temperatures, no rain and little wind. Views, however, were restricted by mist on a typical November day.
Rachel Standish (1:39:35) and Jenny Hopkinson (1:43:06) followed Stef in, with both taking first place in their respective age groups. Fiona Murphy (1:52:48) was also first in her age group.
Rob Hick unfortunately took a wrong turn and added three miles to his run. There was some talk that Rob was simply seeking full value for his money as he had initially entered, and paid for, the half marathon race!
Other Harriers to compete were; Andrea Ackroyd, Sharon Jamieson, Martin Ellis, Margaret Deacon and Jane Hobson. Full results can be found in the Recent Races section on the website.
This was the latest race in the club's Fell & Trail League. The situation is very tight in the women's section with Jane Hobson and Stef Dickinson tied at the top with Rachel Standish just one point behind. In the men's section, Ryan Barker leads Will Carver by one point with Tom Paget in third. There are three races left in the 2024/25 season with the next race being the Coley Canter on 28th December.
Halifax Harriers had another good team turnout for the 3rd XC league race at Middleton Park in Leeds on Sunday. The new testing course consisted of relentless rolling hills although conditions underfoot were dry.
The Under 11 Girls team placed well in 5th with the U15 Boys doing one better and placing 4th team on the day. Sarah Cumber and Katrina Oddy both showed their strength and class in the Senior Ladies race, both finishing 1st in their respective age categories (Sarah had raced the previous evening at Barrowford). Will Cattermole had a strong finish, just outsprinting clubmate Liam Parkin on the line to finish 7th U20. James Franklin had another solid run finishing 1st M45.
With just one more league race to go, the Harriers are featuring in the overall West Yorkshire standings with Ben Crowther in 3rd M35, James Franklin 1st M45 and Nigel Rigg 3rd M60. The U15 Boys are joint 3rd team with the U11 Girls in 3rd team place.
The final race in the WYXC league is on Sunday 8 December at Oulton Sports Club, Rothwell. See the XC page for full results of the races to date, current club championship standings and details of the final race.
Harry Johnson on Saturday 9th obliterated his own 5K PB by an astonishing 31secs to finish 12th in the highly recognised Adidas Podium 5K at Barrowford.
Stacked full of internationals, Harry ran 14.03 ahead of Olympic gold medallist Jonny Brownlee and arch rival of fellow club mate of Max Burgin, Ben Pattison. The race was won in 13.36 by Belgian Ruben Hendrix with Leeds City's 2024 Marathon Olympian Phil Sesseman 3rd in 13.38.
Both Harry and coach Matthew Pierson are delighted with the fast progress, which has elevated Harry to elite status with 18 months of coaching.