Eight Harriers represented the club at the Piethorne Trail 10k on Sunday 16th August. David Ingle (Junior) was the first home in 44:34 followed by Will Stewart in 47:13. April Stewart was the first of our five female runners, finishing in 51:42, with Amy Radford next in 54:24. Stef Dickinson, Andrea Ackroyd, Jane Stewart and David Ingle (Senior) completed the line-up.
The stunning race route took the runners around Piethorne and Ogden Reservoirs from Newhey, near Rochdale, before going to the edge of Hollingworth Lake. Runners were treated (!) to many twists and turns as well as ups and downs with a total ascent over the 10k of 900’.
This was the last race in the club’s Fell & Trail League for the extended 2025/26 season. The final positions in the League were unaffected by the Piethorne results. James O’Rourke took first place in the Men’s Section followed by David Ingle (Senior) with Chris Standish in third. Amy Radford won the Women’s section followed by Stef Dickinson and Jane Hobson. Many congratulations to all our prize winners! Also, a special mention to Amy, Stef and Jane for taking part in at least ten races during the season.
The 2026/27 League races have been published on the club website. The first race is the Blackshaw Head Fete Fell Race on Saturday 5th September at 1pm. Entries are on the day at £6.
Another sunny evening saw a regrowing of the popularity of the summer handicap with 31 athletes taking part in the 5 mile out and back course along the Hebble Trail and canal towpath. For the second year running it was a scratch runner that conquered as Asif Razzak stormed across the finish line in an impressive time of 52 minutes and 19 seconds. That pace would have him easily smashing his 10K PB so we look forward to bringing news of that soon! The ever improving Steve Fitz-Costa took second place, just ahead of the evergreen John Greenwood in third.
Most importantly, everyone enjoyed the lighthearted fun as well as the refreshments at the track afterwards where Asif was awarded with the winners trophy.
Special thanks to Hazel Berrett, Craig Barratt, David Ingle, Steve Sladding, Fiona Murphy, Simon Gelsthorpe, Geoff & Sarah Cumber, Andrea Ackroyd, Jenny St Romain, Victoria Midgley, Debbie & Chris Kirkbride for all their help in making it happen.