Personal fitness has never been as important as it is today so two members of Halifax Harriers, Jude Baines and Jenny St. Romaine, organised a nine-week Couch to 5k programme on behalf of the club.
Halifax Harriers celebrated the completion of its first couch to 5k (C25k) course last weekend at Halifax’s Shroggs Parkrun with eleven participants successfully graduating. C25k is an initiative for those new to running or looking to return to the sport after an absence. The nine-week programme, where new runners were supported by Harrier’s members running alongside them gradually builds distance, stamina, confidence and friendships culminating in a 5k run.
Shroggs Parkrun is a free, timed, inclusive 5k which is hosted each week by a team of volunteers and was chosen as the ideal event for the C25k trial. Graduates of the training programme include: Lucy Hodgson, Sadie Ryan, Hannah Wilczynski, Gemma Weatherby, Mel Sutcliffe, Sandra Hampshire, Aktar Hussain, John McGee, Katherine Coussement, Vickie Steadman and Anne Dubickas. Each graduate was supported during the parkrun by a Halifax Harrier.
Many of the C25k graduates are going to continue running with the support of the Harriers as they embark on the next phase of the journey, the 5k to 10k programme.
Anyone who is interested in starting running please have a look at the ‘Training’ tab of this Halifax Harriers website, where details of our training groups, which are suitable for all abilities from beginner to elite runner, can be found.
Halifax Harriers had great success at the Bradford City Runs on Sunday 31st October. Bradford City Runs is a festival of running with a unique format; one 5K loop starting at Ciry Park then up past the University, The Broadway shopping centre and Little Germany to create 3 adult race distances; 5k, 10k and a half marathon and a kids one mile fun run. The number of entrants was around 350 for the three senior races, down by over a half from the last time it was run in 2019. The non-stop torrential rain must have put some runners off and it was impossible to avoid the rivers of rain running down the streets.
The first three Harriers in the 5k race were Ben Crowther who won the race in a time of 17:28, Niall Smith was 5th (3rd MSen) and Danny Baxter 6th (1st MU20). The first Harriers three ladies back were Helen Ward (1st F35), Angela Clarke (2nd F45) and Stefanie Dickinson (F45 3rd)
Other runners for the club were James O'Rourke (1st M45), Will Carver (2nd M40), Stephen Fitz-Costa (1st M55), Wayne Stevens (3rd M50), Paul Hopkinson (1st M60), Marc Rocheteau (M55 2nd), Ben Slow (MJun), Tim Slow, Katie Brook (2nd FJun). David Parrington, Jane Stewart (1st F60), John Moore, Kirsty Carver, Chris Kirkbride (2nd M60), and Deborah Kirkbride (3rd F60).
In the Half-Marathon Will Stewart finished third overall (1st MSen), April Caufield was the first female finisher (1st FSen) and Joanne Arundale was 2nd female finisher (F35 1st).
Race You to the Summit Fell Race
Eight Halifax Harriers competed in Saturday’s Race You to The Summit fell race. It is a long established race of over 4.5 miles and nearly 1,000’ of climbing that begins at The Summit pub near Littleborough. The course climbs over the moors to the White House pub at Blackstone Edge before heading back down to the start. The early morning rain cleared just before the race start and it remained dry. Kieran Manchester was the first Harrier home in third place overall in a time of 30:39, less than a minute behind the race winner. Jane Hobson was the first Harriers lady back in sixth in the ladies race in 44:39. Other Harriers were Will Carver (39:36), Simon Gelsthorpe (40:54), Paul Hopkinson (48:35), Martin Ellis (52:39), Margaret Deacon (53:36) and Kirsty Carver (59:06).
Apperley Bridge Canter
Four Halifax Harriers participated in the Apperley Bridge Canter, a challenging race of around 10k on a mix of woodland tracks, paths and roads in a rural part of the Aire Valley. The runners enjoyed a great route in glorious sunshine. Sally Shacklock was the first Harrier home in 58:30. Other Harriers were Andrea Ackroyd (59:57), Jenny St Romaine (66:47) and David Parrington (69:01).