Six Harriers took part in Sunday's Manchester Marathon with some excellent performances. Phil Smith broke the three hour barrier, setting a personal best (PB) time of 2:59:29. Joanne Arundale and Adam Lewis clocked 3:18:23 and 4:31:03 respectively in their debut marathons. Debbie Kirkbride set a new club F60 record of 5:11:42 despite suffering from a heavy cold. Rachael Beaumont (3:33:29) - see photo - and Angela Clarke (3:41:24) also wore the club colours.
Five Harriers participated in the Baildon Boundary Way Half Marathon. This very scenic trail race had a bit of everything; woodland trails, canal towpath, moorland, some road and around 1,200' of climbing. James O'Rourke was first Harrier home in 1:52:21. Hazel Berrett led the ladies, finishing first in her category (FV60) in 2:00:36 . Other Harriers were: Jane Hobson (second FV50) in 2:07:12, Wayne Stevens (2:08:47) and Martin Ellis (2:28:09).
Also on Sunday, Margaret Deacon ran in the London Landmarks Half Marathon; a route that takes in many of the capital's famous monuments and buildings. Margaret, who finished in 1:59:09, described it as, "My favourite road half. Lots to see, great support and fab weather."
A few Harriers competed in the latest races in the Podium 5k series on Saturday. This time held in Barrowford, near Nelson in Lancashire. Josh Hall-Brown set a new PB of 15:12 in the 'A' Race whilst Alex Franklin finished in 15:42 and was third male junior in the 'B' Race. Tom Needham ran a PB and club record for the M35 category of 16:35 with Liam Parkin also setting a PB (16:49) in the 'C' Race.
Harriers had a very successful journey to Keighley on Sunday with victories in both the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice 10k and 5k women’s races. April Caufield came home first in the 10k in 41:21 whilst Alice Vick took first place in the 5k in 20:32.
Fourteen Harriers ran in the 5k, which was the first race in the club’s 2022/23 road championships. A decent turnout despite an early start on the morning the clocks had gone forward and the logistics of parking due to the point-to-point race route. The course took in a lot of twists and turns and went through a few parks. There were a number of inclines but the route was mainly downhill.
Will Carver finished third overall in 19:03, pursued by James O’Rourke in fourth in 19:44. Margaret Deacon took first place in the FV50 category in 24:34. Other Harriers were; Ben Slow (20:36), Steve Fitz-Costa (22:58), Marc Rocheteau (22:58), Stef Dickinson (23:36), Tim Slow (23:49), John Moore (25:13), Jenny St Romaine (27:48), Jude Baines (28:19), Kirsty Carver (29:30) and Rebecca Palmer (30:37).
The 10k route was circular with a total ascent of 400’. Gareth Burrell was the first Harrier home, clocking 39:01. Eli Dawson and Will Stewart also represented the club, completing in 40:16 and 40:47 respectively.
Three Harriers competed in the Ian Roberts Memorial fell race on Sunday; the first event in the club’s 2022/23 fell league. The route starts above Marsden, covering 6.4 miles and taking in a total ascent of 850’. It was sunny but with a cold wind, which didn’t feel so bad once the runners got started. The route has a bit of everything. The ground was soft and quite level on the tops so that runners could enjoy the views without having to watch their feet. However, the final couple of miles had some steep, boggy, rocky downhills and the grassy tussocks were a nightmare to navigate. The climb up Pule Hill was a challenge, but that’s what fell running is about! Jane Hobson led the trio home, finishing in 75th place in a time of 74:17 followed by Hazel Berrett (90th in 77:13) and Sam Layfield - making her fell racing debut - in 96th in 81:11.
Also on Sunday, Will Carver took on the highly demanding Heptonstall Fell Race. The route is over much of the best of the local landscape around Heptonstall and the Upper Calder Valley, covering 15.4 miles and more than 3,000' of climbing. Will finished in 2:34:01 in 95th place in a very strong field.
The next race in the fell league is Orchan Rocks in Todmorden on the evening of Tuesday 26th April.