There were seven Harriers amongst the 70 runners in the Crow Hill Reverse Fell Race on Tuesday evening. An excellent turnout for a race that is not in the club's fell league. The roughly 4.5 mile course climbs out of Mytholmroyd to Crow Hill on Midgley Moor with approximately 1,000' of climbing, much of it very steep! There is then a wonderful descent from the Moor, including a beautiful section through Redacre Woods.
Cara Bintcliffe was second placed woman, finishing in 44:07. Jane Hobson was first F50 in 48:49.
Nigel Crossfield led the Harriers' men home, finishing second M50 in 16th place overall in a time of 37:18. Nigel was hotly pursued by clubmate, Dan Mahoney, who was one place behind in 37:26.
Dan's brother, Jack, who along with Dan is visiting from the US, has just joined the club and was running both his first race representing the Harriers and his first fell race. Jack finished in a highly creditable 23rd place, crossing the line in 39:02.
There was also an excellent performance from Ned Hughes, finishing 20th in 38:31 and placing second MU18. Martin Ellis completed the Harriers' line-up, clocking 56:20.
Aintree Half Marathon and 5k
Ten Harriers made the journey to Merseyside on Sunday to compete in the Aintree half marathon. The race, which was the latest in the club's race championship, consisted of four laps around the outside of the world-famous horse racing track. James O'Rourke led the Harriers contingent home, placing third in the M45 category, in a time of 1:28:25 followed closely by Simon Johnson, who was second in the M55s in 1:30:45. There were age group victories for Paul Hopkinson (M60 in 1:46:36), Hazel Berrett (F60 in 1:49:15) and Susan Hall (F70 in 2:30:15). Other Harriers results: Will Carver (1:37:28), Fred Carver (1:38:05), Niall Smith (1:39:49), Paul Bateman (1:43:14) and Kirsty Carver (2:29:24).
Ray Hall was first in the M75 category in the accompanying 5k race, clocking 34:01.
Peak District Ultra
Ryan Barker meanwhile took on the considerable challenge of the 50 mile Peak District ultra-marathon, finishing first in his age group and eighth overall in a time of 9:25:13. The race, which started in Buxton, took in a total ascent of 1,720 metres in the National Park.
Another successful trip to Cleethorpes for the under 17s with many top 3 placings.
Ben Slow won the U15 Javelin (19.59 metres), 800 metres (2.24), and the high jump (1 metre 35). Beau Clark had a hard-fought win in the under 13, 800 metres (2.52), Hurdles (17.90), and the high jump (0.95 metres). Under 17 Joe Ball again won the 200 metres (25.20) and 100 metres (12.70). Sam Keighley won the 1500 metres and broke his club record (4.51.1) and also a win in the 150 metres.
Another win in the U15 1500 metres for Eli Cattermole in a time of 5.02 and a win in the 200 metres (30.40) and brother Will (under 17) clocking a time of 10.52 in the 3000 metres and another first place. Bahsem Idrees, first time competing in YADAL won the under 13, 80 metres in a time of 12.20.
Under 13 Alesha Atkinson won the 800 metres (2.55) and the shot putt (4.69 metres), and sister Lily a win in the 1200 metres (4.21). Under 15 girls, 800 metres Faye Skilbeck a 2nd place (2.35) and Abbie Brown 5th (2.56) and 300 metres a further 2nd for Faye (48.20) and Abbie 4th (53.30).
The final race saw the final win of the day for the under 13 boys on the 4 by 100 metre relay, Tom Wright, Bahsem Idres, Beau Clark, and Sam Keighley.