Another very busy weekend of racing.
Morley 10k
Eleven Harriers made the short journey to participate in the latest counter in the Road Race Challenge; the Morley 10k. The undulating course took runners around the historic streets of Morley on closed roads and raised funds for local charities and good causes. James O'Rourke was the first home, clocking 40:36 in 25th place amongst 850 finishers and was second M50. Next was Keith Lemon (45:43) followed by Byrony Baron, who was second F35 in 46:00. Keith commented, "That was a very hard course. But season's best, I'll take that all day long."
Hopton Trail 10k
Eight Harriers competed in the Hopton 10k; the latest race in the club’s Fell & Trail League. Following a flat road section from Hopton Primary School near Mirfield, the route goes uphill into woods. There then follows a few miles of steep climbs, woodland glades and bridleways and some great views. A glorious long descent through woods takes runners back to the road and the return to the start. Over 750’ of ascent in total. Ryan Barker led the team home, finishing in 18th place in 49:05. David Ingle was first MV60 in 55:51 in 50th overall. Rachel Standish was the first of the club’s three women, clocking 57:26. Ryan and Nigel Rigg used the race as a warm-up before competing in the first West Yorkshire XC League race of the season in Guiseley in the afternoon. (See below)
Chester Marathons
A number of club members ventured to Chester. Will Carver completed the city's popular full Marathon in an excellent 3:08:28. Five runners took part in the Metric Marathon (26.2k or 16.4 miles). Paul Hopkinson was second M65 in 2:17:58 with wife, Jenny, third F55 in 2:28:46. Andrea Ackroyd (2:37:25), Jenny St Romaine (3:07:16) and Kirsty Carver (3:35:42) also completed the attractive course around the city streets and surrounding countryside.
West Yorkshire XC
Half a dozen senior Harriers took part in the first race in this season's West Yorkshire Cross Country League. Ben Crowther competed the 9.5k course at Nunroyd Park in Guiseley in 33:18 with Will Cattermole (33:38) and Watson Peel (34:05) hot on his heels. James Franklin (35:40), Ryan Barker (40:44) and Nigel Rigg (49:20) completed the team, which finished sixth in the men's race. Had Ryan and Nigel expended too much energy at Hopton in the morning?!
Photo of Halifax Harriers at Hopton 10k
My latest adventure saw me taking on a race that’s been under my skin for several years now - I’ve always wanted to sign up, but I’ve always talked myself out of it. However, as I’m well and truly in my Mountain Running Era, it had to be done before I turn 40.
As the main event in the annual Tour de Tirol, the Kaiser Marathon is billed as the toughest mountain marathon in Austria and when you run it, you soon learn why. About 80% of the course is steep mountain ascent and the short runnable sections are fast, energy sapping and cramp inducing. 42.6km, 2500m of vertical climbing and the most brutal 7km finish you’re likely to find anywhere, but what a race!
One I’ll certainly never forget, but one I’m not sure I’m mad enough to be repeating
There was a fantastic turnout from the Harriers with 18 runners at yesterday's Stainland Trail 10k race. This was the latest event in the club's Fell & Trail League. Hopefully, none had turned up thinking it was a flat road race rather than a challenging ‘undulating’ trail race with over 1,000’ of total ascent!
James Franklin was first back in fifth place in 48:03. April Stewart was second female in eighth overall, clocking 50:58. Stef Dickinson took first place in the F50 age group in 62:10.
Further afield, Mark Crabtree took part in the Benidorm 10k, finishing in 49:46.
Well done to all our runners. Full results can be found in Recent Races elsewhere on the website.
The next race in the Fell & Trail League is the Hopton 10k on 6th October. Also, worth considering if you have missed out on the now full Morley 10k on the same day, which is in our Road Championships.