Halifax Harriers braved the muddy and windy conditions at the final West Yorkshire XC league meeting on Sunday. The course at Oulton Sports Club did not disappoint for those who like the muddy conditions and it was touch and go if it would go ahead due to Storm Darragh. However, there was representation in all the age groups and gutsy performances by all on the tough course.
The conditions didn't deter U20 Will Cattermole who had his best run in the series to finish 16th in the men's race. The U11 girls team finished 4th on the day with the U15 boys doing one better to take 3rd place. Oliver Powell bravely battled to complete the U17 mens team who finished 4th. In the seniors, Katrina Oddy made light work of the conditions to finish 27th overall in the womens race and take 1st F55. Sarah Cumber was 2nd in the F50 category. The men fielded a full team again, finishing 7th place.
In the overall West Yorkshire league final positions, the U11 girls were 4th, U15 boys 3rd and men took 6th team place. Individual prizes went Katrina Oddy 1st F55, Sarah Cumber 2nd F50 and James Franklin, 2nd M45.
Well done to all who represented the club and competed in the league. The remainder of the cross country season consists of Yorkshire, Northern and National Championship event and details of each are on the Cross Country page of the website.
Half a dozen Harriers escaped the clutches of Storm Bert this weekend to enjoy running in the warmer climes of Spain’s Costa Blanca. Harry Johnson continued his recent sensational form to finish second in a field of nearly 3,000 runners in the Benidorm 10k. Harry's time of 30:33 was a new personal best and club record.
Will Stewart was next, clocking 40:59, followed by wife, April, in 42:02. Joanne Arundale (46:28), Mark Crabtree (46:44) and Craig Empsall (46:48) completed the team, all finishing close together.
Tom Paget and James O’Rourke travelled across the border yesterday to take part in the 40th Tour of Pendle fell race.
Warm up consisted of a jog around Pendle parkrun - a route with plenty of ups and downs and some nice scenery.
Once their bar codes had been scanned, they made a dash from the finish line to the pretty village of Barley to collect their numbers for the main event.
The classic Tour of Pendle fell race is generally acknowledged to be one of the hardest on the calendar at about 17 miles and nearly 5000ft of ascent with many boggy sections, very steep climbs and descents and the infamous drop that is ‘Geronimo.’
Both finished in a creditable sub 4 hour time and James even won a spot prize to put the icing on the cake. After a well earned chip butty and cuppa, they headed back to Halifax.