Will Carver and Jane Hobson competed in the Orchan Rocks Fell Race in Todmorden on Tuesday evening; the second race in this season’s club fell league. Last season’s male and female champions were the only Harriers to take part, therefore picking up maximum points. Both are setting the early pace in this year’s competition. Will finished in 20th place and Jane was 56th in times of 28:49 and 34:23 respectively.
Jane reports: “It was a short race, about 5.4km. The start was straight up hill, initially on tarmac that quickly turned into a track through woods and then into fields. Eventually we came out into a farmyard and turned right and flattened out onto moorland for a while. There was another uphill before descending back down to the farmyard, continuing downhill all the way to the finish. There was only a little bit of mud, at the top in the marshy grass, and the weather was perfect, sunny with a light wind.”
The next race in the fell league is Coiners next Monday (2nd May) at 1pm. Registration is at Mytholmroyd Community Centre and the entry fee is £8 (£6 for FRA members). The race is 10.8km (6.7m) long with 295m (968’) ascent.
Another great fun night out on Tuesday at Bunny Run 2 in Haworth with an excellent turnout of a dozen Halifax Harriers. Joshua Hall-Brown overcame his, shall we say "adventurous" footwear choice (spikes!!) to finish 8th in 17:09, just sprinting past Alex Franklin in the closing metres, which was a bit harsh as Alex had run very well and shown Josh the way round. Will Cattermole improved significantly on last week's run to finish 20th and 3rd U17 Boy in 18:39, just behind Liam Parkin, who had a great run on his fell racing debut (despite wearing Josh's hopeless Hokas).
Nigel Crossfield had another stormer in 41st, picking up the 2nd MV50 prize along the way in 20:25. Lee Cattermole didn't manage to win the family battle, but did finish in 48th (20:57), having slid his way around in less than ideal footwear (there's a theme here). Jayde McGregor wasn't far behind in 54th (21:29), picking up a deserved Easter egg for being 3rd U17 girl, to add to the one she won last week.
Jane Hobson led the senior ladies home in 24:52, also winning an Easter Egg for placing third in the FV50 category. Nigel Jamieson was close behind in 25:47. Andrea Ackroyd (26:06), Martin Ellis (28:08) and Jenny St Romaine (33:02) rounded off a really heartwarming show from Team Halifax.
Bunny Run 3 is next Tuesday with the Bunny Relays the following Tuesday. The Relays are a mad dash around the 1.5 mile large Bunny Run loop and will be a fun alternative to Tuesday night road/track sessions if anyone fancies it.
On a beautiful sunny morning three Harriers ran in the fun seaside city of Brighton.
The marathon and 10k both start in beautiful Preston Park nearby and finish on the glorious promenade, though they take quite different routes.
Tom Paget gained a personal best in the marathon with a time of 3.14.20 Credit to Tom!
The Cumbers ran the 10k and were curious to find the course had been changed this year to a much hillier version!
Geoff still managed to win the V75 age category in a time of 48.29 and even beat the V70 and V65 categories.
Sarah Louise Cumber was 2nd in the V50 category in 39.37. Note: the first V50 lady ran 37.07, which is amazing and shows anything is possible!
Ice creams were high on the agenda that afternoon.
Max Wharton set the fastest time at any Parkrun in the country on Saturday, clocking 15:03; more than 10 seconds faster than anyone else. Max set his Parkrun PB at Bushy Park in southwest London, the birthplace of Parkrun.
Erawan Wanithanont finished sixth in Sunday's Big Flat Runway Half Marathon at Elvington near York. Erawan ran a PB of 1:25:34 and was first in his age group (M40). Wayne Stevens completed the course in 1:53:22. Meanwhile, John Moore ran the 10k event at the same venue, finishing in 57:43.
Closer to home, three Harriers participated in the Flat Caps 10k on Sunday. This challenging, hilly road race is organised by Sowerby Bridge Snails. Gareth Burrell led the trio home in 44:21, finishing 11th overall. Paul Hopkinson and Chris Burrell recorded times of 53:57 and 59:56 respectively.
Also on Sunday, Will Carver ran the Leamington Spa 10k in 40:27 to finish 49th in a field of more than 1,300 runners. Son, Fred, representing Warwick University Athletics, was 39th - and third male junior - in 39:26.
The first of this year's Bunny Runs took place at Penistone Hill near Haworth on Tuesday evening. Will Cattermole led the six Harriers - three juniors and three seniors - home in 26th overall and 2nd U17 Boy. He was very closely followed by younger brother Eli, who finished 35th and 6th U15 Boy which, at 12 years old, was outstanding. Jayde McGregor was our first Lady back, finishing 64th overall and 3rd U17 Girl. Nigel Crossfield was the first of our seniors home in 43rd (2nd MV50) and Andrea Ackroyd was our first senior lady in 119th. Jenny St Romaine dug deep to get round in 152nd. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, capped off with chocolate galore!
This was the first in a series of three races held over the next few weeks. At 4.8k/3m long and with ‘only’ 100m/ 328’ of climbing, these low key, fun races are perfect for anyone looking to give fell racing a try. The second race is next Tuesday (12th April) at 7pm. Enter on the day for just £3. See link for further information:http://www.wharfedaleharriers.co.uk/events/bunny-runs/
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.