15 Harriers braved the cold and rain yesterday to tackle the Coley Canter
The 8(ish!) mile multi terrain trail race was an absolute washout mud-fest, taking in the best trails, footpaths and hills in Northowram Pumas territory. With all the recent rainfall, fields had turned into streams, the trails were like skating rinks and the bogs were almost knee deep in places.
Lee Cattermole was the first Harrier back in 1:02.29 in 14th place overall.
There were a few category winners:
April Stewart was 3rd lady and 1st open FSEN with 1:09:11
Simon Gelsthorpe 1st M60 ( 1:14:18)
Mark Crabtree was 1st M65 (1:15:19) and
Hazel Berrett was 1st F60 (1:26:13)
Other runners were:
Ken Montgomery (1:05:24)
Will Carver (1:05:29)
Gareth Burrell (1:05:55)
Tom Paget (1:06:49)
James O’Rourke (1:07:05)
Ryan Barker (1:07:56)
Will Stewart (1:09:56)
Howard Coney (1:15:01)
Stefanie Dickinson (1:24:57)
Martin Haigh (1:54:25)
Thank you to our friends at Northowram Pumas Running Club for organising a fab event once again. Always great to blow off the Christmas cobwebs.
Happy new year from Team HH
The club was well represented at yesterday's Winter Solstice Strider in Bingley on a wild and windy night. The undulating route works its way through the woods and past the Druids Altar on the St Ives Estate with the runners relying on head torches to light the way. There was the choice of a 5k or 10k race.
The majority of Harriers decided on the longer option. Mark Crabtree (58:44), Jane Hobson (1:02:09) and Hazel Berrett (1:02:22) led the way. All three confirmed their undoubted class by taking first place in their age group. There were also age group podium positions for Martin Haigh (2nd M70), Nigel Rigg (3rd M60), Andrea Ackroyd (3rd F50) and Jane Curwen (3rd F55). Nigel Jamieson, Sharon Cousen, Bryony Baron, Margaret Deacon and Jenny St Romaine completed the Harriers' dozen.
Four Harriers competed in the 5k with the Sutcliffe family out in force. Juniors James and Louis completed the course in 30:44 and 34:17 respectively with mum, Mel, clocking 41:23. Clare Fountain finished in 47:40. Great efforts by all.
Jenny commented, "A most enjoyable mudfest with the high winds and fallen trees to navigate around adding further interest. Great fun!"
Entries for next year's races are already open and are strongly recommended for those wanting to try an off-road, headtorch running adventure. The 2024 event will be on the 21st December. This year's date of the 22nd had previously caused some confusion and debate amongst Harriers!
Congratulations to Steve Wilford who won the 2023 Christmas Handicap covering the course in a time 54:45 (43:45). Sarah Cumber finished 2nd just behind in 56:25 (39.55) holding off Paul Hopkinson in 3rd 57:52 (48:52). 14 Harriers completed the course with 5 first timers taking part and it was good to see a healthy prize table holding this quirky tradition together. 190 different athletes have competed in this event since records began in 1985 – let’s get that number up to 200 next year! Just as important, the race was followed by a very well attended social at the 3 Pigeons which is becoming as traditional as the race itself!
How do you rank on the all-time list (since 1985)? See the past results to compare your performance. See the results by following this link Halifax Harriers
The annual festive fell fun of The Stoop attracted a smaller coterie of HH runners today, due mainly to the clash with the Christmas Handicap. The plan was to go for the team prize but, sadly, lurgy and mis-haps put the mockers on Kieran Manchester and Ben Crowther's participation.
No bother though. Our young stars made their presence felt in no uncertain terms. Eli Cattermole was second in the U15 Quarry race, Casey George (5th U11 girl) ran her heart out in the junior Quarry Runs (along with big Sis Jayde, who won the GU17 race ... albeit in her strange Where's Wally kit).
In the main event, Alex Franklin took the first U21 prize, closely followed by Will Cattermole who took second (10th and 11th overall). Dad, Lee, had a great run a few minutes behind in 50th place.
Things are never straight forward at the Stoop. It is always extremely boggy, unless, like last year, it is sheet ice. This year, a beautiful sunny Pennine day in Bronte land came with a very stiff headwind on the run out to the Stoop. Alex and Will finished in amongst the leading senior runners ...who are all seasoned, experienced fell racers... Will, on the other hand, at 16, was taking on the Stoop for the first time.
Congratulations all of you.
Well done to Harriers at the Malaga marathon and half marathon at the weekend.
Ryan Barker and Simon Johnson continued their international racing, travelling back to sunny Spain. Both had great races- Simon finishing fourth in V55 age group (1h24) in the half, and Ryan completed his 65th marathon in 3h12.
West Yorkshire Cross Country League race 4 - 10th December
The West Yorkshire Cross Country league reconvened for the finale at Oulton Sports Club, Rothwell on Sunday. It wouldn’t be cross country without mud, but this wasn't just any mud; it was the kind of mud that had ambitions of becoming a world-class shoe suction device. It had a strategy—wait patiently, then ambush unsuspecting runners, attempting to steal their shoes with a determined slurping sound.
Well done to all those competing both in this race and the previous races in the season, we look forward to more great performances in the Yorkshire, Northern & National Club XC champs in the new year.
Final race athletes
U11 boys - James Neil (5th), James Sutcliffe
U11 girls - Beatrice Powell , Autumn Good, Casey George, Orla Maden
U13 girls - Lily Atkinson, Alesha Atkinson,
U15 girls - Kitty Harrison-Sargent (1st)
U15 boys - Eli Cattermole (4th), Sam Keighley (8th), Beau Clark, Kai Sladden, Tom Wright
U17 ladies - Nia Harrison-Sargent, Jayde Mcgregor
U17 men - Will Cattermole
Senior ladies - Katrina Oddy
Senior men - Lee Cattermole, Andrew Greenwood, Ken Montgomery, Maksymilian Stytsun
League Team prizes
A special mention for the U11 girls who finished 3rd place team overall and the U15 boys who won the 1st place team prize!
Junior highlights in the overall individual results
James Neil (U11 boys) finished in a fine 7th overall, only missing out on 6th place on count back.
Beatrice Powell (U11 girls) finished in a great 10th place overall, and showed immense determination in the final race crossing the line with only 1 shoe!
Lily Atkinson (U13 girls) finished in a good 11th overall, closely followed by sister Alesha in 15th.
Kitty Harrison-Sargent secured a fabulous 2nd place overall in the U15 girls and 1st place in the final race!
Meanwhile in the U15 boys, Eli Cattermole took a splendid overall 3rd place and Sam Keighley placed a great 6th place overall.
Nia Harrison-Sargent finished 9th overall in the U17 women, with Jayde Mcgregor in 16th.
Will Cattermole finished 11th overall in the U17 men.
Senior highlights in the overall individual results
Katrina Oddy won 1st place overall in the Women’s 55+ category
Ben Crowther won 1st place overall in the Men’s 35+ category
Lee Cattermole finished in a fine 4th place overall in the Men’s 50+ category
Finally Halifax Harriers (Senior Men & Women) finished 2nd in the John E Smith Challenge Trophy
Stephen Rainbow led home the eight-strong contingent of Halifax Harriers that made the journey to Lancashire on a very cold Sunday morning for the Myerscough 10; the latest event in the club’s Race Challenge. Stephen completed the fast, flat 10 mile course in 1:02:04, taking 16th place overall and finishing third in the M45 category.
James O’Rourke was next in 1:06:59 followed by Rachael Beaumont who won the F50 category in 1:13:20. There were also age group successes for Rob Hick (1st M65 in 1:19:22), Martin Haigh (2nd M70 in 1:41:32) and David Ingle (3rd M60 in 1:14:35). Other Harriers were Marc Rocheteau (1:17:25) and Rachel Standish (1:21:30).