The Peak District Challenge is an annual event that takes place in Hathersage, Derbyshire every year. It is organised by Wilderness Development and supports multiple charities including SALVE international who work to reduce the number of children living on the streets of Uganda through education and care.
Walkers and runners can take on a 10km, 25km, 50km, 75km or 100km route, where they need to navigate to check points and arrive before generous cut off times.
Will Carver took on the Bronze Challenge on Saturday 21st September, 31 miles or 50km, more than I have run before. Bronze challengers set off at 07:30 am morning on a bright dewy day, which quickly warmed up.
The Bronze Challenge has a total ascent of 1200m and at its highest point reaches 464m. It is a 50km circular route taking in the valleys of the dark peak, and the scenic trails of the southern peak district.
Along the route were many walkers and runners completing the 75km, Silver or 100km Gold challenge, these competitors had set off on the previous evening and were now well into their challenge.
The weather was fantastic and the navigation of the route all went well. He was able to keep going at a steady pace and motivated himself with a thought of getting a time under 6 hours. He finished in first place in a time of 5 hours 53 minutes and 3 seconds. This was enough to beat the previous course record which was set in 2017! He was pleased to have completed the event in a record time!
This year’s relays were held around the Etihad Stadium home of premiership Manchester City.
Halifax had 3 teams entered and they put in some solid performances. Team of the day were the u13 girls who came a marvellous 23rd place after Nia Harrison-Sargent gave them a fabulous start with a time of 13.15 for the 3.1k circuit. Nia was backed up by Amelia Hammond on leg 2 16.26 in 21st place and Lillia Mazurke brought the girls home in 23rd place 15.38.
In the U17 men James Johnson led the team in 22nd place on leg 1 12.38 for the 3.7k circuit followed by Joe Macdonald in 15.44 34th place. Joe was seriously hampered by the officials at the start of his leg as the officials hadn't realised James had already come in, this cost Joe 50 secs. Ewan Wheelwright clawed back a few places 12.56 and finished 30th.
The Senior men’s team of 6 came a very creditable 67th place beating over 40 teams with an outstanding 2nd leg from Max Burgin who ran 22.01 for the 4.1 mile circuit. Other times were,
Will Smith 24.14
Max Burgin 22.01
Charlie Spencer 23.56
Michael King 24.07
Rob MacDonald 27.07
Simon Johnson 24.39
Halifax Harriers had runners out in force at the weekend, both locally and far afield.
At the Yorkshireman Marathon, Will Carver finished in 4:08:25, Fiona Murphy had an excellent run to take first F60 prize in 7:17:07 with Sharon Cousen just behind in 7:17:16. Thirteen members ran the half marathon with category wins for Mark Crabtree (1st M60) 1:58:31 and Rachael Beaumont (1st F50) 2:13:33. Simon Gelsthorpe was third M60 in 2:12:49. Other runners in the half were David Nutton 2:20:45, Judith Cole 2:31:19, Jonathan Wood 2:32:31, Hazel Berrett 2:37:48, Clare Newton 2:40:37, Andrea Ackroyd 2:42:25, Martin Ellis 2:45:08, Margaret Deacon 2:53:58, Jenny St Romaine 3:13:23, Jude Baines 3:21:34.
The Great North Run is always popular with Halifax Harriers members even though the crowds can make fast times hard to come by. First back for the club was Marc Rocheteau 1:39:30 followed by Tim Pegg 1:52:53, Jazz Sandhu 1:56:08, David Cooper 1:57:54, John Moore 1:59:43, Chris Burrell 2:19:01, Theresa Booth 3:03:24, Susan Pegg 3:23:56.
Ryan Barker took on the challenge of running the Medoc Marathon in France which involves wine tasting at regular intervals along the course. Running times are of no significance, it’s all about the experience. However, he did complete the distance in 4:24:23.
The most travelled Halifax Harrier was Susan Hall who went to the beautiful capital of Estonia, Tallinn, for the marathon. Her time of 5:21:30 (third F70) was a club record for the F70 category. The course twists and turns through the town and even runs through the middle of the zoo.
Back on home soil, April Caulfield was back to winning ways at the Bawtry Forest 11k race with a time of 46:04, whilst Will Stewart ran 44:01.