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
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