The annual Giant’s Tooth Fell Race on New Year’s Day attracted a sell out field of 80 runners. The race starts on a path above Ogden Water. The runners then descend along woodland paths down to Ogden Water before a challenging climb to the Giant’s Tooth. They then drop back down to the far end of the reservoir and then run along the reservoir bank until the last climb back up to the path and finish.
Halifax Harriers were well represented, with Fred Carver first back in 14th place, followed less than a minute behind by his dad Will in 23rd. Phil Grimes finished in 30th place (1st M60), Mark Crabtree 48th, Andrea Ackroyd 53rd (3rd F50), Hazel Berrett 55th (1st F60), Jane Hobson 60th, Dennis O’Keefe 62nd, Sally Shacklock 65th and Kirsty Carver 71st.
RIBBLE VALLEY 10K
The Ribble Valley 10k is run on a fast course with only a slight incline into the finish. As always, the standard is high with some of the best runners in the North of England in attendance. Halifax Harriers Vets Ladies were the winning team led home by Sarah Cumber in 39:36 (1st F50), Katrina Oddy was next lady for the club in 44:10 (2nd F55) and Stefanie Dickinson ran 50:08.
Ryan Barker was first male back for Halifax Harriers in 38:35. Geoff Cumber made a welcome return on his comeback with a time of 49:58.
Halifax Harriers were well represented at the fifth running of the Coley Canter Trail Race on 28th December. The multi-terrain race, starting and finishing at the Northowram Sports and Activity Club, is organised by Northowram Pumas. The route is nearly 8 miles long with around 800’ of ascent. Conditions this year fully justified the race’s reputation for lots of mud!
First Harrier home in 9th place was Tom Paget in 1:03:11. Jane Hobson was the first lady to finish with a time of 1:25:36 in 65th place. Rob Hick (M65) and Fiona Murphy (F60) were both first in their age categories in times of 1:17:17 and 1:29:24 respectively. Other Harriers to compete were: James O’Rourke (1:07:24), Sally Shacklock(1:26:51) and Martin Ellis (1:29:04).
A great showing for Halifax Harriers at the Stoop Fell Race
Halifax Harriers men’s team came out top at the Stoop Fell Race, which is run over 4.9 miles and has 700ft of climbing. This popular pre-Christmas race, first held in 1990, is always a competitive affair, even though wearing a santa hat is mandatory.
Conditions at the start on Penistone Hill, Haworth were cold and foggy but the runners would crest Oxenhope Stoop in glorious sunshine, thanks to a temperature inversion. The descent back to Penistone Hill is always extremely boggy and slippery, challenging even the most capable of fell descenders.
Halifax Harriers winning team were led home by Ben Crowther in 5th place, with Joshua Hall-Brown 8th and talented 16 year old Alex Franklin 10th being the crucial last team counter, mixing it with established fell stars. Ned Hughes (also just 16) came 15th, Will Carver 62nd and Martin Ellis 146th. Halifax Harriers ladies were Jane Hobson 134th, Andrea Ackroyd 145th and Kirsty Carver 165th.
In the U9 girls race (0.6km) Casey George was 8th and in the U15 boys race (1.6km) Will Cattermole was 3rd, Jayde McGregor was 6th U15 girl.