It’s a busy period for the club’s fell and trail runners. Four Harriers ran in Saturday’s Shepherd’s Skyline Fell Race; the latest race in the club’s Fell and Trail League. The 6.2 mile course includes 1,100'of ascent, taking runners from the Shepherd’s Rest Inn in Lumbutts along the tops to Stoodley Pike. Amy Radford (1:07:35) and Stef Dickinson (1:15:17) both placed third in their respective categories. Jane Hobson (1:19:11) and David Ingle (1:27:44) also competed. Jane commented, “Puddles, wind and rain. Loved it!”
The previous League race was the Race You to the Summit Fell Race last Saturday. This race over 4.3 miles with over 800’ of climbing takes competitors from the Summit Inn in Littleborough to the White House pub at Blackstone Edge and back. The Harriers were again represented by Stef, Jane and David with Stef and Jane taking first and second place in the F50 category respectively.
The next League race is the Run Bolton Abbey 10 mile trail race next Sunday (9th). Eleven Harriers have entered to date and it’s not too late to get your entry in: https://racebest.com/races/yxkfe
Then it is on to New Year’s Eve’s Auld Lang Syne Fell Race near Haworth. Entries for this race are now open: https://racebest.com/races/4gqqz
James O’Rourke, David Ingle and James Franklin currently occupy the first three places in the Men’s section of the League. Jane Hobson, Amy Radford and Stef Dickinson are the top three in the Women’s section.
Three members of Halifax Harriers took part in the Holmfirth 10km at the weekend. This scenic, hilly, rural road race, organised by Holmfirth Harriers, starts in Hade Edge and tackles a tough, long climb before dropping down and circumnavigating Winscar Reservoir. Then it climbs back up Winscar Edge before a final gentle undulation and a quick downhill finish.
This event was chosen by the Yorkshire Veterans Athletic Association (YVAA) as their 10km championship race for 2025 and prizes were awarded to Margaret Deacon who placed 2nd home in her F55 category in 55:37 and Martin Haigh clinched 3rd place in the MV70 category in 65:50. Nigel Rigg also completed the course in 124th position in a speedy 52 minutes and 34 seconds.
229 runners finished the course which was won by Wayne Singleton of Barnsley AC, first lady was Lydia Race also of Barnsley AC.
Picture shows Martin Haigh with his MV70 award.
Thirteen members of Halifax Harriers took part in the Wistow 10km at the weekend. This scenic, rural road race, organised by Selby Striders running club, starts from outside Jubilee Hall in Wistow and meanders through small hamlets in the Selby area. The course is very fast with only 24ft of climbing in total.
This event is a counter race in the Harriers Race Challenge and first home for the club was Paul Bateman in 24th position in 38 minutes, 13 seconds. Ken Montgomery was close on his heels, one place behind in 38:17. James O’Rourke was also in hot pursuit finishing in 29th position in 38:41 and earning him 2nd Vet 50.
Jack Melia was next home in 74th place in a PB of 45:48 with Tim Slow just behind, taking 78th place in 46:44. Other Halifax finishers were: Paul Hopkinson 96th in 48:28, Hazel Berrett 118th in 50:12, Marc Rocheteau 126th in 51:10, Alan Brady 148th in 54:10, Martin Haigh 205th in 59:26, Kirsty Carver 217th in 1:01:21, Debbie Kirkbride 222nd in 1:02:59 and Chris Kirkbride 239th in 1:06:21. The first male to finish was Robert Brailsford of Wakefield Harriers in 31:37 and first lady was Amy Killoran of Pudsey Pacers in 38:34. There were 287 finishers.