Holme Moss Fell Race 2024 – Race Report

Holme Moss Fell Race – 28^th July 2024

In 2023 we had torrential rain and flooding. In 2022 we had moorland fires, strong wind and rain. This year the weather was glorious. That’s what the marshals & helpers thought, but with 22 runners dropping out or being timed out, compared with just 4 last year, clearly the runners preferred last year’s conditions, at least until they’d finished the race.

By checkpoint 1 (Holme Moss), Tom Bell (Nidderdale) had a 1 min 45 sec lead over Fraser MacDonald Oulds (Chorlton), Henry Ruddell (Pudsey & Bramley) & Tommy Holdroyd (Holmfirth). By Crowden they were all together and were joined by Richard Anderson (Holmfirth). By Black Hill, it had turned into a 2-horse race between Henry and Tommy. On the final stretch, approaching the final climb in Ramsden Clough, Henry had gained a small lead but strayed off course. Tommy sportingly called ahead to redirect him, enabling Henry to stretch his lead to over 2 minutes at the finish.

In the ladies’ race, the victory by Emily Cowper-Coles (Dark Peak) seemed never in any doubt. By Holme Moss she was 7 minutes clear of 2^nd Placed Joanne Mosley (unattached) & 9 minutes ahead of 3^rd placed Emma Wilkins (Nidderdale). Emily remained 7^th at Crowden and was guided between Bareholme & Laddow by Ben Tatler (Glossopdale) & last year’s winner Rob James (Royton), who was clearly being cautious due to the heat. On the second visit to Holme Moss, Emily had a 26-minute lead over Joanne and with a strong finish had extended her lead to almost 37 minutes and moved up to a very creditable 5^th place.

The mens’ team prize was won comfortably by Holmfirth Harriers (Tommy Holdroyd, Richard Anderson & Patrick Needham) followed by Dark Peak, then Pudsey & Bramley. The Ladies team prize was very close, with Hillsborough & Rivelin (Vicky Bridges, Fran Allen & Naomi Hartop) beating Meltham AC by just 1 point.

We had 186 entries (112 FRA members & 74 non-members). 133 started the race and 111 finished.

At the finish, runners were able to bask in the sunshine & enjoy free refreshments. A great deal of praise should be given to the 50 marshals and helpers involved. Very generous donations were made by the runners via the raffle and as a result, we were able to raise £650 for the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team.

No end of praise can be heaped those who volunteered as marshals and helpers. There were at least 50 Marshals & helpers on the day & in preparing the course in the weeks before. We are blessed that all the marshals out on the course were all very experienced. Some people put in a massive shift supporting this race, not just on the day but from 2 weeks before the race, preparing the course, flagging and carrying water to Laddow.

The runners sent me countless emails singing the praise of the welcoming marshals. They also love the free refreshments at the end are always something that the runners love. A massive number of cakes were donated by the club members to support the refreshments. Maggie Sykes, Den Kersey and Liz Yewlett do everything involved with the catering and cleaning (including purchasing), so it’s a massive activity that I don’t have to stress about.

Harriers Results

8 Harriers braved the heat, with just Tessa Billups being unable to complete the course.

Full results are visible here

Race Income and Expenditure

Andy Hauser
Race Organiser