This well-established event took place again this last weekend with the usual amount of camaraderie and support which has become a feature of the race over the years.
Ordinarily, a very unique event where teams of four contest a relay over two road legs of 3 miles and two fell legs of 2.5 miles, this year had a last-minute twist.
Due to circumstances outside their control, the race had to be switched to four legs over the fells which really did bring teams together to appreciate each other skills, particularly if you are predominantly a road runner.
I know there was a lot of jostling in many a team before the start of the race but congratulations to all clubs and teams who managed to either find last minute replacements or had excellent powers of persuasion!
There was a fantastic turnout of 37 teams in the end and Holmfirth boasted three of these, a little down on previous years but none the less an excellent showing.
We managed to enter a men’s, vet’s and mixed team this year and I would like to thank all of those who ran. I know because of the last-minute change to the format that not everyone got a race this year and I can only apologise; we will definitely be ahead of the game in 2024!!
The fell leg may only be 2.5 miles but with 800ft of climb and a cracking descent to the finish it certainly is a good test of strength and technical ability. Leg one runners were also treated to an extra 150m of climb for good measure, this was from the crossroads further down the hill at the beginning of the race in order to help spread the field, well that was their excuse anyway!!
Our men’s team finished an excellent 2nd overall, some seven minutes behind last year’s champions East Cheshire but was nonetheless a superb effort. The vet’s team finished an equally impressive 11th overall and 3rd vets’ team while our mixed team finished in 18th position.
Special mention must be made about this team which was rallied together on the morning of the race and included Phil Hobbs, who had already completed the park run in the morning, Judy Horells on leg 3 and Gavin Baxter who ran both the 1st leg and the 4th leg to complete the team, well done to all of you.
As is normal at the Cross Keys pub the Chip butties were available afterwards and I think everyone enjoyed their day at this fantastic event which is right on our doorstep.
Results
1st – East Cheshire Harriers: 1.27.11
2nd – Holmfirth Men’s: 1.34.23 (TB: 22.13, CF: 23.23, JW: 25.24, PH: 23.23)
11th – Holmfirth Vet’s: 1.45.18 (AS: 25.22, AW: 24.23, BD: 25.03, JB: 30.30)
18th – Holmfirth Mixed: 1.54.09 (GB: 27.51, PH: 29.18, ED: 28.53, GB: 28.07)
