February 2025 – a little calmer than January, with temperatures to match Corfu at one point!
After getting 17 seniors out at Stanbury last month, we upped the ante for the next race in this year’s champs, with 22 on the start line at Langsett Barn for the BL Mickleden Straddle on Sunday 2nd February. This has always been a popular early-season race, but due to the Covid lockdown & then access issues with Yorkshire Water, it hadn’t been held since 2020, so it was great to welcome it back to the racing calendar, albeit with a reduced limit of 150 runners. As you’d expect with over 10% of the field, it was a very successful morning for the club, with plenty of prizes, as well as a couple of debuts in amber. Maintaining his great current form, Tommy Holroyd led pretty much from the start and registered another excellent win, posting an impressive time of 1.44.24 for the 14 mile/2400ft course, over 2 ½ minutes ahead of Dark Peak’s Philip Montgomery. Close behind, Richard Anderson couldn’t quite sneak into 2nd place, but still finished on the podium, taking 3rd in 1.48.20 and with Ben Kellett safely in 4th (1.50.38), the Mens team prize was secure! Despite only having a week’s rest since his attempt at the Arc of Attrition, Tim Brook shook off any disappointment to scoop the MV40 prize, finishing 5th in 1.51.40, closely followed by Ben Jarvis (6th in 1.52.30) & Patrick Needham (10th in 1.53.44). In fact, with Tim Street 12th in 1.55.39 & Curtis Firth 15th in 1.58.33, we had 8 runners in the top 15, which is fantastic.
Not to be left out of the prizes, Katie Walshaw was taking on a Long race for the first time in around 10 years and certainly seemed to enjoy herself, coming back 17th= overall & 2nd lady in 2.01.06. Matching Katie stride for stride, it was a pleasure to welcome Jordan Miller to the Harriers after his transfer from Kingstone Runners. Jordan picked up his amber vest on the Thursday before the race & he did it proud, crossing the line with Katie, 17th= in 2.01.06. Michael Sanderson was cursing the stacked field and his meagre championship points return, but still had a solid race, finishing 22nd in 2.06.54, whilst Phil Hewitt had a real contest with a couple of other MV40’s to finish 25th in 2.09.39. In the battle of the MV50’s, the long downhill finish from Cut Gate suited Bob Dickinson, as he was able to edge out Adam Sunderland, crossing the line 29th & 2nd MV50 in 2.12.11, with Adam 30th in 2.12.31 – close! Simon Platts was returning to the fells after a couple of years on the road & was pleased to break 2.20, finishing 44th in 2.18.54 – very respectable. Elsewhere for the men, we had Chris Beadle (75th in 2.35.18), Jim Durrans (84th in 2.38.41), our second debutant Joe Brereton (88th in 2.42.00) and Jon Burdon (107th in 3.00.53).
Battling for points in the Ladies competition, it was great to see Sophie Cromwell back on the fells as she starts her training for the 3 Peaks in April and she had a good race, finishing 82nd & 10th lady overall in 2.37.13. Completing the ladies contingent, it was another close contest, with Diane Lee (108th in 3.06.30), staying ahead of Debbie Hall (110th in 3.07.50). There were 122 finishers (from 127 starters), so well done to everyone who took part – let’s aim for an even better turnout at Ian Roberts!
It was then the turn of the juniors, who made the short hop over to Mirfield for the Hoppits Hill races on Sunday 16th February. Originally set up by Nicky Spinks, the reins have now been handed over to Dewsbury Road Runners, with this being their first year in charge. We had a decent turnout across all the age-groups, with some trying out fell-running for the first time, which is great to see! Amongst those chasing a chocolate prize were Bonnie Whip (3rd GU9), Arthur Gibbs (2nd BU11), Imogen Yelland-Brewer (3rd GU13), Florence Gibbs (3rd GU15) & Alice Parry (1st GU17), so well done to all of them on what looked to be a very muddy course!
Elsewhere, great to see a few out enjoying themselves, including Stef Dickinson (running for Halifax) at Pendle Way In A Day (45 mile version), Helena Croft & James Washington at the Winter Half Tour of Bradwell (where Helena was 4th lady), Tom Heap (finishing 26th overall in his first race for Holmfirth), Jim Durrans, Adam Sunderland & James Spencer at Windy Hill (where Adam was 18th overall & 3rd MV50), Martin Page at the Silverdale Circuit, Keith Baird at BB Kong (Blencathra & Blease Fell), Tim Brook biting off more than he should have at New Chew, Scott Gibbs, Rob Kersey & Mark Henderson at Hoppits Hill (where Rob was 1st MV70), Tommy Holroyd, Katie Walshaw, Simon Platts, Phil Hobbs, Mark Henderson & Bill Hunter at Flower Scar (where Katie was 2nd lady, 1st FV40 & Yorkshire Silver Medallist and Bill was 1st MV75), Jo Robinson at the South Pennine 24 and Matt Crompton at Doctors Gate.
All the necessary permits have been received from National Trust and Yorkshire Water for the Ian Roberts Memorial race on Sunday 9th March, so it’s all systems go – just need a couple more volunteers & offers of cake!
Looking ahead, the seniors have Ian Roberts on 9th March & then Pendle on Saturday 5th April, whilst the juniors will be heading over to Ilkley Moor on Sunday 2nd March, followed by Rivington Pike on Saturday April 19th.
Finally, some other local(ish) upcoming races:
Beater Clough (Todmorden) (AM) – Saturday 15th
Chicken Run (Hayfield, nr. Glossop) (BM) – Saturday 22nd
Heptonstall (BL) – Sunday 23rd
Trunce 1 (Oxspring) (BS) – Monday 31st
See you on a hill sometime.
Cheers,
Phil
