Evening all – time for the latest Fell update!
July 2024
Well! After 2 years of enduring the wind & rain, it was a welcome opportunity (for the marshals at least) to be able to slap on the Factor 50 and man the checkpoints at this year’s Holme Moss race on Sunday 28th July. The runners had a slightly different viewpoint as the temperatures rose throughout the day & just finishing became the challenge! Andy has reported elsewhere on the race itself, but from a Holmfirth perspective, we had 8 Harriers amongst the 133 starters & first back for the club, a year on from his first fell race, was Tommy Holroyd, finishing a superb 2nd overall & 1st U23 in 2.52.27, just 2 minutes behind the winner, whilst close behind, Richard Anderson matched his result in 2023 to finish 3rd overall in 2.57.16. Patrick Needham was taking on the Moss for the first time & did himself proud, finishing 17th overall in 3.43.45, which meant Holmfirth bagged the Team prize as well. Michael Sanderson looked to be in a world of pain as he went through the Holme Moss checkpoint for the 2nd time, but cheered up when he was reminded about the championship points he’d be picking up & cracked on to finish 34th in 3.59.44. Tom Edwards only decided to take part on the morning of the race & did very well on his first attempt, coming in 55th in 4.28.06, whilst close behind, James Young battled round to finish 57th in 4.31.17. Phil Brown was also making his first attempt at the race & with little training & a few niggles, was just happy to stay ahead of the sweepers & the cut-offs, crossing the line 108th in 5.36.43. Unfortunately, Tessa Billups had to retire with her sister Amy at the Holme Moss checkpoint on the way out, thanks to a sprained ankle – here’s to a speedy recovery! To give an idea of how tough the conditions were in the heat, there were 22 DNF’s, so well done to everyone that stuck it out.
And whilst not in the fell champs this year, we still had a decent turnout at Alderman’s Ascent on Thursday 4th for a tough little local race that was in the English Champs three years ago. Once everyone had voted, it was time to line up at Saddleworth Rangers Rugby Club in Greenfield for the 5.3 mile/1300ft AS race that heads up to the Pots & Pans Stone and the War Memorial, before looping round to Alderman’s Hill & a steep drop down to within a few metres of the Greenfield Road, before climbing back up again, ahead of a swift downhill return to the rugby club. It was a battle-royal at the front of the race, with Richard Anderson & Tommy Holroyd fighting it out with Callum Broadbent of Bracknell AC for the victory. Richard just had enough in his legs to stay ahead, winning the race in 43.50, with Tommy seconds behind (& 1st MU23) in 43.52 & Callum 3rd in 43.55 – cracking racing! Not far behind, Katie Walshaw had another great run to finish 1st lady & 12th overall in 47.16, whilst Patrick Needham is certainly finding his fell legs, coming back 19th overall in 49.47 to help Richard & Tommy to scoop the team prize. It was then the battle of the Vets, with James Washington (22nd in 50.24) pipping Adam Sunderland (25th in 51.25), Gav Baxter (35th in 56.13) & Keith Baird (42nd in 58.47). Last but not least, Mark Henderson took on the steepling descent off Alderman’s Hill & returned in one piece to finish 66th in 1.17.43 – respect!
The juniors had the final English Champs race, Clwydian (North Wales), on Sunday 7th, but as this clashed with the latest West Yorkshire Track & Field meeting at Spenborough & a junior Triathlon in Harrogate, everyone was otherwise engaged! Happily, once they’d all voted, a few did make it over the hill to Dovestones for the Alderman’s Ascent on Thursday 4th & seemed to enjoy themselves on a tough, rocky little set of courses. Willow Moxon was first up in the U9’s & toughed it out to finish, so well done to her. It was then the turn of the U11’s, where we had 3 runners and they all equipped themselves very well, with Arthur Gibbs 2nd overall, Niamh Sykes 3rd overall & 1st FU11 and Riley Moxon 6th overall. Finally, it was the turn of Alice Walker in the U15’s, where she was the only girl in the whole race & stormed home to finish 5th overall (& 1st FU15 naturally) – a top effort!
In terms of the senior Fell Champs, after 10 races, it’s a case of ‘as you were in June’, with Tim Brook (182 points) & Becky Burdon (136 points) still leading the way. Mike Sanderson has moved up to 3rd in the Mens competition (on 136 points) & is within one point of Adam Sunderland, so all to play for!
Next up for the seniors is the Denis Stitt race on Thursday 8th August. Don’t forget if you can’t race, then John Ewart will be grateful for some assistance on the night, so please offer your services. Also in August, it’s the Blackshaw Head Fete race on Saturday 31st – a nice low-key race over in Calderdale to round off the holiday season! The juniors will be heading up to Burnsall on Saturday 24th for some short, sharp fun in the Dales – enjoy!
As previously trailed, I’ve entered 2 teams for the Hodgson Relay, which is on Saturday 5th October. I think it would be great if we could organise another overnight trip, so will look to get teams organised earlier than usual to give everyone time to plan! I’ve also entered 4 teams (Mens, Ladies, MV40 & MV50) for the British Fell Relays on Saturday 19th October, so now it’s just a case of wait & see to see if we’re lucky in the ballot!
Elsewhere, good to see those out & about, including Bob Dickinson (& Stef Dickinson, running for Halifax Harriers) at Stoodley Pike, Bill Hunter at Heptonstall Festival, Tim Brook & Adam Sunderland at Great Hucklow (where Tim was 7th overall & 1st MV40), Andy Shortt & Roger Fairlie at the Saunders Lakeland MM, Matt Crompton at Hathersage Gala, Tim Brook at Wasdale (the latest English Champs race, where he was 93rd overall & 27th MV40), James Washington at Charlesworth & Chisworth Carnival, Katie Walshaw, James Washington & Mark Henderson at Big Stone (where Katie was 6th overall & 1st lady in what I reckon was a new record time & James was 1st MV45), Andrew Clarke & Sophie Clarson at the Lakeland 50 & 100 respectively, Keith Baird at the Rushton Spencer Spunch orienteering event and Eleanor Walker, Adam Sunderland, Leighton Moxon, Janet Foreman & Kevin Yewlett at Trunce No.6.
Finally, some local(ish) races to look out for in the next few weeks:
Chip Chase (BS) – Cross Keys Inn, Saddleworth – Sunday 4th
Trunce 7 (BS) – Monday 5th
Crow Hill Reverse (BS) – Mytholmroyd – Tuesday 6th
Cracken Edge (BM) – Hayfield – Wednesday 7th
Piethorne (BS) – Newhey, nr. Rochdale – Sunday 18th
Crowden (BM) – Sunday 18th
Trunce 8 – Monday 19th
Bleaklow Blitz (AM) – Torside, nr. Crowden – Sunday 1st September
See you all soon!
Cheers,
Phil