Road Secretary’s Report – February 2025
2025 Road Championships
The first two races in this years Road Championships have taken place at Helsby near Chester and closer to home at Stockport. The Four Villages Half took place on Sunday 19th January, organised by Helsby Running Club and this was the 41st running of the race. Runners were asked to use the free park and ride service that had been laid on which unfortunately led to a delayed start due to a problem with the buses. Even once the race got underway there were obstacles for the runners in the shape of a couple of long hills and the corresponding downhills never quite seemed to be long enough. A strong showing from the club saw five amber vests crossing the finish line as part of the 1691 finishers. Congratulations to James Washington for a new PB.
By contrast, The Stockport Daffodil 10k was a more gentle affair. Two Harriers made the short trip over the border to compete plus one new club member, Emma Prince who had signed up to race before joining the club.
| 4 Villages Half Marathon – 19 January 2025 | |||
| Name | Position | Chip Time | Notes |
| Rob Savin | 82/1691 | 01:21:58 | |
| James Washington | 160 | 01:27:03 | PB |
| Kevin Dessoy | 274 | 01:32:08 | |
| Helena Croft | 350 | 01:35:51 | |
| Matthew Rose | 366 | 01:36:02 | |
| Stockport Daffodil 10k – 26 January 2025 | |||
| Name | Position | Chip Time | Notes |
| Darren Hansen | 88/1262 | 00:42:31 | |
| Michael Hall | 273 | 00:48:34 | |
| Emma Prince | 838 | 01:00:11 | |
As there are more races to choose from this year, I’m hoping that the competition will be quite fierce for the top spots. Watch this space. I’ve now finalised all races in the series as shown below, even though a couple still have to announce the date. These are now on the website: https://www.holmfirthharriers.com/championship/road-championship/
If there is a tie for 1st/2nd/3rd place, the number of races entered will be taken into consideration. If there is still a tie then the age graded scores will be used.
| FEBRUARY | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Blackburn Winter Warmer 10k | 02-Feb-25 | 10k | short |
| Run Through Media City Half | 16-Feb-25 | Half | Long |
| MARCH | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Dentdale 14 | 08-Mar-25 | 14m | Long |
| Wilmslow 10k | 23-Mar-25 | 10k | Short |
| LABC Runners 5k | 16-Mar-25 | 5k | Short |
| APRIL | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Not Done The London Marathon (Leeds) | 27-Apr-25 | Half | Long |
| Brighouse 10k (Elland) | 20-Apr-25 | 10k | Short |
| MAY | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Northallerton 10k | 25-May-25 | 10k | Short |
| Leeds Half | 11-May-25 | Half | Long |
| JUNE | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Bradford 10k | 01-Jun-25 | 10k | Short |
| Greenhead parkrun | 21-Jun-25 | 5k | Short |
| JULY | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Hollybank Eccup10 (Leeds) | 06-Jul-25 | 10m | Long |
| Mossley 10k | TBA | 10k | Short |
| AUGUST | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Preston 10m | 10-Aug-25 | 10m | Long |
| Leeds 5k | 27-Aug-25 | 5k | Short |
| SEPTEMBER | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Garstang Half | 07-Sep-25 | Half | Long |
| Wistow (Selby) | 28-Sep-25 | 10k | Short |
| OCTOBER | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Accrington | 26-Oct-25 | 10k | Short |
| Oldham half | 26-Oct-25 | Half | Long |
| NOVEMBER | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Tadcaster 10 | 16-Nov-25 | 10m | Long |
| Doncaster 10k | 30-Nov-25 | 10k | Short |
| DECEMBER | |||
| RACE | DATE | DISTANCE | CAT. |
| Longridge Christmas Pudding | 14-Dec-25 | 7 mile | Long |
| Travellers 6 | TBA | 6m | Short |
2025 Club handicap races (Club 6, Club 5, Club 10)
Dates for these races have been agreed. Please put them in your diary.
- Club 6 – Saturday 15 March 2025
- Past Members Memorial Club 5 – Tuesday 20 May 2025
- Club 10 – Tuesday 8 July 2025
Please look out for details on how to enter and how to help by volunteering to marshal.
We are also reviewing the routes of these races, particularly the 5 and 10, due to safety concerns and the amount of traffic and narrow pavements on the main roads that they use. Again, please look out for details.
Other races
Other races that I’ve been able to find this month are shown below. Please let me know if you would like any of your results included in this monthly update.
Congratulations to Sophie for getting her PB at the popular Brass Monkey Half
| Brass Monkey Half Marathon – 19 January 2025 | |||
| Name | Position | Chip Time | Notes |
| Sophie Cromwell | 947/1710 | 01:43:26 | PB |
| Nigel Barge 10k – 19 January 2025 | |||
| Name | Position | Chip Time | Notes |
| Mike Hall | 198/317 | 00:47:46 | |
The local Meltham 10k continues to be a magnet for Harriers with 14 making the start line. Congratulations to Ben for coming 2nd overall and 1st M35, Patrick for 4th overall and 2nd MS, Jared for being part of the winning mens team (with Ben and Paddy), Mark for being 4th M60, Heidi for 4th F45 and Kevin for 1st M70.
| Meltham 10k – 26 January 2025 | |||
| Name | Position | Chip Time | Notes |
| Ben Jarvis | 2/335 | 00:36:08 | 2nd overall. 1st M35. 1st Mens team |
| Patrick Needham | 4 | 00:36:45 | 4th overall. 2nd MS. 1st Mens team |
| Jared Watt | 19 | 00:41:01 | 1st Mens team |
| Thomas Heap | 40 | 00:42:41 | |
| Leighton Moxon | 90 | 00:47:05 | |
| Brandon Holroyd | 103 | 00:47:52 | |
| Mark Ludlam | 125 | 00:50:00 | 4th M60 |
| Heidi O’Shea | 171 | 00:53:27 | 4th F45 |
| Kevin Yewlett | 185 | 00:54:13 | 1st M70 |
| Sean Doyle | 204 | 00:55:40 | |
| Naomi Shields | 209 | 00:56:04 | |
| Heidi King | 266 | 01:01:18 | |
| Debbie Beck | 296 | 01:05:27 | |
| Alastair Watt | 320 | 01:11:44 | |
Ben at Meltham
As always, if you’d like your races and achievements celebrated in the Road Update, please let me know by finding me at the club or dropping me an email.
Kevin Dessoy / 01Feb25