Todmorden Harriers were in attendance at two contrasting races this weekend. Saturday saw Coniston race runners hit by blizzard-like conditions on the summit, whilst on Sunday, Calder Valley Fell Runners put on a fine day of racing in the sunshine, with the English Junior Championships followed by Coiners fell race. Two Todmorden Harriers junior runners took part in the junior races. George Daniels brought the Harriers home in the under 8s race in 38th position, whilst in the Under 14s, Jacob Blackhurst put in a solid performance in a very strong field to come 56th.
Coniston race is renowned for the multitude of lines that runners can take from the summit. Throw in poor visibility, this adds to the challenge. In Coiners fell race though, in bright sunshine, on local and very familiar terrain, 26 of the leading runners missed a key turn to the right just short of Stoodley Pike. In the confusion at the finish, the first runners back waited to greet the first runner back who had actually completed the full route. First place went to V60 runner, Keith Holmes from Dark Peak, whilst First Lady and eventual second place overall went to Jordan Mullinger from Holmfirth. Harriers Paul Hobbs, Chris Goddard and Rob Gray may need to have a glance at the map in their next race whilst Andy Forbes successfully negotiated the route, finishing in 16th position.
Back in the Lakes, a hardier group of Harriers, including Paula Haworth, David Leslie, Mel Blackhurst, Chris Preston, Phil Hodgson and Mandy Goth made it through the tough conditions to the 803m high, Old Man of Coniston. Full results and further details not available at time of going to press.
Report by Paul Hobbs