The Todmorden Harriers’ Men’s Vet 40+ conquered all comers in the Calderdale Way Relay at the weekend to claim an impressive first place in the Vet 40+ category and 11th place overall, completing the entire Calderdale Way in a cumulative time of 6.49.14. Andy McFie and Steve Pullen set the early pace for the Harriers, taking Leg 1 in 1.30.37. Hard running from the club Chairman, Nick Barber, and partner, Jon Wright, on Leg 2 saw the Harriers pick up 23 places. Mark Rochester and Tristan Langois clawed back a further 4 places to see the team placed 17th overall at the end of the Leg 3. Paul Hobbs and Darren Tweed picked up 2 more places on Leg 4. Legs 5 and 6, covered by Robin Tuddenham and Peter Kerridge, and Dan Taylor and Anthony Lee respectively say the team hold their position. Congratulations to the Men’s Vet 40+ on another stellar performance.
The Todmorden Ladies turned in a excellent performance to take 4th place in the Ladies’ event and 43rd overall. Annie Roberts and Rebecca Patrick led the charge on the first leg, followed by Suzanne Straughan and Rosa Blackwell. Leg 3 was taken care of by Sally Chesworth and Rebecca Senior, with Leg 4 covered by Mel Blackhurst and Claire Duffield. Lucy Hobbs and Zoe Dijkman held Leg 5 with the team being brought home by Pauline May and Sarah Glyde. The team covered the length of the Calderdale Way in a total time of 7.57.13.
The Open category was contested by the imaginatively name Tod Harriers Simon’s CWR Slayers. The team was captained by Simon Anderton and brought together a dozen of Todmorden’s men for the event. The ‘Slayers’ were: Leg 1 Duncan Cannon, Darren Shackelton; Leg 2 Andrew Wrench, Stu Wolstenholme; Leg 3 Andrew Bibby, Bob Halstead; Leg 4 Chris Dewhirst, Sam Swindells; Leg 5 Rob Gray, Andy Forbes; Leg 6 Richard Blakeley, Simon Anderton. Todmorden’s Slayers came home in 8.08.41 to finish 30th in the Open competition and 48th team overall.
There was an extra level of competition in the Open category within the Todmorden camp, fielding as it did two teams in the Open group. Todmorden Harriers’ Ricky’s Relayers were captained by Ricky Parrish. The team comprised: Leg 1 Duncan Ritchie, Matthew Annison; Leg 2 Dave Collins, Nigel Jamieson; Leg 3 Sue Roberts, Kath Brierley; Leg 4 Ricky Parrish, Robert Holdsworth; Leg 5 Helen Wilson, Katch Skinner; Leg 6 Abi Swindells, Stu Wolstenholme. The Relayers finished the course in 8.43.18 to take 36th spot in the Open category and 59th overall.