A very busy weekend on road, trail and fell for Todmorden Harriers this weekend.
Goddard Gallops at Guiseley
It was blazing sunshine and skimpy shorts for the 16 Todmorden Harriers who ran at the Guiseley Gallop 10k on Sunday.
The challenging, multi-terrain event saw the athletes’ jostling for positions with the other 600 runners along footpaths, tracks and canal tow paths during the second trail race of the Todmorden Harriers GP.
At the sharp end of the Tod pack, it was all eyes on Moors Man, Christopher Goddard. The local fell runner, navigation extraordinaire and master of route choice had to work hard on the fully marshaled course. With no corners to cut, it was down to pure athletic ability and he didn’t disappoint, finishing in a very credible 27th position. Second Tod runner home was the recently signed Matt Flanagan in 47th, followed shortly by the ever-battling duo of Michael Harper and Richard Butterwick, separated by just a few seconds with Harper eventually coming out on top.
Todmorden’s ladies were led to the finish by a strong looking Helen Wilson, with the ever-smiling and ever-improving Mel Whitmore closing the gap as the race developed.
Other Todmorden finishers
27 Chris Goddard 00:41:53
47 Matt Flanagan 00:43:26
85 Michael Harper 00:46:05
91 Richard Butterwick 00:46:24
126 Josh Murphy 00:48:38
152 Guy Whitmore 00:49:59
208 Paul Cruthers 00:53:01
291 Richard Blakeley 00:56:47
326 Helen Wilson 00:58:43
384 Melanie Whitmore 01:01:56
399 Peter Ehrhardt 01:02:56
448 David Wilson 01:05:49
457 Joanne Scholfield 01:06:30
534 Susanne Copley 01:12:15
547 Myra Wells 01:13:33
554 Rachel Whitaker 01:14:26
Pete Hartley Liver Hill memorial fell race
Runners at the annual Liver Hill fell race were making the most of the extended daylight hours on Tuesday evening as they raced the 5 mile, out-and-back route from Rawtenstall.
The cold and windy evening did little to dampen the spirits of the 3 Harriers from Todmorden as they joined the other 155 runners on the start line.
Paul Hobbs led the Todmorden Trio home in an impressive 10th position, showing determination to not let his recent injury effect what’s looking to be another successful season. Only a minute behind Hobbs and running strong came Dave Garner in 21st place.
It was Clare Harris who was into the prizes however, as first V50 lady to cross the line.
Todmorden Finishers
10 Paul Hobbs 00:38:18
21 Dave Garner 00:39:36
135 Clare Harris 00:57:36
Alexander’s Hollingworth Lake 5k and Barbers Parkrun
Runners at the first race of the littlebrough 5k road series were treated to a flatter, faster and much warmer course on Sunday morning and as the mercury rose at Hollingworth Lake, so did the racing spirit of Todmorden’s Paul Alexander. Heavy legs at the start from the high mileage marathon training were not to stop Alexander as he powered his way to a 5th place finish and a new 5k PB in a time of 18:35
In other, almost related 5k news, Todmorden’s favorite ‘nearly a Geordie’, Nick ‘Youngbull’ Barber escaped the valley for a few days and ran at Hereford Parkrun. Leading the 165 strong field and finishing in time of 17:06. Just a few seconds shy of the course record and over a minute ahead of second place.