Chicken Run FR, Howarth Hobble FR and XC Awards, 2026

Although the Cross Country Season finished a few weeks ago, there were still two important events to be held, the awards presentations. The Red Rose League (RR) was the first to hold its awards presentation in Darwen on the 27th February 2026, with the Harrier’s ladies picking up several awards, as listed below.

U17’s Ladies    Lottie Peacocke    5th
Ladies Vet 50    Juliet Smith        1st
Ladies Vet 60    Jennie Ransome    1st
Senior Ladies Team            3rd

The team comprising Danielle Dignan, Juliet Smith, Jennie Ransome, Zara Hirst, Susie Hirst and Sharon Annable. Congratulations to the ladies on their achievements, especially Juliet and Jennie. Danny Bennett was 1st in the Male Vet 55 category. So well done to Danny.

Next came the South East Lancs (SEL) presentation evening, held in Chadderton on the 13 March. Again, the ladies of the club outshone the men in collecting awards. But in fairness to the men, it’s a much tougher group to compete in, numbers wise. Though, on the side of the ladies, we do seem to have more ladies competing in cross country than men. Perhaps they like the mud better.

Ladies awards winners were as follows:

U13 Girls    Lily Hirst        4th
U17 Ladies    Lottie Peacocke    2nd
Lady Vet 50    Susie Hirst        3rd
Lady Vet 55    Sharon Annable    2nd
Lady Vet 60    Jennie Ransome    1st
Lady Vet 60    Ruth Fearn        2nd

The Senior Ladies Team finished 2nd, comprising of Danielle Dignan, Juliet Smith, Jennie Ransome, Zara Hirst, Susie Hirst, Sharon Annable and Molly Howell   

Ladies Vet Over 50 Team 1st, comprising of Juliet Smith, Jennie Ransome, Susie Hirst and Sharon Annable. Big congratulations to Lottie for her 2nd place, as with Sharon and to Susie for her 3rd place. Again a big well done to Jennie for her winning the Lady Vet 60 category and to Ruth Fearn for nabbing 2nd place in that category. Honours also go to the Harrier’s Seniors Ladies Team for their superb 1st placing. Better news for the men this time, Pete Butterworth got 3rd place in the male vet 55 category and a similar position was achieved by Ian Aitchison in the male vet 65 age group. Congratulations to both Pete and Ian on their awards and also to the men’s over 50 team with their 2nd placing. Comprising of Danny Bennett, Stephen S, Ian Dale, Pete Butterworth, Ian Aitchison, Chris Gee and Mark Walker.

Pride of Place though and thoroughly deserved, goes to two Harrier’s non-runners. Who sadly, as I mentioned last year are retiring from the SEL, Colin and Brenda Robinson. Colin holds the record as having the most male individual wins in the 100yrs of the SEL and the Harrier’s, the most male team winners in that period, of which Colin was an important member. But the most important record held by Colin and Brenda, is that they have held the position of time-keepers for the SEL for the most years. A considerable achievement, standing outside in all manner of weather conditions on a Saturday afternoon, in such an important position. All the more impressive, when you consider that neither of them drives. So as Harrier’s we should be extremely proud of them.

Now back to running. The RHAC and RTM Fell Championships 2026 got off to a flying start with the first race of the season,.Seven Harrier’s made the journey on Saturday over to Hayfield in Derbyshire, to take part in the Chicken Run. Ironically the organisers planned the route so that it forms the shape of a chicken, sad, very sad. The race is 13.98km long, with 433 metres (1421ft) of ascent. Dave Parton, (MS), was the first Harrier to finish with a time of 1hr, 8m, 10s, in 19th place. Next in 31st place was Jonathan Lawlor, (MS), in a time of 1hr, 11m, 26s. After Jonathan  was Stephanie Harrison, (F40), 67th, in 1hr, 18m, 49s. A very good performance by Stephanie, so congratulations to her. Next up was Pete Butterworth, (M50), 119th, in 1hr, 29m, 1s. Pete was followed home by Harrier’s lady Sharon Annable, (F50), 147th, in 1hr, 33m, 7s.

Sunday saw one of the first of the big fell races of the season outside of the Lakes, the Howarth Hobble, 32 miles, (51km), with 5800ft, (1615mtrs) of ascent. As if the distance and climb were not enough, the race has a mass start from the Fleece Inn, which is at the bottom of the steep cobbled street in Haworth, leading to the Bronte Parsonage. From there it follows the route over to Top Withins, before following the Pennine Way to Worsthorne, then swinging left over Long Causeway and eventually to Stoodley Pike. After which it descends down to Hebden Bridge, before climbing up to the Cross Keys Inn at Heptonstall. After the Inn, it drops down to Hardcastle Crags, from where it heads back to the finish at Haworth.

Three Harriers made the journey over to Bronte Country. Kay Welsby and John Bramwell competing in the mixed pairs category, finishing 384th overall and 9th in their category. Completing the course in 7hrs, 28m, 45s. Jenny Grindrod, (FV50), was Harrier’s other competitor in the race, finishing 557th, taking 8hrs, 28m, 14s to get around. Overall a good result for the Harrier’s, it is a very tough course, with the route dropping down to the bottom of valley’s, then climbing back up to the top of the moors several times.