Danielle Gallops Round Pontefract Racecourse

28th January 2026

Danielle slicing over 10 minutes off her 2022 time at the Northern XC Championships, Pontefract

On 24th January 2026, three Rochdale Harriers took part in the Northern Cross Country. This took place on the Pontefract Race Horse Course amongst an elite field of the North’s finest cross country runners.

The two men who took part, Matt Cox and Ray Dalby, competed in the men’s race. Unfortunately both of them withdrew part way through the race. However it was quite a successful trip for Danielle Dignan, with her finishing in 69th place out of 141 in the women’s senior race. Her finishing in a time of 36m, 48s, which was over 10 minutes faster then when she last raced here in 2022 (47 m, 27s). This reflects here greatly improved form over the past year or so. A big well done to Danielle for doing so well, in a field of top women cross country runners in the North.

Next up are the National Cross Country Championships on 26 February at Sedgefield in Co Durham, marking the end of the Cross Country Season.

Taz Ali at the sunny Marakesh Half Marathon

Sunday proved to be the busy day for the Harriers and one in particular who has set a record for the club, namely running the first International race in the year and the first time in this half marathon. Tahir Ali gave himself a birthday present of running in the Marrakesh half marathon. A very flat course, going past this ancient city’s 12th century ramparts, saw Tahir running it in a time of 1hr, 44m, 57s. This could possibly be the first time a Harrier has run a race on the African continent and in Morocco, just shows how international the Harrier’s are becoming.

Louise, Phil and Neil at the Meltham (Tough) !0K

Nearer home and in much worst weather, four Harriers made the short journey to Meltham to take part in the Meltham (tough) 10k. A road race set high up on the moors, consisting of a very hilly circular route, essentially going around the Blackmoor Foot reservoir, First Harrier back and finishing in a very excellent position of 7th was James Jordan (M40), in 37m, 10s. Following James in 30th place was Phil Lockett (M40), in 42m, 19s. Neal Eaton (M60), was third Harrier to finish, 126th, in 52m, 28s. Finally Louise Eadsforth (F50) came 176th in 1hr, 3m, 45s.

Julie and Gary at the Stockport Daffodil 10K

Our final race report of the weekend is nearer home, with Gary Marshall and Julie Smith heading down the M60 to Stockport, to take part in the Stockport Daffodil 10k. First back was Gary (MV40), in 53m, 6s, with Julie (FV55), finishing in 1hr, 1m, 29s. Julie taking off 10 minutes off her course PB for this race.