New Member Fiza completes her First Race and Harriers Compete at the Podium 5K and Windmill Remembrance 10K

The club’s Tuesday training nights have seen a great upsurge in attendees in recent months. Another new member, Fiza Aslam, represented the black, red and gold vest of Rochdale for her first ever race at the London Victoria Park Half Marathon on Sunday 10th November.

Fiza ran superbly to clock 1:54:48 for the 13.1 mile distance around six and a half laps of the historic park in the east of the city, no mean feat for someone who hasn’t long been running.

On Saturday 9th November three Rochdale Harriers travelled to Barrowford to take in the festivities of the Podium 5km 10 year anniversary event.

This race meet attracts some of the fastest 5km runners from far and wide with hefty prize monies and almost a guaranteed personal best on offer. The races are graded and run in waves to pit competitors against similar runners to push competition amongst the 353 racers on the night.

For reference, the overall winner was Robin Hendrix, an athlete sponsored by Adidas Belgium, who clocked 13:35.

Danny Bennett ran 17:34 which was enough to claim 259th place. Phil Lockett continued his recent fine form with a new personal best time of 18:20 for 289th, while Gareth Chambers also lowered his personal best to 19:09 to run in 312nd place.

On Sunday 10th November Fylde Coast Runners hosted their annual Windmill Remembrance 10km, an event that loops the Lytham St Annes coastline to the famous windmill and back.

The event attracts a huge field with 1361 runners representing a wide range of abilities and levels taking their marks this year. Recently joined Harrier Abdul Shaid was the fastest Rochdale runner on the day clocking 39:22 to earn 53rd place. Zain Zia was 132nd with a time of 41:15, another new member Abdul Wadz ran 49:26 for 287th place with Dan Merlo stopping the clock after 50:50 in 408th place.   

For anyone interested in finding out more information about the club’s activities and training sessions please visit the website rochdaleharriers.org.uk, or find the club’s various social media profiles.