From Pilgrims to Piethornes and Yet Another Ultrarun Around the Mary Towneley Loop

On Thursday 15th August 2024, race number eight of the Rochdale Harriers Fell Championship was hosted by Rossendale Harriers at the Pilgrims Cross Race, above Ramsbottom.

The race is approximately seven miles / 11km with 1280ft / 390m of elevation around Holcombe Moor and over Bull Hill.

The race is fast with plenty of runable climbs, quick moorland paths and leg stretching descents. Conditions on the night were ideal for summer racing, clear and warm but not overly hot with a breeze on the tops.

The race attracted a bumper field of 208 runners and Ryan Keenan was the first Rochdale Harrier back in 14th after 51:44. John Bramwell followed in 56:34 for 36th place, followed by Kay Welsby who was 48th overall and 4th Female in a time of 58:01.

In a good turn out for the club the other Rochdale racers placed as follows; Pete Butterworth  80th, 1:02:42. Kurtis Vincent 101st, 1:06:09. Steve Leak 107th, 1:06:40, Jennie Ransome 20th Female, 113th overall, 1:07:09, Mark Walker 118th, 1:07:42, John Mayall 125th, 1:08:27, Michael Jackson 133rd, 1:10:29, Matt Cox 173rd, 1:20:34, Julie Smith 60th Female, 206th, 2:04:49.

With three races left of the series it promises to be an exciting finale with both the men’s and women’s titles still not decided.

On Sunday 18th August, CraggRunner hosted the Piethorne 10K race around the Ogden and Piethorne reservoirs. The route takes in the reservoirs, before heading up and over to the edge of Hollingworth Lake, under the M62 before returning past Tunshill Golf Club with a real sting in the tail up the rocky road off Carr Lane before a sprint finish along the banks of Ogden.

185 runners lined up and Rochdale’s Izzie Brandon took the prize for second female and 22nd overall after 49:36. Phil Lockett was 41st in a time of 53:39, followed by Michael Jackson 50th in 55:13. Chris Gee ran in 64th after 57:31 with Louise Eadsforth 124th after 1:07:20.

Also on Sunday, Julie Smith journeyed up the M62 to take part in Leeds Run Festival Half Marathon. Runners had the choice of either the 5k, 10k or 21km distance with thousands of runners taking part over the distances. Julie clocked 2:41:42 and was third in her age category, 485th out of 529 runners.

On Saturday 17th August Henry Pickup and Jake Warwick were part of a group that ran the Mary Towneley Loop.

This 47 mile circular route follows the first section of the Pennine Bridleway and is often taken on by horse riders, mountain bikers or long distance walkers and visits Rochdale, Holme Chapel, Lumbutts an Walsden before looping back round through Wardle and Whitworth.

Jake, Henry and crew covered the distance in an elapsed time of approx. 10hrs and 22 minutes. This followed Kay Welsby and John Bramhall’s Mixed Unsupported Pair FKT on the Mary Towneley Loop only a few weeks ago.