Golf Ball, Grasmere & Lions, 2023

The last bank holiday of the year certainly proved a busy time for the Harriers. First off was the Golf Ball Fell Race, held on Wednesday 23^rd August. The start and finish was at the CPA (Calico Printers Association) Club in Loveclough, Rossendale, the last remnant of the huge Loveclough Print Works.

The race is run over the local moors to the top of Great Hameldon, before returning to the club via the Burnley Way. It is 5 miles, with 900ft (244m) climb and is the 9^th out of the 11 races in the Fell Grand Prix series.

The evening weather certainly made it an interesting race, with thick clag (cloud) descending on the moors, followed by heavy rain. Nine Harriers braved the conditions. The first Harrier to complete was Decland Harrison in 53m 52s, followed by Louis McCarthy in 53m 49s. Louis’s father Jeff was just behind him in 54m 23s. The rest of the Harriers finished as follows: Jennie Ransome (first FV60) 57m 52s, Mark Walker 59m 35s, Pete Butterworth 1hr 5s, Chris Gee 1hr 31s, John Mayall 1hr 36s and finally Julie Smith In 2hr 5m. It must be pointed out that Julie was obstructed by a cow and it’s calf standing on the course route.

Friday saw two Harriers run what is billed as one of the fastest 5k routes in the country, the Mid Cheshire 5k race. Gaz Chambers set a PB, going sub 20 mins for the first time, completing in 19m 28s, well done Gaz. Danny Bennett set his fifth PB for the 5k this year in a time of 16m 32s, so another well done to Danny.

Julie Smith unperturbed by her cow experience at the Golf Ball, decided to torture herself by running the Inov 8 Pennine trail Marathon on the Saturday. This race starts and

Finishes at Hurstwood, follows the Pennine Way to Top Withins, then heads over the moors to Hardcastle Crags, before going over Widdop back to Hurstwood. The race is 27.09 miles

in length with 3,800ft of climb. Julie finished in 7hrs 55m 9s.

On Sunday one Harrier went to the Lakes to run in the famous Grasmere Senior Guides Race. Dave Parton came 28^th in a time of 16m 6s.

Finally, Tuesday saw three Harriers run closer to home in the Littleborough Lions 5k, starting and finishing at the Conservative Club, with a loop around Hollingworth Lake. Jonathan Lupton came 12^th with a time of 19m 30s, Ian Aitchison and Leon Aston also ran the race.

Next up in the series is the Hades Hill Fell race on Thursday 7 September, set off 6.45pm. 5 miles (8k), starting and finishing at the Red Lion in Whitworth Square. Entries taken on the evening, registration Opens at 5.30pm.

The countdown has begun to the Williams BMW, fun run, 10k and half marathon, on Sunday 8 October.