Hades, Halves and North West Counties Road Relays, 2024

Last Thursday evening saw the Hades Hill Fell Race event, started by Joe Salt in 1978 and now continued by Race Director Eric Taylor of Rochdale Harriers.

Hades Hill Fell Race is 8.5km (5 miles) long with 360 metres (1,200ft) of ascent and is rated BS for this reason. It is short but tough. The course starts at the bottom of Whitworth Rake. The runners then sprint up the steep, tarmac road to the tee at Lobden Golf Club, before heading-off over Brown Wardle, skirting around Middle Hill to the infamous “bog”, then up to the turnaround point on Hades Hill. They then follow the route in reverse, before having a flattish run to the finish. The course record was not in any danger of being broken this year, as the runners had to run into a very strong wind on the outward leg. Luckily it was behind them on the return leg. A total of 80 runners braved the high winds, though it was warm and dry, with good visibility.

A total of 12 Rochdale Harriers ran the race (many others were out marshaling), which was won by Kole Broadbent-Cox of Queensbury Running Club, (despite him falling at the start), in a time of 34m, 3s, which considering the conditions was excellent.

First Rochdale Harrier back was Ryan Keenan (M40), 9^th, 40m, 11s, followed by John Bramwell (M50) and Jake Warwick (MSEN), 17^th and 18^th respectively, with times of 43m, 30s and 43m, 46s.

In-form Kay Welsby was delighted to bag another ladies race victory, finishing 21^st overall, in 43m, 48s. Second female from Rochdale Harriers was Emma Ball, (W50), 42^nd, 50m, 24s, followed by Jennie Ransome (W60), 48^th, 50m, 52s.

In the teams category Rochdale Harriers had a very successful evening, with both the men’s and ladies teams winning and giving them something to shout about. A big congratulations to both teams.

The proceeds of the Hades Hill Fell Race are being donated to the Charity EMpowered People. The charity was founded by Simon Lord who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986, he now uses a pedal assisted electric cycle to enable him to get out and enjoy himself as well as keeping fit. The charity was set up to help people from all backgrounds with disabilities, to improve their health and wellbeing through cycling and other activities. The specially designed or adapted cycles costing up to £6000, are used to allow people with all types of disabilities to cycle and improve their health. If you would like to hear more about the charity, whether to donate or if you or someone you know could be helped by them, please go to www.empoweredpeople.co.uk

Sunday was a busy day, with two Harriers travelling to two different venues to run a Half Marathon and a separate group running a road relay. Furthest traveller was Phil Lockett, who went to Caernarfon to run the Half Marathon of that name. The race starts and finishes at the castle, heads off into the Welsh countryside, before returning along the banks of the Menai Straights to the finish. It was worth the trip for Phil, as he finished with a PB of 1hr, 33m, 31s and took 48th position (3rd MV40) in a field of over 500 runners.

Next Harrier completing a Half Marathon was Julie Smith running a bit closer to home in the Cheshire Half Marathon. This race starts and finishes at the beautiful Capesthorne Hall, the route follows the Cheshire countryside almost to Jodrell Bank, before returning to the hall. Julie achieved a seasons best time of 02:28:42 on a very flat course.

Finally a group of Rochdale Harriers travelled across to Edge Hill University near Ormskirk, to take part in the North West Counties Road Relays. A team of three ladies, Juliet Smith, Jennie Ransome and Danielle Dignan, each ran the 5km course, completing it in a combined time of 1hr 9m, 12s, coming 40^th out of 66 and 11^th out of 14 in the Greater Manchester category. The men’s team of four, Richard Stirzaker, Dave Parton, Zain Zia and Kurtis Vincent ran their race in a combined time of 1hr, 19m, 1s. Finishing 64^th out of 95 teams overall and 19^th out of 23 in the Greater Manchester section.

This Saturday Rochdale is fielding 4 teams of 4 in the Cross Keys Road and Fell Relay and another group heading south to Western Park, nr Telford to run in the postponed English National Cross Country Championships.