All Hale to the Harriers! All Harriers to the Hale!

18th February 2026

Juliet Smith – our first lady home at Hale

Now that the cross country season is over, the emphasis turns to roads and fells and the start of their respective 2026 championship race series.

Sunday 15th February saw the first of the 2026 Harriers Road Race Championships (RRC) series, with 28 Harriers making the short journey down to Hale, to take part in the Hale 10K. A very flat, fast course, starting in the centre of Hale and heading out through country lanes to Ashley, before finishing in front of Ashley Hall. This is the second year in succession that the Harriers have had the race in their championship series. Judging by the comments, it could be the last, as it appears to be a victim of its own success due to traffic jams, difficulties getting off the carpark, the lack of toilet facilities and results based on gun rather than chip times.

Phil on his way to finishing as 3rd male Rochdale Harrier

Moving onto the racing, first Harrier home was a name we haven’t heard of for some time, Danny Bennett (M55), finishing 65th, in 36m, 9s. Danny was also the winner of his age category, so a very impressive performance, in his first competitive road race of the year. Second Harrier was Luke Burley, 102nd, in 37m, 41s. Next was Andrew Whitehouse (M40), 158th, in 38m, 56s. Not far behind came Phil Lockett (M40), 173rd, in 38m, 56s. Stephen White (M40), was 192nd, in 39m, 35s.

Anna Blomfield making a welcomed return to road racing

First lady Harrier to finish was the ever consistent Juliet Smith (F50), 300th, in 42m, 11s. Louise Mayall (F35) followed in 556th, in 46m, 53s. Third Harriers female was Corina Haynes (F60), 813th, in 51m, 4s. Anna Blomfield (F60), 933rd, 53m, 9s.

Dave Aspinall, feet literally flying in mid air

This Saturday sees the grand finale of the cross country season, the National Cross Country Championships at Sedgefield, Co Durham.

The full list of 2026 Hale 10K results for members of Rochdale Harriers is as follows:

Danny Bennett – 00:36:09
Luke Burley – 00:37:41
Andrew Whitehouse – 00:38:56
Phil Lockett – 00:39:03
Stephen White – 00:41:29
Dave Aspinall – 00:41:42
Martin Colley – 00:41:44
Juliet Smith – 00:42:11
Andrew Martin – 00:43:43
Ian Dale – 00:43:59
Kevin Holland – 00:44:55
Michael Jackson – 00:44:56
Richard Woodside – 00:45:34
Taz Ali – 00:46:23
Richard Greenwood – 00:46:30
Louise Whitehouse – 00:46:52
Hadrian Mallinson – 00:46:52
Abdul Wadud – 00:50:06
Ian Aitchison – 00:50:30
Corina Haynes – 00:51:04
Gary Marshall – 00:52:06
Neil Eaton – 00:52:29
Sean Farnsworth – 00:52:45
Anna Blomfield – 00:53:09
Richard Lee – 00:55:23
Louise Eadsforth – 00:58:28
Ray Dalby – 01:00:00
Jack Liddle – 01:02:29