Harriers all Over the Place

THE WEEKEND of 7th/8th October saw members of Rochdale Harriers assisting at the Williams BMW series of races and also competing far and wide in the North West.

First off, the Cross Country season is now getting into its stride, with the first of the South East Lanc’s league fixtures at Heaton Park. The park is experienced at holding festivals, but after the recent rain, it’s fair to say that this was a muddy course in paces, though at least it was warm and dry. This was one of the best Harriers turnouts for Cross Country in recent times with 27 members running in the various categories (7 women, 7 men and 13 juniors) and a very successful afternoon for the club. Leading the way in the U11 girls race was Lily Hirst, 2^nd , followed by Lottie Peacock 3^rd in the U15 girls race. Our Ladies was second overall, while also winning the FV40, FV45 and FV50 categories. Ladies Captain Juliet Smith completed the course with one trained separated into three parts, each flapping about under foot. The men’s V60 team took 2nd place with Ian Aitchison, Steve Leak and John Mayall as the counters.

Meanwhile a lone Harrier ventured up to the Lake District to run in the Langdale Horseshoe Fell Race. The race follows a circuit of the fells around the head of the Langdale Valley, starting and finishing at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. The race is long, 21km (12.5 miles), with a lot of climbing, 1450mtrs (4600ft). Faced with the clag down and slippery, wet rock under foot, the leading pack managed to go the wrong way. Dave Parton took the correct route and came a very creditable 52^nd in a time of 3hrs, 8m, 6s.

Sunday saw a large number of Harriers either marshalling or helping in other ways with the Williams BMW Half Marathon, 10k and Fun Run. Rochdale’s Chairman, Nick Barton, acted as Race Director. Luckily for the runners it was a warm, dry day, ensuring a large turnout. Ten Harriers ran in either the 10k or the Half Marathon. After a slight mix-up along the route, Isabel Brandon was first lady over the finish line in an impressive time of 42m, 13s. Rochdale’s Juliet Smith had an exceptional race, especially after running cross country only the day before, finishing as 3rd lady and winning the FV45 prize. Juliet’s time was 43m, 24s. Kevin Holland was Rochdale’s fastest male in the 10k, finishing 5^th overall in a time of 40m, 42s. In-form Gareth Chambers achieved a time of 42m, 44s and was the 4^th male V35 to finish. Mention must also be made of the legend otherwise known as Andy O’Sullivan MBE, who for many years organised numerous races around Rochdale. Andy was 2^nd male V70 in 66m, 48s.

In the Half Marathon, three Harriers ran with Bryony Sherry running her first Half Marathon, achieving a time of 2hrs, 08m, 21s. The other two Harriers were Decland Harrison, 1hr, 43m, 6s and Gary Marshall, 1hr, 59m, 61s.

In the 1 mile fun run, Ian Aitchison finished in 5 min 59 sec to take 6th place overall from over 150 runners. Quite an achievement for a MV65.

Whilst those Harriers were running close to home, others went further afield, with Julie Smith running the Chester Metric Marathon, 23^rd FV55, in 3hrs, 11m, 14s.

Four Harriers ran the Chester Marathon with Danny Bennett being the first Harrier home in 2hrs, 49m, 11s. An incredibly fast time for an MV50. Danny was followed by Adam Higson, in 3hrs, 36m, 26s, Graeme Grindrod, in 4hrs, 9m, 25s and Joe McMillan running his first ever marathon in 4hrs, 21m, 13s. A big well done to Joe, especially as he has been running for less than one year.

Moving north, two Harriers overlooked the local Half Marathon in Rochdale and somehow ended up doing a half marathon in the seaside town of Morecambe instead. This comprised a scenic route along the prom to Bolton Le Sands and back. Chris Gee clocked 1hr, 44m, 41s and Clare Dignan posted 1hr, 51m, 56s.

Last but not least, Bruno Rolinha decided to head for the sunshine of Portugal to run in the Lisbon Marathon, completing in a time of 3hrs, 44m, 52s.

On Sunday 15th October it is the final race of the Fell Grand Prix: The Withins Skyline, with free Curlywurlys all round

Cross Country Results

U11 Boys

Adil Arkin                             8m
Max Higginbottom          8m          38s
Oliver Clarke                      10m       27s

U11 Girls

Lily Hirst (2^nd)                     8m          28s
Isabelle Bostock               10m       22s
Evie Boon                            11m       26s
Charlotte Smith                14m       23s

U13 Boys                            

Alexander Reay                15m       13s

U13 Girls             

Aliya Arkin                           15m       23s

Boys

Thomas Bostock               20m       40s
Alfie Worral                        20m       50s
Joshua Clowes                  22m       51s

Girls

Lottie Peacock (3^rd)         19m       20s

Senior Ladies

Juliet Smith                         35m       19s
Jennie Ransome               35m       51s
Zara Hirst                             36m       13s
Susie Hirst                           38m       18s
Anna Blomfield                 39m       16s
Danielle Dignan                 41m       39s

Senior Men

Richard Stirzaker              41m       14s
Jeff McCarthy 47m       50s
Ian Aitchison                      50m       30s
Steve Leak                          50m       31s
John Mayall                        52m       6s
Matthew Cox                    58m       6s
Daniel Merlo                      60m       49s