Harriers at Hades Hill Fell Race, 2026

5th-6th September 2026 was a very quiet weekend with only three Rochdale Harriers in action on Saturday, participating in the Bury AC Track Festival Mile held at Bury AC’s track. As it turns out, it was a good day for all three Harriers, as Amber Arch ran the mile distance in a time of 6 minutes, 31 seconds, achieving a personal best (pb) for the distance. Danny Bennett won his age category of M55 in a time of 5 minutes for the distance. Not to be outdone, Ian Aitchison, won his M70 age category uncontested in a time of 7 minutes, 2 seconds, recording a season’s best. So a big well done to all three Harriers for their achievements. Full results.

The main event last week was the Hades Hill Fell Race on 3rd September 2026. This was the last of the 2026 races organised by RHAC and most likely the last evening fell race in the fixtures list. Here are the full results. There was a great turn-out with 122 finishers. The race was 8km with 360m of climb and is No 10 out of 11, in both the Run the Moors inter-Club fell championship and in the RHAC Club fell championships 2026.

Starting at the bottom of Whitworth Rake, the Hades Hill race route heads up to Lobden Golf Club, before heading towards and going over Brown Wardle. After dropping down the other side, the runners go to the right of Middle Hill, contouring around the hill before meeting the windfarm track. Just before the track, they turn right and follow to the base of Hades Hill. From there they turn around and follow the same route back to the finish.

This year the race was won by a Whitworth resident, Lawrence Fairclough, running for Rossendale Harriers. Winning the race in a time of 33m, 6s. The ladies winner was Katie Walshaw of Holmfirth Harriers in a great time of 36m, 50s.

First Rochdale Harrier back was Dave Parton (MSEN), in 9th position and a time of 36m, 7s. Next Rochdale Harrier to finish was Ryan Keenan (M45), in a time of 41m, 33s, in 26th place. Finishing in a very creditable 3rd lady was Stephanie Harrison (W40), completing in a time of 43m, 37s. Jonny Lawlor (MSEN) came next in 43rd place, achieving  a time of 45m, 17s. Rochdale Harriers’ fourth male to finish was Ian Dale (M60), 48th, running it in 46m, 23s.

First Harriers female to finish was Stephanie Harrison, (W40), in 34th position, with a time of 43m, 37s. Second Harriers female was Jennie Ransome (W60), in 78th position, with a time of 51m, 19s. Not far behind was Sharon Annable, 84th, in a time of 51m, 59s. The hard work of this trio of Harriers ladies, was rewarded by winning the Ladies Team Prize. Congratulations to all three ladies for their achievement. Ruth Fearn (W60) was the fourth Rochdale Harriers lady to cross the finish line, in 99th place, with a time of 56m, 26s.

Rochdale Harriers ladies were also successful in several of the age categories, with Stephanie Harrison (W40) and Sharon Annable (W55), both coming second in their categories. Jennie Ransome (W60) went one better and won her age category. A very successful evening for the Rochdale Harriers Ladies.

With only 1 race to go, the current placings of our fell runners in both fell championships can be found through our website.

A big thanks must be given to all the volunteers, without whose help the race would not be possible. Mention must be made of Andy and Ian Wright from Whitworth, who both help to mark the course and then marshal it. Some of the proceeds from the race, go to a local Whitworth charity where they are volunteers. EM Powered People, a charity which modifies pedal bikes, to enable disabled people to get out into the countryside and enjoy it.

The final race in the RHAC Harriers Fell Championships and the Run The Moors Fell Grand Prix is the Langdale Horseshoe Fell race on Saturday 10th October 2026. it’s fair to say that this is the toughest in the 2026 race series, but an absolute cracker, with 21km distance and 1450m of climb. We just hope the weather is good for the runners.