Harriers at Kentmere Horseshoe, Sale Sizzler and Aintree, July 2024

ON SUNDAY 21st July six Rochdale Harriers travelled up to the Lake District for the Kentmere Horseshoe race which featured in the Club’s Fell Running Championship and also the regional Run The Moors grand prix series.

263 runners lined up to run the approximate 12 mile route which packs in 3300ft of elevation and visits the peaks of Ill Bell, High Street and Kentmere Pike, clockwise around the quiet Kentmere Valley.

Prior to the start applause was held for two giant characters of the fell running community who are sadly no longer with us, in Pete Bland, long time organiser of the race, and Joss Naylor, whose funeral had been held the previous Friday.

Race conditions were ideal with clear visibility throughout. 

Dave Parton was the first Harrier back in a time of 1:57:05 for 39th place, followed by Jake Warwick, appearing in his first Lakeland fell race, 79th in 2:07:11, who outsprinted John Bramwell, 80th after 2:07:15.

Kay Welsby stopped the clock after 2:18:16, 122nd overall and 12th female. Pete Butterworth was next Rochdale vest back after 2:24:29 in 152nd place and Lee Meadowcroft 186th in a time of 2:32:46, a very respectable effort just a week after completing a Lakeland Ultra 35 mile race.

Also on Sunday, two Rochdale thoroughbreds competed at Aintree racecourse, more famous of course for hosting the Grand National, but at the weekend presented Run Aintree where runners had the choice of 5km, 10km or half marathon races.

Bruno Rolinha ran a storming half marathon to set a new personal best of 1:32:54 over the 13.1 mile distance, finishing 60th out of 587 racers.

Corina Haynes competed over the 10km distance and won the female V60 category in a time of 50:29, a good few furlongs ahead of second and 106th overall out of 506.

On Friday 19th July, race three of four in the Sale Sizzler 5km series lived up to its name for the 300 runners who lined up at the start of the fast looping course.

Danny Bennett ran in 32nd with a time of 16:56, followed by Richard Stirzaker, 50th after 17:36 and Gareth Bright 115th with a time of 19:28.

Michael Jackson finished 197th in a time of 22:24, Corina Haynes was 230th stopping the clock at 23:51. Ian Stainthorpe clocked 24:11 for 236th place with Gary Marshall 253rd after 25:28.