Harriers Attend Races Galore!
15th August 2024
(0) Leave a commentIt wasn’t only the Olympics that had a full program of events, it was the Harriers too. With the members staying ‘Local’ and running in a mixture of road and fell races, nearly all in Lancashire. First up is another of the Sale Sizzler Road Race series and the 6th race in the Harriers Road Race Championships. The Sale Sizzlers are a series of 5K races attracting a very strong field of top runners. they are held in the evening during July and August, in Wythenshawe Park.
A total of 18 Rochdale Harriers ran in the 4th Sale Sizzler. Luke Burley targeted a sub-18 minute 5K time and absolutely smashed it! He clocked 16m, 52s to finish in 54th position. Second Harrier back was Danny Bennett, in 17m, winning his MV55 age category. So a big well done to Danny. Juliet Smith was the first female Harrier home, winning the FV45 category in 20m, 35s. Again a big well done to Juliet. In a surprise turn of events, Corina Haynes beat her target of sub-25 min comfortably by posting 23m, 28s and beat Jennie Ransome for the first time (23m, 33s).
Tuesday 5th August, saw two Harriers with masochistic tendencies, take part in the Ramsbottom Summer Mile. This is a one-mile out-and-back course, described as fast and flat, run in Nuttall Park. The intention being to run the mile as fast as possible, with two Harriers testing their speed over the mile. Ian Stainthorpe (V60) completed in a time of 6m, 41s and Corina Haynes (V60), achieved a time of 7m, 4s.
Thursday 7th August, saw a clash of races and therefore a choice to be made by the Harriers, of what their favourite type of race is. For the Road Racers/Trail Racers there was the Hopwood Trot, run on the paths and tracks around the historic Hopwood Hall, with a distance of 5.5 miles or 8.8km. Four Harriers opted for this race. First back in 4th position overall was Danny Bennett (MV55), in 31m, 25s. Followed by Ian Aitchison (MV65), 66th, 41m, 19s. Swiftly followed by Ian Stainthorpe (MV60), in 41m, 29s. Harriers one and only female representative was Louise Eadsforth (FV50) who posted 47m, 53s.
On the other side of the borough and a change of surface was the Whittle Pike Fell Race, run from the village hall in Cowpe. The race goes via Cowpe Reservoir, then climbs over the moors to Waugh’s Well, heads across to Whittle Pike, turning around at the memorial cross, before heading back to Waugh’s Well, around Cragg Quarry and back down to the village hall. Three Harriers opted to run this race, with Ryan Keenan (MV40) being the first back in 20th position, in 55m, 52s. Ryan was followed home by Jennie Ransome (FV60), 44th, 1hr, 8m, 1s. Third Harrier back was Mark Walker (MV55), 1hr, 12m, 54s.
On Sunday 4th August it was the Chip Chase Fell Race. The race goes over Alderman’s Hill to the left of the Holmfirth Road opposite Dovestones Reservoir. This race was 10km/6.2 miles, with 400m/1,312ft of climb. Two Harriers decided to run this very scenic course (with fabulous views over Dovestones and across to Scout Moor). Pete Butterworth (MV50) led the way, coming 43rd, 1hr, 5m, 8s. Followed closely by John Mayall (MV60), 1hr, 6m, 20s.
Sunday 10th August saw Juliet Smith and Ian Stainthorpe travelling to the opposite side of the county, running in the Preston 10 mile Road Race. The race consisted of 2 laps of a flat and fast 5 mile route, starting and finishing at Walmer Bridge Village Hall near to Leyland. Juliet doing extremely well, coming 26th, in 1hr, 13m, 2s. Followed by Ian in 1hr, 22m, 35s.
So in conclusion, despite the Olympics, it was a very busy period for the Harriers, travelling far and wide throughout the region.