Harriers Compete in England, Wales and Germany

IT WAS BUSINESS AS USUAL for the Harriers last week after their 268 mile continuous relay of The Pennine Way in the previous week. The first race on the list was the scorchingly hot Eddie’s Revenge Fell Race on 29th June 2024. Thirteen Rochdale Harriers competed in this category A/S (large ascent / short distance) race spanning 6.1km, (3.8 miles), with 323m (1050ft) of climb. The route went over Buckstones Moor and was the sixth race in both the RHAC and the Run the Moors inter-Clubs Fell Grand Prix. First Harrier back from Rochdale was Dave Parton (MSEN), 9^th, in 29m. Next was Jonny Lawlor, (MV35), 20^th, in 32m, 23s. Not far behind Jonny, was Jake Warwick, 23^rd, in 32m, 41s.

Two lady Rochdale Harriers took part and ran extremely well, both winning their age categories. Jennie Ransome a was first FV60 (8^th female overall) in 38m, 53s. Emma Ball was first FV50 (14^th female overall) in 39m, 48s. So a big well done to both ladies for their achievements.

The complete set of results for Rochdale Harriers at Eddies is as follows:

As at 3rd July 2024, the top three men in the RHAC Fell Championships 2024 are currently:
1. Jake Warwick,
2. Pete Butterworth, and
3. Dave Parton.

Currently the top three ladies in the RHAC Fell Championships 2024 are:
1. Emma Ball,
2. Kay Welsby, and
3. Jennie Ransome.

Kay Welsby and John Bramwell travelled to Wales on Friday evening, 29th June 2024, to compete in the Scott Sports Snowdon Twilight Race (billed as a warm up for the Snowdon Mountain Race in three weeks’ time. Which goes up and down the mountain from Llanberis). The race route Kay and John did starts in Llanberis and was ‘uphill only’, to the summit of Snowdon. This was 4.5 miles in distance, with a climb of about 3,000ft. In a field of 58 runners, John finished a creditable 19^th, in 59m, 35s. Kay was 8^th lady and in 32^nd position overall in a time of 1hr, 04m.

Saturday was the busiest day for the Harriers, who were spread far and wide over the north. In no particular order, we had Juliet Smith and Ray Dalby running in the Northern Masters Track and Field Championship, held at Leigh Sports Village. Juliet running in the 3,000mtrs in the morning and being the 1^st Vet45 in 12m, 2s. In the afternoon she ran the 1,500mtrs again achieving 1^st Vet in 5m, 46s. So a big well done to Juliet. Ray competed in the 800mtrs and was 4^th Vet60, in 3m, 13s. In the Shot Putt he achieved a distance of 6.61mtrs.

Four Harriers made the trip over to Trawden to compete in the Trawden 7 mile Fell race. Taking in parts of the Pendle Way, Bronte Way and Wycoller (a beautiful hamlet, well worth visiting). First Harrier home was Danny Bennett, 9^th, in 45m, 21s. Danny was followed home by Chris Gee, in 59m, 6s, Dan Merlo, in 1hr, 8m, 22s and finally Andy O’Sullivan in 1hr, 25m, 27s.

Now it’s the time of the ‘ard men, forget seven mile, easy fell races, Pete Butterworth made his way up to Windermere, to compete in a dualthlon, involving a swim in Windermere and then a bike ride. Pete achieved a very respectable 57^th out of 92 competitors, in a total time of 2hrs, 48m, 21s. So respect to Pete.

Corina Haynes travelled all the way to Germany to celebrate her birthday and to compete in the Hamburg half marathon. The race route took in the tourist sites of the city, including the Reeperbahn. Corina finished a very creditable 2^nd in her age category (LV60), in 1hr, 56m, 03s.

Last but not least, mention must be made of our three veteran runners, who ran in the Kings of the Mile event held at Sportscity in Manchester. This takes place at the athletics track at Sportscity and is over the iconic mile distance which is timed to 100^th sec. Our three Harriers doing themselves credit with their achievements, were first, Danny Bennett, 1^st M55 in 5m, 04s, followed by Ian Aitchison, 1^st M65, in 6m, 32s, followed by Ray Dalby, 2^nd, M65, 7m, 25s. So a big well done to those Harriers. Ian’s suggestion for the Observer headline was Kings of the Mile strike at Sportscity.