Harriers Hop, Trot, Chip Chase and Sizzle (August 2023)

The busy summer racing season continued for Rochdale Harriers with the latest rounds of the club’s road and fell championships.

Wednesday 2nd August saw the club well represented at the Hopwood Trot race, an approximate 5.2 mile / 8.5km two lap route around the trails and roads surrounding the historic hall and college in Middleton.

The recent rain meant the course was muddy with plenty of puddles for the 153 racers to try and avoid or splash straight through the middle of.

Dave Parton was the first Rochdale Harrier back running in second overall after 33:22, seven seconds shy of race winner Lee Robinson of Oldham & Royton Harriers with Royton Road Runners’ Shane Reading completing the podium, third with a time of 33:35.

Kevin Holland was second Rochdale man home in 36:29, followed by Will Johnson in 36:47, Jeff McCarthy 38:42, Lee Meadowcroft 39:08, Michael Jackson 41:36, Ian Aitchson 41:41 (1st Vet 65) and Ray Dalby 50:48.

The ladies race proved highly eventful where just one second denied Rochdale’s Izzie Brandon the win behind Prestwich AC’s Jennifer Badger. Terrible traffic on the night meant Izzie actually missed the 7pm start but was still allowed to run by the organisers, under what could be described as less than ideal race preparation at best!

The Rochdale ladies team scooped the team prize with Izzy second in 35:42, Juliet Smith (1st Vet 45) fourth in 38:15, Clare Dignan 12th in 42:43 and Julie Smith 56th in 1:01:37.

Thursday 3rd August was the fourth and final race in the Sale Sizzler 5km road series, where Danny Bennett ran another remarkable race to register his fourth personal best in the series, lowering his time to 16:36 and claiming the Vet50 title.

On Saturday 5th August Lee Meadowcroft lined up alongside 269 others in Gisburn Forest for the Pennine Trails 10km race, completing the undulating course in 51:46 to finish 24th.

On Sunday 6th August Saddleworth Runners hosted the inaugural Chip Chase Race and the eighth race in the local Run The Moors series. The approximate 5.5 mile / 9km route above Uppermill takes in the Broadstone Hill trig point, Broad Hill and Aldermans, packing in roughly 1410ft / 430m of elevation.

Dave Parton was first Rochdale vest back, fourth overall in 45:50, Dec Harrison followed in 44th after 1:01:44, Matt Cox 88th in 1:14:59 and Bryony Sherry 95th after 1:19:44.