Harriers Race in Road and Fell Championships and Juliet Represents England Masters

After the excitement of the previous weekend with the Coast to Coast Relay, it was quickly back to business for the Harriers. Tuesday saw the Rochdale 10K organised by RHAC. The race course was slightly different this year and had been re-certified. It started in Springfield Park, headed down Bolton Road, onto the Old Manchester Road before heading up Roch Valley Way. It then turned left onto Bury and Rochdale Old Road and a very long and fast run before going onto Queens Park Road. From there it went onto Rochdale Road and headed back to the finish in Springfield Park, going through the main gate this year instead of the narrower, higher path. All 150 places were sold, although only of 106 runners took part and completed the course.

This year’s winner was Jordan James Hughes, (MV35), of Middleton Harriers, in a time of 35m, 47s. Finishing in 2^nd position with a fantastic run, was Harrier Danny Bennett, (MV55), 35m, 47s. Considering the age difference, that was a superb effort from Danny, so a massive well done to him.

Next Harrier to finish was relatively new Martin Colley, (MV40), 14^th, 41m, 11s. After Martin came Tahir Ali, (MV45), 26^th, 46m, 50s, followed by Abdul Shahid (MSEN), 27^th, 46m, 51s. Mention must be made of Ian Aitchison’s (MV65), excellent position of 35^th, 48m, 42s. A very respectable placing and timing for his age, so well done to Ian. Final Harrier in the race, 48^th, 51m, 27s, was Abdul Wadud, (MV40). Few Rochdale Harriers ran the race because the vast majority had to give their time up to help at our Club’s race. Also quite a few of our Harriers were saving themselves for Championship races on Friday (Sale Sizzler) and Saturday’s (Heptonstall Fell Race).

Talking of Friday, one Harrier (Pete Butterworth (M55)) ventured over to the Saddleworth Rangers Rugby Club, to run in the Alderman’s Ascent Fell Race. This race goes up to the iconic Pots and Pans monument, heads up to Shawrocks, before going over the moor to Alderman’s Hill. This race is well worth considering as a walk, as the views whilst traversing from Shaw Rocks to Alderman’s Hill are superb, allowing views over Dovestones Reservoirs across to Bleaklow. Pete achieved 35^th place in 1hr, 02, 15s.

Friday also saw 9 Harriers heading down the M60 to take part in the 2^nd of the Sale Sizzler 5K race series and the 6th race of the Harrier’s Road Race Championship. First back for Rochdale was Danny Bennett, (MV55), 56^th, 16m, 58s and finishing 1^st in his age category. So a brilliant recovery from his 10k exertions on Tuesday. Next was Abdul Shahid, (MSEN), 129^th, 18m, 20s, George Haynes, (MSEN), 165^th, 19m, 8s. George was followed by Harrier’s first female back, Corina Haynes, (FV60), 353^rd, 24m, 33s, Kay Bentley, (FV45), was second, 397^th, 30m, 27s. The full results for RHAC members were as follows:

Saturday then saw the 6^th race in the RHAC Fell Championships and the Run the Moors Fell Grand Prix, namely the Heptonstall Festival Fell Race, part of the Heptonstall Festival. It’s a 9.5km (5.9mls), with 496 metres (1627ft) of ascent, with an absolute killer of a course. Starting from the Weaver’s Square and immediately heading up the steep cobbled road, that soon gets the heart going. Eight Harriers made the journey to suffer a seriously tough course, which drops down into Hardcastle Crags, before climbing up to High Brown Knoll. It then does a loop on the moor, before heading back into the Crags, before an equally tough climb back up to Heptonstall. After all that hard work, the runners were rewarded with a free pint of beer at the finish.

In 18^th position, 58m, 30s was Dave Parton, (hope you enjoyed the pint for all that effort). Next back, not too far behind was a massively improving Jonny Lawlor, (MSEN), 25^th, 59m, 50s, followed by Jake Warwick, (MSEN), 29^th, 1hr, 25s. First of the RHAC ladies was Stephanie Harrison, (FV40), 60^th, 1hr, 8m, 8s. Second was Jennie Ransome, (FV60), 92^nd, 1hr, 13m, 15s. Third was Danielle Dignan, (FSEN), 1hr 22m, 46s. Full results.

Meanwhile one brave Harrier, Pete Butterworth, made the journey up to Windermere on Sunday to compete in a Duathlon. He took 50m to complete the 10k run, 1hr, 37m, for the 45km bike ride and finally 28m for a 5k road race. Pete was rewarded for his efforts by winning his age category. A big well done to him for his achievement.

Finally and by no means least, a big mention of Juliet Smith, who swapped her RHAC running vest for an England one. Juliet was representing the England Masters in an International 10k race, which was run as part of the Newcastle Great North 10K Race. Juliet had gained a place in the team by qualifying for the England Masters in the FV50 age category. The England Masters were up against teams from Northern Ireland, Wales and the Armed Forces. Juliet achieved overall 5^th position in the FV50 category, posting 41m, 14s for 10K. So a very big well done to Juliet.