Harriers Sizzle at Sale and Soaked at Saddleworth

7th August 2025

Harriers at the year’s final Sale Sizzler 5K

The first week in August 2025 was ‘quiet’ in terms of number of races run by the Harriers, but the two that members ran in were important. Both of them involved Championship Races, one is the Road Race Championship (RRC) and the other is the RHAC and inter-Clubs Fell Grand Prix (FGP). Valuable points were at stake.

The first championship race was the Sale Sizzler, run on Thursday, being the last of the four race Sizzler Series (only one counts towards the RRC table, so it is a case of choosing your best one). The Sizzler is the 6^th out of 9 races in the Harriers RRC, so good race positions and hence points scored are becoming important. 22 Harriers made their way down the M62 on a warm sunny evening in search of points. First Rochdale Harrier to finish was Danny Bennett (V55), 60^th, in 16m, 48s. A time and position which saw him winning his age category, so congratulations to Danny on his achievement. Next home was Luke Burley (V35), 77^th, in 17m, 7s, followed by George Haynes, (MSEN), 213^th, in 19m, 7s. Anjum Ahmed, (MV50), was the next Harriers finisher, 222^nd, in 19m, 12s. First Harriers lady was Juliet Smith, (V50), 275^th, in 19m, 55s. Next was Diane Winterburn who achieved an incredible PB, (FV55), 413^th, in 22m, 32s. After Diane came Danielle Dignan, (FSEN), 441^st, in 23m, 5s.

Sunday August 3^rd saw the seventh race out of 11 in the FGP race series. The Chip Chase race being held in familiar territory to Harriers runners, as it is run over the same moors as the Alderman’s Ascent Fell Race, reported on 3 weeks ago. The conditions that the Chip Chase was run under compared to the Alderman’s was chalk and cheese. From searing heat, to heavy rain and low cloud, back to traditional fell running weather. The Chip Chase is classified as a BS (short, medium ascent) fell race, being 10km (6.2mls) with 400m (1312ft) of ascent. The reward for the runners, a free chip butty at the finish. The race starts further up the road from the Alderman’s and as a result covers more of the moor. This time visiting the war memorial obelisk, that stands at the end of the moor. After visiting Alderman’s Hill, it drops down to the Holmfirth Road and then skirts around the hill before heading up to the memorial via the Pots and Pans Rocks. After which it drops down to the finish at the Cross Keys Inn and those chip butties.

The Harriers getting a good soaking on the appropriately-named Running Hill Lane (Saddleworth Chip Chase fell race)

A total of 11 Harriers ran the race (minus the view), with Dave Parton achieving a creditable fifth place, in 47m, 47s. an excellent placing and time for Dave. Not too far behind was Ryan Keenan (MV45), 18^th, in 53m, 5s. Following Ryan was Jonny Lawlor, (MV35), 20^th, in 53m, 34s. First Harriers lady was Jennie Ransome, (LV60), 59^th, in 1hr, 2m, 43s. Next was Danielle Dignan (LSEN), 84^th, in 1hr, 9m, 52s and Louise Eadsforth, (LV55), 113^th, in 1hr, 20m, 25s. Hope the chip butty made up for the bad weather and hopefully a decent pint.

The league tables for the road, fell and juniors’ championships can be found on the Harriers website, to see who is comfortable and who is sweating. Points mean prizes and the road and fell season is fast coming to an end, just as the cross country season begins.