Holly and Lee Complete the Pendle Way 45 Mile Ultra

This weekend saw the fell runners hogging the limelight, in particular Lee Meadowcroft (MV40) and Holly Green, who spent Saturday running the Pendle Way in a Day fell race. As it implies, the race does a full circuit of the Pendle Way, covering 45 miles (68.8km), with a total ascent of 6100ft (1848km). The race starts and finishes at Barley Village Hall, heads over the fields to Barrowford, then follows Moorland paths to Barnoldswick. The route then follows the Leeds to Liverpool canal to Earby, from where it goes to Laneshawbridge via Kelbrook. It then heads via Wycoller and around to Boulsworth to Reedley onto Newchurch, before a punishing finish, where it heads over Pendle Hill and down to Barley. Hopefully they both enjoyed a well earned drink and even a meal, in the excellent Pendle Inn in the village. Lee finished a very creditable 40th from 129 runners in the main race, in a time of 10hrs 6m, 1s. Holly came 101st, in 13hrs, 7m, 32s.

Saturday 1 Feb 2026 saw Lily Hirst representing Oldham Schools Town Team, in the Greater Manchester Schools Cross Country Championships. At guess where ?, Heaton Park. On a cold and windy day, teams from the 10 boroughs in Greater Manchester competed for running glory. Lily achieved a creditable 19th place out of 55 runners in the minor girls race. Unfortunately there were not enough Oldham runners in the race to form a team.

On the other side of the county again on the Saturday, Richard Greenwood made the short journey to Blackburn, to compete in the Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K. The race starting and finishing at the Witton Park Arena and consisting of a road race around the locality. Richard finished in a time of 49m, 33s, coming 211th position from 719 finishers.

Sunday saw 11 Harriers, making the trip to the Rams Head at Denshaw, to run the Windy Hill fell race over a new course, (improved or just tougher ?). The new route started from the Rams Head, heading down the Pennine Bridleway to Piethorne Reservoir, before following it over to Hollingworth Lake, turning back at Rakewood before the lake, to head back under, then over the M62 to Lydgate (site of the recent aircraft crash). From Lydgate, it climbs up Blackstone Edge, following the Pennine way to the Windy Hill mast. The route then follows down the left side of Longden End Valley, before picking up the Pennine Bridleway to Piethorne, before the long and soul destroying climb back to the Rams Head. It’s fair to say that quite a few runners were walking (slowly) at this final climb, with more than a few commenting “it seemed like a good idea at the time”. I suspect that running 12 miles (18km), with 2000ft (640mtrs) ascent, doesn’t sound too tough when deciding to run the race, until they discover the reality of fell running and simple statistics.

Finishing in a very creditable 9th from 262 finishers, was Dave Parton (MSEN), in 1hr, 36m, 12s. Next in 30th place, in 1hr, 45m, 12s was Jonny Lawlor (MSEN). First female Harrier to finish was Stephanie Harrison (F40), in 60th position, 1hr, 55m, 31s. Stephanie came 1st in her age category, so a big well done to Stephanie. Danielle Dignan (FSEN) was next Harrier home in 81st place, in 2hrs, 38s. Pete Butterworth (M55) followed in 103rd place, 2hr, 6m, 51s. Jennie Ransome (F60), 110th in a time of 2hr, 8m, 52s Jennie was also another Harriers age category winner. A big congratulations to Jennie.

Other Harriers in the race were Mark Walker (M55), 116th, Nick Walsh (M55), 125th, Megan Hooson (FSEN), 136th, Jack Liddle (M45), 242nd (it took three takes to get his “action” shot, sorry Jack). Julie Smith was 258th after receiving words (barks) of encouragement from Staff (Charlie the Springer).

This Sunday sees the first of the Harriers Road Race Championships races. The Hale 10k, a favourite amongst the Harriers Road Runners, flat and furious.