Podiums, Piethornes and Trains

23rd August 2023

Harriers at the end of the off-road Piethorne 10K

THE BLACK, RED AND GOLD vests of Rochdale Harriers were out in numbers again last weekend with races far and wide.

On Saturday 19th August three harriers made the journey over to Barrowford for the New Balance Podium 5K event, a collection of three 5km races which draws some of the fastest runners around to time trial around the Swinden Playing Fields.

Danny Bennett continued his fine form stopping the clock at 16:42, Jeff McCarthy clocked 20:20 with Juliet Smith recording 20:37.

On Sunday 20th August, 2023 CraggRunner hosted the Piethorne 10K race around the Ogden and Piethorne reservoirs. The third running of this circular route takes in the reservoirs, before heading up and over to the edge of Hollingworth Lake, under the M62 before returning past Tunshill Golf Club with a real sting in the tail up the rocky road off Carr Lane before a sprint finish along the banks of Ogden.

Five Harriers lined up alongside 178 others with Chris Gee first Rochdale vest back in 55:41. Clare Dignan was first Rochdale female back running a great race to dip under the hour mark in 58:51. Molly Howell followed in 1:01:26, Bryony Sherry recorded 1:06:14 with Gareth Chambers clocking 1:06:16.

Also on Sunday, Jennie Ransome ventured across the border to Snowdonia to take part in one of her favourite races – the ‘Race the Train’ event. Running alongside the Talyllyn Railway, the 14 mile route is an out and back mixed trail and road race heading to Abergynolwyn via picturesque Welsh countryside.

Jennie completed the challenge in 2:12:19 to win her age category and finish 181st out of 410 runners.