RHAC Road Race Championships 2026 Conclude in Cumbria
4th November 2026
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Sunday 25 October 2026, saw three Harriers make the short journey to Oldham, to run in the tough, hilly, Oldham Halloween Half Marathon. It was made even tougher this year, by the strong winds of storm Boelo. First home for the Harriers was Harry Page (MSEN), in 90th position, with a time of 1hr, 46m, 17s. Next to finish was Richard Greenwood, (MSEN), 245th in a time of 2hrs, 5m, 48s. Third Harrier to finish was Richard Lee (M60), in a time of 2hrs, 13m, 14s, finishing in 288th place.
The weekend of 31st October/1st November saw the Harriers split into two groups. On Saturday, six Harriers had a very tough race, in the shape of the Summit Fell Race. Starting at the Summit Inn, Littleborough. This 4.3 mile, (7km) race, has 850ft (260m) of ascent and heads up the moor to the White House pub on Blackstone Edge. After touching the wall, they then have the fun of running all the way back down to the Summit Inn.
Honours go to Danielle Dignan (FSEN), who was the first Harrier back, as 14th lady, with a time of 44m, 05s. A massive well done to Danielle for her achievement after coming back from a long injury break. Pete Butterworth finished 60th in 45m, 45s. In 69th place was Chris Gee (M50), finishing in 47m. Harry Page (MSEN), was next with a time of 51m, 11s, coming 93rd. After Harry came Dan Merlo (M50), dressed suitably as a ghost, in 112th position, in a time of 55m. Jack Liddle (M45), followed, in 58m, 36s, in 125th place. Then in 152nd place came Zain Zia (MSEN), in 1hr, 18m, 42s. There were 155 finishers.
The big event though, last weekend, was the final race in the Harriers Road Race Championship Series. Being the last in the series, some 19 Harriers made their way to Keswick, in search of last minute points, to either improve or consolidate positions in the final table. So on Sunday they lined up to run the Derwentwater 10 mile road race. Starting at George Fishers in the centre of Keswick, it heads along the Borrowdale Road to Grange, before going around the base of Catbells. From there it continues across the Newlands Valley to Stair, then across to the Swinside Inn, before going through Ullock and onto the finish at Portinscale. The weather was perfect for a long road, it was overcast and cool.
Danny Bennett (MV50-59) was the first Rochdale Harrier to finish, coming a creditable 17th, in a time of 1hr 53s, averaging a 6.05 minute, mile pace. Following Danny in 36th position and a time of 1hr, 6m 12s was Phil Lockett, (MV40-49), with a an average pace of 6.05 minutes. The third Rochdale Harrier to finish was Andy Whitehouse (MV40-49) who posted 1hr, 8m, 30s to take 50th position.
First Rochdale Harriers Lady home was Isabel Mitchell (FV30-39), in a time of 1hr, 9m, 56s, with an average pace was 6.59m per mile. Congratulations to Izzy who also was 6th lady overall from 173 and won her age category. This result enabled Izzie to leapfrog up the RHAC Road Race Championships table to finish the season as first lady. Not far behind was Juliet Smith (FV50-59), achieving a time of 1hr, 11m, finishing as 8th lady overall and winning her age category. Our congratulations to Juliet for her achievement. Third Harriers lady was Louise Whitehouse (FV30-39) who achieved a course PB in 1hr, 21m, 54s. Overall, a very good afternoon for the Harriers ladies.
Dave Aspinall, (MV40-49), finished 64th, in a time of 1hr, 10m, 43s. Stuart Daniels (MV40-49), was next to finish, coming 70th and completing the course in 1hr, 11m, 54s.
We then have Anna Blomfield, (FV60-69), in 1hr, 26m, 4s and Louise Eadsforth (FV50-59), 294th, in 1hr, 39m, 55s. Let’s hope it was worth the long journey for the various Harriers, who will hopefully get the points they wanted. Even if they didn’t, it was worth it for the beautiful Lakeland scenery, which looked fabulous in the late afternoon sunshine. This now concludes the end of both the Fell Grand Prix and Road Running Championships. All that is to come, are their respective awards presentations, later in the year.