Rochdale Harriers at the Northern Road Relays, 2023

FOR MOST of the Harriers, last weekend was a chance for a rest, do a park run or just go for a training run on their favourite route. But for six men and four ladies it was the Northern Road Relays, held at Birkenhead Park on Saturday. The men’s race consisted of six laps of a 5.1km route around the park, whilst the ladies did 4 laps over the same route. Results for the men were as follows:

Stage 1 Charles Harding                72^nd        17m, 31s

Stage 2 Danny Bennett                 60^th         16m, 59s

Stage 3 Nick Barton                         89^th         23m, 38s

Stage 4 Bruno Rolinha                    90^th         20m 24s

Stage 5 Richard Stirzaker              86^th         18m, 01s

Stage 6 Jeff McCarthy                    84^th         21m, 13s

The men’s team finished 84^th out of 91 teams who were able to field a full team, As for Nick Barton the Chairman of the Harriers, it was a return to competitive racing after retiring from running 5 years ago, well that was his claim until it was pointed out that he ran the Calderdale Way Relay in 2022. Still there is life in those legs yet. Mention must be made of Danny Bennett’s time, which is a superb achievement for someone who is in the V50 age category, beating a lot of the younger runners.

The ladies team was a bit of a family affair, with twin sisters Daniella and Claire Dignan representing the club. Results for the ladies team are as follows:

Stage 1 Juliet Smith                          48^th         20m, 43s

Stage 2 Jennie Ransome               47^th         22m, 52s

Stage 3 Daniella Dignan                 50^th         24m, 37s

Stage 4 Claire Dignan                      49^th         23m, 28s

Again recognition must be given to Jennie Ransome who is in the V60 age category, for her impressive time. The team finished 49^th out of 59 teams.

On Sunday Julie Smith completed the Warrington Festival Hall Marathon. Julie finished in a time of 2hrs 32m 40s, with no cows on the route this time to obstruct her!

Saturday sees the start of the Cross Country Season (a sure sign that winter is coming) with the Harriers in action at Todmorden. This is the first in a series of four races in the Red Rose Cross Country Championships. Then on Sunday it’s the penultimate race in the Road Race Championships, the Bury 10K

We have in our reports been mentioning and counting down to the Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10k and fun run. These three races are co-ordinated by Rochdale Harriers and Rochdale Triathlon Club and supported by Rochdale Council. It’s a big event for Rochdale starting and finishing outside Rochdale’s magnificent Town Hall. As such it involves significant road closures both in the town centre, but more importantly on other major roads and areas of Rochdale.

The race is on Sunday 8 October 2023

Road Closures as follows:

From 6am to 6pm: The Esplanade outside the town hall to Manchester Road will be closed.

From 9.30am to 3pm: St Albans Street, Drake Street (lower section near to Manchester Road), Mere Street (full length), Tweedale and Lower Tweedale Street, Milkstone Road, Mial Street, Durham Street.

From 9.30am to 12 noon: Part of Oldham Road.

For full details of all the streets affected, please go to the Williams BMW Half Marathon website