Sale Sizzler, Settle Hills and Spine Race North, 2025

26th June 2025

Juliet and Danny with their prizes at the Sale Sizzler 5K

After the very busy weekend of the Harriers Three Day Event, it was back to the serious business of the Road Race Championships (RRC). Thursday 19^th was the date of the first Sale Sizzler race in a series of four, held in June and July. This being the 6^th race out of the 9 races of the Harriers RRC. Any one of the four races can be run to count towards points for the RRC, as long as you run in all four and choose your best race to count, or just “go for it” in one race. 11 Harriers made their way down the M62 to Wythenshawe Park and this year it lived up to its name, with high summer temperatures. First Harrier back was Danny Bennett, (MV55), in 16m, 56s, winning his age category. So a big well done to Danny on both counts. Next to finish was Andrew Whitehouse, 146^th, 18m, 49s, followed by Bruno Rolinha, 176^th, 19m, 34s. First Harriers Lady was Juliet Smith, 197^th, 20m, 4s, Juliet winning her FV50 age category, so excellent result for Juliet. Louise Mayall, the only other Harriers Lady in the race, finishing in 23m, 43s.

Chris trying to chase down Danielle at Settle Hills

Sunday 22^nd saw the Harriers heading to the Yorkshire Dales and the market town of Settle, to run in the Settle Hills Fell Race, 11.3km, 500mtrs, 7mls, 1650 ascent. The race being the fifth out of 11 races in the Fell Grand Prix Inter Club Race Series. The race starts in Settle Market Place, before heading up a very steep road climb, eventually emerging onto the moor. It then follows the Dales Highway to Attermire Scar, before turning left and heading under the scar to Jubilee Cave, before going over the scar in a clockwise direction. The route heads back to meet the Dales High Way, but then goes left to High Hill, before heading down the rough fields and over roads, finishing at the Rugby Club.

Lee, first home for Rochdale at Settle Hills

Seven Harriers made the journey to run over the beautiful limestone scenery of the Dales. First back was Lee Meadowcroft (MV40), 35^th, in 1hr, 11m, 47s. Lee was followed by Jennie Ransome (LV60), 61^st, in 1hr, 18m, 30s. Jennie coming first in her age category, so, many congratulations to Jennie in what is a tough race. Coming in after Jennie was Pete Butterworth, (MV50), 65^th, in 1hr, 19m, 8s. Followed by Mark Walker (MV50), 77^th, in 1hr 21m, 45s. Harriers second lady was Danielle Dignan, 97^th, in 1hr, 29m, 65s, closely followed by Chris Gee, 1hr, 29m, 8s.

This weekend sees the Harriers following up on their successful Pennine Way relay event of last year, with a relay run of the famous Coast to Coast route.

Finally if you’re not exhausted from reading about the Sale Sizzler and Settle Hills Fell Race, one Harrier went for a scenic run on the Pennine Way. Dan Fenwick was the Harrier who decided to spend his weekend running the Montane Summer Spine Race Northern. This involves running continuously for 160 miles of the Pennine Way, from Hardraw nr Hawes, to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland. A massive well done to Dan, who finished the race in a time of 78hrs, 5m, 56s. I hope he enjoyed the scenery, well what he saw of it in the daylight, it is a gorgeous section of the Pennine Way, very rugged.