The 2025 XC Season Begins as the Fell Season Ends

Last week not only saw the change in the season’s weather-wise, but also running wise. The weekend saw the final race in the RHAC Fell Championships and the Run the Moors Fell Grand Prix (FGP), but also the first of the Cross Country races. At the time of writing the Red Rose results reported here are provisional and subject to change.

The first Cross Country race was at Leigh Sports Village and was the first of four races in the Red Rose League. Some 25 Harriers made their way down the M62 and East Lancs Road, to take part in the various race categories. For several of the Rochdale squad, this was their first foray into cross country running in adult life. Rochdale harriers’ women and men’ were well represented, 10 and 13 respectively. Rochdale Juniors mostly compete in the SEL League but two also competed at Leigh. In the U13 Girls Race, Lily Hirst, finished 6^th in the a time of 13m, 14s. Lottie Peacocke represented Harriers in the U17 Girls Race, coming 5^th, in 24m, 1s.

In the Senior Women’s Race, first home was Danielle Dignan (L), 8^th, in 22m, 27s. Close behind in 9^th position was Juliet Smith (L50), in 22m, 28s. Next home was Zara Hirst (L), 13^th in 22m, 50s, then Jennie Ransome, (L60), 29^th, in 24m,36s. The Ladies’ team finished 2nd out of 11 teams. So a very good team performance, which, if maintained, bodes well for the season. The Ladies’ Vets Team also doing well finishing 5^th out of 20 teams.

The counters in Rochdale’s ladies team in 2nd place from 11 teams, in order, were 8 Danielle Dignan, 9 Juliet Smith, 13 Zara Hirst and 29 Jennifer Ransome.

In the Senior Men’s Race, Danny Bennett (V55) was the first Harrier back, 20^th, in 36m, 35s and 1^st in his age category. Followed by Dave Parton, 37^th, in 38m, 31s. Andy Whitehouse (V40) worked his way up the field as the race progressed to become Rochdale’s 3rd counter, 63^rd overall, in 41m, 26s. Right behind Andy was Rob Scott (V40), 64^th, in 41m, 37s. Team wise, the senior men came 8^th out of 15 teams, (11 out of 11 last year), so a massive improvement and let’s hope it’s a good omen for the season. The Vet’s Team finished a creditable 7^th out of 12. An encouraging start for all teams, keep up the good work.

The counters in Rochdale’s Men’s team in 8th place from 15, in order, were 20 Daniel Bennett, 37 David Parton, 63 Andy Whitehouse and 64 Rob Scott.

Jumping forward to Sunday (we will be visiting Saturday afterwards), saw the final race in the Run the Moors Fell Grand Prix and the RHAC Fell Championships. The 11th and final race was the Within Skyline Fell race. This starts from Penistone Hill Country Park (Howarth), threads up to Top Withins before heading down to the Bronte Bridge  and back to the finish. The course is 6.2 miles long with 820ft of climb and is classed as a BM race. Seven Harriers made the journey into Yorkshire with Ryan Keenan (MV45) finishing 26^th, in 52m, 14s. Followed by Jonny Lawlor (MV35), 36^th, in 55m, 22s. Then came Lee Meadowcroft (MV40), 44^th, in 57m, 1s. Stephanie Harrison (FV40), Harriers only female in the race finished 57^th, in 58m, 54s. So that’s the end of Harriers Fell Season for 2025, final placings will be reported separately.

Back to Saturday, two Harriers Ladies travelled north over the border to Glasgow. Ruth Fearn and Sam Fretwell. Who seem to  have decided that 10k’s, half marathons and marathons are too short for them. So they competed in the Glasgow to Edinburgh 57 mile Ultra Race. The race heads north from Glasgow, going past the Falkirk Wheel and the Antonine Wall (the northern most point of the Roman Empire), before finishing in Saughton Park. Both ladies acquitting themselves very well. Ruth came 61^st out of 208 runners in a time of 12hrs, 49m, 56s and Sam coming in 116^th in 14hrs, 59m, 24s. A massive well done to both of them for their achievement, it’s a long time to be on your feet running.

Coming back down south and into Yorkshire, three Harriers ran the Holmfirth 10K on Sunday. Phil Lockett in 40m, 52s, Neil Eaton in 56m, 27s and Louise Eadsforth in 1hr, 42s.

Finally also on Sunday but a bit closer to home, eight Harriers ran the Manchester Half Marathon, where a total of 28,000 runners  took part. Jack Warwick was first Harrier back with a massive PB, taking 1722^nd  place, taking 1hr 30m, 25s. Then came Tahir Ali, 3961^th , 1hr 40m, 21s, Abdul Shahid, 3967^th , 1hr, 40m, 22s, David Bull, 4394^th , in 1hr, 41m, 57s. Three Harriers Ladies ran the race with Clare Holloway first back in 2hrs, 1m, 53s. Next was Sadaf Saheed, 2hrs, 13m, 42s, Bryony Sherry, 2hrs, 15m, 15s.

In summary a very busy and varied weekend for the Harriers, showing how the members are willing to travel to run in a race they