Weekend 25/26th March 2023 Round-Up

ROCHDALE HARRIERS were out in numbers last weekend representing the club in a variety of races around the UK.

On Sunday 26th March the latest round of the club’s road race championship rolled on to Wilmslow Half Marathon where 11 members were part of the 2550 runners who raced their way out of Pownall Park, towards Knutsford and back again. 

Danny Bennett was the first Rochdale vest back and took maximum points in the men’s category clocking 01:19:34. Kevin Holland continued his fine early season form and claimed second Rochdale with another PB time of 01:29:01. Andrew Martin was hot on his heels and was third Rochdale also setting a new PB of 01:29:30.

The hard work put into winter training is certainly paying dividends for the Rochdale runners as Jonathan Lupton also registered a PB, next over the line in 01:30:39. Leon Aston stopped the clock at 01:41:13, Gareth Chambers 01:43:48, Neil Hirst 01:53:27.

On the Ladies side Isabel Brandon was the first Rochdale home in a time of 01:39:17, followed by Jennie Ransome in 01:44:06, Susie Hirst in 01:48:44 and Julie Smith 02:16:51.

On Saturday 25th March, Dave Parton donned the red, gold and black Rochdale vest in the first round of the British Fell Running Championships at the Mourne Marauder race in Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland.

The approximate 16km / 10 mile route has a total climb of 1400m / 4593 ft. Starting in Donard Park, the race climbs from the start though the dense, tall Pines of Donard Forest before reaching Northern Ireland’s highest peak, Slieve Donard (850m / 2788ft), visiting Chimney Rock Mountain before tackling Northern Ireland’s second highest peak, Slieve Commedagh, finishing with a fast slalom back through the forest.

214 runners completed the race with Dave finishing 121st in a time of 02:22:03.

John Bramwell was also out racing on the fells, albeit a little closer to home, at the Heptonstall Fell Race on Sunday 26th March.

Another category Long race for John, the approximate 25km / 15.5 mile route gathers 966m / 3170 foot of elevation as it winds up through wooded valleys to Blake Dean, over open moorland around to Hardcastle Craggs and Pecket Well before returning to Heptonstall. 241 hardy souls took on the challenge with John finishing 99th in a time of 02:46:46.

Richard Stirzaker continued his preparation for the marathon at the popular Coniston 14 mile Road Race on Saturday 25th March, an undulating circular route around the shores of Coniston Water.

Conditions were damp, breezy and mild in the Lake District. Richard stopped the clock at 01:25:58 finishing 27th out of a huge field of 999 runners.