Calder Valley claim men’s team prize in Shepherds Skyline race
CALDER VALLEY Fell Runners’ men’s team claimed the team prize at last weekend’s Shepherds Skyline race, hosted by Todmorden Harriers.
Always a fiercely competitive end of season race, the Skyline route heads up to Langfield Common before going to Stoodly Pike.
A rapid drop to London Road is followed by a steep climb back up to Withens gate before
There was some excellent running by the Valley juniors with Clara McKee setting new record
returning across the moors to the Shepherds Rest.
Heavy rain led to muddy conditions underfoot and times were a little down on previous years.
Alex Whittam was first back for Valley, clocking 46:45 to take fifth place, finishing behind two former national champions in Simon Bailey, of Mercia, who won the race in 43:40, and Bingley’s Ian Holmes, who topped the V50 ranks and claimed third overall.
Valley’s men secured the team prize thanks to fine supporting runs from Lee Shimwell (19th), Dan Marsden (24th) and Rob Rawlinson (35th).
Valley’s Natasha Butterfield was third woman home in 56:06, finishing behind winner Annie Roberts, from Todmorden in 52:43, and Claire Green, from Pudsey and Bramley, in second.
There was some excellent running by the Calder Valley juniors, notably Clara McKee who smashed the U11s girls record in 6:22. Calder’s Joseph Stone was the first boy in the U11s age group.
Harry Cliff won the U9s boys race in 3:40, supported by teammates George Brice in second and Joseph Rochester in third. Charlotte Cliff was second in the girls race with Georgie Illstone third.
Charlie Pickens won the U13s boys race in 6:33 with runnerup George McFee just eight seconds behind.
In the older age categories, Emilia Wright finished in second place in the U15s girls standings with a time of 7:31 and Maya Brunt was the winner of the U17s girls race.
Valley’s senior results: 5 Alex Whittam 46:45, 19 Lee Shimwell 52:23, 24 Dan Marsden 53:42, 30 Rob Rawlinson 55:33, 35 Natasha Butterfield 56:06, 54 Dan Jones 59:19, 55 Ben Cliff 59:25, 81 Tim Brooks 64:26, 91 Jackie Scarf 65:36, 109 Gillian Wibsey 70:05, 152 Dean Dickinson 77:20, 170 Diane Wright 82:53.
There was aslo success for Calder Valley to celebrate in the Fell Runners Association
National Championships presentation event, in Grange-overSands, last Saturday.
Calder’s men were presented with the British V40 silver medals with Adam Osborne winning individual bronze in the category.
In the English Championships, Calder’s V40 men’s team went one better and won gold. Team counters were Karl Gray, Darren Kay, Adam Osborne, Mark Taylor, Mark Burton,
Shaun Godsman (captain) and Gavin Mulhollland.
Gray won individual gold in the V45 category and Darren Kay scooped silver. Gray also was joint silver medallist in the V40.
In the younger age groups, Martin Howard bagged a bronze medal in the U23s championship.
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