Harriers take the chequered flag in final race of Grand Prix series
THE FINAL Grand Prix race for Todmorden Harriers took place on a frosty Saturday morning at Wesham, Lancashire.
The road 10k has been a popular race in the Grand Prix and 13 Harriers were among the 482-strong field.
Duncan Cannon continued to shine by finishing in 21st place in a time of 37:37. Pauline May was the first female Harrier home in 44:12.
Despite the cancellation of the Todmorden Centre Vale Park Run on Saturday, more than 30 of the Harriers’ Monday group turned out to run the five kilometre route and support the dozen runners who successfully completed the Couch to 5k programme.
The group proudly wore their Monday=Runday t-shirts, sponsored by Todmorden Harriers from the Jim Smith memorial fund. Jim himself completed more than 150 park runs and marshalled at many more.
The Monday group was set up in April this year to encourage beginners, slower runners and those returning to running.
They meet every Monday at 7pm at Bramsche Square car park in the centre of Todmorden and each week there are around 50 runners of all abilities. The next Couch to 5k for beginners will start in March.
Harriers’ vet ladies secured an overall win in the Red Rose Cross Country series at Marl Pits, Rossendale.
In a field of 119, Rebecca Patrick finished 10th overall and also claimed first V50. Pauline May was 12th and Mel Blackhurst was second V50 in 20th position.
Emma Fielder was first V45 in 21st place and Kate Mansell (35th) and Jackie Scarf (37th) both finished high up. The ladies open team finishing second overall in the series.
The men also had some great results, taking second place inthe vets and also fourth place in the open age ranks.
In a field of 163 runners, Andrew Worster finished fourth, followed by Martin Howard in fifth and Graeme Brown in 10th. Also running was Nick Barber (26th), Ian Symington (44th) and Tristian Langlois (65th).
There was a festive feel to the West Yorkshire Winter League race in Dewsbury.
The five-mile muddy course attracted 577 runners for the second race of the series and the Harriers team moved four places off the foot of the table, the first time in five years.
Due to low numbers in past years, Todmorden have struggled but this year, numbers are up and Andrew Worster was a race winner, after finishing fourth at the Red Rose Cross Country.
Chris Goddard has won the Club Champion crown for his performances throughout the year
The Harriers’ Grand Prix has ended after 34 races. Ninetyfive runners took part in at least one while 17 qualified by completing enough races in all catogories.
The trail section was won by Duncan Ritchie; Duncan Cannon and Pauline May took the road section, Andrew Worster and Annie Roberts won the fell section and Andrew Worster and Pauline May won the cross country.
Mel Blackhurst won the overall Grand Prix having previously won it in 2017. She ran 14 races overall (eight are needed to qualify) with 11 on the fells.
However, it is Chris Goddard who has won the Club Champion crown for his outstanding performances this year.
Special mentions to Stuart Wolstenholme who managed 21 races; Dan Taylor for completing 10 Grand Prix and Paul Brannigan, who completed 20 Grand Prix years.
Kim Ashworth was crowned
Queen of the Ultras after claiming first place in the Ultra Championships. Fifteen Harriers took part in at least one of the ultra races in this year’s Grand Prix and four qualified by completing three races. Louise Greenwood finished in second position followed by Julie Graham and Elise Milnes.