Joe’s rapid rise picks up pace at Rivington Pike
ROSSENDALE Harriers were in action on the road and fells in two traditional races over the Easter break and young Joe Ormrod had cause to celebrate his holiday as he took fifth place and first U17 in the classic Rivington Pike race.
First off on Good Friday though were Rossendale’s senior road men who toed the start line with the 438 strong field for the Salford 10K.
The two lap race usually attracts a quality field and this year the winner, Victor Urquart Smangs, who travelled all the way from Stockholm for the occasion demolished the opposition to win in 29mins 51secs.
The Harriers were hopeful of some quick times and Jon Cleaver was the first of them towards the end of the first lap, however Andy Mellor came through and although Cleaver valiantly tried to hold his position he faded from then on and had to settle for 18th place and third veteran in 33mins 18secs.
Mellor’s time of 33mins 05secs for 12th place was well short of his personal best but many believe that the slightly re-jigged course due to some housing
developments made for a slower course than normal but nonetheless it
was a good effort.
Andy Grenfell clocked 34mins dead for 26th position and with Chris Snell in 67th place with 36mins 42secs it was enough to take the veterans team category.
Joe Ormrod is enjoying a great run of form at the moment and after his Lancashire Championship win on Pendle recently he is running confidently and aggressively.
On Saturday he took on the classic Rivington Pike race, a category B short fell race and also the oldest in the fell calendar having been first run in 1892.
The 3.2 mile route starts on the road in Rivington and climbs up 800 feet to the top of the Pike and around the stone tower which was built as a shooting lodge in 1733.
This year the race was staged in memory of the late Ron Hill a Clayton and Bolton stalwart who was the second man to break 2hrs 10mins for the marathon.
GB international mountain runner Jacob Adkin emerged as the winner in 17mins 11secs and Joe Ormrod’s time of 18mins 36secs for fifth place underlined his fine form and illustrated his rapid rise in the rankings as he left his rivals and very good athletes in his wake.
He will now look forward to the trial race for international selection in May.
Joe Hopley was also on good form claiming 13th spot out of the field of 244 runners after 19mins 31secs and Sean Greenwood, not quite back to his best, finished 32nd with 21mins 31secs.
There were also successes for the juniors in
their short course races with Elsie Duffy taking second overall and first girl in the U9s.
Cole Marsden placed 8th in the U11s, Alice Carr was 6th overall and second U13 girl, closely followed by Ruby Cleaver in eighth overall and third girl, Lyla Duffy 21st and Oscar Bennett 33rd.
Francis Vidler was the only Harrier in the U15s and he finished in 15th spot.