Harriers hit roads, country and fells
ROCHDALE Harriers were out in force last weekend racing over road, cross country and fell.
On Saturday 26th November Liverpool’s Sefton Park played host to the Liverpool Cross Challenge which counted as the GB European Cross Country Championships trail as well as a counter in the Red Rose Cross Country league.
In the first race of the day, Issac Lupton represented the club in the Under 11 Boys race, completing the 2km /
1.24 mile course in a time of 10:32, with brother, Joseph Lupton, racing in the Under 13 Boys 3km / 1.86 mile race finishing in a time of
15:55. A bumper field of 359 lined up for the Senior Women’s 8.1km / 5.03 mile race where four Rochdale vests stood alongside some of Britain’s
finest middle distance athletes.
Jennie Ransome was first Harrier back in 163rd place in a time of 38:34. Next over the finish line in 232nd place was Susie Hirst in a time of 42:07. Danielle Dignan raced home in 241st place after 42:30, with Zara Hirst 291st in a time of 46:25.
The final race of the day saw a huge field of 645 Senior Men line up for
9.8km / 6 miles of mud grass and woodland.
Danny Bennett took the Rochdale bragging rights over Harry Clayton, finishing 223rd in a time of 37:32, with Harry crossing the line in 245th after
38:20. On Sunday 27th November 3243 runners descended on Wilmslow for the annual Festive 10km / 6.2mile road race.
Recent hard work at training paid dividends for Kevin Holland who pushed himself to record a fantastic personal best of 38:46. Anjum Ahmed followed closely in a time of 40:23 while Julie Smith also succeeded in setting her personal best, breaking the hour barrier with a time of 58:33.
Also on Sunday 27th, two teams of Harriers took part in the Lee Mill Fell Relay over the moorland and rough quarry trails above Bacup.
With four runners per team each runner tackles the same 10.4 km / 6.4 mile circular route starting from Stubbylee Park, heading through Lee Quarry and out on to the boggy open moorland.
The race ascends to Rooley Moor Road and the Top of Leach trig point.
From here the race returns to bog hopping as the racers head towards Cowm Reservoir where a short steep descent is quickly followed by an even sharper ascent to return the runners back into the quarries.
One final thigh deep moorland bog saps what’s left of the runners reserves before a run-in back to Stubbylee Park to finish where they started.
Rochdale Harriers Team A - Leg 1 - John Bramwell (01:03:58), Leg 2 - Chris Gee (01:18:20), Leg 3 - John Mayall (01:15:38), Leg 4 - Dave Parton (59:09).
Rochdale Harriers Team B Leg 1 - Mark Walker (01:15:43), Leg 2 Gaz Chambers (01:13:48), Leg 3 - Leon Aston (01:10:57), Leg 4 - Fiona Williams (01:16:30).
Meanwhile, in warmer conditions Ian Aitchison completed the Lanzarote International Running Challenge and finished third in Vet 65 category.
The Challenge comprises of four races on four consecutive days over various terrains and distances. Day One 10km /
6.2 mile road (48:36), Day Two 13km / 8 mile ridge run (01:08:10), Day Three 5km / 3.1 mile beach run (23:57), Day Four 21km / 13 mile multi terrain:
01:46:50.