PBS aplenty for Harriers in Half Marathon
SIX Rochdale Harriers represented the club at the Manchester Half Marathon on Sunday 15th October with five men storming to new personal best times.
The event is one of the biggest half marathons run in the UK with almost 13,000 runners of all abilities tying their laces to take on the 13.1 mile challenge with many raising money for charity or simply chasing a new PB through the streets of the City.
Starting and finishing in Trafford, the route goes into the heart of the City Centre before winding its way around Stretford, Sale, Chorlton and back.
Kevin Holland continued his strong season stopping the clock at 1:24:55. Gareth Chambers was next over the line in 1:36:11, shortly followed by Michael Jackson who clocked 1:38:48. Recent additions to Team Rochdale, Kurtis Vincent and David Reeves both improved their half marathon times down to 1:46:04 and 1:54:24 respectively.
Another mention to Julie Smith, who ‘fresh’ off her metric marathon last weekend chalked off another long race registering 2:27:47.
Also on Sunday was the final race in the Run The Moors Fell Grand Prix series, which provides the calendar of races for the club’s fell running championship, at Withins Skyline, above Haworth.
This 10km / 6.2 mile race has approximately 300m / 984ft of ascent as the runners complete a circular route from the quarry bottom of Penistone Hill Country Park, over a particularly boggy moorland path to the Stoop Standing Stone, around to the ruins of Top Withens and back via Bronte Bridge.
197 runners lined up in the Autumn sun and Dec Harrison was the first Rochdale vest back, 61st in 59:30. Chris Gee followed in 101st with a time of 1:04:05, Pete Butterworth was next back in 140th clocking 1:09:39. Mark Walker was 144th after 1:10:27 and Matt Cox 163rd 1:18:15.
Juliet Smith once again impressed at the Northern Masters series, claiming the Vet 45 age category title at the Holmfirth 10km.
Far from the usual fast, flat road 10km, this route takes in the rolling hills and moorland scenery of the Holme Valley from Hade Edge, past Winscar Reservoir to Dunford Bridge and back.
Juliet clocked 46:05 to finish 48th out of 173 runners and also pick up the Vet 40 prize on the day.
It should also be corrected from last week’s report from the Rochdale BMW 10km race, Juliet was actually 3rd female overall and 1st Vet 45, not 4th female and 2nd Vet 45 as initially reported.
Finally, a special mention must be made to Jeff Mccarthy who has taken a step back from club coaching duties.
Under Jeff’s committed, voluntary coaching the Tuesday night track sessions have grown in strength in both participation numbers and improved performance. Thank you Jeff!