Harriers keep running through festive period
WHILE the festive period was a chance for many to have that one extra mince pie and maybe even a sneaky midday drink on a Thursday, a number of Rochdale Harriers stayed dedicated and donned the black, red and gold vest to race across the season.
On New Year’s Eve, Blackburn Harriers hosted the Ribble Valley 10k, which also doubled as the Northern 10k Road Championships, and as such, the closed road course around the rural roads attracted an elite field, highlighted by GB Olympian Marc Scott’s victory and nine men breaking 30 minutes.
Charlie Harding was the first Harrier home, 131st after 34:59. Danny Bennett rounded off a superb 2023, claiming the Vet55 men’s title, running 35:40 for 156th place, with Richard Stirzaker 179th after 36:32.
Juliet Smith also finished the year in impressive form running home third in the Vet45 ladies category in 43:15 for 455th place with Dan Merlo clocking 52:48 in 789th place.
Pete
Butterworth appeared at Rossendale Harriers’ annual Boxing Day Whinberry Naze Dash where 193 hardy souls lined up to tackle the approximate four mile fell route which works its way up to Cowpe Lowe and back from the start and finish close to Marl Pitts track. Pete finished 94th in a time of 37:45.
Pete then raced again on New Years Eve at Glossop’s Wormstones Fell Race, another approximate four mile race which starts and finishes at The Beehive Pub before circulating Chunal Moor to the Harry Hut Trig Point.
Out of 281 runners Pete ran home in 152nd place after 57:35.
On Friday 29th December the club hosted their famous annual Chip Butty Run, a relaxed approximate 7.5 mile social run open to all ages and abilities.
This year saw a bumper turnout with 54 runners enjoying a rare dry morning through Millcroft, up Knowl Hill, around Naden & Greenbooth Reservoirs before returning to Norden Bowling Club for some well deserved titled food.
Club training returns to normal at Kingsway Tuesday 9th January. Good luck to all runners for the year ahead!