Bronze medals on the fells, Gold medals on the dancefloor

Not content with winning the majority of medals on offer in the English and British champs this season, CVFR set out to dominate the presentation evening dinner too……and dominate we did!
Our lads were immaculately clad in matching outfits (surprisingly nothing too offensive or skimpy!) we were the envy of every other club in the country as they soon realised that our banter and team bonding have both been taken to a whole new level this season.
It was a night of pure celebration from start to finish… Earl Gray, Sally and La Capitana earned the biggest applause by far, mainly because we were out in force and collectively in very fine voice. Shaun also won the award for tightest pants of the night, not hard really as we all know he’s let himself go this season. It must have taken him ages to get them on over that waist – I imagine a lot like trying to get toothpaste back in the tube. Although he didn’t win a medal for this he got plenty of abuse from everyone in the room #standard
As El Capitano I obviously represented the club in a very sensible manner, I only had a pint of two and then was in bed at an early hour 😉 Everyone else partied long into the night and celebrated a historic season, without doubt the best yet for our talented club (just ask Mad Legs Mulholland for further details- I think he’s still hungover hahaha!) It’s also worth pointing out that we were a dominant force on the dancefloor, we all busted some serious moves and showed everyone else how to party CVFR style!
It was a fantastic night and one which I hope we can repeat and perhaps even surpass next season! If you didn’t go then please get involved next year…I’m already thinking of outfits for next time…be afraid, be very afraid 😉
El Capitano xx

Mud Glorious Mud

Tim Black

Calder Valley’s Thirza Hyde whipped everything including the weather into shape to deliver a hugely successful Half Trog. 114 runners set out across the moors on a bright and sunny November 11th, with Calder Valley’s Tim Black taking a commanding lead by the first checkpoint and looking well on the way to taking his first race win. By the third checkpoint the field was down to 112 as one unfortunate runner fell and apparently broke her wrist, and another pulled out to help look after her. This incident illustrates once again why the safety kit requirements exist, and that you never know what a run on the moors is going to throw at you.

By the fourth checkpoint, saving a total navigational disaster or unpleasant injury, Black had the win sewn up. Battling it out some way behind him was a group of runners containing Calder’s Robert ‘Paz’ Paradise and Ian ‘Ultra’ Symington. Paradise felt strong, but didn’t have the local navigational knowledge to try and push on ahead in the second half of the race, where a little local experience of the many narrow trods across the moor can make all the difference.

As expected Black took the win easily, at more than seven minutes ahead of second place John Raho from Holcombe Harriers. Sprinting in for third place behind Raho, Symington just pipped Paradise to the finish, showing that he has the speed for the shorter races as well as the stamina for the ultra runs we’re used to seeing him excel at.

The trio of Black, Symington and Paradise earned the Calder Valley Men the Men’s Team prize, with Paul Hobbs, Dave Collins and Darren Graham of Todmorden Harriers making second team. Insufficient women took part to claim a team prize, however first woman home Holmfirth’s Helen Berry’s 11th place overall made up in quality what the women lacked in quantity.

Shepherds 1, 2, 3 and OMM 1

Shepherd’s Skyline – Saturday 03 November 2012

The twenty seventh running of this very popular race was held on a clear but very cold day from the Shepherd’s Rest Inn, above the town of Todmorden. The race is classed as a ‘B Medium’ with 1,150 feet (350m) of climb over the six and a quarter mile (10k) course.

With almost three hundred competitors and a bottle neck within yards of the start a lightning fast getaway is needed by any ambitious racer. The first mile is a steady runnable climb up to Langfield Common followed by a fast but boggy and rocky run across to Stoodley Pike via Coldwell Hill and Stoop. The descent off the Pike is via the shortest, steepest route and for those brave enough to take it on there are places to be gained and seconds to be saved here. At the foot of the Pike the route hits London Road where faster running is available. For those in the know it is wise not to goo to rapid across here as a second climb waits. This climb has a tougher gradient and with mud and bog thrown in only the fittest run back to Stoop. From Stoop it’s a gentle climb back over Coldwell Hill before a fast and tricky descent back to the Inn.

272 runners entered the race and all but seven managed to complete the course. The first three runners home were all representing Calder Valley Fell Runners (CVFR) with Karl Gray leading in James logue and Max Wharton, Max being first under 18 competitor. Karl’s time of 44:56 was a couple of minutes slower than expected due to the wet, boggy and muddy conditions underfoot. Not surprisingly CVFR men took the team prize with Stephen Smithies making up the fourth member.

In the ladies race Lynn Clough of Chorley Harriers won in 56:01. Wharfedale Harriers won the ladies team prize.15 Calder Valley runners completed the course but only one lady, new member, Helen Buchan.

Original Mountain Marathon – Saturday/Sunday 27/28 October 2012

This year’s Original Mountain Marathon or OMM as it is known took place in the Howgill Fells above Sedbergh, Cumbria and taking part in the Elite class were Calder Valley’s Jo Buckley and Barbara Lonsdale. Jo and Barbara not only know how to run all day but also how to navigate at speed too and these skills enabled them to win the lady event in a time of just over 16 hours! A tremendous achievement for Jo and Barbara.    OMM competitors need to carry everything they need for two long days in the hills, including tent, sleeping bags, stove, food and clothes.