Karon, Math, Tim at Durisdeer

Calder Valley’s fell runners headed north of the border last week and into Dumfriesshire to tackle the latest installment of the British Fell Running Championship. Awaiting them was the grueling Durisdeer fell race, squeezing over 4,000ft into just 9.1 miles and ensuring that calf and quad muscles were given a thorough Caledonian seeing to.

Karl Gray & Gav Mulholland at Durisdeer

Over such steep terrain, the impish Gav Mulholland, perhaps Calder’s finest climber, comes into his own and can take great pride in his outstanding 6^th place finish, crossing the line in tandem with the one and only Karl Gray.

Math Roberts, visibly jiggered by the whole assignment, carded a valiant 8^th, and man of the moment Ben Mounsey trooped in in a 10^th ensuring that yet again Calder’s ‘A’ men were right up there with the big boys. Tim Ellis continued to demonstrate his own consistency with an excellent 13^th and all knew they had been in a right old scrap.

Old warhorses, Shaun Godsman and Darren Kay deserve special mention for competing under the cloud of injury, and fighting round to ensure that Calder’s V40s remained in the reckoning for overall gold. Although eye witness reports suggest that Shaun had rediscovered his mojo during the post-match celebrations.

For the ladies, Karon Forster again showcased her skill in the tougher races with a mighty impressive run in 2hrs 18 mins, with captain fantastic Helen Buchan showing that she’s well on the mend from an injury plagued season with a splendid 2:27.

On Sunday, more sedate proceedings were taking place at Norden over near Rochdale at the Knowl Hill fell race, part three of Rochdale Harrier’s popular 3 Day event comprising a road, trail and fell race. Calder Cannonball John Lloyd, running’s answer to Barry Hearne, took the spoils on the Friday by winning the road race with a trademark display, blasting out of the blocks up Edenfield Road and romping home in 35:37. A decent 4^th place on Saturday’s trail race meant John was in with a shout of the overall win come Sunday’ fell installment. Rossendale’s Sam Tosh took Sunday’s crown with a blistering course record of 41:10 – an outstanding time over the demanding terrain of Knowl Hill. John came in 18^th but can be pleased with his 3^rd place overall over the three days.

Calder’s Andy Thorpe showed signs of a return to form in 9^th, but perhaps run of the day came from Calder’s brilliant Gayle Sugden, who continues to stretch the superlatives in this stand out season she is having. Gayle was 2^nd lady in 17^th place and was only a couple of minutes behind renowned Holmfirth star, Katie Walshaw who was 8^th. Next Calder lady was who else but Sally Newman, with yet another fine run to finish 4^th lady.

In more exotic climes, Calder’s Phil Scarf and Alistair Morris’s took part in ‘Expedition Africa’ in Swaziland last week.

Phil Scarf taking the leap of faith

These two renowned map gurus were part of a team of four, ‘Endurance Life’ that came 7th, after 90 hours of non-stop trekking, kayaking, white-water rafting, mountain biking and caving. Navigating through dense bush often at night with basic maps proved challenging but the team were really pleased with their result among world class competition. The kayak section of the race had to be shortened at the last minute because of the dangers of hippos and crocodiles, something their pre-race training on the Rochdale Canal would have prepared them well for.

Also overseas, Calder’s star distance duo, Jackie Scarf and Barbara Lonsdale were competing in the  54k Scenic Trail, race close to Lugano on the Swiss/Italian border at the weekend. With dramatic scenery, high alpine pastures and refreshment stops at mountain refuges, it was a demanding race that stretched the 350 competitors who took part. Both finished well up the field, with Barbara and Jackie 16th and 18th lady respectively, in 9.14 and 9.38 hours.

What felt like a proper summer’s night with the obligatory midges it was a good one for fell racing and Calder Valley Fell Runners.  Newly joined and old hands alike, turned out in force to race the local Hebden Bridge race last Thursday.

Joe Crossfield & Gayle Sugden (Photo By Tod Harriers)

The 9.5km race, organised by Tod Harrier, climbs from the park and through the woods to the open fell before reaching the high point of Stoodley Pike. It then descends across Erringden Moor before the runners retrace their steps back to the park via Wood Top Road.

A fast start saw young guns Jack Denton and Martin Howard take the lead on the first climb but they were overtaken by the eventual race winner Joe Crossfield (48mins 7secs) who is coming back to form to take the win from Wharfedale’s Christian Holmes by 17 seconds.  With Denton placing 3^rd and 1^st under 18 and club champion Mark O’Connor sealing 8^th place the team prize was well and truly secured for the Calder Valley lads.

Gayle Sugden and Jo Buckley started the race wondering how their legs would feel after having raced the tough Lakeland Duddon Valley at the weekend. They must have recovered well as Sugden took the win in a time of 55 mins 27 secs with Buckley placing 3^rd  in just 6 seconds over the hour.  Lindsey Oldfield followed her team mate to take 4^th and again the team prize went to the Calder Ladies.

It was a first time out for a fair few of the newly joined members who did well to finish the race in a respectable time but more importantly they had a smile on their faces.

Full results available here.

http://www.todharriers.co.uk/hebden_bridge/hebden2015res.htm