Monthly Archives: July 2015

Mounsey smashes it at Snowdon & Kay defends Widdop in record time

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Snowdon Mountain Race.

Man of the moment Englands Ben Mounsey

Man of the moment Englands Mounsey

Each week sees performances of outstanding merit from local runners over all kinds of distances and challenges, but on Saturday in Wales, Calder’s Ben Mounsey can claim to have put in the best performance ever by a local athlete. His astonishing third place in the gruelling Snowdon Mountain race is a stand out moment in Ben’s already stellar past 18 months, where he’s demonstrated that very hard work, dedication, focus and natural talent are a cocktail that when mixed correctly, can take you, quite literally to the highest peaks. Due to his recent brilliance, Yorkshire Champion Ben had earned an England call up for this famous race and wore the red and white vest with trepidation and pride, alongside his England team mates, the garlanded Rob Hope and Tom Adams. With internationals having travelled from all over Europe, the field was littered with the finest fell and mountain runners in the business. The race, which covers ten miles and over 3,000ft of ascent, is a speedy test over tricky loose rock terrain, and for Ben to come third behind two star Italians, a whisker shy of second placed Massimo Farcoz and only a minute or so behind race winner Emanule Manzi is a truly outstanding result and one that Ben can rightly cherish of the rest of his life.

But of course, no mention of Ben is complete without his pocket sized training buddy, Northern Ireland’s Gavin Mulholland who also ran like a demon to finish 11th – another brilliant result. Not far behind in 21st was Jason Williams, welding’s answer to Brendan Foster and another Calder runner who is having an eye-catching season. Captain Fantastic, the rejuvenated Helen Buchan continued her resurgence with an excellent run, to come in 308th overall.

Widdop Fell Race 2015

The fine weather no doubt contributed to the very healthy numbers of both junior and senior runners congregating at the early 17th Century Packhorse Inn, for the annual Widdop Fell Race. The senior route is a tricky but fast route around the beautiful paths and tracks of Gorple and Widdop reservoirs, climbing back over Standing Stone Hill and Blake Dean to the pub.

Darren Kay Widdop 2015

Darren Kay Widdop 2015

115 senior runners set off on a clear night, sunshine, but with a fairly cool wind. Conditions underfoot were relatively dry for Widdop and Darren Kay (Calder Valley) and Christian Holmes (Wharfedale) both shot off at the front to take on their own personal race. They were together until Darren seemed to find a technique of skimming across the very rough sections on Heptonstall Moor which Christian later said kept stopping him in his tracks. Darren then sped off to capture a course record by over a minute, with Christian also just inside Alex Whittem’s time from 2013.

In the Women’s race Gayle Sugden (Calder Valley) had a very strong run, herself only 2 minutes outside the course record of Holly Page. Other stand-out performances on the night came from Dave Beels (Calder Valley) as 1st Man Vet 60, Dick Spendlove (Calder Valley) as 1st Man Vet 65, Jackie Scarf (Calder Valley) as 1st Woman Vet 50.

CVFR Richard Ingram goes muscle to muscle with Queensbury

CVFR Ingram goes muscle to muscle with Queensbury

Special mention and thanks must go to Andy Clarke, perennial race organiser of the race but who is finally standing down after years of devoted service. Andy, a fine fell runner himself, said “It is my last year organising this beautiful Fell Race, but hopefully the amazing support I have always received from flaggers, marshalls, registration, results, the Packhorse Inn (Andrew and Jonathan), Yorkshire Water and, of course, runners, will continue for future years under Helen Buchan’s stewardship.”

 

CVFR men extend their lead by taking top team @ the tough Bradda Niarybl, IOM

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Saturday saw the 4th fell race in the 2015 English Championships, held by Manx Fell Runners in the Isle of Man. The tough twisting Bradda Niarbyl Race drew Calder Valley men out to defend their lead in both the open and vet categories, but they went one step further in extending the lead over the rest!

A Steep Start at the Bradda English Champs - IOM

A Steep Start at the Bradda English Champs – IOM

CVFR Matthew Roberts 3rd place at IOM English Championship

CVFR Matthew Roberts 3rd place at IOM English Championship

The race was 15.5 miles long with 6000ft of climb with some stunning scenery along the West coast, starting with a crazy scramble up a grass bank in Port Erin. From there it was over to Milners Tower and onwards, north along the coast. Conditions were hot to begin with making it thirsty sweaty work for the contenders. The pace at the front was set by Calder’s very own Matthew Roberts who showed his best form to date with a 3rd place finish in 2hrs 13min 23s. Behind him, veterans Karl Gray and Gavin Mulholland worked in tandem over the whole course, with Mulholland skipping up the climbs and Gray storming the descents and snatching 4th place on the line from Kim Collison (Borrowdale) in 2.13.36s with Gavin 6th in 2hrs 14.23s For Karl this also secures a gold medal overall in his age category (v45), a first for the club. The final 2 places in the open team came from Tim Ellis in 14th and Darren Kay (back to form) in 17th. Shaun Godsman completed the vets team in 34th. The red and white vests continued to pour in with Steve Smithies 49th, Andy Wright 119th, Dave Culpan 131st and Toby Sydes in 136th.

Despite her allergy to long races, Veteran superstar Sally Newman led home the ladies coming 14th overall and 1st in her age group.  New kid on the block Rachel Crossland was next home followed by their captain, Helen Buchan.

Rachael Crossland showing form at IOM

Rachael Crossland showing form at IOM

Mens Results:
3 Matthew Roberts 2:13:23 | 4 Karl Gray 2:13:36 | 6 Gavin Mulholland 2:14:23
14 Tim Ellis 2:21:45 | 17 Darren Kay 2:26:45 | 32 Shaun Godsman 2:31:51
49 Steve Smithies 2:44:02 | 119 Andrew Wright 3:22:37 | 131 Dave Culpan 3:32:48
136 Toby Sydes 3:34:35
Womens Results:
14 Sally Newman 2:56:59 | 25 Rachael Crossland 3:12:10 | 33 Helen Buchan 3:23:35
Photos courtesy of Ben Mounsey

Closer to home was the Addingham Gala race from the village to Beamsley Beacon and back, with a record turn out of 100 runners.  Five Calder Valley members took part, 12th to the Beacon and first back for Calder Valley was Tristan Sheard in 17th place taking 46:38s.  The race was won by Jack Wood of Ilkley in 39:36s.
Nathan Kennaugh at Addingham Gala

Nathan Kennaugh at Addingham Gala

Other Calder finishers:
36 Richard Ingram 50:52 | 59 Jake Ackroyd 55:55 | 69 Nathan Kennaugh 56:56
82 James Kershaw 60:17

 

Lindsey and Joe winners in local races for good causes

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Following the hottest day for ten years, last Wednesday evening saw the Cragg Vale Fell Race take place.  The 81 runners gathered in the church to escape the usual swarms of midges that gather at the meeting of Cragg Brook and Withens Clough.

The fast and furious route starts along the cool riverside woodland before soon ascending to Bell House Moor.  A sweaty scamper along Dick’s Lane and Sunderland Pasture is then followed by a speedy descent down Swan Bank to the Finish.  About 4 miles long and 800ft of climbing in all.

Rachael Crossland at cragg vale (Photo by Nicholas Dawson)

Rachael Crossland at Cragg Vale (Photo by Nicholas Dawson)

However the heat meant that no records were broken.  The men’s winner was the unattached Owen Belby in 29.08 followed by Mike Fanning from Borrowdale 24 seconds later.

The women’s winner was Calder Valley’s Lindsey Oldfield in 35.31.  Great runs from Jack Denton 3rd (CVFR), Martin Howard 4th (CVFR) and Alistair Pedley 6th (unattached) saw the three under 18s in the top 6.

The race is a good community event; post race cakes and bacon butties were provided by church members and the beer, donated by Little Valley Brewery, was thirstily consumed.

Jack Denton 3rd                     30.09 Rob Rawlinson 35th               37.40
Martin Howard 4th                30.41 Mike Dean 36th                      37.44
Ian Symington 8th                  31.38 Toby Sydes 44th                     39.31
Tristan Sheard 9th                   32.21 Rachael Crossland 45th          39.53
John Killerby 15th                  34.32 Rachel Johnson 46th               40.31
Jonathan Emberton 22nd        35.07 Matthew Murray 52nd            41.50
Phil Wells 23rd                       35.16 Dave Culpan 53rd                   42.17
Lindsey Oldfield 25th              35.31 James Kershaw 56th               43.30
Jake Ackroyd 27th                  35.47 Gloria Ayuso 63rd                  45.48
Richard Ingram 28th               35.57 Carolyn Shimwell 65th           46.35
Chris Standish  31st                36.45 Eileen McDonagh 68th           49.30
Darren Sargent 33rd               37.22   Kate Pope 69th                       49.44

Heptonstall Festival Fell Race was the hottest ticket in town as 101 runners

Heptonstal Fell Race Start 2015

Heptonstal Fell Race Start 2015

joined hundreds of festival goers heading to the hill-top village’s annual music festival. The race, now in its 5th year, follows an unusual double-descent format, featuring a 500 foot descent to the Blue Pig, followed by a 1000 foot ascent to High Brown Knoll, where runners turn tail and head back to the Heptonstall the way they came, enjoying the exhilarating 1000 foot descent back to the Blue Pig, before the torturous 500 feet of ascent to the finish line. The punishing ratio of ascent to distance ensures that Heptonstall Festival Fell Race is designated as one of the sport’s toughest  “Category A” status events.

After a deceptively misty start it was red hot racing as large contingents from Tod Harriers and Calder Valley Fell Runners competed for local honour in baking summer sunshine. Blazing home to victory was Calder Valley’s Joe Crossfield in a sizzling 50.57, streets ahead of 2nd placed Richard Hand (53.39) of Stainland Lions. However  even this amazing performance was overshadowed by the new Heptonstall Festival lady’s champion Katie Walshaw. Holmfirth’s Great Britain International covered the 6 miles and 1500 feet of ascent in a scorching 53.58, finishing 3rd overall, and setting a new course record to the delight of the festival goers who cheered her through the finish funnel.

Calder Valley’s up and coming star of the future, Jack Denton (55.36), took 6th place, holding off club mate Ian Symington (55.42)  whose 7th place earned Calder Valley the men’s team prize by the narrowest of margins, in the face of a strong bid from Stainland Lion’s Hand (2nd)) John Colins (4th), and Ed Hyland (10th). Tod Harriers Ben Crowther had a cracking run to finish 5th in 54.21.

In the women’s race Rachel Crossland (1.09.13), Rachel Johnstone (1.11.16), and Charlotte Wetton (1.17.46) helped Calder Valley’s ladies to the team prizes.

Heptonstal Post Race

Heptonstall Fell Race 2015

The winning runners received limited edition Heptonstall Festival beers and vouchers from race sponsors Slightly Foxed Brewing Company, and Sportsshoes.com. back at The Cross Inn, whose landlord kindly opened up at 8am to provide a registration desk for the event. The race kicked off a memorable day in the village as 14 bands played on 2 stages in Weaver’s Square and the ruined church, to a back drop of  food stalls, bunting, beer tents, and unbroken sunshine.

The race has gone from strength to strength since it was first run in 2011. Runners arrived from far and wide including Ambleside, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, and North Wales. The event was organised by runners from Calder Valley and Todmorden Harriers, based in and around Heptonstall, with tremendous support from village residents. Heptonstall Hurriers, as they are otherwise known, came up with the idea of the race as means to showcase the village, support local businesses, and raise funds for the village festival.
Jack Denton 3rd                     30.09Rob Rawlinson 35th               37.40Martin Howard 4th                30.41Mike Dean 36th                      37.44Ian Symington 8th                  31.38Toby Sydes 44th                     39.31Tristan Sheard 9th                   32.21Rachael Crossland 45th          39.53John Killerby 15th                  34.32Rachel Johnson 46th               40.31Jonathan Emberton 22nd        35.07Matthew Murray 52nd            41.50Phil Wells 23rd                       35.16Dave Culpan 53rd                   42.17Lindsey Oldfield 25th              35.31James Kershaw 56th               43.30Jake Ackroyd 27th                  35.47Gloria Ayuso 63rd                  45.48Richard Ingram 28th               35.57Carolyn Shimwell 65th           46.35Chris Standish  31st                36.45Eileen McDonagh 68th           49.30Darren Sargent 33rd               37.22  Kate Pope 69th                       49.44

Heptonstall Festival Fell Race was the hottest ticket in town as 101 runners

Heptonstal Fell Race Start 2015

Heptonstal Fell Race Start 2015

joined hundreds of festival goers heading to the hill-top village’s annual music festival. The race, now in its 5th year, follows an unusual double-descent format, featuring a 500 foot descent to the Blue Pig, followed by a 1000 foot ascent to High Brown Knoll, where runners turn tail and head back to the Heptonstall the way they came, enjoying the exhilarating 1000 foot descent back to the Blue Pig, before the torturous 500 feet of ascent to the finish line. The punishing ratio of ascent to distance ensures that Heptonstall Festival Fell Race is designated as one of the sport’s toughest  “Category A” status events.

After a deceptively misty start it was red hot racing as large contingents from Tod Harriers and Calder Valley Fell Runners competed for local honour in baking summer sunshine. Blazing home to victory was Calder Valley’s Joe Crossfield in a sizzling 50.57, streets ahead of 2nd placed Richard Hand (53.39) of Stainland Lions. However  even this amazing performance was overshadowed by the new Heptonstall Festival lady’s champion Katie Walshaw. Holmfirth’s Great Britain International covered the 6 miles and 1500 feet of ascent in a scorching 53.58, finishing 3rd overall, and setting a new course record to the delight of the festival goers who cheered her through the finish funnel.

Calder Valley’s up and coming star of the future, Jack Denton (55.36), took 6th place, holding off club mate Ian Symington (55.42)  whose 7th place earned Calder Valley the men’s team prize by the narrowest of margins, in the face of a strong bid from Stainland Lion’s Hand (2nd)) John Colins (4th), and Ed Hyland (10th). Tod Harriers Ben Crowther had a cracking run to finish 5th in 54.21.

In the women’s race Rachel Crossland (1.09.13), Rachel Johnstone (1.11.16), and Charlotte Wetton (1.17.46) helped Calder Valley’s ladies to the team prizes.

Heptonstal Post Race

Heptonstall Fell Race 2015

The winning runners received limited edition Heptonstall Festival beers and vouchers from race sponsors Slightly Foxed Brewing Company, and Sportsshoes.com. back at The Cross Inn, whose landlord kindly opened up at 8am to provide a registration desk for the event. The race kicked off a memorable day in the village as 14 bands played on 2 stages in Weaver’s Square and the ruined church, to a back drop of  food stalls, bunting, beer tents, and unbroken sunshine.

The race has gone from strength to strength since it was first run in 2011. Runners arrived from far and wide including Ambleside, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, and North Wales. The event was organised by runners from Calder Valley and Todmorden Harriers, based in and around Heptonstall, with tremendous support from village residents. Heptonstall Hurriers, as they are otherwise known, came up with the idea of the race as means to showcase the village, support local businesses, and raise funds for the village festival.

Best buddies go head to head at Snowdon International Mountain Race

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Ben Mounsey and Gav Mulholland. Calder Valley FR teammates who will race against each other in an international race in Snowdonia in July

Ben & Gav, best mates and training partners, will race against each other in the Snowdon International Mountain race

Best mates and training partners Ben Mounsey and Gav Mulholland will go head to head for their countries later this month.

Mounsey will run for England and Mulholland for Northern Ireland at the Snowdon International on Saturday, July 18. The 10-mile race, which has 3300ft of climbing, starts in the centre of Llanberis. Runners climb to the top of Wales’s highest mountain via the main tourist path before descending the same way.
It’s the 40th anniversary race and will be televised on the Welsh channel S4C.
Mounsey and Mulholland both run for Calder Valley Fellrunners and Stainland Lions.
Mounsey, who is 33 and from Elland, said: “I’m delighted about my selection. It makes all the hours of training and racing worthwhile. Gav is also in the form of his life and it will be a rare occasion where we’re competing against each other.”
Mounsey, who has taught ICT, art and photography at Brooksbank School, Elland for the last 11 years, has been running for a similar length of time after concentrating on cycling before that. He has won hundreds of races and set lots of records.
“I began running on the roads and quickly switched to cross country and fell running when I realised I had a talent for climbing and descending hills and mountains. I run about 65 to 70 miles a week on average and train six to seven days a week. My best achievements have to be representing Yorkshire four times and competing for England and Great Britain at mountain running.”
It will be Mounsey’s third international appearance, having previously competed at Snowdon and in the Carnic Alps in Italy in 2011. Gaining selection this year is just as exciting as the first time. I’ve had a fantastic season so far and I’m really looking forward to the race.”
Mulholland, 44 and from Stainland, has just finished teaching at a local secondary school. He was also a latecomer to the sport. I joined Stainland Lions in 2005 and dabbled in cross country before joining Calder Valley Fell Runners in 2009, where I started competing seriously in the English and British fell championships. My best results have been top 10 finishes in the UK championship event at Kielder Forest and the brutal Arrochar Alps race in Scotland.”
Mulholland has been running for Northern Ireland since 2011 but said that his proudest achievements had come alongside Mounsey and a third Calder Valley runner, Karl Gray, in winning the Yorkshire championship five times, starting in 2010.
“This will be my fourth time running Snowdon for Northern Ireland and it’s a firm favourite.
“With five miles of continuous climbing the course suits me. I am a renowned climber – as a tiny guy it means I have a high power to weight ratio.
“However, Ben’s free-fall approach to descents is beyond me!”