Shepherds Skyline
Always a fiercely competitive end of season race, the Shepherd’s Skyline fell race was also the last short race in the Calder valley club Championship. Run from the Shepherd’s Rest Inn, Lumbutts last Saturday, the 7 mile route heads up to Langfield Common before heading to Stoodley Pike. A rapid drop to London Road is followed by a steep climb back up to Withens gate before returning across the moors to the Shepherds Rest.
A fierce northerly was blowing at Stoodley Pike where many spectators watched the race, cheering on the runners from the shelter of the monument. 36 Calder Valley runners raced with many championship places being decided.
Jon Smith was first back for Calder in 12th place taking 48.25 to complete the course. As the reigning Club Champion, the win here put him in an unassailable position to take this year’s championship from Mark O’Connor, the 2014 champion. Giles Simon and Ian Illstone were 2nd and 3rd back for CVFR in 22nd and 23rd overall. Jo Buckley was first woman back for Calder a fraction ahead of Anne Johnson both recording 57:04, 4th and 5th woman respectively with Lindsey Oldfield 6th in 58.04 both the women and mens team prizes came to the red and white hoops.
Tamsin Cooke had a good run, taking 1:21:18, 15 minutes faster then she ran the race last year. Cooke can take the women’s championship this year if she finishes the arduous Tour Of Pendle on the 19th of November. The men’s veteran prize will also be decided at Pendle. Mark Wharton and Iain Powell are currently neck and neck, if either of them is the first veteran back they will win that Championship. However it has been noted that Karl Gray is on the starting list, if he is first back it will remain a dead heat.
In possibly the hottest competed prize, James Cooke took the handicap championship out of Paul Haigh’s reach. Cooke is now three points clear of Haigh who can gain a maximum of two points at Pendle. Both men have shown great improvement in their running this year.
It was a great day for Barlick Fell Runners with the men’s race being won by Thomas Corrigan in 44.04 and the women’s by Sarah Tipler in 52.03.
Valley Results:
12 | 48.25 | Jon Smith | 125 | 62.22 | James Cooke |
22 | 50.33 | Giles Simon | 133 | 63.16 | Jackie Scarf |
23 | 50.39 | Iain Illstone | 134 | 63.30 | Gavin Roper |
25 | 50.41 | Matthew Keyse | 159 | 66.24 | Nathan Kennaugh |
30 | 51.21 | Iain Powell | 164 | 67.30 | Calvin Ferguson |
36 | 52.25 | Mark Wharton | 173 | 68.43 | Graeme Woodward |
40 | 52.38 | Gareth Clarke | 187 | 70.00 | Gloria Ayuso |
60 | 55.22 | Paul Haigh | 194 | 72.11 | Helen Flage |
67 | 56.15 | Jon Emberton | 207 | 73.48 | Gill Dickson |
71 | 56.49 | Jake Ackroyd | 209 | 74.12 | Rod Sutcliffe |
72 | 57.04 | Jo Buckley | 229 | 77.03 | Carolyn Shimwell |
73 | 57.04 | Anne Johnson | 238 | 78.30 | Steven Cavell |
75 | 57.17 | Stephen Smithies | 240 | 79.04 | Richard Pierson |
81 | 58.04 | Lindsey Oldfield | 247 | 79.56 | Joanna Marshall |
88 | 59.19 | Chris Standish | 250 | 81.57 | Tamsin Cooke |
99 | 60.12 | Dan Pope | 255 | 83.51 | Eileen Mcdonach |
113 | 61.16 | Anthony Costello | 256 | 83.53 | Kate Pope |
117 | 61.34 | Toby Sydes | 277 | 96.25 | Ruth T-Davies |
All photo’s courtesy of Dave and Eileen Woodhead at woodentops.org
– Calder Valley News Reporter: Tim Brooks –