Sunny, Snowy Trog

On Saturday it was all hands on deck as Jake Ackroyd (race organiser) called upon CVFR members to volunteer and man the various check points around the valley. The fun starts from the cricket club in Old Town, covering 31km and 1111m of climb over a snow covered course, taking in the moors over to Warley reservoir, over to Cock Hill where you then  do a loop of Wadsworth Moor and Bronte territory to Walshaw and Shackleton knoll before returning back via Lumb hole waterfall and across Midgely Moor to the finish.Some of Yorkshire and England’s finest talent were out to build up their strength for the coming fell running season.

A very happy looking Helen out in the snowy conditions


Jack Wood of Ilkley was first back in 2.36 with Karl Gray, the course record holder, first vet and 4th placed overall.  Ultra runner Kevin Hoult was next in for the club and young Martin Howard, after a good first half, took on a crampathon, still coming home in 43rd place.
On the ladies side, Sharon Taylor had a massive gap on her competitors going sub 3 hours, with ultra running vet 50 Nicky Spinks first vet. First local lass was CVFR and Lancashire County runner Helen Buchan. Over 160 runners participated in all.

On Sunday, from Langsett barn in the Dark Peaks, Mark Burton was first home for the club coming third overall in the Mickleden Straddle, just under 10 mins of England International Chris Holdsworth.  Some of the other CVFR in attendance included, Andy Thorpe 10th, Phil Wells 21st, Dan Marden 29th and Andy Wright 31st.  For the ladies, sarah Hodgson was done in 2.04 with our own Elina Eady and Eileen McDonach coming home in 2.53 and 2.56 respectively. 

– Calder Valley News Reporter: Gav Mulholland