UTMB Local Hereo’s

Two neighbours from a small hamlet in Calder Valley finished 1st Brits in 2 of the toughest mountain races in the world this week.

The 2 CV runners took to the global stage in the ever impressive UTMB challenge.  Attracting trail runners from all over the world, each year elite runners gather in  Chamonix alongside almost 10,000 other runners keen to participate in one of the event’s 7 races.

Holly Page preparing for the UTMB CCC

Calder Valley’s Holly Page ran in the UTMB CCC race, a unique trail race now deemed one of the most prestigious in the world. Taking runners deep into wilderness using for the most the international path “Grande Randonnée du Tour du Mont-Blanc’ this 101km mountain race, requires serious training, adapted equipment and a real capacity of personal autonomy.

Holly Page UTMB CCC

Holly was the first Brit back finishing in an incredible 9th place in 13:56. 

Her hometown neighbour and fellow CV runner, Simon Bourne, raced the TDS event, completing the gruelling 147km course in 25:30 after climbing the equivalent of Everest. He too was first Brit back. Said an exhausted but smiling Simon:

‘I’m absolutely delighted with 55th overall and 2nd V50. I started off steady and pulled trough the field from 180th. An amazing race; fantastic atmosphere and crowds, stunning scenery and loads of brutal climbs and descents’

Closer to home and making his come-back after 6 months out of action, CV’s Ben Mousey came 7th in the short and sharp Kilnsey Crag Fell race last Tuesday.

Mounsey at Kilnsey Credits: Carolyn Brett Muir

That then set the trend for other notable CV performances with CV securing a successful trophy haul at Blackshawhead Fell race on the Saturday. The final CV summer series counter,  CVs Martin Howard was the overall winner  with Alasdair Pedley 3rd and Natasha Butterfield first lady, beating the unbeatable Annie Roberts of Tod Harriers. With Mark Wharton taking 1st V50, the men scooped the mens Team prize, despite stiff competition from neighbouring Tod Harriers.

Photos: Carole Fryer, Natasha Butterfield (1st lady) and Jocasta Fletcher

 

This year also saw the second Junior fell race at Blackshawhead. (More info on the Juniors page)

Sunday saw the club’s annual Castle Carr race weaving across Midgley Moor. At 15 miles with 4000ft ascent/descent over some very varied terrain, Castle Carr is a testing race and was used as a national championship counter two years ago. Starting and finishing at the Hare & Hounds in Old Town, the race passes through the idyllic Castle Carr estate, does a full circuit of the moors around it, dropping into local woods on the slopes above Mytholmroyd, and then crosses back through the estate to the finish. It’s a tough route, renowned for its challenging navigation and climbs. Wharfdale’s Ethan Hassell was overall winner in 02:29:28 with Tods Annie Roberts first lady in 02:41:37. First CV home was John Allan who came in 12th in 02:46:24.

Photos: Di Wright (L) and Stella Chrisanthou, Castle Carr (photo credit: Woodentops)

John Allan Castle Carr 2019

 

– Calder Valley News Reporter: Gill Dickson