Calder Valley Fell Runners – 11 March 2024
CVFR members feed their ultra-running habit at Haworth Hobble
Saturday 9th March saw the 43rd edition of the Haworth Hobble ultramarathon, organised by Keighley & Craven Athletics Club.
Ed running strong. Credit Woodentops
Fifteen Calder Valley Fell Runners were amongst nearly 600 long-distance enthusiasts who lined up for the ever-popular 32-mile tour of the moors around Haworth, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. The tough course takes in 4,400ft of ascent, but runners are well looked-after at feed stations offering hot dogs, chips, donuts and other such ultra-running essentials.
Jonny pleased with his result given the lack of racing recently. Credit Woodentops
Despite a chilly wind, Saturday’s conditions were relatively benign compared to last year’s event, when heavy snow forced the course to be cut short.
Ed Hyland led the CVFR squad home, finishing 5th overall in a time of 4:19:39. He was joined in the top 20 by Kevin Hoult (16th) and Jonny Croston (18th). Despite the Hobble being Jonny’s “first proper race for a long time”, he was pleased to make it round in comfortably under 5 hours.
Paul ‘Duracell Bunny’ Haigh still buzzing at the finish line. Credit Woodentops
Duracell bunny Paul Haigh still seemed to have bags of energy left as he crossed the line in a personal best time of 5:01:11. Whether it was the uplifting sound of the Haworth Brass Band spurring him on, or just the thought of collecting his finisher’s pizza, Paul is already looking forward to coming back to the Hobble next year for another slice.
Maxi and Sarah post race looking pleased with their race.
Maxie Scheske was the first CVFR woman to finish, taking 10th place in the women’s race in a time of 6:02:55. Maxie described it as “mainly enjoyable, but the route was a lot of hard packed trails, tracks and road sections, and I have been running on boggy moors all winter so my legs felt beaten up right from the start.” Maxie singled out running with her mug of fresh chips from the Heptonstall aid station as a particular highlight.
In a strong field of women, Sarah Noot and Helen Buchan also put in impressive performances, placing 6th FV50 and 7th FV40 respectively.
CVFR Hobble Results:
Pos |
Name |
Cat |
Time |
5th |
Ed Hyland |
O |
4.19.39 |
16th |
Kevin Hoult |
OV40 |
4.52.31 |
18th |
Jonny Croston |
OV40 |
4.53.00 |
26th |
Paul Haigh |
OV40 |
5.01.11 |
52nd |
Mark O’Connor |
OV40 |
5.22.57 |
85th |
John Lloyd |
OV40 |
5.39.29 |
125th |
Keiran O’Prey |
O |
5.56.57 |
145th |
Maxie Scheske |
W |
6.02.55 |
171st |
Helen Buchan |
WV40 |
6.12.14 |
195th |
Sarah Noot |
WV50 |
6.23.32 |
200th |
Tristan Watson |
O |
6.24.37 |
330th |
Francis Wooff |
OV60 |
7.03.18 |
346th |
Emily Ledder |
WV40 |
7.08.29 |
354th |
Mark Wharton |
OV50 |
7.11.13 |
418th |
Lee Jackson |
OV40 |
7.35.31 |
544th |
Dominic Camponi |
O |
9.02.34 |
CALDER VALLEY NEWS REPORTER: jim cooke