Calder Valley Fell Runners – 25 March 2024
The Heptonstallers. Credit Woodentops
Calder women led the charge at Heptonstall on Sunday snatching the team prize with powerful runs from Maxie Scheske in 2:45:07 and 10th woman (first Calder back), Jodie Adamson, 2:51:23, 13th woman and Christina Turner, 3:04:10 and 21st woman. First back for the men was James Logue in 2:50:17.
Christina smiling as ever. Credit Andy Smith
Christina Turner reported that ‘The Heptonstall Fell Race is a challenge … but with the amazing efforts of Jasmine Paris this week and her epic completion of the Barkley Marathons, it seems ridiculous to even mention the 966 metres of ascent and the bogs! We couldn’t have asked for better weather, with blue skies and sunshine, I think we all set off feeling happy. As always, the best part of the race was the support of club members. It was brilliant to see so many CVFR members cheering us on and it really helped. In particular, Andy Smith, prevented what could have been a very long detour and when thanked at the end, he said “You looked completely out of it when you got to me! You could have ended up anywhere!” I think that kind of sums up my race!’
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Neil Thorpe also commented a ‘Glorious sunny day with stunning views and a great bunch of runners. Great race, but which sadist chose the finish to be that climb out of Midgehole!’
Maxie looking strong. Credit Woodentops
Heptonstall Fell Race is a heavenly race in the sunshine. Often the local vicar will set runners off on the cobbles up Towngate, they then take a left down into picturesque Colden Clough. The first climb takes them through Slack and onto Heptonstall Moor, which is usually ankle deep in water at this time of year. Once at the trig point they head down a champagne descent which gradually steepens and ejects runners at Blakedean. A stiff climb up Blakedean leads on to sheep fields into more water by the wall at Alcomden. The second big climb leads up to Grieve Height and another glorious descent down to the triplet reservoirs of Walshaw. The third hill climbs a track to the highpoint of the race at White hill and continues down to Walshaw House and on into Hardcastle Crags to follow Hebden Water for a short distance before the steepest climb out of the valley and on up to Turn Hill. The race then revisits Walshaw House and climbs to Shackleton knoll. A steep drop follows in to the stunning Crimsworth Dean before the infamous ‘steps of hell’ take you back to Heptonstall and the finish.
Pos |
Name |
Cat |
Time |
|
|
|
82nd |
Maxie Scheske |
WSEN |
2.45.07 |
|
|
|
92nd |
James Logue |
OV50 |
2.50.17 |
|
|
|
100th |
Jodie Adamson |
WV40 |
2.51.23 |
|
|
|
101st |
Alistair Morris |
OV50 |
2.51.36 |
|
|
|
140th |
Christina Turner |
WV40 |
3.04.10 |
|
|
|
159th |
Alice James |
WSEN |
3.11.53 |
|
|
|
160th |
Paul Taylor |
OV50 |
3.12.34 |
|
|
|
167th |
Rachel Johnston |
WV50 |
3.15.39 |
|
|
|
178th |
Gloria Ayuso |
WV50 |
3.18.37 |
|
|
|
202nd |
Neil Thorpe |
OV40 |
3.29.35 |
|
|
|
211th |
Gill Dickson |
WV50 |
3.40.09 |
|
|
|
230th |
Tony Moran |
MV50 |
4.05.01 |
|
|
|
We need to Talk about Louise
On Saturday Louise Williamson took on the, We Need To Talk About Chevin fell race North of Leeds. Louise finished 52nd overall, 12th female and 3rd FV50. According to their website, ‘We Need To Talk About Chevin is to put it simply the worst possible scenario when touring the Chevin. Starting on Station Road with the first climb right out of the blocks heading straight up to Surprise view. Then right down to The West Gate and up again, then onwards to the famous Danefield climb then down to a loop of Poolscar Wood. The Far Eastern point is The Fells Plantation where you climb up alongside the power lines and back to Chevin Forest Park before making the final climb up Miller Lane and then absolutely fly back down to Jonny Lane Back and Station Road. The race is 9 miles long with 2130 feet of ascent.
Louise ‘talking about Chevin’. Credit Woodentops
Russell runs the Ras
Also on Saturday 23rd of march Stuart Russell ran the Ras Yr Aran Fell race in Wales although the route was shortened due to weather conditions. Stuart finished 43rd in a time of 1:18:40.
The organisers say, ‘The lower reaches of the race are run on a mixture of well marked tracks and footpaths, but the open fells above are unmarked. The high mountain terrain can be featureless and is susceptible to varied and often adverse weather conditions.
Toby, our press officer said ‘I remember doing this race as the last one before the Covid lockdown in 2020. It is a long climb up the shoulder of the mountain with rocky section as you get nearer the summit. With the summit itself being the rockiest bit. You then turn around and retrace you steps to the start.’
Collier conquers Cleveland
On Saturday Andy Collier and Francis Wooff took part in the Hardmoors 55 which takes place on the North Yorkshire Moors and the Cleveland Hills. Andy came a formidable 9th in 9:07:27 with Francis finishing 186th in 14:12:51.
Andy, with muddy knees, at Hardmoors 55. Credit Darren Elliot
The Hardmoors 55 is a 55 mile Ultramarathon running from Guisborough to Helmsley. The 55 mile race will take competitors through the North York Moors and the Cleveland Hills in quite possibly winter conditions. The race contains over 2000 metres of ascent and has a time limit of 16 hours.
Francis still smiling on Hardmoors 55.Credit Darren Elliot
Francis commented, ‘ I didn’t have such a good day, 197th out of around 350, 9th in V60, but that’s “average out of 18”, the redeeming feature is I managed to get it done without the wheels coming off completely.’
CALDER VALLEY NEWS REPORTER: toby sydes