That Haworth Hobble Habit

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

CVFR blaze the trails at Saddleworth whilst lightening McKee strikes again

Calder Valley Fell Runners – 4th March 2024

Mo’s a marathon marvel
Hats off to CVFR’s Mo Lindley this week as he notched up his first ever marathon distance race at the Saddleworth Ten Res’s – a memorable achievement for any runner. The same race saw top three finishes for Natasha Butterfield and Susannah Richardson. CVFR’s juniors were in action at the Ilkley Moor Junior Fell Races, with Clara McKee in record-breaking form. And it was a case of soggy feet for all at the Ian Roberts Memorial Fell Race.

Saddleworth Ten Res’s

CVFR relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere after a tough 10 res race

Often described as ‘a moorland classic’ the Saddleworth Ten Res’s clocks in at 26 miles with an overall ascent of approximately 4,000 feet. Starting and finishing at Saddleworth Cricket Club, as the name suggests, the route manages to take in ten local reservoirs as participants cut across both Saddleworth and Wessenden Moors. It’s a popular race, with 300+ participants taking it on this year. CVFR were particularly well-represented in the women’s race, with seven club members taking part, and the red & whites managed to grab two spots on the podium, with Natasha Butterfield and Susannah Richardson matching the second and third places that they both claimed last year. And this performance saw them pick up the top two slots in their age category. It didn’t come easy for Susannah though – she confessed afterwards: “I think this was the closest I’ve come to wanting to quit on a race! I couldn’t feel my feet, and the bogs drained all your energy. But it was worth it for the brilliant sense of achievement getting through it and watching the relief on everyone’s face when they came in as well”. Ambi Swindells wasn’t far behind, securing 5th place in the women’s race. But it wasn’t just about the CVFR women. Mo Lindley was taking on his first marathon distance race and was thrilled to complete it successfully in a time of 6 hours 21 minutes. Mo shared afterwards “I loved it! A bit of skiing through the stubborn ground snow, while discovering the peat sludge that lurks underneath was great fun”. Mo was less enthusiastic about the climb up the steps which took everything he had to make it to the top. But he did! One of his team colleagues noted that Mo looked remarkably comfortable at the finish – as if he had “just been on a lovely stroll!”

CVFR results:

Pos Name Cat Time
17th Andy Collier O 4.51.37
29th  Natasha Butterfield WV40 5.11.06
31st  Susannah Richardson WV40 5.11.31
37th Ambi Swindells W 5.17.26
53rd Fiona Lynch WV45 5.27.46
59th Stella Christanthou WV50 5.30.22
67th Sarah Noot WV50 5.37.53
71st Helen Curtis WV40 5.48.29
87th Phil Scarf OV60 5.57.43
117th Mo Lindley OV50 6.21.41

Ilkley Moor Fell Races

CVFR Juniors soak up the acclaim at Ilkley Moor. Credit Paul Haigh

Calder Valley’s younger runners were in top form at the Ilkley Moor Junior Races. Clara McKee was grabbing the headlines again with first place and a record-breaking time in the U15 race. Joseph Stone, Harry Cliff and Ted Parker also made the top ten for Calder Valley. Thomas McKee and Isaac Howgate were representing CVFR at U17 level, and Thomas managed a podium finish, taking third spot with just a two-second margin. George Illstone and Isabel Symington ran well in the U13 group, and Jules Ciolino and Alfie Hobday were running in red and white in the U11 race. There was also a CVFR debut for Teddy Haigh who achieved a fantastic result – coming fourth in the U9 race. The team had a great day out and delivered some great results.

A determined looking Teddy at lkley. Credit Woodentops

And some of CVFR’s more experienced runners were also doing their bit at Ilkley in the senior race. Leo Illstone ran an excellent race, securing fourth spot in the U19 age category. Paul Haigh,Graham Lloyd and Trudi Entwistle, who took 2nd WV50, completed the CVFR representation on the day.

CVFR results:

Pos Name Cat Time
38th Leo Illstone OU19 45.51
66th Paul Haigh OV40 49.55
121st Trudi Entwistle WV50 57.49
172nd Graham Lloyd OV60 64.22

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Adam takes off the Breaks as ‘Green’ Calder kids show Temple Newsham the future’s bright

West Yorkshire Primary schools Cross Country finals

Teddy, Cora, Jules and Winston ready to run. Credit Paul Haigh

On Thursday 22nd February six of our red & white Juniors represented Calderdale schools in the West Yorkshire Primary schools Cross Country finals. In the year 3 boys race were our youngest Juniors: Teddy Haigh, Jules Ciolino and Winston Lalande. Winston finished 25th and 5th Calderdale in 5m 46s; Jules 44th and 8th Calderdale in 5m 56s and Teddy 51st and 9th in Calderdale in 5m 59s. In the year 4 girls race Cora Slater finished 88th and 16th Calderdale in a time of 6m 57s. Meanwhile, in the year 5 boys Alwyn Gardner finished the slightly longer course in 6m 28s finishing 66th and 15th Calderdale. Finally, in the year 6 boys Sam Breaks, who was full of cold, finished in 6m 41s finishing 119th overall and 18th Calderdale. Well done Juniors!

Fix Events Winter Warmer

Adam Breaks ran in the Fix Events Winter Warmer cross country half marathon coming 4th overall and 1st V40 in a time of 1h 33mins. Adam said ‘We returned to Temple Newsham this morning for Fix Events Winter Warmer half marathon. 4 laps and an out and back mile over predominantly muddy tracks, with decent tracks nearer the house. 2 young lads pulled away early on so I just ran round at steady pace. It was a Multi race event so in the latter stages you’re dodging 5k and 10k runners and lapped runners … it was very slow going in wrong choice of trainers, and looking at the positives at least the weather was nice’.

High Cup Nick Fell Race

This beautiful race up an iconic valley in the Northern Pennines took place last Saturday with 3 Calder Valley Fell Runners journey to take race and this was made all the more worthwhile as they had a stunning day for it. An unusual occurrence for the this wet and windy winter.

Special High Cup Nick report by Francis Wooff

Francis climbs the rocks up the Nick. Credit David Wood Fellside Photography

Approaching the 2024 race I looked at split times from 2017, probably my strongest year in fell running & my best result (1:39) in the race. Achieving the same probably wasn’t realistic, but quietly I hoped (& memorised the splits). I decided I’d at least be happy beating my 2nd best time (2016, 1:42), but only owned up to friends who were spectating that I hoped to finish “between 1:40 & 1:50”. I gave the same line to Andrew Davies of CVFR on meeting him for the first time just before we started, Andrew said he had similar in mind & might tag on to me as I knew the race & lines. It was just as well for Andrew that he ran slightly ahead of me from the start as, though I was close on my splits for the first 5 miles (slightly behind 2017, slightly up on 2016) I made a silly mistake as I came on the initial rocks starting the climb of “the nick”. Those ahead of me must have strayed gradually off the best line & though I should have known better I was pulled by being in a snake of runners, only feet apart, into following this mistake. At least I was the first to wake up to the error & shouted to those around me we should be over to our right. We made our way over to the line, but were caught by people further back, as they benefitted from seeing the correction. I estimate this mistake, plus failing to pass slower climbers towards the top of the nick, cost me 2 to 3 minutes.

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CVFR find the way they belong! Where Stella and Susie slide on Tods Mountains High

Calder Valley Fell Runners – 19 February 2024

We know where we’re going!: All Valley runners go the right way in a weekend of navigational challenges

The CVFR gang made consistently good choices over two events with strong navigation elements. Valley runners threw themselves enthusiastically down quarries, rivers and gullies in The Todmorden Mini Mountain Marathon score event and managed to choose winning routes at Midgley Moor fell race.

The happy winning teams (left to right) Maxie Shescke, Stella Chrisanthou, Susie Richardson, Max Wilkinson and George Kettlewell Credit: Jonathan Moon

Three team wins for CVFR at Tod Mini Mountain Marathon

The 29th MMM is a three-hour score event run either solo or in pairs and is organised by Todmorden Harrier and cartographer Chris Goddard. Chris has written several Wainwright-esque guides to the hills and woodlands of West Yorkshire and his extensive local knowledge of Calder Valley ensured a challenging adventure. Using the Waggon and Horses in Walsden as a warm base for registration and a hot meal after the event, participants were handed a map marked with 21 sites to visit and the clock started ticking! Some of the furthest points offer the highest scores, but racers take the risk of gaining a penalty if they don’t get back on time: four points are deducted for every minute they run over.

George Kettlewell reported it was “tricky conditions especially as the clag started to thicken up throughout the day but everyone made it back to the pub in one piece with their tales (and excuses).

However running with expert navigator Max Wilkinson paid dividends for George, “I partnered up with Max for my first try at any kind of score event. He showed me some tricks of the trade and we took it in turns to lead the nav from one point to the next. I really enjoyed it and was even more chuffed to find out we’d come 2nd overall and 1st pair – beating 3rd place by the same score but being one minute quicker back to the pub.”

It was a top turnout for the CVFR women and pairs Stella Chrisanthou with Susie Richardson and Maxies Scheske with Ambi Swindells took the first and second ladies team prizes respectively. Stella’s enjoyed her second win of the month at a score event, commenting “I loved running with Susie. there were some crazy obstacles but we worked together and overcame them.”

All CVFR women pleased to find their way back to the pub and celebrate their successes at the Tod Mini Mountain Marathon.

Maps don’t always have all the details that the eventers may come across and the MMM is no exception: additional paths and fences not shown on the map provided some tricky moments and required some “slimey bum sliding™Susie Richardson” and negotiation of barbed wire fences. Stella thought armoured leggings may be useful for future events.

The MMM map

Pos Name  Category
2nd Max Wilkinson & George Kettlewell 1st open pair
8th Stella Chrisanthou & Susie Richardson 1st women’s pair
9th Mark O’Connor & Gavin Roper  
11th Tristan Watson & Tom Bamforth  
14th Jonathan Moon  
15th  Paul Taylor  
21st  Graham Lloyd  
22nd Layla Hirst & Oliver Beaumont 2nd mixed team
23rd Maxie Sheske & Ambi Swindells 2nd women’s team
27th Ali Hayley & Ailsa Nicholson  
29th Rachel Johnston  

That Marty Fellow wins again at ‘Sweet little Midge-stery’

Howard’s hat trick win at Midgley Moor fell race
Martin Howard secured first place on home turf at Midgley moor fell race. Every entrant is guaranteed a pint of milk and 19 CVFR members came out to enjoy an uncharacteristically clear day’s fell running. The event is organised by martin’s dad and club membership secretary Bob Howard and covers five miles of picturesque moorland. The race offers a choice of routes across the heather and despite this being the stomping ground for CVFR, it hasn’t stopped local runners from making some interesting diversions in the past.

Martin skipping along to take the win … again!!! Credit: Woodentops

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