Calder Valley’s Joe Crossfield, King and 1st at Crow Hill Reverse

Crow Hill Reverse

Fell runners are straight forward people. When the route of the Crow Hill Fell Race was reversed, as it was a better route, rather than rename it, it just became the Crow Hill Reverse Fell Race. All the proceeds from the race go to the Ovarian Cancer Charity.

The race itself is fairly straightforward too, from Mytholmroyd, through Redacre Woods, up to the moors via Churn Milk Joan to Crow Hill before returning to Mytholmroyd. Only a 1000ft up and back down again. Traditionally held on the first Tuesday of August, this year was no different. All the proceeds from the race go to the Ovarian Cancer Charity.

So last Tuesday night, the 4^th August, 168 runners lined up, the fastest ones hoping to win the king and queen of the mountain, the prize for which is to wear the crown on the descent.

Three Calder Valley runners challenged for the King of the Mountain, Joe Crossfield, Alex Whittam and young Jack Denton, with Joe Crossfield getting to the top of Crow Hill first and claiming the crown.  He was also first back to Mytholmroyd to win the race overall.

Lynne Clough of Chorley was Queen of the Mountain beating Calder’s Lindsay Oldfield to the top.

Lindsay Oldfield & Martin Howard crossing paths at Crowhill

Boulsworth Fell Race

The latest race in the Calder Valley Club Championship took place last Sunday.  The Boulsworth Fell Race is part of the Trawden Agricultural Show, so plenty of entertainment was laid on for runners once they finished.

A race for those who prefer more even ground, the majority of the route is on tracks and across hayfields before a sharp climb up Boulsworth Hill to Great Saucer Stones, along the ridge to Weather Stones before dropping back down to reverse the run out, finishing in the Show Ground.  It still packs in 1000ft of climbing in six miles.

Many of the frontrunners didn’t think the route was long enough so they took an unscheduled detour on the run in.  At least it gave slower runners a chance to catch up.

Jon Smith claims maximum champ points

The race was won by Andrew Newton of Preston Harriers.  First back for Calder Valley was Jon Smith in 5^th place who gained maximum club points, followed by John Killerby in 19^th.  John just pipped Richard Sunderland before the line leaving Richard to come in 22^nd.  Jo Buckley was 27^th overall and first woman back.  The improving Jack Bridger was 39^th.  Mike Dean had a good run in 57^th just beating Richard Ingram to the line.

In the junior races there were notable performances from Joseph Hobbs, 2nd in boys under 10s junior race and Fearne Hanson 2nd in the girls under 8s.

Team Calder Valley at Boulsworth

Joseph working hard to claim 2nd

Fearne’s form continues

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