Two hills and a Gala

Boulsworth Hill, Pilgrims Cross and Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix

Despite the Trawden Agricultural show being cancelled last Sunday because of the rain, the 6 mile Boulsworth Fell Race went ahead as planned. It was the final race in the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix, which comprises of the best 9 races out of 14.  Calder Valley’s Carole Fryer was 1st  FV55 in 1.01.16.    The previous Wednesday was the Pilgrims Cross Fell Race, also part of the Grand Prix, with  7 miles and 1100ft of climb. Calder Valley were represented by three runners, 18th James Williams 56.48, 85th (1st V55) Carole Fryer 1.12.07 and 125th Calvin Ferguson 1.21.28.

Carole’s persistence and fast running has paid off as she was the overall winner of the Grand Prix FV50 category, having finished first v50 in all 9 qualifying races.  She will be presented with her prize on night on Friday at Burnley football club.

Arncliffe Gala BOFRA

Calder’s Charlie Ing was 2nd in this short, fast 1.6 mile 400ft of climb race.  Steve Smithies was 10th.

Charlie Ing 2nd at Arncliffe Gala (Photo By Woodentops)

Crow Hill Reverse

Run from Mytholmroyd this 5 mile race up to the moor tops and back, was won by Calder Valley’s Max Wharton who is home on holiday from studying in the USA.  Along with under 23s Martin Howard (2nd) and Alistair Pedley (3rd) Calder took the mens team prize.

Max Wharton Crow Hill Reverse Winner

Martin Howard 2nd at Crow Hill Reverse

Alistair Pedley 3rd at Crow Hill Reverse

Calder’s women Jackie Scarf, Gillian Wisby and Charlotte Wetton also took the team prize.  Phillipa Barret of Time 2 Run won the women’s race in 42.42.

Charlotte Wetton and James Cooke High 5s

Calder Valley results from 61 runners.

POSITION TIME NAME
1 32.12 MAX WHARTON
2 33.15 MARTIN HOWARD
3 34.53 ALASDAIR PEDLEY
8 36.47 MARK O’CONNOR
10 38.42 JONNY CROSTON
12 38.59 MARK WHARTON
20 41.36 JONATHAN EMBERTON
22 43.14 TOBY SYDES
23 43.17 ANDY DAVIES
25 43.48 ANTHONY COSTELLO
26 44.24 PHIL  SCARF
27 44.49 JAMES COOKE
29 45.52 TIM BROOKS
34 47.57 JACKIE SCARF
36 48.15 GILLIAN WISBEY
37 48.28 LAWRENCE FENNELLY
40 50.36 CHARLOTTE WETTON
48 55.36 JAMES HALLIDAY
56 60.59 TAMSIN COOKE

– Calder Valley News Reporter: Tim Brooks

British Champs silver hair or silver medal

The British Fell Running Championships came down to the wire this weekend in the last race of the season at Newtonmore Highland Games. Calder have been leading the V40 champs and needed a strong finish to to hold on to the gold medal position. Four dedicated CVFR  Vet 40s braved the 650 mile round trip, leaving the Valley Friday night to return Saturday. The race is called Creag Dhubh and is a short fast sprint to the summit and back having to jump several fences and crossing a river. Although only 3.5 miles long, it packs over 1100 foot of ascent!

Team Silver: Adam Osbourne and Skipper Shaun Godsman

Despite impressive runs, Calder were unfortunately pipped to the post, winning 2nd team on the day, which  secured them the silver medal in the British Championships. The team was Adam Osbourne, Mark Taylor, Mark Burton and CVFR men’s club captain, Shaun Godsman. Adam finished a fantastic 2nd v40 which also netted him an overall bronze medal in the individual British Championships. Shaun finished 12th v40, Mark Burton 20th v40 and Mark Taylor 26th v40.

– Calder Valley News Reporter: Eileen McDonach

Ultra Crazy

This past week was a busy one for the CVFR. One of the major events in the yearly calendar is always the Summer Handicap – a race where people’s start time depends on their racing form over the year – and theoretically everyone should be crossing the line at the same moment. This race is designed so that anyone can be a winner, although the ‘bogs of doom’ near the start & the final field of tussocks often put paid to runner’s dreams of glory. This year’s race was won by Martin Howard, who undeterred by the oppressive heat – with a beat of a tenner riding on beating his Dad – crossed the line well before the rest of the field (& not far off the course record) despite being one of the last runners to set off.

Leo Illstone representing the junior club members at the Summer Handicap (credit Mick Fryer)

Elsewhere, four of the red & white-hooped ultra runners spent the last weekend of the month competing at the iconic Lakeland races. In rain of often Biblical proportions, club chairman Bill Johnson & fellow CVFR Johnnie Watson took on the 100-mile course, with our Ladies Captain Carolyn Shimwell accompanied by social secretary, Harley Beecroft. Shimwell reported how pleased they were with their medals & t-shirts – & just to finish given the weather. Both ladies are extremely grateful for the support they received from thee marshalls & those at checkpoints, plus family & friends, especially from twice-Lakeland veteran, Dan Biggs who kept them going into the night finishing after dark, despite the long trek, the deluge of rain & a headtorch technical hitch.

Bill Johnson with his medal (official Montane Lakeland 50 & 100 race photo) having ticked yet another iconic race off the list

Carolyn Shimwell, Harley Beecroft & Dan Biggs at the Lakeland 50-mile race.

In a very different settings, club members were also active internationally this last weekend. The World Rogaining Championship took place in the Catalonia, Spain. Club members Jackie & Phil Scarf competed in the Ultra 24-hour score orienteering event and won the Mixed Supervets class – meaning our club now boasts another two World Champions! Whilst in Italy, Holly Page was competing in the mini Giir de Mont race in Premana in Italy, coming a respectable second, only 38 seconds behind the first placed female runner & well ahead of the rest of a strong field.

Jackie & Phil Scarf with their trophy (photo Mandy Goth)

Amongst other impressive results this week, Charlie Ing took 4th place at Ambleside Sports fell race on the hottest day of the year – & was most pleased to beat his brother Paul. Stephen Smithies also ran well to finish 16th overall & second in the MV50 category. In the U14 race, Charlie Pickens raced hard to finish 3rd with Tom Owens finishing in a very respectable 8th place. Ollie Pickens also deserves a mention for his 16th boy in the under 12s race.

– Calder Valley News Reporter: Catherine Jones

Wharton’s smash course records at Widdop

Calder Valley ‘Family’ Smash course records at Widdop

New CVFR race organisers Nicky Latham (seniors) and Andy Clarke (juniors) did a splendid job putting together the Widdop Fell Race. The Packhorse Inn proved to be an excellent HQ for the 150 runners as well as donating brilliant, generous prizes. This classic, local, 7 mile race has 1200ft of ascent on high moorland with plenty of tussocks and chest high bracken to contend with. Although flagged it often catches people out.

Calder Valley’s Max Wharton set a new course record in an epic battle to finish 3 seconds ahead of Gary Priestley of Salford Harriers. Keeping it in the family, next back for Calder was Max’s dad Mark, who took 1st MV50.

Max Wharton battling it out at Widdop (Credit: Mick Fryer)

Mark Wharton in the bracken at Widdop (Credit: Mick Fryer)

Women’s winner at Widdop, Annie Roberts of Todmorden Harriers finished just 8 seconds ahead of CV’s Natasha Butterfield who is on fantastic running form.

Dan and Daisy Pope also showed the CV family spirit with both running great races.

Dan and Daisy Pope at Widdop Fell Race (Credit: E McDonach)

Jonny Croston and Darren Earnshaw took the Calder Valley hoops on tour to tackle the tough Holme Moss Fell Race this weekend. 17.7 miles and 1200m of hard climbing. Jonny put in a sterling performance to place 12th overall and 2nd MV40 (3:09h) with Darren Earnshaw finishing 54th place (3.43h).

Jonny Croston at Holme Moss (Credit: Frank Golden Photography)

Darren Earnshaw at Holme Moss (Credit: Robert Jones)

– Calder Valley News Reporter: Eileen McDonach