Calder Valley Fell Runners – 3 January 2022
Happy New Year! A lot of Calder Valley Fell Runners 2022 news to report already!
But let’s start with congratulations to one of our Juniors, Euan Logue who, at the Whinberry Naze Boxing day event, competed in his first Seniors race. Whinberry Naze is a tough 4 mile event, with 750 ft of climbing. In Euan’s own words, ‘this was my first Senior race, and I ran it dressed as an elf. It was a steep start, which led to a snowy scramble to the highest point on Cowpe Lowe, where Santa gave all the runners Smarties. Then it was a fast and furious downhill to the finish’. Euan was in 7th place before the descent, and he finished 8th overall, (3rd in the under-18 category) a remarkable debut, ‘only beaten by a Christmas tree out of those in fancy dress’. Great stuff, Euan Super-Elf Logue.
Euan ‘Super-Elf’ Logue coming 8th
On 28 December, 3 CVFR runners (Luke Melescko, Barney Horne, Dominic Camponi) ran the Coley Canter. This is a 7.7 mile muddy slog on the fells above Northowram, with a tricky river-crossing just to add to the effort and wetness! Luke stormed home in 01.03.06, to take 1st place in his M45 category, and a fine 8th place overall. Barry Horne was not far behind in 13th place, 01.04.31, and Dominic completed this excellent CVFR showing, in 25th place, 01.09.51. 122 runners took part.
Luke enjoying the mud
Sticking with the tireless Dominic Camponi, he has run no less than 3 other recent races: the Chevin Chase, where he came 210th out of 1027; the Auld Lang Syne (86th out of 295) and, on New Years Day, the Giant’s Tooth (33rd out of 74).
Oliver hot on Cass’s heels
The Auld Lang Syne (all together now!) fell race, on New Year’s Eve, organised by Wharfedale Harriers, started from Penistone and took in Top Withens, upper Ponden, and Stanbury Moor – then, hopefully, a glass of old throat-scratcher! Our man in the field, intrepid runner and reporter George Kettlewell says, ‘It’s 6.7 miles and 1000 ft elevation. Conditions were very windy.’ George chose to wear a quite un-aerodynamic costume – Luigi from the Nintendo Games (alas, after my time!). George adds, ‘A brutal headwind made the early going tough. Mark Wharton made a terrific comeback, after recent injuries, and there was even a bit of argie bargie, around Top Withens, between us both, but Mark came in 74th, at 1.00.06, to my 77th at 1.00.32’ (close thing, then!). The other CVFR results for this race are: Jonny Croston, 25th; Claire Hanson, 150th; Dick Spendlove, 182nd; Linda Hayles, 262nd. Great effort, CVFR.
George ‘Luigi’ Kettlewell
On an insanely warm new years day red and white members donned their vests and went lights out. some of them with distinct lack of sleep and one or two bottles of red in their veins round the sub 3 mile, 400ft Giants Tooth fell race that is in reality a fell version of a park run and a lovely way to kick off the new year. Cheered on by HRH Dougie Zinis, who added to his impressive CV with the roll of cameraman, first back for Calder was hungover Ed Hyland in 2nd place (18.12) just behind Queensbury Running club’s Dylan Naylor, followed by James Williams 6th, Paul Haigh 7th and Adam Breaks 10th rounding off top the 10. Flying the Ladies flag Cass Chisholm finished 5th lady overall and Gillian Wibsey 3rd LV50 and 57th place overall.
“Oh no I’ve got my number on upside down”
Full club results below:
2nd Ed Hyland 18.12, 6tth James Williams, 19.42 (2nd MV40), 7th Paul Haigh, 19.43 (3rd MV40), 10th Adam Breaks, 20.14, 12th Matthew Robinson, 20.17, 17th Kieran O’Prey, 21.14, 21st Peter Wilcock, 21.48, 33rd Dominic Camponi, 24.27, 37th Cass Chisholm, 24.47, 41st Matthew Bradley, 25.21, 44th Oliver Beaumont, 25.39 57th Gillian Wisbey, 28.36 (4th LV50), 70th Steve Cavell, 33.44
What a great start (and equally great finishes!) to 2022. CVFR wishes all our readers a year of triumphs, in every way.
– CALDER VALLEY NEWS REPORTER: KEITH HUTSON
