Calder Valley Fell Runners – 23 May 2022
Wednesday evening, 18 May, saw the ever-popular Blackstone Edge fell race take place – a short but very sharp 5.6km event with 366m of ascent. The race starts and finishes from Knowl Farm, Littleborough and, as competitor George Kettlewell says, the course has a bit of everything: ‘steep climbs, full-tilt descents and a big stinky bog which you go through twice’. There was a great turnout from CVFR – the first ‘counter’ in the club’s summer series.
The race was won by Samuel Lungo (MSEN), Pudsey & Bramley AC, in 31:39. The first female was Rowen Pymm (FSEN), Saddleworth Runners, who finished in fine style with a time of 39:35.
Rod Sutcliffe looking great at Blackstone Edge race.
For CVFR, Mark Wharton (M55) was first home in 38.15, followed closely by George Kettlewell (MSEN) in 38:28. Kieran O’Prey (MSEN) had another great run to finish in 39:30, and Stephen Smithies was CVFR’s first M50 home, in 40.01. Jonathan Emberton was our first M60 in 42:10, followed closely by Tim Brooks (M50) 42:28. Alex Deltenne (MSEN) stormed in at 43:19, with James Cooke in hot pursuit on 44:13. Joe Nerini, back from injury, ran a fine 44:41, and Oliver Beaumont continued his impressive results with 46:23. A big hurrah for Dick Spendlove too, our first M75 home in a remarkable 46:38, closely followed by Sophie Baggott, our first female, in 47:39. Graham Lloyd (M60) ran a creditable 48:40, with Michael Wardle (M65) close behind on 49:34. Tony Steward (M65) came home on 50:02; Graeme Woodward (M60) 52:23; Peter Heywood (M50) 52:52; Abbi Fearnley (FSEN) 54:12; Fiona Lynch (F45) 62:48; Rod Sutcliffe (M70) 65:22, and Andy Smith (M50) ran a great 70:50 to bring home the CVFR contingent.
Saturday 21 May saw the Lower Borrowdale 10k and 20k races – the 20k race is part of the FRA English Championships and really challenging race. The valley of Lower Borrowdale is on the edge of the Southern Lake District, not far from Tebay, and the race, unsurprisingly, features 1000m of ascent. Plenty of glorious landscape was to be had for those not too shattered to enjoy it!.
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In the 10k race, Dark Peak’s runner Rhys Findlay-Robinson (MSEN) crossed the line first, in a superfast 52.05. CVFR’s very own Andy Smith (M50) came a stirling 18th, in 1:48:20 – well done, Andy!
Karl on his way to the top V50 place. Photo courtesy of Tim Lamont
The 20k race saw Keswick AC’s Brennan Townsend (MSEN) finish first in 1:37:48. CVFR’s Matthew Roberts (1st M40) was first home for the club in 1:43:53 and taking ninth overall but Karl Gray (1st M50) was hot on his heels in a time of 1:43:55, only 2 seconds in it! With the MV50s sporting rivalry continuing within the club Darren Kay and Gavin Mulholland had a battle-royal, with Darren (2nd M50) finishing 13th in 1:45:47, and Gavin 14th (3rd M50), in 1:45:57. In fact, CVFR had a really good turn-out for this race, with Adam Osborne (M45) coming 20th in 1:46:44, Ben Mounsey (M40) 23rd in 1:47:23, Martin Howard (MSEN) 29th in 1:50:06, and Ed Hyland galloping home in 40th place, 1:52:18.
Stephen Hall ran a fine 1:55:45 to finish 60th, with Mark Burton (M45) 67th in 2:00:21. Andy Ford (M40) continue his good form with a time of 2:02:41 to take 89th place in a highly competitive and large field.
The ladies Lower Borrowdale team after their excellent running
Sarah McCormack, Ambleside AC, was the first female home, in 1:54:05, with our very own Stella Chrisanthou coming a well-earned 31st for the women in a time of 2:29:16 but 4th in her W45 age category. Catherine Holden in the same age category did great, coming 54th overall in a time of 2:43:40 and 9th W45. Continuing their good performance in the W50s category Trudi Entwistle took 32nd overall but placed a stunning 4th in her age category in a time of 2:29:13. With Sarah Noot placing 40th and 9th W50 in 2.32.13 and Rachel Beaumont coming home 61st female and 13th W50 in 2:51:27 they were 2nd W50 team on the day behind a strong Tod Harriers. All-in-all, excellent performances from our female athletes.
The Old County Tops race, which was on Saturday 21st May, is a 37mile/11,000ft event which is organised by the Achille Ratti Climbing Club. It starts and finishes in Great Langdale and takes in the tops of Helvellyn, Scafell Pike and Coniston after which the competitors are fed and watered. CVFRs Bill Johnson and his partner Kev Hoult were absolutely delighted to take 9th team overall and the Vet 100s trophy. In Bill’s own word ‘An hour faster than my previous Personal Best and we beat all the V90s as well as the V100s. It’s funny being V100. Because it has to be run in pairs you add your ages together, and our combined age was 103. With Kev adding ‘ A great day out Bill, you smashed it and even ‘destroyed’ we still managed just over 8min mile pace at the end. That’s quality.’
Kev and Bill with organiser Chris and the legend Yiannis Tridimas
Sunday marked the 10th running of the Charlesworth Chase Race, which was originally held to celebrate the marriage of Nick and Sarah Charlesworth. A fun event with race entry including a beer to be drunk on the finish line. From the Craven Arms, near Appletreewick, the 126 runners followed the river before a rough track onto the fell and on to Simon’s Seat Trig before returning on the same route. April Caulfield took an excellent 4th women in a time 49.54 behind Isabelle Rowe of Harrogate Harriers in 47.13. Will Stewart had a good run to place 44th in 51:59 with the men’s winner being Ted Mason of Wharfedale Harriers in 39.22.
April and Will on the steep climb through the bluebell woods
Thanks to Dominic Camponi for details of Sunday’s first Yorkshire Veterans’ AA race at Honley, hosted by Holmfirth Harriers. The course was 9.75k, and climbed gradually to 290m in total. The event was won by CVFR’s Gavin Mulholland (running for his road and trail club Stainland Lions), in 38:27. Dominic Camponi came 58th, in 49:31.
Now to our wonderful juniors, who were in action on the wooded slopes on the edge of Guisborough Moor, North Yorkshire, for the 4th race in the Junior English champs series on Sunday 22nd May. Races were fast as they ran up through forest track and narrow footpaths which required tactical skills to overtake.
Charlie on the gnarly, technical descent
Charlie Pickins had an excellent run and powered round two laps of the course to come 1st U17 boy. He’s now sitting in top spot overall after 4 races. He was followed by Euan Logue who had a good, solid run to place 12th. Will Hall and Elijah Peers-Webb competed in a fast competitive field, coming 4th and 8th respectively in the U19s.
Thomas giving it his all to the end
Thomas McKee had a strong run in the U15 boys, coming 6th overall. His sister, Clara McKee, also gave a great performance, coming 1st girl and outright winner in the U13 race. This secures Clara’s overall U13 girls gold medal in the FRA English championship series. In the U13 boys, Harry Cliff completed a fine race in 8th place, and Ted Parker a solid 21st place.
Clara on her way to taking her 4th win out of 4 English champs races
Well done to all our Juniors who go from strength to strength.
CALDER VALLEY NEWS REPORTER: keith hutson