Holcombe Harriers

The rain stopped just in time for the 165 runners to take on this short and brutal 4 mile course. In the lead after the first long climb to the tower was Andrew Worster from Calder Valley with local Ben Coop from Bury AC following closely behind. Andrew led most of the race but with his local knowledge and as a previous winner Ben was always going to be a tough person to beat and by the time they came back past the tower for the final steep descent through the woods Ben had put his foot on the gas and there was a gap being formed. Ben went on to win the race in a time of 31.57, with Andrew finishing second in a time of 33.10.

The womens race was also a good battle, with Kay Welsby of Rochdale Harriers and Lindsey Brindle of Horwich Harriers battling it out for first place. Kay took the honours winning in a time of 42.22, with Lindsey very close behind in 42.53.

Both Mens and Womens team prizes on the night went to Horwich.

Harriers on Tour.

Great training run tonight over Winter Hill and Rivington Pike.

What a great turn out at the inaugural Chip Chase Fell Race.

Winner was our very own Matt Driver

Good turn out tonight by Holcombe for Whittle Pike fell race.

A proper tough mid week fell race organised by Rossendale- steep climbs, steep descents, bogs, streams, nettles and a lovely uphill finish! Well done to everyone – great running

Massive thanks to everyone for your support on my BG attempt this weekend. Sadly not successful this time but here’s my race report:

I knew it was going to be a tough one. The weather turned at just the wrong time. I postponed from last weekend hoping it would improve by this weekend but it was still grim. Rain came in just as we were reaching Blencathra summit and the descent down Hall’s Fell was slowed by slippery rock and rubbish visibility. Thanks to my awesome support runners and road support I was in to Threlkeld and off again to get back on schedule by the summit of Clough Head and kept on track despite increasingly bad conditions on leg 2 but then dropped 10 minutes after we lost the trod in the clag descending to Dunmail. Another perfect road changeover and I managed to claw a couple of minutes back on the way up Steel Fell. Things looked ok all the way to Bowfell but from there through to Scafell Pike the rock was just treacherous underfoot, we were all soaked through despite full waterproofs, and progress was painfully slow. By Mickledore I was 1hr 15 mins down on my 23:30 schedule and there was no likelihood of the weather lifting enough for me to get those missing 45 mins back on legs 4 and 5, plus the weather had left me feeling pretty beaten by that stage. So I called it there and dropped down to Wasdale. Disappointing to say the least, of course, but still one of the best adventures I’ve ever had and it was fantastic to share it with so many Harriers, some former members who have moved on to other things, and friends from other clubs. Even when it’s doing its best impression of Mordor on a bad day, the Lake District is the best place in the world to play out with your mates.

7 Harriers made the trip up to the lakes today for the Pete Bland Kentmere Horseshoe ( only half of Matt driver pictured ) great race with some interesting weather thrown in for good measure. Well done everyone

Two Harriers took on the Lakeand Trails Coniston Marathon this morning. Yours truly and Neil Swan (Sheparding his brother Ian around his first marathon- what a one to choose!). 867m elevation gain over the bumps around Coniston. It got pretty hot, as you’d expect in this weather but plenty of feed/water stations to avail yourself of all required. Unfortunately one poor bugger didn’t and collapsed with heatstroke, to be revived by one of my wife’s colleagues who’s a Dr and was also doing the race. From what I hear Neil and Ian just jumped over them shouting “out the path- don’t you know there’s a race on!” (apparently the guy is fine or I wouldn’t jest ). Pretty pleased with my 5th vet 50 result

A great Holcombe Harriers turn out at Edenfield today. The Harrier girls did us proud with Yas winning V40, Helen winning V45 and we won the girls team prize. Well done to all the Harriers running

It’s been a good running year for me with pbs in 10k and half marathon so I thought I’d have a go at a marathon. 14 years since my last one and now I’ve remembered why . Went with Yorkshire because it’s flat. It’s actually not flat and has a horrible hill just before the finish.

All was going well until about 20 miles, was pacing it right and feeling good but coming out of a long out and back section I felt my guts rumbling. Like a oasis in the desert a portaloo appeared and I dashed in and found relief. Unfortunately my legs decided that they’d had enough after this short interlude and I just couldn’t get moving again and was starting to get cramp.

Managed to hobble over the line in 4.02.49 so a huge 17 minute pb despite being disappointed about not getting closer to my target time. 219/1088 female finishers so that’s not bad either.

It’s not often that I say I want to do a race again immediately after but I think I do want to do another marathon. But a flat one.