Latest news with #HorwichHarriers
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Harriers battle the heat and other runners on busy weekend
Horwich Harriers braved the heat to take part in the fourth round of the English Fell Championship series at Tebay Fell Race last weekend. Temperatures nudged 30 degrees celsius when the senior women set off at 1.30pm and the men shortly after at 2.15pm. What is already a punishing course - nine miles with 3,000 feet of ascent - was made all the more challenging by the scorching sun as competitors made use of the mercifully cool flowing becks which criss-crossed the route to refill bottles and dunk caps. The Horwich numbers were made up mostly of MV50s. James Titmuss (1hr 43mins 51secs), Dan Gilbert (1:47:24), David Milliken (1:47:54) and Marcus Taylor (2:03:58) combined to finish fifth team in their category. Meanwhile, it was Adam MacDonald's first English Championship race and it was certainly a baptism of fire. Nevertheless, he acquitted himself admirably, ducking under two hours to stop the clock at 1:58:34. Alison Mort was the sole female Harrier in attendance, completing the course in a great time of 2:30:09. Earlier in the day, Louis Yates finished 18th in the Under-13s race in a time of 12:27. Meanwhile, Mark Titmuss (16th) and Harry Yates (17th) finished in tandem with the same time of 31:31 in the U17 race. Richard O'Reilly surprised himself with first MV55 and seventh overall at the Blackpool 5k music run in a time of 19:25. Not realising his stellar result, O'Reilly left after the race and missed the prizegiving! Honorary Yorkshireman and multi-discipline phenomenon, James Scott-Farrington, donned his Horwich vest for the Ilkley Half Marathon where his sprightly time of 1:10:37 netted him second place overall. There was proof it does not always rain in East Lancashire as it was cracking the flags at the Towneley Park 10k in Burnley on Sunday. V60 Adrian Bramham was fastest in his age category with a sprightly 38:59, while Chris Charnley was pleased to be back on the start line after a bad back sidelined him for a few weeks. He clocked 49:04 as he builds towards another Great North Run in the Autumn. Rob Seddon was first finisher at Bolton Parkrun - his time of 19:10 was his fastest at the venue for a couple of years and three minutes quicker than his previous attendance in March. His father Mark ran 25:23 in his 49th parkrun as he closes in on the big 'five-0'. Rob Jackosn returned to Peel Parkrun for the first time in six weeks. With temperatures pushing 25 degrees celsius at 9am, he was satisfied with his time of 18:43 - first in age category and overall age-grading, before dashing off to Wimbledon for an afternoon at the tennis. His uncle Steve Jackson suffered in the heat, as many did, coming home in 36:14. Richard Pollitt was eighth finisher at Worsley Woods, stopping the clock at 19:19, while Tony Hesketh and Gordon Stone did battle at Worden Park, finishing in 30:32 and 31:02, respectively.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fairhurst leads the Harriers over the line at Heptonstall
Harrier Sam Fairhurst in action at Heptonstall Festival Fell Race where he was first home for the club Beginning on the cobbled streets of Heptonstall before descending sharply into the wooded valleys of Hardcastle Crags somewhat lulling runners into a false sense of security before sending competing Horwich Harriers to face a strenuous climb up to High Brown Knoll is the aptly-named Heptonstall Festival Fell Race. An AS (short distance, steep ascent) category race of 9.5km and 500m ascent the course traverses varied terrains including grassy fields, muddy slopes, rocky bridleways, and open moorland. Advertisement Known for its extreme weather to test those hardy fell-runners endurance and resilience, the course is partially marked, so familiarity with the route is somewhat advantageous. The final stretch challenges participants with a steep ascent back into the village, culminating in a festive climax of community entertainment and a free pint at the finish line. Hugely popular with the Harriers, who will go anywhere for a free alcoholic beverage, a bakers dozen turned up to dry the barrels. With two Red Vests finishing in the top 10, first back was Sam Fairhurst - breaking the line in fifth position in 50mins 55secs. Matt Fawthrop was next home in ninth (53:57). Advertisement Other results: Nick Kelly 1:02:11 (36th), Kevin Newall 1:06:17 (47th), Charlotte Wilkinson 1:06:55 (52nd), Sandra Newall 1:07:56 (58th), Gary Chadderton 1:10:08 (74th), Doug Fleming 1:11:05 (78th), Alison Mort 1:12:25 (89th), Mark Seddon 1:13:02 (91st), Gary Porteous 1:15:48 (101st), Helen McDonald 1:16:51 (105th), Katherine Newall 1:22:54 (127th). The annual A J Bell Great North 10k is one of the UK's premier 10-kilometre road races attracting up to 10,000 runners and offers competitors a scenic tour of Newcastle's iconic landmarks such as the Tyne Bridge (crossed twice), Grey's Monument and the Civic Centre. In attendance for the England versus Wales and Northern Ireland versus the UK Armed Forces event was six-time England master, Gareth Webb. On a hilly course and a quality international field Webb placed ninth vet 65 in a time of 41:56. In parkrun, Andrew Crickmore was solo Harrier at Bolton and finished in a non-triskaidekaphobic 13th position (23:06). Suzanne Budgett was 109th (24:55) in her now local parkrun. Also, Lakeland way was Brendan Bolland at Keswick (176th, 29:30). Advertisement Richard O'Reilly accompanied his daughter on her very first parkrun at Haigh and starting from plum last, got quickly bored, left his offspring to it and went chasing off where he ultimately finished 21st (22:06) and second Vet55 to be closely followed by Leo Orrell 23rd (22:16). Sister Sophie Orrell crossed the line 147th (31:30). At enjoyable, but hilly, Witton Park, Graham Schofield placed 12th in 25:18. Parkrun veteran and regular Rob Jackson completed the treacherous Sale Water Park course in an excellent sixth (18:46), while the Middletons were at Fletcher Moss - Jason 77th (23:36) and Janet 295th (31:20). A bijou 102 runners took part at Kew Woods with Oliver Hughes 35th (27:14), while the usually large crowds at Peel Park seem to have been elsewhere after last week's completely mind-blowing 930 competitors, there was a mere 476-field attending this week. Tony Hesketh handed in his well-worn barcode as 278th (29:21), Isaac Parker exactly matched this week's fastest time (18:46) with a sixth position at Storey Fields and Gordon Stone cracked out a sub-30 in 124th (29:58) at Worden Park. Advertisement Not content with single weekend races, following parkrun O'Reilly headed south for the Chiltern Ridge half-marathon - a truly scenic if somewhat challenging trail race starting and finishing at Wendover, Buckinghamshire. The 21.1km (526m ascent) entirely off-road course offers runners undulating forest loops and stunning views of the Chilterns. The race itself features woodland paths, open countryside, chalky ridgelines and the seemingly flatless terrain includes hills with double-digit inclines as you pass through Coombe Hill and Whiteleaf Hill Nature Reserve. The greatest challenge, however, might be avoiding getting shot at by the Prime Minister's armed bodyguards if you venture too far off the marked course which passes through his official countryside residence at Chequers. On a day ideally suited for fast times with both the men's and ladies' course records being broken, O'Reilly ran his longest race in some time and was content with a fourth V50-59 position in a time of 1:50:26.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Personal bests galore for Harriers youngsters in Blackpool
The second event of the Run the Moors Grand Prix - the Stanhill Fell Race - took place near Oswaldtwistle last week and Horwich Harriers had good representation. The five-mile out-and-back route was a fast and furious affair, with a paltry (by fell racing standards) 820 feet of elevation and the usually boggy moorland dry and bouncy after a record-breaking dry spring. Advertisement The start line was a sea of red vests with 16 Horwich RMI Harriers amassed - and they delivered quality as well as quantity. Sam Fairhurst (second, 30mins 1sec), Nick Leigh (fourth overall and first MV45, 31:34) and Matt Fawthrop (fifth, 32:02) ensured a dominant men's team victory. Alistair Murray had a great run to finish 10th and first MV50, while he, Rob Seddon (33:47) and Nick Kelly (second MV55, 35:36) also took third place in the men's team prize. Gary Chadderton was first MV60 (39:05) and Doug Fleming first V65 (39:54), while the women also posted some fantastic results and times. Charlotte Wilkinson was third Junior (37:42), Alison Mort was second FV45 (43:13) and Katherine Newall second FV50 (45:25). They combined to take third in the female team prize. On the same night, it was the first of the Harrock Hill Race series where Adrian Bramham got his hands on a unique box of veg prize for a commanding victory in the MV60 category. His time of 39:11 on the tough 5.2-mile course was a minute faster than the next V60. The latest Youth Development League Lower athletics meet was held on Sunday at Blackpool. There were many first places, with under-13 Theo Bolton winning the 75m in 10.8 (a personal best) and Jack Fletcher winning the 80m Hurdles in 13.2. The girls performed well with debutant Isla Smith (75m, 10.9 and 150m, 22.5), Florence Simm (75m, 11.8 and long jump, 3.29m) and Lily Mort (100m, 13.8 and 200m, 28.4) each achieving a brace of PBs. Grace Freary ran a superb 5:25.8, demolishing the field in her 1500m before going on to help the 4x300m girls win the relay. Advertisement Erinn Walker recorded a huge PB in the high jump, upping her highest jump from 1.05m to 1.25m, only narrowly missing a clearance at 1.30m. Walker recorded another PB in her 150m race (24.2) and won her 70m hurdles race in 14.5. Collectively, the RMI amassed a spectacular 28 PBs. Among those not already mentioned were Toby MacDonald (75m, 12.6 and 800m, 3:11.7), Ben Essex-Crosby (75m, 12.1, 800m, 3:11.7 and long jump 3.53m), Alfie Fletcher (75m, 13.0 and 800m, 3:19.1), Bobby Charnock (javelin 12.13m), Toby MacDonald (javelin, 8.15m), Emily Hellewell (100m, 14.8), Grace Hoyte (100m, 14.7), Kitty Crossland (800m, 2:29.9 and shot, 4.35), Emily Hellewell (800m, 2:46.9), Abi Ajet (shot, 7.97), Flynn Harris (shot, 6.80), Ben Higgins (1500m, 5:20.5), Matthew MacDonald (100m, 14.5 and 1500m, 5:49.4). This ensured Horwich finished the day as second-place squad, just 21 points behind the winners after a superb team effort.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flying Harriers head to Nottingham for cross-country finale
Several high flying Horwich Harriers made the trip to Wollaton Park, in Nottingham, to run for their respective counties in the inter-counties cross-country competition. Conditions were firm and rapid times abounded as the event drew the curtain on the cross-country season and, by extension, winter. Lancastrian lad Luke Foley's 33mins 28secs in the men's 10km race was good enough for 88th place in a field stacked with some of the country's fastest men. Meanwhile, the youngsters ran for Greater Manchester. Harry Yates was in action in the Under-15 boys; race, stopping the clock at 15:46 for 273rd. Charlotte Wilkinson was 101st (27:47) in the U20 women's race, while Harrison Stokes placed 91st in the U17 boys' race with 21:04. There was a titanic father-and-son battle on the northern fells of the Lake District at Carrock Fell Race on Sunday. Young Mark Titmuss had been eyeing up a first senior race after his 16th birthday, where he could toe the line against his dad, James. Needless to say, his old man was not going to roll over without a fight and an epic duel played out for family bragging rights over the 5.6-mile, 1,640-feet route. It was nip and tuck all the way, with Mark managing to break away to 'win' by a mere seven seconds (48:37), taking 21st overall and first U23 in the process. Nick Leigh and Adrian Bramham travelled to the picturesque village of Dent, in the Yorkshire Dales, to take on the historic Dentdale Run - a race nearly as old as the two veterans! They both ran well over the gruelling 14.2-mile hilly road route, with Leigh using it as a tune-up race for next month's Yorkshire Three Peaks. He finished in fourth place (first MV45) with a time of 1:29:14, while Bramham collected yet another MV60 trophy en route to a superb 11th overall (1:38:28), 20 minutes ahead of his nearest V60 challenger. Several from RMI lined up in the sun on the start line of the 44th edition of the Haworth Hobble Ultra Marathon. The route took competitors on 32 miles of windswept gritstone moorland with 4,400 feet of total climbing. Julian Goudge is no stranger to long days on the fells and he waltzed around in 5:22:38, netting himself 62nd overall and fifth MV50. Matt Wilson 'enjoyed' his first (and he vows last) ultra, finishing in 5:46:00, while Christopher Gorton completed it in 8:28:31. Michelle Tunney and Ryan Snee turned out to support Smithy's Charity Trail Run, a five-mile route round the scenic trails of Egerton in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Alex Fowler scored a top-10 finish at a muddy Worden Parkrun. His 21:22 was all the more impressive given he was pushing his son, Charlie, in a buggy. Rob Jackson is pursuing marginal gains as he finished one second quicker than the previous week at Peel (18:34). He finished his customary first in age category and age grading, while also sneaking into the top 10 overall.
