Autumnal Running Awesomeness Weekly Report

Inspired, perhaps, by amazing performances at the world athletic championships in Doha, Glossopdale Harriers have been doing some brilliant racing this week.  Read on for tales of running daring-do mainly across the lands of the North.

MBNA Chester Marathon (words from Simon Watts)

An eventful day in Chester saw 12 harriers run the marathon with extra supporters on the route too (Bartek, Mandy, Dan, Greg, Sally and Lance, some of whom appear to have been supporting from the pub). For those who haven’t done Chester it’s a scenic, fast course, however with a few “hills” in the last 5 miles.  They’re not Glossop-like hills, but when your legs are in bits, they felt like it. I had underestimated the end of the race and it was diminishing returns, but managed to hang on.

The weather was relatively kind and saw a few PBs from the group…a big well done to Lucy, Wioleta, Will, Luke, Jason, (and me!) with some really well paced efforts. Everyone survived intact, with Luke’s dubious groin injury the main concern, but he still managed a beer on the way home so I don’t think we need to worry.

A massive thank you to Dan, Mandy and Bartek for organising the minibus and thanks to those who made the trip over to support us! It was good to all travel together and made for a great atmosphere. We should try and do that again for future trips, if not just for the minibus beers on the way home!  A great day out on a quick course, keep an eye out for 2020 registration!

Times: Simon Watts 2:58:52, Will Mather 3:14:28, Steve Page 3:26:20, Luke Holme 3:26:44, Lucy Wakinski 3:29:15, Guy Riddell 3:40:00, Ian Crutchley 3:43:41, Tim Culshaw 3:51:34, Antony Johnson 4:02:54, Michael Raynor 4:06:28, Wioleta Wydrych 4:21:45 (with extra kudos for completing her first marathon EVER!) and Jason Hart 3:55:57 (surprisingly also a first marathon.  It can’t be his last though as he apparently needs to go back next year having been accidently awarded the medal for the 26.2km metric race instead).

Hodgson Brothers Relay (courtesy of Matt Crompton and Tim Budd)

From Tim….The weather wasn’t exactly promising for a grand day out around Patterdale. Actually. Yes, it was promising, but it was just promising a deluge.  Immy and Zoe were first up, heading off in the mass start up and over on the fastest underfoot part of the day. Before long, they busted down the short track (400m according to Immy, 1 or 2km according to Zoe) to hand over the baton to Jules and Andy Oliver who proceeded to blat their way up the hill. 

The main comment I caught later was that Jules was disappointed he didn’t get to look at the view more… Maybe he needs to look where he is going? I don’t know.  There were no navigational mishaps as they cruised into the handover point at Kirkstone Pass and released Mark D and Dan S onto Red Screes. By this time, the weather was brightening up a touch and the lads had a very pleasant bimble across the tops before dropping into Sykeside where Tim and Chris W were waiting. They jollied off up the hill in a welter of mud and slip slided their way across Fairfield and down St Sunday. Much fun was had, and I have no idea how fast we ran it.  

Happily, Matt was also there and was able to provide more actual facts.  From Matt….A race that started over 30 years, the Hodgson Brothers Relay sees teams of two taking on four legs of tough Lakelands routes. Setting off and finishing in Patterdale, teams tackle routes that include High Street, Red Screes, Hart Crag, Fairfield and St Sunday Crag. The weather was far better than expected, with only Tim and Chris on the last leg getting a good old Lake District drenching!

This year’s team was as follows: Leg One Immy Trinder and Zoe Barton, Leg two Andy Oliver and Julien Minshull, Leg three Dan Stinton and Mark Davenport, Leg Four Chris Webb and Tim Budd

Everyone did the club proud, and pushed incredibly hard on their legs. Against some of the strongest fell clubs from across the country we had a great result, coming 32nd out of 70 teams. Special mention to Chris and Tim who were 15th quickest pair on the final leg – AMAZING! Thanks to everyone who took part – you were fabulous!

Curbar Commotion

Part of the Accelerate Gritstone series, this 9.8 mile race takes in a variety of tracks and paths through Curbar, Frogatt and Baslow.  Nick Ham seems to have enjoyed a good day out topped off with some stupendous homemade cake. The results are not available however Nick’s race photos suggest that there was at least one other GDH vest in the pack however my ‘back of head’ recognition skills are not good enough to work out who it was.

Just in case anyone is interested (and I have no idea whether there are still places available), there are 2 more events in the Gritstone Series for this year  > 13th October, Windgather Fell Race: 13.5mi  – 2500ft of ascent and  27th October, Grin ‘n Bear It: 15.9mi  – 1939ft of up.

Goyt Valley Striders Trail Race

Tim Crookes and Wendy Trelease joined the Goyt Valley Striders for their trail race on Saturday.  According to the website, the course is a single lap figure of 8 route taking in an undulating 10k of multi-terrain surfaces.  Tim really enjoyed the race, did it in 50.07, knocking a brilliant 1.36 off his 2018 time. Wendy T also appears to have had a great race coming in as 9th MV45 in 55:05.

Rochdale Half Marathon and 10k (courtesy of Wendy McMahon)

Not all of us travelled to Chester this weekend….There was 5 of us today who made our way to the equally as famous Rochdale 10k and half race! Good organised event with both races leaving Rochdale centre and running along the canal with the half running a loop round Hollingworth Lake before heading back.  We was lucky with the weather as earlier in the week it was predicted to rain for the full duration but during the races it probably only rained 50% of the time. So combined with the puddles, mud and sweat, we still all got wet!

Tony and Alex didn’t run as well as they hoped but under their circumstances pulled their big boy pants up and still came in at respectable times many would hope to achieve! It’s only a 40 min drive away and a decent price, so I’m hoping to do this again next year unless I’m persuaded to do the very unpopular Chester race! 

Wendy McMahon, Tony Hillier and Alex Critcher ran the half finishing in 1:52, 1:54 and 1:56 respectively (and numerically pleasingly).  Kirsty Sharp and Craig Leith represented in the club in the 10k both coming in under 40 minutes (39:47 and 39:05). Kirsty was 2^nd lady, Tony was 1st V70 and what Wendy modestly does not mention in her write up is that she ran a 2 minute PB!

Coniston Trail Challenge

Kate Bowden was back racing in the Lakes yet again (did she even come home after the 4 Passes last weekend?).  This time it was the 15K Coniston Trail Challenge along footpaths and bridleways, taking in panoramic views of Lake Coniston and the surrounding peaks of the Old Man, Swirl How, Wetherlam and Dow Crags. I’ve no idea how she did but I’m impressed already.

Parkrun Corner

As always, there were Harriers parkrunning all over the place this weekend including Richmond, Oldham, Hyde, Medina IOW, Marple, Penrith, Glossop, The Wammy (see update from Lynne Taylor below), Jersey Farm, Herrington Country and Marple Juniors.  

From Lynne…Mandy Beames and Lynne Taylor did a bit of parkrun tourism to Stoke on Trent this week. There was the choice of either Hanley or The Wammy parkruns to choose from….we obviously chose The Wammy just because of the name. It’s an out and back along an old railway line and reminded us of the Longdendale Trail. The event is really well organised (they were doing a litter pick before we started) and lots of friendly people. The best bit…..they’ve their own dedicated post-run cafe at Newcastle AC clubhouse run by Ken. Hot drinks and cakes available for donations. Definitely chose this one if you’re in the area.

We love reading and compiling tales of everyone’s racing exploits.  Lucy W. is on report writing duty next week so please do lots more racing and don’t forget to tell her all about it at gdhweeklyreports@gmail.com. Have a good week and happy running!