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Athletics - Valley claim team prize in 'mad' race
Last weekend saw the annual staging of the "Midsummer Madness" event, which is organised by Calder Valley Fell Runners club president Bill Johnson.
The event consists of three fell races held on consecutive days with runners competing in one or more races, the highest placed competitor in the three races being the overall series winner.
It kicked off with the "Wicken Hill Whizz", an out-and-back short race from Mytholmroyd to the Sheepstones trig point on top of Midgley Moor.
First home was Jason Williams of Leicester Owls, who flew up to the summit and held off demon descender Steve Smithies to record his first win.
Andy Thorpe of Halifax Harriers was third man, with Calder Valley taking team prize with Steve Smithies, Chris Standish and Tim Brooks.
Essex club Springfield Striders also make the long trip to Calderdale to race in this series each year so there was lots of support for Tracey Woodyard, who was first lady.
Keen local race supporter Jackie Scarf was next lady, just ahead of fellow foe Hannah Dobson.
CVFR runners: Steve Smithies 21:40, Chris Standish 25:03, Tim Brooks 25:46, Peter Walker (U16) 26:17, Jack Paige (U16) 26:36, Ben Davies 28:27, Stephen Grimley 29:49, Hugh Tooby 29:59, Jackie Scarf 30:25, Graeme Woodward 30:26, Tony Steward 30:42, Tom Jennings (U 14) 31:58, Hannah Dobson 32:28, Mick Banks 34:15.
The second race of the series, the "Reservoir Bogs", set off from the Hare and Hounds pub in Old Town.
Each year the course changes with the closely guarded secret route revealed on the morning of the race.
Runners must navigate their way through a sequence of checkpoints choosing between indirect runnable paths and more direct but rougher ground.
This year the course was particularly tough, with huge tussocks and waist high bracken.
Calder Valley's crack navigator Simon Bourne chose all the right lines to win with a five second victory over club mate Jason Stevens.
With Jon Emberton fifth the Calder men scooped the club prizes. Leicester's Jason Williams and Andy Thorpe of Halifax were also going well when they took a wrong turn and slipped down the field.
Unattached orienteer Heather Gardner dominated the ladies' race winning with a six minute margin from Tracey Woodyard of the Striders. Claire Hanson ran well to take third spot and first Calder lady.
CVFR runners: Simon Bourne 1:04:30, Jason Stevens 1:04:35, Jonathan Emberton 1:05:46, Phil Scarf 1:10:03, Jack Paige 26:36, Dick Spendlove 1:13:41, Graham Lloyd 1:20:05, Tony Steward 1:20:36, Claire Hanson 1:20:44, Jackie Scarf 1:20:53, Philip Jones 1:41:22, Hannah Dobson 1:49:24, Tish Mckie 1:49:35.
The final race was the Tom Tittiman which is a fast race that goes from the Hare and Hounds to High Brown Knoll and back.
James Logue, who raced at Tebay fell race the day before, returned to take first place in a new course record of 27:02.
Jason Williams beat Logue to the summit but was overhauled on the run in home, losing a thrilling race by just 13 seconds.
Solicitor Chris Smale finished just three seconds adrift having been first to the trig point.
Steve Smithies continued to hold his own with the elites, also recording a sub 28 minute time.
Bill's wife Anne Johnson, who also raced at Tebay finished first and clocked the second fastest time in the race's history. Tracy Woodyard rounded off a great weekend by taking second, with Todmorden Harrier's Lucy Hobbs third.
CVFR runners: Steve Smithies 27:45, Anne Johnson 32:52, Stephen Grimley 34:52, Peter Walker (U 16) 36:51, Tony Steward 37:57, Mick Banks 41:31, Hannah Dobson 42:55.
With three top ten finishes Jason Williams (Owls AC - Leicester) won the series for the men. Tracy Woodyard (Springfield Striders - Essex) also achieved the same feat for the ladies.
Warren Thomas led the Stainland Lions assault over all three days, finishing eighth overall, with team mates Graham Dyson finishing eleventh and Geoff Matthews in eighteenth, and third V50, over all three races.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy snow
Temperature: -3 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
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