Kettlewell signs off with excellent display at Tour of Pendle event

The iconic Tour of Pendle delivered its usual brand of late-season cruelty as Storm Claudia decided to gatecrash the event.

As runners toiled their way round the 17-mile course, they had a full checklist to tick off: clag, bogs topped up to the brim, and a howling wind of 35+mph.

For Calder Valley runners, it was everything they secretly hope for in November: grim weather, big climbs, and the sort of sideways rain that exfoliates your face whether you want it to or not.

Visibility was low from the gun, turning Pendle Hill into a ghostly silhouette and ensuring that navigation was as important as leg strength.

The bogs had been freshly replenished, swallowing shoes, dignity, and the occasional runner up to the shin. The wind howled across the tops, adding to the six significant climbs that define this classic fell race.

Despite the conditions, spirits were high, CVFR runners embraced the chaos with typical enthusiasm, settling into the rhythm of climb, descend and repeat - Pendle's special version of interval training.

Kettlewell was relying on the race to give him a perfect send off before he gets diverted from the fells by imminent first-time parenthood.

He was effusive at the end: “Best race of the year. Loved it! That's it for 2025. Better get on with painting the nursery and getting Dad-bod ready. Roll on 2026."

George was the fastest CVFR runner on the day. His time of 3:03:08 secured 49th spot in a field of 265 runners. Best of luck to George in his new adventure!

Other CVFR results: 196 Stephen Morran 3:40:26 Open 70, 223 Joseph Hornsby 3:46:42 Open Senior, 227 Fiona Lynch 3:49:00 F50, 230 Oliver Beaumont 3:50:03 Open 40, 262 Mark Wharton 3:59:53 Open 60, 287 Stuart Russell 4:13:35 Open 50, 314 Francis Wooff 4:32:06 Open 60.

The annual David Staff Memorial Race remembers David Staff who died in 1994 while running his first ever senior race, aged just 17.

David’s death was as the result of Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy - an abnormal thickening of the heart muscles which then interrupts the electrical pulses that keep the heart working.

The route sets off from Sunnyhurst Woods in Darwen and takes in the well-known landmark, Darwen Tower and surrounding moors before coming back down to the woods to finish.

CVFR’s Andy Ford set the race pace from early on and had soon built up a sizeable lead on the rest of the field. So far, so good.

However, the problem with leading from the front is you have to rely on your own navigation skills. With eyes fixed firmly on the ground, Andy missed a “poorly positioned” red flag which demanded a left turn.

Andy continued his blistering pace, certain that the lack of any runners on his tail was a good thing, before realising that he was in fact half a mile over the wrong side of the hill. Andy took it all in good spirit, reflecting afterwards. That it was “frustrating - but all part of fell racing I guess.” We imagine Andy will be back next year to prove a point.