Runners from Calderdale clubs take part in Virtual London Marathon

Members of the Sowerby Bridge Snails joined 43,000 runners from across the globe to take part in the virtual London Marathon.

Members who had places on the London start line were joined by other club members in a socially distanced event along the canal from Failsworth, near Manchester, through the Pennines to Sowerby Bridge, cheered on along the route by other Snail members.

Anna Sabbo, who completed the event in a time of 5 hours 32 minutes, said: “I thought the marathon was challenging but good fun overall.”Loved today and have a sense of achievement. Thanks again everyone for making it an unforgettable experience!”

Traci Kerridge, who finished in a time of 4 hours 30 minutes, said: “Feeling proud to be a Snail, you guys are just the best! Awesome Snail support today!”

Lindsay Watson said: “A massive shout out to my fellow Snail runners today, especially our bubble, who were amazing at keeping us all going. Also those who organised us and all our water stop supporting Snails and Bridge shouters. Everyone’s help made a huge difference to us finishing today.”

It was a memorable day for Snails founder Jodie Smith who not only got a marathon personal best but had to help a woman who fell into the canal.

“Whilst disappointed not to be able to run round London, it has been an amazing day and I hope it’s inspired other club members to take part in the ballot for next year’s event when, hopefully, won’t be virtual.”

More than 30 members of Northowram Pumas Running Club took part in the virtual London Marathon.
Many of these members completed a route created by Andrew Tudor starting in Queensbury and ending at the Piece Hall in Halifax, via the Spen Greenway and the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Members were supported by many more who supported for parts of the route, ably supported by other members who set up six refreshment and cheer stations along the route at regular intervals, coordinated by Jo Coupe.

Runners taking part in the virtual race included Helen Whiteley, who joined the club in January 2020 as part of their Couch to 5k programme and a group of runners raising funds and awareness of the West Riding Kidney Patients Association.

Those completing the virtual marathon were: Alan Sykes, Andrew Mellor, Andrew Tudor, Andy Barnes, Carolyn Brearley, Cathy Heptinstall, Chris Murgatroyd, Dave Jennings, Davina Capper, Diane Cooper, Emma Harrison, Fiona Averill, Gill Holmes, Helen Whiteley, Jayne Scanlon, Jody McDermott, Julie Bowman, Lisa Hirst, Louise Brooke, Lizzie Wood, Luke Cranfield, Mark Brook, Nichola Mathieson, Nicola Taylor, Shana Emmerson, Sharon English, Shaun Casey, Simone Brook, Tiffany Lewis, Tim Brook and Vanessa Akroyd.

In the ‘big flat runway races’ held on the same day at Elvington Airfield, Joe Thompson completed the marathon in 3:49:27, Aaron Bower smashed the 10 mile race in 1:08:54 and Andy Sales made short work of the 10k race in 40:18.

Anyone interested in joining Northowram Pumas can contact the club via [email protected].

After months of frustration, Halifax Harriers were finally able to get out racing again at the Big Flat Runway Races at Elvington Airfield near York.

There were five race distances on offer – 5k, 10k, 10 mile, half marathon and a full marathon. Each race comprised of laps of the airfield, with the marathon doing ten laps.

The event was well organised and fully complied with Covid regulations.

The day itself was mainly dry, but a strong wind made the going very difficult down one side of the airfield.

Halifax Harriers had some excellent results with numerous first, second and third place finishers in the various distances.In the 5k, Will Smith equalled the club record with a time of 16:45 (2nd M45), Sarah Cumber 19:06 (1st F45), Simon

Johnson 19:15 (1st M50), Geoff Cumber 22:35 (1st M70).Other runners in the 5k were Verity Clements 20:02 (PB) and Katie Brook 27:25 (PB).

The 10k saw six runners from Halifax Harriers. Josh Hall-Brown 35:15, Ben Crowther 35:38, Jack Mosley 44:10, Amy McAllister 47:32 (PB), Ruth Albaya 56:10 and John Moore 56:34.

The 10 mile race had three Halifax Harriers take first place in their age groups. First back was Robert Hick 1:14:06 (M60), Raymond Hall 1:20:00 (M75 and club record), Susan Hall 1:43:32 (F70).

Two members of the club ran the half marathon. First back was Jessica Dixon in a PB of 1:37:55 (2nd FSen), Paul Hopkinson 1:47:31 (3rd M60).

The full marathon saw James O’Rourke first back in 3:15:47, followed by Tom Paget 3:36:29 and David Ingle 3:49:53 (3rd 55).

Calder’s Chris Holdsworth stormed home to victory in the Lakeland Trails Marathon, starting at Coniston on Sunday.

This 26.2 mile route covers almost 3,000ft of climb. Despite a minor navigation error which cost him a few minutes, Chris showed his running class to take the win and the course record in an incredible time of just under 2.47.

Chris said: “I started the year with a trail marathon and ended it at another at the Lakeland Trails Marathon.

“After the long distance qualifiers were cancelled last month, I put my years’ worth of training towards today’s race and what a race it was.

“Amazing race, well worth the accolade of one of Europe’s top 10 trail marathons, and so well organised, even with Covid.

“Roll on 2021 with lots of mountains and races for all.”

Bill Johnson and Jason Williams both had great results with incredible times at the duathlon around the famous Oulton Park race track.

It has been a difficult time for racing recently. The Oulton Park organisers had put in place lots of measures to make the event Covid-safe including staggered starts - setting people off at 30 second intervals.

The event does laps of the Oulton Park racetrack, as a run, then transfers onto a bike to ride laps, and then a final run.

The racetrack is 4.3km long. Jason did the sprint distance - a 4.3km (2.6 mile) run, then a 21.6km ride and a final 4.3km run.

He was 2nd overall, doing the first run in under 14 minutes, the ride in 32 minutes and a time of 15:34 for the final run lap.

Bill did the standard distance - an 8.6km run, a 39km ride and a final 4.3km run. He was the winner in his category (M55) with a 33:20 run, a 1:10:47 ride and a final 17:16 run.

Bill said: “The weather was much better than expected but there was a surprisingly high number of no-shows - only about 65 per cent of the entrants actually turned up to race.”

Calder Valley Fell Runners also gave a warm welcome to their new club member Jamie Douglas.

He said: “I’d been running in the local hills alone and spotted the Calder Valley Fell Runners.

Instagram page had some good runs in our beautiful valley.”I decided to send a message and was invited on a few runs with a small group. Four good runs later and I decided to join the club to continue exploring the Calder Valley with a great bunch of local runners.

I’m looking forward to races coming back in some form so I can represent my new and only ever running club.”

Thanks to Paul Haigh, Thirza Hyde, Bill Johnson, Jamie Douglas and Chris Holdsworth for the information and photographs.