Running round-up: Lions hop to it while Pumas soak up the sun

There were some great performances at Hoppits Hill in Mirfield, race number three in the Lions’ fell racing championship.

David Culpan had an exceptional run to finish just three seconds behind first Lion Andy Baird, and Liz Norman’s hard work in the muddy conditions saw her finish well up the field.The next counter in the fell racing champs will be Heptonstall on Sunday 29 March.

Results: Andy Baird 29:07, David Culpan 29:10, Martin O’Brien 30:21, Paul Patrick 31:43, Liz Norman 32:03, Aileen Baldwin 33:18, Steve Boyer 34:06, Ray Mooney 34:28, Angela Lee 40:30, Sharon Marlor-Gage 40:31.

Rebecca O’Neill was the only Lion at this year’s Ron Hill Accrington 10K. The race is named in honour of Accrington born Ron Hill, who won the Commonwealth Games and European Championship marathons. He is also well known for his “run streak”, when he ran every single day for over 50 years. Rebecca was 7th lady, clocking 48:07 and finishing 2nd in her age category.

Hosted by Askern District Running Club, the Norton Nine is a nine miler over a rural and undulating course. The race is extremely popular, with people returning year after year.Starting in Norton near Malton, the race very quickly gets out into the North Yorkshire countryside and winds its way through scenic villages on quiet roads. Diane Waite was the sole Lion present, completing the route in 1:26:10.

Meanwhile, Gavin Dodd was at The Vitality Big Half in London. This prestigious half marathon attracts an international field, and the winner - Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele - broke Mo Farah’s course record on the day with a time of one hour and 22 seconds. The route starts by Tower Bridge and finishes at the iconic Cutty Sark.Gavin, who has been running very well this year, crossed the line in 1:30:47.

Not only did Sowerby Bridge Snail Kevin Holland chalk up a PB of 40:08 at the Trafford 10k, he got to chat to middle distance athlete Eilish McColgan.“I’m really buzzing,” said Kevin after the race, “not only about the time but also meeting Eilish. Hopefully, she’ll give me the impetus to go sub 40 next time out!”

Meanwhile, Nicky Brown competed in the Vitality Big Half in London, finishing in a time of 02:29:20.

“It’s not my fastest time,” said Nicky, ”but I haven’t trained properly for it. I need to get the mileage in for the marathon in a few week’s time.”

Nearly 30 Northowram Pumas members took part in the Benidorm 10k and Benidorm Half Marathon last weekend.

Results - Half Marathon: Matt Newton 1:35:55, Andy Sales 1:40:16, August Armstrong 1:54:42, Mark Kirkby 2:02:58, Tiffany Lewis 2:15:50, Natalie Mason 2:38:55. 10k: Andy Haslam 45:00, Andrew Mellor 49:15, Neil Coupe 50:15, Julie Bowman 51:09, Paul Burgess 51:18, Camilla Gough 53:35, Cathy Heptinstall 57:28, David Brooke 57:49, Glenn Ackroyd 59:59, Carolyn Brearley 1:01:51, Sara Coates 1:03:46, Nicola Taylor 1:06:35, Liz Lund 1:06:38, Jo Coupe 1:08:04, Chris Murgatroyd 1:08:04, Louise Brooke 1:08:59, Gill Holmes 1:11:35, Louise Smith 1:12:52, Kate Golightly 1:12:58, Tamara Gibson 1:12:54, Dave Rhodes 1:16:44.

Queensbury Running Club’s Paul Greenwood finished 22nd in the Benidorm 10k with a time of 35.55. In the Trafford 10k, Jonathon Mason recorded a PB of 41.48, and in the Accrington 10k, Neil Windle was 49th in 44.14, Andy Young was 77th in 47.01, and Steve Brook was 144th in 52.24 (2ndMV70).

Not even Storm Jorge could keep the Calder Valley contingent away from Ilkley Moor fell race, the first of the short races in this year’s Club Championships.
With all to play for, the red and white hoops braved the high winds and saturated terrain to take on this category AS, five mile race with 400m of ascent.
Calder Women made sure their effort was worth it, taking the top women’s team spot (Natasha Butterfield, Carole Fryer and Trudi Entwhistle). Natasha continued her excellent form to scoop 1st FV40 prize.
Trudy Entwhistle showed her true Yorkshire grit, mud-sliding into the finish line to narrowly beat Dan Pope.
Calder’s new recruit Jillian Convey, made the Leith Hill half marathon look easy finishing first woman in a time of 1h 48m, while Calder’s Barbara Longsdale put in a great performance to take 3rd FV45 in the 16km/1300m Pescium Winter sky race in Switzerland.
In the Cunswick Scar Fell Race, Calder’s Charlie Ing battled to come from behind to take second place.
In sunnier climes, Calder Valley Fell Runner’s international star, Ben Mounsey dug deep to secure the win in the 21km/1200m El Cali Dels Bandolers Trail Race in Senija, Spain.
“It was a tough race and I ran hard,” said Ben.

Saturday, March 8 brings the annual Red-Hot Toddy 10k road race, organised by the Todmorden Harriers running club.
The course is a hilly lap of rural and town centre roads around Todmorden, it starts and finishes in Centre Vale Park. Registration is at Todmorden Cricket Club and the race starts at 11am. See the Tod Harriers website for details.