Many runners have been focusing on high profile marathons in recent weeks and Calder Valley Fell Runners were among the thousands lining up at the start lines in Manchester and London.

Todmorden pair Ian Dobie and Andy Davies competed in the Manchester Marathon and conditions were perfect for those running the flat course. Dobie crossed the finish line in 3:30 while Davies followed in a time of 4:11:07.

Sabastian Sawe made the headlines with his sensational sub-two hour time in London and Calder Valley runners were there to enjoy the spectacle. Issy Wharton led the way with a time of 3:17:57, followed by Oliver Beaumont (3:49:57) and Fiona Lynch (3:38:30).

Junior star Clara McKee took part in the London mini marathon and clocked 8:48 on the 2.6k course.

Frank Lowe flying to the finish at the Junior Three Peaks. Pic: Woodentops

placeholder image — Frank Lowe flying to the finish at the Junior Three Peaks. Pic: Woodentops

A slightly more undulating challenge came in the shape of Yorkshire’s self-styled ‘Marathon with Mountains’, the Three Peaks race, in which runners complete 24.2 miles while also visiting the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

Karl Gray fended off a challenge from Helm Hill’s Rob Jebb to finish as the first V50 and sixth place overall with a time of 3:27:17.

First woman back for Valley was Three Peaks first-timer Trudi Entwistle, who achieved a finish time of 5:17:18.

Eight juniors lined up for their own version of the Three Peaks, a fixture in the club’s junior championships, comprising an out-and-back run up the hill from Horton towards Ingleborough, before a swift decent to the main event field.

Valley starlets at the Junior Three Peaks. Pic: Woodentops

All eight set off together in the one-mile U10s and U12s race and leading the way was Frank Lowe, who claimed eighth place, closely followed by Jules Ciolino in 10th.

Louie Collins, in 17th, and Teddy Haigh, in 19th, made it four Valley juniors in the top 20. Isla Collins took home a trophy as second U10s girl.

Ella, Rory and Abel completed the set of finishers for the club.

Elsewhere, six intrepid Calder Valley runners lined-up for the gruelling Fellsman race that climbs over 11,000 feet on its 61-mile route from Ingleton to Threshfield.

Joe Stone starred at the third Bunny Run. Pic: Woodentops

The event features in this year’s Ultra Championship and finishing first for Valley was Mark O’Connor in just over 16 hours.

Susannah Richardson made it round inside the 17-hour mark, despite stopping for at least ten minutes to give first aid to a fellow competitor, and finished seventh woman.

Phil Wells crossed the finish line in 20 hours, 39 minutes, followed by Francis Wooff in 22 hours, 21 minutes. Bill Johnson and James Williams retired at Cray around 13 hours in.

Also taking on an ultra challenge was Mark Barnabas and Ashleigh Crosby, who completed the 50-mile Calderdale Way Ultra in 11:49:35 and 13:12:55 respectively.

Fiona Lynch and Oliver Beaumont completed the London Marathon.

In the third Bunny Run, Joe Stone clinched second place overall and first U18s in a time of 16:49, thus securing second place in the final series standings.

Ted Parker also put in another strong run, finishing as third U18s on the night. Out of more than 50 runners who completed the full series, Ted was 14th overall and eighth junior.