Todmorden Harriers dominated the entries at the Hades Hill Fell Race last Thursday with 27 of them making the short trip to Whitworth for an event that traditionally marks the end of the summer fell racing season.
The forecast rain held off, giving ideal conditions for the five mile race that climbs steeply past Brown Wardle Hill and Middle Hill to reach the highest point on Hades Hill, followed by a return by the reverse route.
Josh Tighe of Northumberland FR set a new course record of 31:04, almost two minutes ahead of the second.
There was a close battle between Andrew Wrench and Nick Barber to be the first Harrier home as they finished third and fourth respectively, with Paul Brannigan seventh.
Kath Brierley was the first Tod woman in fourth. She was also first v55. She was followed by Jane Leonard, seventh woman and first v55, and Jackie Holden 12th woman.
Todmorden results: 3 A. Wrench 33.42; 4 N. Barber 33.49; 7 P. Brannigan 35.11; 15 D. Taylor 37.16; 18 J. Wrench 38.04; 19 T. Davis 38.1; 21 R. Gray 38.33; 25 J. Alan 39.08; 34 M. Roberts 40.11; 39 P. Alexander 41.12; 44 S. Galloway 41.56; 45 A. Bibby 41.58; 60 A. Glyde 43.57; 62 Kath Brierley 44.19; 63 P. Cruthers 44.3; 68 Jane Leonard 44.58; 69 R. Butterwick 44.59; 77 Jackie Holden 47.01; 82 K. Coughlan 47.48; 83 R. Leonard 48.01; 90 Kirsty Patton 48.52; 91 D. Leslie 48.53; 94 Andrea Marshall 51.34; 98 D. Collins 52.13; 103 Sue Roberts 53.56; 107 P. Ehrhardt 54.3; 116 D. O’Neill 59.59.
Jon Wright completed his 20th consecutive Ben Nevis Race, finishing the nine mile route up and down Britain’s highest mountain in 1:52:37.
That gave him 30th place and the Wallace Plaque for being the first police runner.
Craig Stansfield finished in 1:54:55 for 40th position, with Andrew Horsfall 123rd at 2:10:26 and Marcel Ellison 144th position at 2:13:14.
Clare Harris clocked 2:39:57 for 318th place, with Mandy Goth 427th in 3:04:42 and Rhys Watkins 434th in 3:06:19.