The winter weather wiped out most outdoor sport in the area last weekend but 21 hardy Todmorden Harriers revelled in the conditions at Haworth.
They had to contend with deep snow, minus readings on the thermometer and a bracing wind at the annual Soreen Stanbury Splash.
Dave Garner showed the way for Todmorden in the first eventof Harriers’ Grand Prix series.
He clocked an impressive 40 minutes 51 seconds and was 37th out of 314 finishers.
Sunday’s five miler was the 32nd running of an event staged by Dave and Eilleen Woodhead and affectionately known as the Soreen Malt Loaf Run.
Over the years the junior and senior races have introduced thousands of runners to the joys of fell running.
Superstars like the Brownlee brothers have gone on to make their mark in sport.
The conditions meant that this year’s race followed a shorter route, rather than the seven-mile course.
Runners were treated to stunning views across the moorlands, with the front runners breaking virgin snow as they made their way from Penistone Hill across to the Stoop itself.
Snow on top of partially frozen boggy sections led to lots of mud for those running towards the middle and rear of the pack.
First female for Todmorden was Lucy Burnett. She was seventh lady in 103rd position in a time of 45.02.
The race was won by Ilkley’s Tom Adams in 36:06 and there were 314 finishers.
Mark O’Connor was the first Calder Valley runner home in 20th. He clocked 39:45.
Tristan Sheard (36th in 40:45), Iain Powell (69th in 43.12) and Richard Ingram (76th in 43:46) chased him home.
Lindsay Oldfield, 98th in 44:56, was the first Valley woman.
Todmorden results: Dave Garner V40 37th in 40.51, Paul Brannigan V50 39th in 41.12, Ben Crowther V40 51st in 42.11, Michael Harper V40 100th in 44.59, Steve James V40 102nd in 45.02, Lucy Burnett 7th lady overall 103rd 45.04, Simon Galloway V50 111th 45.27, Stuart Wolstenholme V40 114th 45.34, Matthew Annison 119th 45.46, Bev Becklath 128th 46.25, Andy Glyde V40 148th 47.28, Kath Brierley LV50 162nd 48.50, Joe Daniels V40 170th 49.23, Derek Donohue V50 190th 50.32, Paula Haworth LV40 243rd 53.37, Chris Preston LV50 257th 55.31, Helen Wilson LV50 265th 56.08, David Wilson V50 279th 57.20, Peter Ehrhadt V60 288th 59.56, Nina Fedorsti LV50 306th 64.41, David O’Neill V50 309th 66.58
More running on page 47