Skimpy shorts were the order of the day for the 16 Todmorden Harriers who ran at the Guiseley Gallop 10k in glorious sunshine on Sunday.
Six hundred runners jostled for position in the challenging, multi- terrain event over footpaths, tracks and canal tow paths during the second trail race of the Todmorden Harriers GP series.
At the sharp end of the Tod pack, all eyes were on moors man Christopher Goddard.
The local fell runner and master of route choice had to work hard. With no corners to cut, it was down to pure athletic ability and he didn’t disappoint, finishing 27th.
The second Tod runner home was recently-signed Matt Flanagan in 47th, followed shortly by ever-battling duo Michael Harper and Richard Butterwick, with Harper just coming out on top.
Todmorden’s ladies were led to the finish by Helen Wilson, with the ever-smiling and ever-improving Mel Whitmore closing the gap.
Todmorden finishers: 27, Chris Goddard 41:53; 47, Matt Flanagan 43:26; 85, Michael Harper 46:05; 91, Richard Butterwick 46:24; 126, Josh Murphy 48:38; 152, Guy Whitmore 49:59; 208, Paul Cruthers 53:01; 291, Richard Blakeley56:47; 326, Helen Wilson 58:43; 384, Melanie Whitmore 01:01:56; 399, Peter Ehrhardt 01:02:56; 448, David Wilson 01:05:49; 457, Joanne Scholfield 01:06:30; 534, Susanne Copley 01:12:15; 547, Myra Wells 01:13:33; 554, Rachel Whitaker 01:14:26.
Runners at the first race of the Littlebrough 5k road series were treated to a flatter, faster and much warmer course on Sunday morning and as the mercury rose at Hollingworth Lake, so did the racing spirit of Todmorden’s Paul Alexander.
Heavy legs at the start from high mileage marathon training did not stop Alexander as he powered his way to a fifth place finish and a new 5k personal best of 18:35
Todmorden’s favourite Geordie, Nick ‘Youngbull’ Barber, escaped the valley for a few days and ran in another 5k event at Hereford Park run.
The beat the rest of a 165-strong field to finish in 17:06. That was just a few seconds shy of the course record and over a minute ahead of the second place runner.
