HOLMFIRTH HARRIERS Tom Brunt and Lucy Griffiths both produced impressive performances as the English fell-running championship kicked off in Calderdale.
The Harriers were well-represented in the opening race of the Fell Runners’ Association 2010 English Championship series.
The Noon Stone fell race is described by its organisers, Todmorden Harriers, as the toughest race that the club puts on and it attracted a field of 429 runners to the moorland course.
The nine-mile route, which boasts 2,300 feet of ascent, is largely unmarked and competitors were warned that their navigational skills would be tested as much as their speed and stamina.
Conditions on the day were typical for the South Pennines in late February – cold and damp with snow showers on the higher fells.
Visibility was poor and even some of the leading runners reportedly strayed off the racing line.
The event was won by Dark Peak’s Matthew Speake (68 minutes 16 seconds), with club-mate Lloyd Taggart in hot pursuit (68.19) and Rob Hope, of Pudsey and Bramley, (68.30) finished third.
First home for Holmfirth Harriers was Brunt, who achieved his best ever placing in an English Championship event, finishing 20th in 72.54.
His clubmate Gavin Baxter ran strongly to finish in 66th place (78.35), just ahead of the first female finisher Olivia Walwyn, of Altrincham, who came in 70th overall in 78.56.
Brunt and Baxter were ably supported by Nigel Moran (135th in 84.02) and John Ewart (181st in 88.49) but lacked a fifth strong runner to be in the reckoning for men’s team points.
Griffiths was the next Harrier home, enjoying a welcome return to the fells after a four-month absence due to injury.
Despite falling into a particularly treacherous bog – she was hauled out by three fellow competitors – Griffiths went on to complete the course in 100:27 (294th overall).
Holmfirth Harriers results: 20 - Tom Brunt (72:54), 66 - Gavin Baxter (78:35), 135 - Nigel Moran (84:02), 181 - John Ewart (88:49), 294 - Lucy Griffiths (100:27), 383 - Dave Knight (113:50), 408 - Jim Sommerville (129:20), 419 - Sophie Barraclough (136:20).
