THURSDAY HILL SESSION - CANCELLED

The Hill Session on Thursday 1st April has been cancelled. Normal service will resume from 8th April, when we should be able to go off road for the first time this year.

Darren wins at Arant Haw

Sunday 28th March 2010.

Darren Kay took a convincing victory in the final fixture of this years Kendal Winter League, over what will be familiar terrain from Sedbergh taking in the summit of Arant Haw.



Full results : http://www.helmhillrunners.co.uk/KWL2010/arant_haw_2010.htm

PIKE RACE - HELP NEEDED

Helpers and Marshall are still needed for this years Rivington Pike race, this coming Saturday.

Please contact Pete Bland at peterbland@btinternet.com or on 07551 404047 if you can spare any time.

Katie National Duathlon Champion. - 28th March

Katie Ingram showed her potential when winning the British Elite Duathlon Championship at Prestwold Airfield, Loughborough today in 1.03.19. - (Entered as Horwich!)

In her first full Duathlon - and still a complete novice in terms of race experience, Katie won by 49 seconds from second placed Emma Dews -1.04.08.

The course was held on a closed track circuit at Prestwold airfield which consisted of a 5k run, 20k bike and 2.5k run to finish. Conditions were extremely windy, but Katie took charge from the first run and led onto the 8 lap bike course. She nearly held the lead but got closed down on the final bike lap by top cyclist Emma Dews but managed to take the lead on the final run.

Winning the British Championship will now give her a place on the GB Duathlon team to compete at the Europeans in France on 2nd May.

Katie is now only three weeks away from her first Triathlon at World level when she competes in the World Cup series in Mexico on the 18th April

Results: http://www.stuweb.co.uk/swp/default.asp?a=63&resultid=239221

NM.

NORTH OF ENGLAND 12 STAGE ROAD RELAYS

Horwich RMI Harriers
North of England 12 stage Road Relays
6 x 4.9 miles and 6 x 3.03 miles ( according to Gareth )
Wythenshawe Park
Sunday 21st march 2010

The Result:

10th Overall

Leg	Distance	Runner	Time/pos	Captains comments
1	4.9miles	Gary Priestley	23.52/18th	Gave 100% on a tough leg with a very fast start
2	3.03miles	Gareth Booth	16.34/17th	Injured for 7 days but limped to a respectable time. Thanks.
3	4.9miles	Richard Howarth	24.01/14th	If this is what marathon training does – bring it on.
4	3.03miles	Neil Pendlebury	16.14/14th	Injured for months, 2 track Sessions and the boy is back.
5	4.9miles	Rob Jackson	25.40/15th	Not bad after an 80 mile Week. Gave everything.
6	3.03miles	Steve Nolan	16.30/16th	Thanks to Steve after only being called up this week.
7	4.9miles	Russell Maddams	24.20/14th	Drove 200 miles, ran with a slight cold, did brilliantly.
8	3.03miles	Paul Muller	16.23/12th	Never fails to impress, solid.
9	4.9miles	Ali Murray	24.22/11th	Improving every race, hard training is the key.
10	3.03miles	Martyn Bell	16.12/10th	The big man is back, more to come as well, quality.
11	4.9miles	James Kevan	23.33/10th	James put this one down to overloads of cake on holiday!!
12	3.03miles	Col Rigby	16.27/10th	You never lose it.

A tremendous result considering the talent on display, 10th in the North of England will do. This was a team performance and was a great day out thoroughly enjoyed by all, especially me, thanks lads. We also ran a B team on the day who seemed to enjoy themselves just as much, It gives a few more runners the chance to perform on the big stage and for them to check their current fitness.

Lastly – Gareth rang me Sunday night to ask who had run the fastest short leg and I told him it was Belly Boy, he spent all day Monday thinking it was Col – nice one Gareth.

Pete Bland

Full results.

Greater Manchester County Championship Fell Race

This year Greater Manchester Athletics are pleased to announce a County Championship Fell Race which will be staged at the Belmont Winter Hill Fell Race on Saturday 8th May. Race starts at 1.15pm and covers 4.5 miles and 1000ft of climb. Start from GR673163. Entry to the race is £4.50 on the day.

Under 12s 1.5 mile/300ft

Under 14s 2 mile/400ft

Under 16s 2.5 miles/600ft

The junior races all start at 12.30pm.

Medals will be awarded to the first three athletes home and to the first team. (Three to score)

Further details regarding the race can be obtained from Dave Bateson- dave.bateson@talk21.com

Further details regarding the Greater Manchester Fell Championships can be obtained from Andi Jones- roadrunneraj@btinternet.com

Andi Jones.

12 STAGE RELAYS - LOST T-SHIRT

If anyone has picked up a black "Team Inov-8" t-shirt with silver writing from the tent at the 12 stage relays could they please contact James Kevan on j_kev3000@hotmail.com.

Number One in the Country.

Katie Ingram went to the top of the National 5k road table when placing 8th overall in the Derby 5k mid week races. Her time of 15.54 took 30 seconds off her PB. This tremendous time would have placed her third overall last year in front of runners the calibre of Helen Clitheroe. Her current form suggests that she could prove to be a revelation in her first World Cup Triathlon race in Mexico on the 18th April.

Results link.

NM.

UK Inter Counties XC 2010

Cofton Park, Birmingham, 13th March 2010.

Two harriers were selected and ran for their counties at this years inter counties cross country.

Both in the top quality senior men's race incorporating the trials for the world cross, Gary Priestley running for the winning team of Lancashire came 118th and Russell Maddams running for Cumbria came 151st.

Full Results.

TRIMPELL 20

Sunday 14th March 2010.

Richard Howarth made the trip to Lancaster to run this race in preparation for next months London Marathon and was rewarded with an impressive PB of 1:52:06 and 4th place.

Results.

HAWORTH HOBBLE

Saturday 13th March 2010.

On Saturday morning three Horwich Harriers set off before dawn for Haworth to compete in this year's Haworth Hobble, also known as the Wuthering Hike. The three had varying experience of the 32 (or 33?) mile event : Ian Charters had run it numerous times, my debut was back in 1986 and guess at about 15 completions whilst this was Pauline Charters' debut.

The bright sunshine encountered whilst driving over was replaced with a chilly mist on Haworth Moor soon after the 8am start. To overcome the numerous navigation teasers that the route poses, Pauline was running as a team pair with John Swift of Chorley AC and my plan was to accompany them until checkpoint three at Long Causeway, some 13 miles into the route, so that I didn't blow up and suffer for the rest of the race which I did the last time I competed, two years ago. This I did before starting to work through the field, eventually finishing in 6:47:00 and very satisfied that I only took 2:42 for the 14 miles from the psychological half-way point at Mankinholes Youth Hostel, overtaking about 60 runners. Meanwhile Ian was well on his way to finishing in his usual excellent time (5:43:18). We then cheered Pauline and John in (7:39:19) - from the results I could see that they had also passed a few in the second half of the event.

A very well organised event and a glorious day out running in the Pennines, especially if you pace it right and can cope with the distance and climbs, reputed to be more like 5300ft rather than the advertised 4500ft.

I've written a slightly longer more personalised report on my Pyrenees training blog at http://gordonsgr10.blogspot.com/ for those who may be interested (also photos that Pauline took should hopefully appear soon)

Gordon Stone.

BURNLEY 10K

Sunday 14th March 2010.

Glyn and Derek Kay made the trip to Burnley clocking times of 37:45 and 46:15 for 10th and 64th places. Derek was also first V65.

Results.

HAIGH HALL RELAYS

Saturday 13th March 2010.

After several last minute drop outs Horwich fielded just two teams for these low key friendly relays.

The Horwich team of Alastair Murray, Martyn Bell, Dave Jackson and Sean McMyler was very much in the running and finished a creditable 3rd. The vets team, with an eventual running order of Steve Jackson, Colin Wood, Carl Balshaw and Pete Bland finished 19th.

Alastair Murray also claimed fastest leg of the day.

A big thanks from all who ran to Pete Bland for organising the teams, and a last minute decision to run and complete the vets team.

Results.

RODDLESWORTH ROLLER

Sunday 14th March 2010.

Thirteen harriers ran this local undulating multi terrain race.

A strong turn out for the men saw the club take first mens team and first vets team, as well as second and third vets teams. Behind clear winner Alasdair Russell from Kendal, Horwich runners took the next four places with Paul Muller, also first V50, Rob Jackson, also first V40, Steve Nolan, and Graham Schofield. Next was Gareth Booty in 7th, with Ian Hamer in 8th, and first V45. Paul Boardman came 11th, Gary Chadderton came 15th and James Simmonite 18th. Tony Hesketh was 24th and first V60. Paul Hesketh was 64th, and Mark Collier 66th. Our only ladies representative was Karen Murray finishing 4th lady.

A few pictures - sorry if I missed you - some of you were just too fast.









Full results.

Weekend Snippets : 6th - 7th March

A few results I have noticed from the weekend.

Haweswater Half Marathon.

Paul Boardman made his way up to the Lake District and finished 52nd from 517 finishers in a time of 1:27:35.
Results.

Stanley Park 10k, Blackpool.

James Kevan finished 3rd setting an impressive PB of 32:12, whilst Paul Muller was once again first V50 in tenth place overall.
Results.

Trafford 10k.

Gary Priestley followed up on his Mid Lancs XC League victory with 16th place at this fast 10k, which was won by Chris Thompson in 28:01.
Results.

HALF TOUR OF PENDLE - 9M / 2250'

Saturday, 6th March 2010.

Ten Harriers took part in this popular race from Barley village. It was a clear crisp dry day, with some areas of snow remaining on top just to make things interesting.

Performance of the day was from Dionne Allen, finishing second lady to Jo Waites from Calder Valley. In the mens race, behind an impressive win from Ian Holmes, Alastair Murray was pleased to finish 9th, with Mick Green not far behind in 11th.

9	Alastair Murray	1:11:48
11	Michael Green	1:12:43
64	Dionne Allen	1:21:36
79	Gary Chadderton	1:24:38
85	Ian Hepburn	1:26:02
96	Doug Fleming	1:26:37
102	Michael Crook	1:27:06
142	Paul Murray	1:32:58
149	Suzanne Budgett	1:34:04
214	Mark Sammon	1:50:13

243 finished.

Full results.

A few pics - thanks to "Mrs T".

PIKE RACE - VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers to help at this years Pike Race are needed.

If you can help please contact Colin Jones at C.Jones-Horwich@hotmail.co.uk.

Gary completes Mid Lancs in Top Spot

Mid Lancs Cross Country - Barrow, 6th March.



Gary Priestley got his just rewards for an outstanding season cross country when he clinched 1st place in this years Mid Lancs Senior Men’s competition on a warm, sunny afternoon in Barrow.

Gary had already finished within the top four in all the other rounds and he knew that a top three finish today would guarantee first place overall – all he had to do was do it today! He had discussed tac-tics before the start but it basically was just - top 3.

Gary set off and with Peter Huck (Junior Man) and they pushed the pace for all of the race and they pulled further and further away from the chasing pack. As the race unfolded therefore it was turning out to be the best plan ever. A top two finish was working out.

With the individual champion plan on track, attention moves to the Senior Men’s team. We were in second place in division 3 having achieved promotion in our first season in the Mid Lancs last year. So could we again, not just get promotion but could we secure top spot. To do this we had to beat all the other senior men’s teams in our division. Chairman Pete Bland had been contacting runners all week making sure we turned out as many star’s as possible. Russell Maddams had a very solid performance in 4th place - so then we need 4 more runners. Steve Nolan, Simon Parkinson, Denis Mason and Tony Hesketh were going to be our 4 more counters.

Attention was also passing to the V40 team. They had been sat in joint second place and Wigan weren’t going to finish a team so if we could secure first place we might be able to get a joint second place.

As the race unfurled on this three large lap course the results for our runners were as follows – Gary 2nd in 29.05, Russell 4th in 29.58, Steve 25th in 32.36, Simon 31st in 33.30, Denis 39th in 34.28 and Tony, suffering with a sore calf and taking it easier than usual, was 89th in 38.11.

These results gave Gary the individual championship and Horwich A team 1st place in division 3 and so promotion to division 2 for next year. The A team were second team on the day, that’s beating all the teams except one from all the divisions – good effort lads.

Whilst all this was going on at the sharp end of the race Gordon Stone, Pete Bland and Pete Ramsdale and Barry Allman were battling in their own race. Gordon, now a stress free and full time athlete continues to improve and turned a 34second deficit behind Pete Ramsdale at the Nationals in Leeds last week into a winning margin of 15 seconds today at Barrow. Pete Bland, giving all these runners 10 years, ‘worked his socks off’ completed the course ahead of Barry. This quartet completes the 10 senior Horwich harriers running today. Good turn out lads.

For the record Gordon 108th in 39.35, Pete R 112th in 39.50, Pete B 121st in 41.08 and Barry 129th in 41.58.

The Vet 50 team didn’t manage promotion as local clubs turned out in force for their local race. We’ll do it next year guys.

Thanks to all runners who have competed in any cross country this season.
Enjoy the summer.

Peter Ramsdale
Cross Country Captain

Full results see Race Results.

LAST WEEKENDS SNIPPETS

Bleasdale Circle Fell Race - 5M / 1250'

Well done to Michelle Devine who finished second lady in wintry conditions.

(anyone have anymore details or results, please let me know)

High Cup Nick Fell Race - 9M / 1500'

Russell Maddams finished 3rd in this race from Dufton in Cumbria, with wife Pippa winning the ladies race, and setting a new record in the process. Peter Leighton also made the trip and finished 65th.

Full results.

Let Me Know!

If anyone has anymore details of Horwich members racing at the weekend, please let me know.

Alastair Murray.
alastair.murray@gmail.com

TRAFFORD 10K - PLACES AVAILABLE

Three places are available for the rescheduled Trafford 10k, being run this coming Sunday, 7th March.

If you are interested in taking one of these places please contact me.

Alastair Murray.
alastair.murray@gmail.com

Red Vests in Leeds

National Cross Country Roundhay Park, Leeds
Saturday 27th February 2010

As the cross country season comes nearer and nearer the end, just 5 runners from our club put on their red vests with the distinctive black chevrons to tackle the grass, mud and hills of Roundhay Park.

The under 13 boys of Nathan Townsend, Cameron Critchley and Will Townsend ran in possibly the largest field of runners that they have ever run with before and they all enjoyed the ‘big’ experience. They had an ‘arena lap’ to do first and supporters ran across the muddy fields to see them and as they ran up, down and up again. They then ran down and up quite a steep hill. This proved a real discriminator with good hill runners pulling away from the others. The lads of Nathan, Cameron and Will should be really proud of their efforts as they finished in 74th in 12.45 and 260th in 14.03 and 314th in 14.40 respectively and all these runners are still under 13 next year.. The winner’s time was 11.29 and there were 374 runners in the race.

The other two Horwich representatives were Pete Ramsdale and Gordon Stone in the senior men’s race over 12km. With nearly 1500 runners on the start line – the buzz started early. The course had three big laps of climbs, gentle descent’s and mud. Being lapped after nearly two laps when the winners have to just complete their third lap and then the finishing straight, really humbles you but shows the outstanding quality of these front runners. It’s a fantastic experience and I enjoyed it very much. Times and positions are a bit irrelevant but 1225th in 60.57 for Pete and 1248th in 61.34 for Gordon for the record.

Alton Towers on 19th February 2011 – National Cross Country next year – Date for your diary.

Peter Ramsdale