Halifax Harriers A.C.
The 22nd Calderdale Way Relay
11th December 2005
Bingley Harriers won the Calderdale Way Relay for the ninth occasion, and scored a winning double in the men’s and women’s sections. After leading the way for the first three stages in this, the 22nd ‘open’ running of the annual race, the Bingley men temporarily lost control to defending champions, eight times past winners Pudsey and Bramley on legs four and five. Had Ireland international Shane Green not suffered a recurrence of a calf injury on the final section, after leaving Shelf Hall Park with a 2½ minute lead, the Pudsey men might have secured their third win in as many years.
However Bingley were first to arrive back at Copley in a time of 5 hrs 59 min 49 sec followed by Sheffield's Dark Peak fell runners.
Bingley’s International runners Ian Holmes and Rob Jebb set the pace over the first section from Copley to Cragg Vale via Norland Moor and Ripponden, reaching the changeover with a lead of three minutes and ten seconds. Next team to hand over were Calder Valley fell runners’ Karl Gray and Adam Breaks whose very creditable performance had people talking afterwards. However, a complaint was received from a marshal who had seen the Bingley men take the wrong path across Norland Moor, apparently giving them an unfair advantage. When challenged, Ian Holmes was most apologetic, stating that it had not been intentional, and accepted his half-minute penalty with good grace.
Bowland veterans started the relay as they meant to continue with a six minute advantage after stage one, only two seconds separating the chasing Dark Peak and Horwich veteran’s teams. Sean Livesey and Mark Whyatt produced the second fastest leg six time of the day to pull Bowland back two positions to ninth overall, one place and one and a half minutes in front of Horwich vets.
In the women’s section, Bingley ladies led from the start to land the popular double victory. Though the chasing teams jockeyed for position throughout the day, they were never really seriously challenged. After leg one, Clayton le Moors ladies were in second place, though seven and a half minutes behind. Only three places separated Dark Peak and Ilkley. Though Ilkley’s Andrea Priestley and Helen Sedgewick ran a superb section four stint, closing to just one place behind Sharon Taylor and Sue Becconsall of Bingley through Heptonstall, Horse Bridge and over Midgley Moor to Wainstalls, the gap was still more than three minutes.
Pudsey and Bramley set out to again win the ‘mixed’ section which they did with style, placing 33rd overall in 7-25-04. Calderdale locals Stainland Lions did themselves proud with their fine second place just two minutes behind, ahead of Leeds-based club Valley striders. Todmorden Harriers fought hard with Calder Valley for the “first Calderdale team” award. After drawing level after the second leg, the Todmorden side eventually finished in seventh position in 6 hrs 13 mins, four places ahead. Host team Halifax Harriers - all of whom marshall the route before or after running - finished in 23rd place in 7 hrs 1 min.
Halifax Harriers would like to acknowledge the generous assistance of Peter McCormick and Screentone Printers for their valued sponsorship, particularly with the provision of coasters as a memento to all who take part the event. Also to Pete Bland of Pete Bland Sports for provision of race numbers, to the landowners and farmers whose land we cross, Old Rishworthians RUFC for the use of their clubhouse as race control, Calderdale RAYNET, and to the army of the 80 or so Halifax Harriers officials and volunteer helpers who made it another successful event.
A few gripes as usual…
On leg one, after the initial climb from Copley, a section of farmland is crossed with a small gate and larger metal gate together at the western end (before the bridge and road crossing to Norland Moor). WHO OPENED THE BIG GATE ALLOWING THE LIVESTOCK OUT ? Luckily a passing dog walker and a local resident managed to round up the cattle - including calves - that escaped. This incident could go a long way to ruining relations between farmers, landowners and the relay organisers, not to mention what might have happened - including the following lawsuit - if a road accident had been caused.
If, on reading this, you feel that we need a marshal there, please do not hesitate to offer your services!
Another important issue; we WILL NOT tolerate the minority of individuals who directed VERBAL ABUSE at marshals and registration officials, notably those officials who were having to repeatedly ask people to move off the road at a changeover point. Some of our officials are not active club members. How can we hope to persuade them to help next year after being treated like this?
As usual there were complaints of cheating and corner cutting by several teams. Some were sorted out on the day but, as stated many times in the past, we cannot marshal every inch of the route and we have to rely on your honesty. Please get out and recci the route and, on the day, stick to it!
Finally, entry forms will sent out by Halifax Harriers towards the end of August 2006. Would clubs please notify the entries secretary of any change of address or new contact for entry forms. Please do it now while it is fresh in the mind, to avoid missing out in 2006!
Hoping you all had a great time taking part in the biggest single day off-road race in Britain. See you all next year, Sunday 10th December 2006.
Calderdale Way Relay Winners
Year Club Time No of Teams Year Club Time No of Teams
1984 Rossendale Harriers 5.50.21 22 2000 Bingley Harriers 5.51.38 97
1985 Rossendale Harriers 5.38.32 35 2001 Bingley Harriers 5.46.35 92
1986 Rossendale Harriers 5.38.13 44 2002 Bingley Harriers 5.45.40 92
1987 Bingley Harriers 5.35.38 73 2003 Pudsey & Bramley 6.11.30 97
1988 Pudsey & Bramley 5.44.17 88 2004 Pudsey & Bramley 6.05.28 98
1989 Pudsey & Bramley 5.35.02 91 2005 Bingley Harriers 5.59.49 98
1990 Pudsey & Bramley 5.53.50 85
1991 Clayton-le-Moors 5.36.01 100
1992 Bingley Harriers 5.39.56 114
1993 Bingley Harriers 5.57.17 (37 Finished) 99
1994 Pudsey & Bramley 5.58.36 96
1995 Pudsey & Bramley 5.43.29 98
1996 Bingley Harriers 5.34.16 102
1997 Bingley Harriers 5.38.48 99
1998 Clayton-le-Moors 5.58.18 96
1999 Pudsey & Bramley 5.52.12 99
Assisted by SCREENTONE LTD and PETE BLAND SPORTS
Calderdale Way Relay Winners
No of Position
Teams Overall
Ladies 1984 Clayton-le-Moors 8.11.54 1 18
1985 Bingley Harriers 7.39.48 2 30
1986 Bingley Harriers 7.44.10 2 40
1987 Clayton-le-Moors 7.29.51 3 53
1988 Clayton-le-Moors 7.41.18 8 63
1989 Clayton-le-Moors 7.02.41 7 55
1990 Clayton-le-Moors 7.41.08 8 50
1991 Clayton-le-Moors 7.05.35 8 50
1992 Clayton-le-Moors 7.39.13 10 71
1993 Rossendale Harriers 9.00.37 (only finisher) 11 36
1994 Clayton-le-Moors 7.46.27 11 62
1995 Leeds City AC 7.12.15 12 44
1996 Leeds City AC 7.21.52 11 49
1997 Dark Peak FR 7.32.33 11 54
1998 Pudsey & Bramley 7.38.00 11 48
1999 Dark Peak FR 7.44.57 12 47
2000 Bingley Harriers 7.47.29 11 47
2001 Bingley Harriers 7.32.41 8 42
2002 Bingley Harriers 7.30.00 10 41
2003 Clayton-le-Moors 7.52.42 12 41
2004 Ilkley Harriers 7.33.58 12 43
2005 Bingley Harriers 7.28.18 12 36
Vets 1985 Bingley Harriers 7.06.32 2 22
1986 Bingley Harriers 6.23.10 2 12
1987 Clayton-le-Moors 6.19.13 7 13
1988 Clayton-le-Moors 6.19.52 6 11
1989 Clayton-le-Moors 6.08.15 7 15
1990 Clayton-le-Moors 6.26.13 9 9
1991 Clayton-le-Moors 5.55.13 12 7
1992 Clayton-le-Moors 6.17.52 14 9
1993 Clayton-le-Moors 6.30.21 (7 finished) 11 5
1994 Horwich RMI 6.25.03 12 9
1995 Clayton-le-Moors 6.19.52 16 9
1996 Rossendale Harriers 6.13.36 14 7
1997 Kendal AC 6.07.25 16 4
1998 Clayton-le-Moors 6.22.14 13 9
1999 Kendal AC 6.25.44 13 9
2000 Kendal AC 6.27.42 17 9
2001 Kendal AC 6.40.59 15 12
2002 Clayton-le-Moors 6.06.15 17 5
2003 Clayton-le-Moors 6.30.17 13 5
2004 Clayton-le-Moors 6.10.26 15 2
2005 Bowland Fell Runners 6.22.03 10 9
Mixed 1997 Leeds City 7.20.57 4 44
1998 Holme Pierrepont 7.22.20 8 39
1999 Todmorden H 6.45.21 10 18
2000 Pudsey & Bramley 7.32.25 8 39
2001 Saddleworth AC 7.27.11 9 38
2002 Horwich 6.50.58 12 19
2003 Ilkley Harriers 7.13.41 10 24
2004 Pudsey & Bramley 7.20.58 8 34
2005 Pudsey & Bramley 7.25.04 10 33
Assisted by SCREENTONE LTD and PETE BLAND SPORTS
The 22nd Calderdale Way Relay Results 11th December 2005
1 / 12 / BINGLEY A / R Jebb / R Lawrence / C Moses / A Brown / J Cordingley / S Macdonald
I Holmes / A Brownlee / J Senior / A Peace / M Scott / M Watson
1:05:15 / (1) / 0:58:59 / (4) / 0:38:16 / (3) / 1:08:36 / (8) / 0:55:24 / (5) / 1:13:19 / (3)
1:05:15 / (1) / 2:04:14 / (1) / 2:42:30 / (1) / 3:51:06 / (2) / 4:46:30 / (2) / 5:59:49 / (1)
2 / 97 / DARK PEAK OPEN / D Taylor / M Crane / P Hodges / A Ward / M Robisnson / T Austin
R Baker / N Northrop / A Middleditch / R Patton / J Boyle / R Little
1:12:02 / (9) / 0:57:28 / (2) / 0:40:37 / (11) / 1:08:06 / (7) / 0:53:16 / (2) / 1:08:37 / (1)
1:12:02 / (9) / 2:09:30 / (4) / 2:50:07 / (4) / 3:58:13 / (5) / 4:51:29 / (5) / 6:00:06 / (2)
3 / 17 / PUD AND BRAM A / S Neill / S Bottomley / C Oliphant / G Devine / B Stevenson / S Green
J Noon / R Pattison / S Mackini / J Heneghan / J Hemsley / S Whetstone
1:08:16 / (3) / 0:57:29 / (3) / 0:38:21 / (4) / 1:04:29 / (1) / 0:54:31 / (4) / 1:20:42 / (17)
1:08:16 / (3) / 2:05:45 / (2) / 2:44:06 / (2) / 3:48:35 / (1) / 4:43:06 / (1) / 6:03:48 / (3)
4 / 31 / SALFORD A / P West / J Brown / D Milliken / A Jones / P Leybourne / D Mason
P Birkett / B Burns / M Shackcloth / T Abyu / R Hughes / J Jackson
1:15:49 / (14) / 0:53:33 / (1) / 0:41:02 / (13) / 1:06:23 / (3) / 0:50:43 / (1) / 1:16:43 / (6)
1:15:49 / (14) / 2:09:22 / (3) / 2:50:24 / (5) / 3:56:47 / (4) / 4:47:30 / (3) / 6:04:13 / (4)
5 / 20 / CLAYTON A / M Aspinall / I Greenwood / M Wallis / P Thompson / A Brown / J Harbour
P Hall / T Edwards / G Wilkinson / S Thompson / A Orr / J Baldwin
1:10:41 / (8) / 0:59:03 / (5) / 0:37:04 / (1) / 1:07:13 / (6) / 0:53:54 / (3) / 1:18:00 / (9)
1:10:41 / (8) / 2:09:44 / (5) / 2:46:48 / (3) / 3:54:01 / (3) / 4:47:55 / (4) / 6:05:55 / (5)
6 / 62 / KEIGH AND CRAV A / A Jones / G Gill / G Leedham / C Loftus / N Bedell / L Hellawell
D Brame / D Shaw / D Scholes / W Smith / S Wilkinson / I Taylor
1:10:06 / (5) / 1:01:48 / (9) / 0:40:29 / (10) / 1:06:40 / (5) / 0:55:35 / (6) / 1:16:55 / (7)
1:10:06 / (5) / 2:11:54 / (8) / 2:52:23 / (8) / 3:59:03 / (6) / 4:54:38 / (6) / 6:11:33 / (6)
7 / 79 / TODMORDEN H A / A Wrench / S Godsman / S Anderton / J Wright / D Collins / S Willis
C Smale / M Goldie / M Roberts / A Whittem / P Brannigan / N Wigmore
1:10:03 / (4) / 1:01:45 / (7) / 0:41:30 / (14) / 1:06:37 / (4) / 0:55:43 / (7) / 1:18:00 / (10)
1:10:03 / (4) / 2:11:48 / (6) / 2:53:18 / (9) / 3:59:55 / (7) / 4:55:38 / (7) / 6:13:38 / (7)
8 / 45 / HORWICH RMI / D Kay / I Selby / C Seddon / P Massey / C Rigby / A Selby
C Heys / B Bolland / A McVey / J Logue / A Neary / P Roby
1:10:39 / (6) / 1:03:25 / (14) / 0:37:20 / (2) / 1:08:57 / (9) / 1:01:22 / (22) / 1:17:39 / (8)
1:10:39 / (6) / 2:14:04 / (10) / 2:51:24 / (6) / 4:00:21 / (8) / 5:01:43 / (8) / 6:19:22 / (8)
9 / 10 / BOWLAND FELL B VET / S Sweeney / C Davis / T Kelly / J Houghton / A Welsh / S Livesey
Q Harding / L Dowthwaite / N Shepherd / C Reade / T Houston / M Whyatt
1:12:44 / (12) / 1:01:55 / (10) / 0:39:55 / (7) / 1:17:53 / (24) / 0:57:02 / (11) / 1:12:34 / (2)
1:12:44 / (12) / 2:14:39 / (12) / 2:54:34 / (10) / 4:12:27 / (12) / 5:09:29 / (11) / 6:22:03 / (9)
10 / 47 / HORWICH RMI VETS / S Nolan / S Barlow / T Hesketh / S Jackson / A Sunter / P Muller
P Dewhurst / R Haworth / M Seddon / G Schofield / R Green / S Duckworth
1:18:42 / (19) / 1:01:26 / (6) / 0:39:38 / (6) / 1:12:12 / (11) / 0:56:49 / (10) / 1:14:52 / (5)
1:18:42 / (19) / 2:20:08 / (14) / 2:59:46 / (14) / 4:11:58 / (11) / 5:08:47 / (10) / 6:23:39 / (10)
11 / 43 / CALDER VALLEY A / A Breaks / R Greenwood / J Williams / J Stevens / J Waites L / A Muir
K Gray / A Clarke / G Hill / J Emberton / A Morris / J Smith L
1:07:55 / (2) / 1:03:54 / (16) / 0:40:26 / (8) / 1:15:08 / (16) / 0:56:37 / (9) / 1:27:54 / (39)
1:07:55 / (2) / 2:11:49 / (7) / 2:52:15 / (7) / 4:07:23 / (10) / 5:04:00 / (9) / 6:31:54 / (11)
12 / 37 / SKIPTON A / L Athersmith / R Barrett / J Marsh / I Magee / N Pate / P Willis
C Fishlock / S Hunn / M Hurst / J Pawson / D Brown / S Sayer
1:12:32 / (10) / 1:08:20 / (30) / 0:40:53 / (12) / 1:15:01 / (15) / 0:59:44 / (18) / 1:21:30 / (19)
1:12:32 / (10) / 2:20:52 / (15) / 3:01:45 / (15) / 4:16:46 / (13) / 5:16:30 / (13) / 6:38:00 / (12)
13 / 57 / WHARFEDALE H A / M Horocks / T Mason / S Watson / D Forster / J Wootton / M Brown
A Black / S Wadsworth / G Hird / M Sandamas / M Keegan / A Robertshaw
1:10:40 / (7) / 1:02:47 / (13) / 0:43:24 / (23) / 1:22:10 / (39) / 1:00:17 / (21) / 1:19:43 / (15)
1:10:40 / (7) / 2:13:27 / (9) / 2:56:51 / (11) / 4:19:01 / (14) / 5:19:18 / (14) / 6:39:01 / (13)
14 / 26 / HOLMFIRTH A / J Rank / T Brunt / J Carter / D Watson / C Beale / A France