Calderdale Relay 2014 – Report

By Chris Roberts

A few months ago we decided to enter a team for the 6 Leg, 12 person fell relay around the circular 50 mile Calderdale Way around Halifax. Despite a few dropouts we managed to find a dozen hardy Harriers willing to brave the mud and heavy rain to compete with some of the best fell running clubs in the country. All legs were successfully recced before hand and I wasn’t taking part so we were confident going into the race that nobody was going to get lost.

The race started at 8am prompt with late substitute Phil taking over from myself due to lingering knee troubles after the Three Peaks. A good start is imperative as the race quickly narrows into a couple of choke points which can see valuable seconds lost before it heads out onto moorland. After a good start the weather and distance took its toll with Phil having a hard time of it on the final climb. They arrived just before the mass start and handed over the baton before shooting off for a well earned sunday lunch.

By Cassie Holmes

Cassie and Anwen, self-declared team name of ‘Canwen’, ran leg 2 of the relay. Having received the baton from the leg 1 runners we set off up the first long hill toward Witherns Reservoir, following the Calderdale Way. On this first mile we managed to pick off 5 couples. We then deviated onto a grassy track and then eventually onto the edge of the moor, heading toward the checkpoint at Stoodley Pike monument. After this we made a steep descent down towards Mankinholes. We turned left out of Mankinholes onto a short track that took us to Lumbutts, where we then ascended another long hill, this time on the road, posing for a picture half way up.

Turning right at the riding stables we then descended down into Todmorden, and were surprised to be overtaken for the first time. Running through Todmorden we knew we had nearly finished but needed to tackle the last, most challenging and steepest of hills. Every time you turned a corner there was more hill to climb. Having focused on our ascent we were pleased to have caught up another group of runners. Finally we descended down another very muddy track, and even steeper hill, though woodland, to arrive on the last 400meters of the road before the finish. Having been warned by a spectator that we’ll just make it in time for the mass start of leg 3, we used the last ounces of energy we had to sprint down the hill, only to find the leg 3 runners disappear around the school playground and begin there run…

Stewart and Tom, fresh from London and the Three Peaks, set off in the mass start and were soon at the front heading up the long climb. They too had a great run with the 15th fastest leg and managed to catch and pass teams still carrying the baton that had started long before them. Things could have been better had it not been for Stewart’s road shoes making it tricky going on the muddier sections.

Darren and Rory were on Leg 4 from Blackshaw Head to Wainstalls Road. It is an undulating leg which a lot of people class as the hardest of the day. After the good work from Tom and Stewart we had moved ahead of the mass start at the handover. Despite getting quite wet they both had a solid run with both of them happy with their time. They also managed to gain us a place overall moving us up to 36th.

After begging for months Alistair finally got his wish after Caroline had to withdraw with injury and Nik was tasked with whipping him into shape. It was a case of be careful what you wish for, as at the finish an out of breath and rather tired looking Alistair could only muster the words “It was hell!” and that it went “up and down a lot”. They had a good run and came in under their target of 1:20.

Knowing that Alistair and Nik would not make it to the handover before the mass start, Neil and Barry were aiming to be the first of those mass starters to make it to the finish. On a net downhill leg they were off to a flyer and quickly up to about 5th, they then managed to overtake a few more before Neil had a stitch on the final descent which cost them a minute or so. Even so they flew round with the 15th fastest leg and brought the team home to 37th overall.

Overall – 37th out of 90 teams – 7:54:22

A short video of the race, couldnt get as much footage as I wanted due to spending most of the day driving around like crazy get everyone back to their cars.

After a quick freshen up we all met up in the evening for some food and to catch up on the days events with a few stories of wet and muddy adventures shared.

We will be back next year and quite a few lessons were learned in regards to logistics and team makeup. The 3rd leg is relatively short and in hindsight it was probably a mistake to put Tom and Stewart on this leg, their great running would have been better served on a longer leg.

If anyone is interested in taking part in any team events for the club you can contact any of the below:

Men’s Captain – Chris Roberts – 07720710411, mr_croberts@hotmail.com
Ladies Captain – Nik Vogan – nikvogan@gmail.com
Team Manager – Andy Neale – andrewneale69@googlemail.com

Photos coutesy of Woodentops, Hailfax Harriers and Norman Berry, Holmfirth Harriers

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