Windy Hill race: Calder win team prizes

The Windy Hill Fell Race lived up to its name last Saturday thanks to Storm Erik.
Calder's  Jon Smith at Windy Hill. Picture: Cannonball Events)Calder's  Jon Smith at Windy Hill. Picture: Cannonball Events)
Calder's Jon Smith at Windy Hill. Picture: Cannonball Events)

Seven Calder Valley FR members, five from Stainland Lions and three from Todmorden Harriers lined up at Hollingworth Lake for this popular nine-mile race which climbs 1281 feet over the Pennine Moors and has fast, runnable tracks plus a memorable ascent.

Calder Valley scooped two men’s team prizes. Alex Whittem, Jon Smith and Elliot Corner were first and Michael Hyde, Stephen Smithies and Darren Earnshaw came third.

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Whittem was fifth overall in his first race for some time and Jon Smith came ninth and first V40.

James Penson was the first Lion home in 1:18:12 from Damien Pearson (1:19:50), Martin O’Brien (1:32:36), age category winner Aileen Baldwin (1:38:02) and Steve Boyer (1:46:43).

Jon Wright was first back for Todmorden in 1:05.50 for a fantastic 10th place overall.

Robert Halstead also put in a sterling effort to complete in 1:25.50 for 98th place and Gary Lake finshed 174th in 1:38.44.

Ribble Valley’s Chris Holdsworth continued his winning form to take top spot in 57:12. Lindsay Brindle of Horwich RMI Harriers was first female and 17th overall.