Leigh ends year on high with Trails and Ales triumph
The local New Years Eve fell race, Trails and Ales, saw a bumper turnout from the Horwich RMI Harriers. Rocketing round a treacherous 7 mile circuit of Rivington Pike and Two Lads, Nick Leigh ended 2024 on a high, taking the win in a time of 50:32. Matt Fawthrop rounded out his best year to date with 2nd spot on the podium, a couple of minutes in arrears. Marcus Taylor was in action for the second time in three days, securing 8th place and 1st V50. These 3 combined to win top honours in the Men’s team competition. Not to be outdone, the women won their team competition too, with Sandra Kelly (2nd overall, 1st FV50 – 1:04:54), Alison Mort (2nd FV40 – 1:08:22) and Katherine Newall (1:19:32) combining to take the victory.
Another festive favourite, the Ribble Valley 10k, attracted its usual huge, high-quality field to the undulating country roads of Clitheroeon Sunday 29th. 1320 participants from across the British Isles competed in blustery conditions not entirely attributable to the sprouts. Making the trip over from Ireland was Killian Mooney, who clocked a PB and the club’s fastest 10k of 2024 with a staggeringly quick 30:36. Toby Middleton was next Harrier home in what was his first ever road 10k. The youngster, back for Christmas from the University of Missouri/St Louis, clocked 31:41 – an auspicious debut. Luke Foley overcame a tight hamstring and no warmup to finish in 32:16 with questions of what might have been. Adrian Bramham was another on top form, a personal best 38:33 netted him 3rd V60. These stellar performances along with contributions from Sam Fairhurst (34:06), Marcus Taylor (39:10), Neil Holding (42:39, 3rd V65), and proud dad Jason Middleton (51:36) saw Horwich secure bronze medal in the men’s team category, seeing off titans such as Salford and Sale. The sole female representative, Stephanie McKee, capped off a brilliant year of improvement with a PB of 43:11.
Saturday 28th saw the final club race of the year, the Prediction Race, as members were invited to submit a predicted time over a mystery trail route starting at Rivington and Blackrod High School. The Seniors completed 3.6 miles (5.8k) and the juniors 2 miles (3.2k). The winner was the competitor who ran closest to their predicted time (no watches allowed!). The severity of the route and/or Christmas indulgences was underestimated, with many trailing in well behind their estimations. Helen Horridge was victorious in the senior race, with a masterful .03 difference between predicted and actual finishing times, whilst Alistair Higgins took top spot in the junior race, with a time difference of 01.09.
Rob Jackson signed off a successful year at his favourite parkrun, Peel. He stopped the clock at 18:46 to finish 5th overall and 1st in age category at his 90th parkrun (in just 2 and a half years). The veteran managed to keep the youngsters at bay, as Harry Yates finished in 19:09, 1st Junior male and 8th overall, whilst younger brother Louis Yates clocked 27:02.
Written by Sam Fairhurst