Hodder Valley

Hodder Valley Show Fell Race 2012

As the 64 seniors and 12 juniors departed the showfield for the fell, the vests of several established fell-running clubs could be identified: Bowland, Clayton-le-Moors, Helm Hill, Pudsey & Bramley and Wharfedale to name but a handful.
Fifty minutes later, it was none of these vests that appeared into the finish field; but the plain blue attire of unattached newcomer Paul Webb of Bentham ( he had placed second out of a field of 207, only six weeks earlier at Ingleborough) in a time of 51 min 56 sec. It was almost 2 minutes before established Bowland member Mark Chippendale of Galgate claimed 2nd place and 1st veteran over 40, with James Titmus of Pudsey & Bramley taking 3rd, a further 15 seconds in arrears.
First Male V50 was Clayton's Brian Horrocks (14th / 58.26) and his clubmate Jack Holt took MV60 honours ( 21st / 61.07 ). Of the two V70's competing, Bowland's Phil Martin ( 61st / 87.43 ) had the better of Preston Harrier's George Arnold ( 62nd / 98.35 )
First Lady ( & LV50 ) was Calder Valley FR's Jackie Scarf ( 38th / 66.12 ) immediately followed by Helm Hill's LV40 Caroline Holden ( 39th 67.46 ). Third lady being Bowland's LV40 Sarah Sherratt ( 43rd / 71.58 ).
In the junior races:-
Under 8 honours went to Samuel Smith and Nia Walsh. Under 10 winners were James Walker and Mary Macbride.
Under 12 winners were Thomas Wilson and Katie Hargreaves; whilst Ellis Couch took the U16 race.
Despite the rather heavy going from several days of wet weather, the sun beat down all afternoon; possibly a little too warm for enjoyable running.
Many thanks are due to the farmers and landowners for accommodating the race; to the Bowland stalwarts and friends for marshalling the many gates and performing registration, start and finish funnel duties; to the HVS Committee for affording us the opportunity to stage a race; also to all the entrants for turning up and transforming a fixture into an event.

Steve Cox & Ian Roberts.

Race details