Fairhurst leads the Harriers over the line at Heptonstall
Beginning on the cobbled streets of Heptonstall before descending sharply into the wooded valleys of Hardcastle Crags somewhat lulling runners into a false sense of security before sending competing Horwich Harriers to face a strenuous climb up to High Brown Knoll is the aptly-named Heptonstall Festival Fell Race.
An AS (short distance, steep ascent) category race of 9.5km and 500m ascent the course traverses varied terrains including grassy fields, muddy slopes, rocky bridleways, and open moorland.
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Known for its extreme weather to test those hardy fell-runners endurance and resilience, the course is partially marked, so familiarity with the route is somewhat advantageous.
The final stretch challenges participants with a steep ascent back into the village, culminating in a festive climax of community entertainment and a free pint at the finish line.
Hugely popular with the Harriers, who will go anywhere for a free alcoholic beverage, a bakers dozen turned up to dry the barrels.
With two Red Vests finishing in the top 10, first back was Sam Fairhurst - breaking the line in fifth position in 50mins 55secs. Matt Fawthrop was next home in ninth (53:57).
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Other results: Nick Kelly 1:02:11 (36th), Kevin Newall 1:06:17 (47th), Charlotte Wilkinson 1:06:55 (52nd), Sandra Newall 1:07:56 (58th), Gary Chadderton 1:10:08 (74th), Doug Fleming 1:11:05 (78th), Alison Mort 1:12:25 (89th), Mark Seddon 1:13:02 (91st), Gary Porteous 1:15:48 (101st), Helen McDonald 1:16:51 (105th), Katherine Newall 1:22:54 (127th).
The annual A J Bell Great North 10k is one of the UK's premier 10-kilometre road races attracting up to 10,000 runners and offers competitors a scenic tour of Newcastle's iconic landmarks such as the Tyne Bridge (crossed twice), Grey's Monument and the Civic Centre.
In attendance for the England versus Wales and Northern Ireland versus the UK Armed Forces event was six-time England master, Gareth Webb. On a hilly course and a quality international field Webb placed ninth vet 65 in a time of 41:56.
In parkrun, Andrew Crickmore was solo Harrier at Bolton and finished in a non-triskaidekaphobic 13th position (23:06). Suzanne Budgett was 109th (24:55) in her now local parkrun. Also, Lakeland way was Brendan Bolland at Keswick (176th, 29:30).
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Richard O'Reilly accompanied his daughter on her very first parkrun at Haigh and starting from plum last, got quickly bored, left his offspring to it and went chasing off where he ultimately finished 21st (22:06) and second Vet55 to be closely followed by Leo Orrell 23rd (22:16). Sister Sophie Orrell crossed the line 147th (31:30).
At enjoyable, but hilly, Witton Park, Graham Schofield placed 12th in 25:18. Parkrun veteran and regular Rob Jackson completed the treacherous Sale Water Park course in an excellent sixth (18:46), while the Middletons were at Fletcher Moss - Jason 77th (23:36) and Janet 295th (31:20).
A bijou 102 runners took part at Kew Woods with Oliver Hughes 35th (27:14), while the usually large crowds at Peel Park seem to have been elsewhere after last week's completely mind-blowing 930 competitors, there was a mere 476-field attending this week.
Tony Hesketh handed in his well-worn barcode as 278th (29:21), Isaac Parker exactly matched this week's fastest time (18:46) with a sixth position at Storey Fields and Gordon Stone cracked out a sub-30 in 124th (29:58) at Worden Park.
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Not content with single weekend races, following parkrun O'Reilly headed south for the Chiltern Ridge half-marathon - a truly scenic if somewhat challenging trail race starting and finishing at Wendover, Buckinghamshire.
The 21.1km (526m ascent) entirely off-road course offers runners undulating forest loops and stunning views of the Chilterns. The race itself features woodland paths, open countryside, chalky ridgelines and the seemingly flatless terrain includes hills with double-digit inclines as you pass through Coombe Hill and Whiteleaf Hill Nature Reserve.
The greatest challenge, however, might be avoiding getting shot at by the Prime Minister's armed bodyguards if you venture too far off the marked course which passes through his official countryside residence at Chequers.
On a day ideally suited for fast times with both the men's and ladies' course records being broken, O'Reilly ran his longest race in some time and was content with a fourth V50-59 position in a time of 1:50:26.
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