This weekend saw the Lions host their flagship event, the mighty ten mile Bluebell Trail, brilliantly organised this year by first time Race Director Clayton Cutter and his team.
Bluebell Trail
The Bluebell Trail is one of the best known races on the local calendar. Eagerly anticipated for its mix of beautiful scenery, challenging hills and famously “refreshing” river crossing to finish, the race always sells out well in advance. This year’s event was extra special as it marked the start of the Lions’ 30th anniversary celebrations that will be formally celebrated in June. 500 lucky runners secured places in the race, and conditions on the day were perfect, with wall-to-wall sunshine and plenty of bluebells in flower along the route. Dozens of enthusiastic marshals were on hand to ensure that everything went smoothly. The runners were particularly glad of the marshals’ encouragement on the day’s most challenging climb, the legendary Trooper Lane. After this lung-busting effort up the steepest road in Halifax, exhausted runners were rewarded with supplies of water and jelly babies, plus panoramic views from the top of Beacon Hill and a welcome downhill run to the finish. Thanks to a last minute course alteration, organisers were able to provide the runners with extra value for their money this year by treating them to a bonus extra half mile on top of the advertised ten miles. There was a party atmosphere at the finish line, with a live band and bar, a bouncy castle for the children, and well-earned cakes and ice cream. The race was won by Matthew Hallam of Valley Striders in 1:12:02, Lioness Lucy Collins was 1st Lady, and there were category wins for Aileen Baldwin (1st F65) and Judith Greenwood (1st F70).
Lions Results: Darren Young 1:19:13 (2nd M45), Dan Marsden 1:23:27, Lucy Collins 1:24:30 (1st Lady), Derek Parrington 1:26:55 (2nd M50), Phillip Moyles 1:29:46, Mark Pigford 1:29:52, Andrew Earnshaw 1:33:30, Michael Barlow 1:34:22, Julie Field 1:35:11 (2nd F45), David Culpan 1:38:25, Martin O’Brien 1:40:07, Stuart Clinton 1:41:05, Rachel Lumb 1:42:38 (2nd F50), Aileen Baldwin 1:42:43 (1st F65), Michelle Rogerson 1:44:55, Gareth Duckworth 1:45:02, Ian Hoskins 1:46:57, Jonathan Pybus 1:48:02, Gareth Webb 1:48:46, Moira Alderson 1:50:38, Angela Lee 1:54:46, Kevin Jaggar 1:58:36, Tony Pinnington 1:58:40, Holly Maddocks 1:59:33, Genevieve Thompson 2:01:35, Carol Gregson 2:03:07, Alison Audsley 2:03:49, Zoe Mallinson 2:07:36, Catherine O’Shaughnessy 2:11:16, Steve Boyer 2:12:00, Roger Smith 2:12:01, Debbie Hyde 2:14:50, Judith Greenwood 2:24:32 (1st F70), Patricia Hallowell 2:24:35, Wendy Paulson 2:25:16, Julie Goddard 2:31:22, Manjit Ahiar 2:37:56, Gail Fawcett 2:43:03
Yorkshire Vets Grand Prix Series – Race Two, Roundhay
Over in Leeds, it was time for Race Two of the Yorkshire Veterans Grand Prix series. Nearly 40 Lions answered Vets Captain Gav Mulholland’s call to arms (and feet), to race round the 5 mile parkland course in search of points for the team. Every single runner contributed to the team’s points score, and there were category wins on the night for Sally Caton (1st F40) and Aileen Baldwin (1st F65). The race took place in the beautiful surroundings of Roundhay Park, taking runners from Soldiers Field down to the Lakeside cafe, then up to the top lake, and around the golf course and back, with just under 400ft of climbing.
Results: Sean Thompson 32:24 (3rd M50), David Roberts 32:30, Dan Marsden 32:38, Andy Baird 32:55, Clayton Cutter 34:13, Andrew Earnshaw 35:29, Paul Hiley 35:35, Andrew Laird Boldy 36:14, Sally Caton 36:43 (1st F40), Paul Patrick 37:17, John Ingles 37:24, David Culpan 37:29, Gareth Knight 37:34, Ian Hoskins 38:22, Andrew Mackrill 38:24, Helen Armitage 38:29 (2nd F50), Tim Neville 38:32, Steve Hallam 38:44, Michelle Rogerson 38:45 (3rd F40), Paul Corns 38:53, Aileen Baldwin 39:33 (1st F65), Steven Crowther 40:50, Tim Walker 41:51, Tony Pinnington 42:17, John Hirst 42:48, Paul Armitage 42:51, Gail Schofield 43:38, Jonathan Taylor 44:18, Liz Hallam 45:02, Paul Butterfield 46:47, Jenny Walker 47:20, Dave Hudson 47:53, Wendy Paulson 52:26, Patricia Hallowell 53:18, Judith Greenwood 54:02 (2nd F70)
Kirklees 10K
This year’s Kirklees 10K attracted 240 runners. The circular course started and finished at Cathedral House near Huddersfield town centre, and was largely run on flat canal towpaths to Linthwaite and back. Two Lions were amongst those taking part, and Gaby Ferris finished 4th Lady.
Results: Gaby Ferris 47:16, Paul Corns 49:09
Hollingworth Lake 5K
Two of the club’s faster runners were in action at Race 2 of the Hollingworth Lake 5K series this week.
Results: Ed Hyland 16:58, Stephen Hall 17:22
Leeds Half Marathon
A magnificent run by Jan King saw him take the win in the M65 category at the Leeds Half Marathon. It was the 33rd year of the event, and all the runners were supported every step of the way by enthusiastic crowds. The course took the runners along The Headrow and out of the city centre, returning via Abbey Road and Kirkstall Road to the big finish in Cookridge Street alongside Millennium Square. Several of the Lions scored personal bests on the day.
Results: Gavin Foster 1:21:41, Will Rushworth 1:37:20, Gerry Banham 1:37:49, Jan King 1:43:03 (1st M65), Michael Dunning 1:45:15, Catherine McHugh 2:00:33, Ian Quigley 2:08:59, Kate Ryley 2:09:02, Dawn Medlock 2:09:20, Anne Cawdron 2:28:19, Carol Heptonstall 2:33:17
White Peak Trail Run
Laraine Penson marked her return from injury with an appearance at the 16 mile White Peak Trail Run. The run took place on the spectacular trails of the Southern Peak District, taking in Dovedale, Milldale and the Tissington Trail.
Result: Laraine Penson 3:11:57
Lake Balaton Ultra Marathon, Hungary
Andrew Falkingbridge travelled to Hungary to take part in the UltraBalaton, a 140 mile relay race around Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Europe and 40 times bigger than Lake Windermere. Andrew ran as part of a relay team of 11 runners, and his team completed the race in 22hrs 21mins, which was comfortably within the 24hr cut off time. Speaking after the event, Andrew said, “On the day I ran 3 legs, two of around 7 miles and a short one of just under 2 miles, so not a great distance in total but the heat and humidity was incredible, it was over 30C so made for very hard going even for relatively short runs.”