HOLLY PAGE WINNING 2012 RACE FOR CVFR

Heptonstall Festival Fell Race takes place on Saturday as local runners take on a Germanic theme to raise funds for the village festival despite the on going closure of Lee Wood Road. Heptonstall Hurrier’s decided that with sufficient planning the challenging Category A Fell Race could be staged on its usual July date, with minimal impact on traffic flows.

The 6 mile, 1500 feet ascent, Heptonstall Festival Fell Race would normally take place as part the annual village festival traditionally held in early July, however the Village Festival has now been moved to September 21st. Festival organisers hope that the work on Lee Wood Road may be nearing completion by the autumn, allowing queues of frustrated motorists to make way for a parade, bunting, street entertainers, stalls, and caterers on Heptonstall’s famous cobbles. Heptonstall Hurriers were unable to alter their fell race date as the event has now become a popular fixture in the national fell running calendar, but the race organisers were still keen to do all they could to support the festival.

It was decided that the 2013 Heptonstall Festival Fell Race would take place on its normal date, as an early summer fund raiser for the autumn village festival, helping to cover the cost of bands, artists, and parade costumes as the September event promises to be village’s biggest and best ever festival. This Saturday’s race will not be short on festival spirit, however. Heptonstall’s TV celebratory chef Jan Lymer is all set to host an outdoor feast of German cuisine, including Frankfurters, Sauerkraut, and Strudel. Jan, who is due to appear on “Come Dine With Me” in the autumn, was once a chef in Germany. In scenes more reminiscent of Heidelberg than Heptonstall, rows of tables and benches will fill Weaver’s Square, allowing weary fell runners fill-up on Teutonic delicacies (£3.50 a head – all funds to the village festival). Non alcoholic drinks will be served in the square, whilst the White Lion will have Austrian beers on draft to add to the Germanic theme.

If the German beer-fest format proves popular there is even talk of making the Heptonstall Festival Fell Race an international event in 2014. Organisers would like to invite German runners from the twin town of Warstein, famed for its beer production, along with hordes of continental athletes heading to Hebden Bridge for the Tour de France which will cross the Heptonstall route the day after 2014 race. To avoid clashing with the first day of the tour the race may be held on the Saturday evening, kicking off what should be a memorable pre tour party in the village the square.

Heptonstall Festival Race Organiser Steve Grimley said, “ It would have been a great shame to have cancelled the 2013 race. The local community have put in so much effort into making the Festival Fell Race an important fund raiser for Heptonstall Festival. We have been working closely with the local Highways Department, and we are confident that the issues caused by the ongoing closure of Lee Wood Road will be overcome”, Highways officials will be setting up diversions for race-goers, ensuring race traffic avoids the narrow, cobbled, village streets, which are currently clogged with drivers by-passing the road closure at Lee Wood Road. Race goers will be encouraged to travel to Heptonstall via Mytholm Steeps and Blackshawhead. Parking will be provided in the usual fields at the top of the village if weather permits; should the parking field be out of use, runners will be directed to parking spaces on the roads around Draper Corner and Slack.

The diversions will allow the 6 mile fell race route to remain unchanged, particularly the classic cobbled start, where runners will line up before being treated to the best of the local landscape as the race follows its unusual double-descent format, featuring a 500 foot descent to the Blue Pig, followed by a 1000 foot ascent to High Brown Knoll, where runners turn tail and head back to the Heptonstall the way they came, enjoying the exhilarating 1000 foot descent back to the Blue Pig, before the torturous 500 feet of ascent to the finish line.

The race is sure to attract top runners from across the region whilst inspiring locals new to fell running, to experience the exhilaration of racing over the magnificent hills of the upper Calder Valley. Beginners will find the route easy to follow, fully flagged, and well marshaled. Seasoned fell runners will enjoy the 1500 feet of climbs and descents over a wide variety of terrain as well as the tough competition provided by the expected gathering of elite competitors.

Rumour has it that Heptonstall based winner of last year’s ladies race, Calder Valley’s Holly Page, will be back from France this week hoping to defend her 2012 title, and in doing so, potentially break the lady’s course record of 55.42 set by Holmfirth Harriers’ Katie Walshaw in 2011. A host of Calder Valley’s fastest men will be aiming to take advantage of the firm ground and fine weather to beat the men’s best ever time of 52.09 achieved by Bingley’s Chris Smale at last year’s race.

Runners can register from 9.00 at the White Lion Pub (£4, minimum age 16), race starts at 11.00; followed by prize giving and German themed refreshments at 12.30 in Weaver’s Square. Full details at www.heptonstallfestivalrace.wordpress.com

A new date has been set for the Heptonstall Festival, which has moved from its regular July slot to Saturday, September 21.

This is partly due to the problems with the road around the village. Organisers hoped that Lee Wood Road would be open by the time of the festival, so that the road through the village could be closed to traffic as it was for last year’s very successful event.

However, it now looks likely that Lee Wood Road may be closed for many months, so organisers have decided to go ahead with the festival even if traffic is still using the main road through the village.

It is hoped that artists from the Handmade Parade will work with children from Heptonstall School to create artwork which will be carried through the village and displayed in the old church.

HEPTONSTALL HURRIERS CUT THROUGH FIELD AT FESTIVAL RACE

8 Heptonstall Hurriers lined up in a field of 113 for the second running of Heptonstall Festival Fell Race. The race was organised by local runners to support the village festival and other local causes. Over 30 residents helped marshal and organise the event; their kind and enthusiastic involvement generated widespread praise for the race, with many runners commenting on the excellent organisation, and warm spirited atmosphere of the village.

Heptonstall’s Holly Page provided a popular local success at the challenging Category fell A race, which went ahead in spite of late fears that race would have to be cancelled due to poor weather.

Recently returned Durham University, Calder Valley Fell Runner and Heptonstall Hurrier Holly was the first female home in a 100-plus field last Saturday. The recently graduated language student has won a series of races in recent weeks, and was 15th overall delighting of the crowd, with her impressive time of 59 minutes 29 seconds. As first Heptonstall resident Holly also won a meal for two kindly donated by the HANUMAN THAI RESTAURANT in Todmorden. A new course record was registered in the men’s race, won by Bingley Harriers’ Christopher Smale, in 52 minutes and nine seconds.

The fact that the race went ahead at all was testament to the hard work of the race organisers and the co-operation and generosity of local landowners Anthony Holt, Hazel Noble, Tony Ingram, and David Lumb .Heavy rain throughout June had meant that the fields used for the final stages of the race and the all important finishing tunnel had not been mown. Further torrential rain on Friday added to the problems.

Organiser Steve Grimley enlisted an antique agricultural grass cutter from local resident Mark Wigg to create a 1km track through the waist high grass on Friday evening, having agreed with landowners that the runners would keep to the track to protect the rest of the field.

Steve was full of praise for all those who helped, “The runners put out an appeal to the village when we realised the race was at threat: Mark Wigg, a local cabinet maker has a workshop full of antique tools and machinery and volunteered his services, together a vintage 1948 Allen Motor Scythe. Mark and a team of runners then spent the evening and early morning before the race working in the fields in a last minute bid to save the race. We are really grateful to Mark and the landowners for their fantastic support in allowing the event to go ahead”. Plans to safely park around 100 cars on nearby roads outside the village were also put in place with the usual field for parking out of use, Kevin Core and Hamish Heald organised a team of volunteers to direct traffic and control parking.

As novel feature to the event a Traction Engine was paid for by the fell race with all funds going the Cystic Fibrosis charity. “Ciffy”will be returning each year to start the race; the six-mile contest was started by a sharp blast from Ciffy’s whistle as representatives of keen local rivals Todmorden Harriers and Calder Valley Fell Runners were joined by runners from across the region and further afield to steam up Town Gate and Smithwell Lane on the the first leg of the route. The race helped Ciffy raise £200 for Cystic Fibrosis, as well a sizable surplus to help fund future races, festivals and community events.

The race itself was hotly contested in sweltering conditions, as the top runners set a sizzling pace up Smithwell Lane’s cobbles before heading across the fields behind the school, crossing Draper Lane, then descending 500 feet on a footpath to the Blue Pig. This steep and muddy trail can be a white knuckle descent at the best of times but the recent rain made it particularly challenging. After a brief respite at Midge Hole, runners were taken on the 1000 feet ascent past the Pecket Well War Memorial and on to High Brown Knoll.

Competitors were treated to an amazingly hot day, although the moorland remained resolutely waterlogged. After rough and boggy loop around the moor, runners turned tail and headed back to Heptonstall, retracing their steps past the Memorial and ultimately up the final energy sapping climb from the Blue Pig to Lee Bank.

The race took a dramatic turn in the last few hundred yards; Alex Whittem of CVFR had a clear lead for 5 and half miles, but then took a wrong turn on the re ascent from the Blue Pig, on the final half mile, too eventually finish 7th; Chris Smale of Bingley Harriers took advantage of this error to seize prize and was also the first over 40s runner while Peter Hughes (over 50s, 60:23), Jeff Hignett (over 60s, 61:44) and Bryan Pycroft (over 70s, 100:02) took the other male veterans prizes.The women’s veterans prizes went to Jackie Scarfe (over 40s, 71:12) and Aileen Baldwin (over 50s and over 60s, 71:47).

Calder Valley took the men’s team prize through Andy Thorpe (second), Alex Whittem (seventh) and Romain Pierrel (11th overall) and made it a double through Page, Jackie Scarfe (third) and Louise Marix-Evans (seventh).

The prize winners all received bottles of Copper Dragon beer and Smale and Page also received cut glass trophies at the prize giving outside the White Lion pub.

Organisers were delighted with the record turnout and the fantastic feedback from visiting runners which was almost entirely due to the amazing contribution made by so many volunteers.The ever increasing popularity of the race was boosted by the eye catching posters designed by Heptonstall based freelance graphic designer Graeme Brown, and web site (www.heptonstallfestivalrace.org.uk) built by local IT guy Peter Fitzpatrick.

Many others played significant roles; land owner permissions were negotiated by Tim Brooks, including the race finish field owned by Heptonstall Hurriers Mark Wharton; Mark was unable to run the race as he and Penny were in Turkey as 15 year old son Max was representing Great Britain at the European Mountain Running Championships. Fortunately Mark Holman was on hand to manage the finish area (and various horses, bees, ducks, and hens!).

The White Lion played a key role in the event, organising sponsorship from Copper Dragon Brewery whilst acting as race HQ for the day, where Heptonstall Hurriers Chris Sygle, Louise Marix Evans, Kate Wood, Nick L’Anson, Paul Cotton ran the complexities of registration and timing of the race; out on the hills Chris Cavey and Charlie Boyce organised a host of other volunteers to marshall the route including Dawn France, Jenny Holt, Edward Kloet, David Dunn, Trevor Smith, Sue Stirling, Bod and Mandy Doyle, Simon Bourne, Simon Chantler, Ross Coon, Andy and Mel Liles, Jayne and Harry Greenwood, Alex and Will Gilbert, Caz Merrick, Anthony, and Calder Valley Fell Runner Toby Cotterill, Garry Traviss, and James Mosely; The organiser’s parents John and Pat Grimley even made special trip from Cheshire to manage the road crossing at Pecket Well Mill. Soon to be resident Joe Daniels worked with Kate Mansell to help contact running clubs and prepare press releases to promote the race.

Race Organiser Steve Grimley paid tribute to all those involved “Without the generous support of so many friends, family members, neighbours, and businesses there is no way an event like this could be staged; it was fantastic to see everyone working together and getting to know one another in a way which impressed so many visitors to the village – I do hope everyone enjoyed themselves and will help us stage more great events in the future”.

LOCAL RESULTS – full results www.heptonstallfestivalrace.org.uk

Calder Valley positions: 2, Andy Thorpe 52:43; 7, Alex Whittem 54:51; 11, Romain Pierrel 57:32; 14, Roy Dobson 59:13; 15, Holly Page (also 1st Hurrier) 59:29; 16, James Williams 59:57; 21, Graham Hill 60:59; 28, Phil Scarf 64:07; 31, Ben Frechette 64:20; 40, Richard Sunderland 67:15; 41, Steve Grimley (also Hurrier) 67:45; 42, Tim Brooks (also Hurrier) 68:12; 49, Charlie Boyce (also Hurrier) 69:32; 51, Martin Whitehead 69:48; 57, Jackie Scarf 71:12; 60, Dave Culpan 71:52; 62, Paul Taylor 72:24; 63, Graham Lloyd 72:47; 67, Andy Thorpe 74:49; 71, Blair Garrett 74:58; 72, Louise Marix Evans(also Hurrier) 75:02; 75, Gillian Wisbey 76:22; 105, Toby Sydes 88:03.

Todmorden Harriers: 5, Andrew Wrench 54:03; 23, Dave Collins 61:20; 32, Joe Daniels (also Hurrier) 64:33; 34, Clive Greatorex 64:59; 56, Garry Ouested 71:09; 65, Kath Brierley 72:59; 85, Paul Cruthers (also Hurrier)78:37; 109, Reg Czudek 98:18.

Photos of the race can be seen by following links below…..

http://www.sportsunday.co.uk/heptonstall-gala-fell-race

http://www.woodentops.org.uk/index.php?topic=home&subtopic=photos&gallery=1207heptdw&title=Heptonstall, 2012&photographer=Dave Woodhead

http://www.woodentops.org.uk/index.php?topic=home&subtopic=photos&gallery=1207heptew&title=Heptonstall, 2012&photographer=Eileen Woodhead

Come and support Heptonstall’s short summer race!

Excitement around the village as the Heptonstall Hurriers prepare to stage its second major fell running event of 2012t on Saturday 7th July. Following the success of the epic 15 mile Heptonstall Fell Race in March the local runners were asked to organise a new short, fun, fell race for Heptonstall Festival.

Heptonstall Festival Fell Race will kick off a day of family fun including live music, local food, and children’s entertainment.

The 6 mile course should be an instant hit with fell runners, featuring some of the best scenery in the area on little known paths and rights of way; The unusual double-descent format starts at the White Lion Pub with a quick run up the cobbles, followed by a 500 ft descent to the Blue Pig. After the 1000 ft ascent to High Brown Knoll runners turn tail and head back to the Heptonstall the way they came.

Set against the iconic backdrop of Hardcastle Craggs, Heptonstall, and Stoodley Pike, Peckett Well War Memorial is a real highlight. As the race progresses from Peckett Well to the summit of High Brown Knoll runners will be clearly visible from Heptonstall. Standing at 1453 feet, and 120 feet higher than Stoodley Pike, High Brown Knoll and its moorland flanks provide classic fell running, whilst offering festival-goers with binoculars the unique opportunity to monitor the race from the comfort of the finishing field in Town Field Lane. (weather permitting!). The return ascent to Heptonstall should be a real test of runner’s endurance on the final, and steepest climb from Midgehole to Lee Bank.

The race will swell the crowds at the Heptonstall Village Festival, as runners from across the region are expected to join locals on the start line. Race Organisers hope the race will be a community event, inspiring local runners, new to fell running, to experience the exhilaration of racing over hills. Beginners will find the route easy to follow, fully flagged, and well marshalled, whilst seasoned fell runners will enjoy the 1500 feet of climbs and descents over wide variety of terrain.

Runners can register from 9.00, race starts at 11.00; followed by prize giving at 12.45 in White Lion Pub. Village gala, food stalls, music, and beer kick off at 12.00. Full details and map; http://www.heptonstallfestivalrace.org.uk/

Anyone interested in helping out with marshalling duties (easy and fun) please call Stephen Grimley on 07710015560 / email stephen.grimley@royalmail.com mailto:stephen.grimley@royalmail.com