Harrier Leigh ends year on high with his Trails and Ales triumph
The annual local New Year’s Eve fell race, Trails and Ales, saw a bumper turnout from Horwich RMI Harriers runners.
Rocketing round a treacherous seven-mile circuit of Rivington Pike and Two Lads, Nick Leigh ended 2024 on a high, taking the win in a time of 50mins 32secs.
Matt Fawthrop rounded out his best year to date with second spot on the podium, a couple of minutes in arrears, while Marcus Taylor was in action for the second time in three days, securing eighth place and first V50. These three 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 (second overall, first FV50 - 1:04:54), Alison Mort (second 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 Clitheroe on December 29, where 1,320 participants from across the British Isles competed in blustery conditions.
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 warm-up to finish in 32:16 with questions of what might have been, while Adrian Bramham was another on top form, a personal best 38:33 netting him third V60. These stellar performances, along with contributions from Sam Fairhurst (34:06), Marcus Taylor (39:10), Neil Holding (42:39, third 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.
The previous day 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 two 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, while Alistair Higgins took top spot in the junior race, with a time difference of 1.09.
Rob Jackson signed off a successful year at his favourite parkrun, Peel, stopping the clock at 18:46 to finish fifth overall and first in age category at his 90th parkrun (in just two and a half years). The veteran managed to keep the youngsters at bay, as Harry Yates finished in 19:09, (first junior male and eighth overall), while younger brother Louis Yates clocked 27:02.
