Calderdale Way Relay

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Originally Posted by manothemoors

Mlounsey, I think you'll do it. It's a shame that some of the other so called "top" fell running teams are still playing "take my bat home" and refusing to support the event (hello Bingley). Perhaps they are afraid you'll spank them. What you, Karl and Gavin demonstrated was that it is possible to come and be competitive even during the fixture packed month of May. Anyway, as you know, it is still one of the best days out in the calendar and enjoyed by the 90 teams that did show up.

All of the photos, including the finish, are now up on the Halifax Harriers flickr site. Some quite amusing images (hello Chewbacca)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/halifaxharriers/

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Just want to echo Ben's comments - I know everyone from the 4 Holmfirth teams enjoyed themselves & it gave the opportunity for some non-fell types to get their first experience of this type of event.

Our house snapper, Norman Berry, was out on the latter stages as usual. His photos are on the Harriers flikr page - see attached link (& no apologies for the slight Holmfirth bias!)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hhac/s...57653015954362

Cheers,
Phil

Thanks Hobbsy, great show from Holmfirth. I'll tweet the photos....even though they feature my ugly mug.

Haha cheers for the photos replenishing with a stand pie after the finish, I've already had plenty of stick on facebook for that! All good fun hopefully won't blow like a pit pony next year and run a decent time!

I think it should be front cover of The Fellrunner. The ONLY way to refuel.

Only a small club but we regularly had two teams in the winter version but this year was the second time we entered the May version and have not been able to muster 12 runners either time, read into that what you will

We're a relatively small club but managed to get 4 teams out. If you make people aware early enough it tends not to be a problem. Bingley have struggled getting teams out for various relays this year. Including the road relays which they have a rich history in. Ben Mounsey, Karl Grey and Tim mullholland were all running the inter counties the day before and also Calder valley have had strong teams out in the British/English champs. I don't think the time of year can really be used as an excuse.

Exactly Chewy. And it's the kind of event where you can run to enjoy yourself, even if you have had a busy race schedule. We're thinking of opening up a camping field next year so that a few teams from further afield can join in .... you never know, we might even get a band or two to make it a bit of a weekend mini-festival.

Not using the time of year as an excuse, just stating facts. Where we used to have competition to get in the 2 teams entered now there is not enough interest to fill one team, can't see us entering again.

I must say I preferred the December race.

Always something to do differently for me in May.

I do wish the race every success and feel sure it will keep growing year on year.

I know mate, and some of our runners feel the same way. However, those who have to marshal AND run, are very glad that the race is now in May. I, personally, would happily stand at Blackshaw Head for 4 hours, even in horrendous winter weather (I'd just dress accordingly), but I must admit that it's more pleasant in May. I'm also glad that the runners who marshal with me can drive to Shelf for leg 6 without having to tackle icy roads, snow drifts and other winter perils of the highway. That's before we get into issues like potential (huge) financial losses for our club if the race has to be abandoned due to dangerous weather (as happened, as you know). I won't even touch upon the obvious perils of inexperienced, slow, runners being caught on Midgeley Moor in a blizzard.
To be honest, we are only 10% down on our maximaum entries this year anyway, and (seemingly) all those that did come had a great day. Especially your lot.