Results now on Halifax Harriers website.
Thanks to all the organisers at Halifax for putting on the event and to nick at Rossendale for organising our teams. My worse ever Calderdale relay run tho'!
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Results now on Halifax Harriers website.
Thanks to all the organisers at Halifax for putting on the event and to nick at Rossendale for organising our teams. My worse ever Calderdale relay run tho'!
Didn't really want to see the results ! Missed out on Mixed 1st by 57 seconds !
Good to see you too Jez.
On a sour note, shame on either Colin Hughes or Steve Schofield of Stainland B (vets) team (not sure which guy) who got so excited to see the finish they thought it was acceptable to shove/elbow me out of the way as we turned the sharp bend onto the steep downhill finish nearly sending me flying. No need guys, very unsporting. It pissed me off so much I dragged my tired partner on to outsprint them both for the finish. It's not even as if we were anywhere near being in contention either so there was really no call for it.
First time that Hyde Park Harriers (from Leeds - not London) ran this - we got the baton around in time so chuffed with that. Back next year to beat our marker. Well organised race considering it must be difficult to oversee that many legs and runners. Good sarnies and times at the end.
Indeed, as one thing that really stood out for me was the camaraderie between teams and the magnanimous spirit amongst the also rans.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Furness
Caption competition.
Attachment 6112
"Cheers Ted, very kind of you"
"Get yer own"
(I thought I'd better add that I don't know Ted, so don't know if he is a bit tight with the ale....my caption is just a version of an old Lester Piggott anecdote. I think Ted is ace.)
Any Photos uploded yet? Cheers
Think thats probably the 22nd time I've run the Calderdale Way and I've goda say i'ts a shadow of the event it used to be. December was right for this event, it was like a full stop at the end of the year, May just dont work.
Where were all the big runners? British Champs & Fairfield......sorry but the top end was sadly lackin on Sun and if Halifax want to be this race to have any cred. then December its got to be. So it snows one year?........for god sake don't panic,if you tell people it's a Dec. event then tighten up on entries.
Not doin this again...........awaiting flack.
It's entirely up to you. As I understand it, talking with ROs, there are several reasons for the May scheduling and it is likely to remain in May. Sure, we were missing some Championship contenders, but when you have close on a thousand people taking part, it's about much more than the sharp end. I saw a lot of very happy runners. The atmosphere was great throughout. I saw a tweet from a sprinter this week who took part to make up a team..."I'm a track sprinter and always will be but I have to say FELL RUNNING IS BRILLIANT". The look of joy on the Wharfedale manager's face made the day for me, mind. I wouldn't want to be the one who devalues that team's achievement.
As the event is now in May, and the emphasis on having fun, perhaps we can have a bouncy castle at the finish?
Not flack, because you do have a fair point and there are less destractions in December. That said, Leeds City AC are one of the strongest athletics clubs in the country. This is their team who turned out on Sunday, with some PBs:Quote:
Originally Posted by dnf
5K 10K Leg 1 Ben Dyson 16:12 35.11 Steve Body 14:36 Leg 2 Chris Birchall 14:47 29.59 Tom Edwards 16:23 34.42 Leg 3 Trevor Wilks 16:07 33.52 Martin Horbury 17:43 35.43 Leg 4 Adam Osborne 15:23 31.12 James Smith 14:23 30.07 Leg 5 Leon Foster 16:10 33.53 Pete Branney 16:07 33.43 Leg 6 Chris Needham 16:20 32.51 Chris Wright 15:20 31.36
I'd would say this is one of the strongest teams ever to turn out for the CWR ...and Wharfedale beat 'em!
Well there is plenty of room for a bouncy castle at the rugby club, but hasn't the emphasis always been "having fun"? Granted, us fell runners have a peculiar approach to fun;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Pike
I totally agree with dnf's post - this event has lost its way (so to speak). Obviously, well done to Wharfedale on their win and thanks to all at Halifax Harriers for putting on a big event which seemed to be very proficiently organised.
However, the standard of competition wasn't a patch on what it used to be in December. Last time it was run in December we (Holmfirth) came third in 6.03 (ish) and I'm pretty sure the top 2 teams (Salford and Dark Peak) were comfortably under 6 hours. This year in better conditions the winning time was 6.18 and Holmfirth's superannuated team managed 5th in 6.39!
Now I realise the event isn't just about the race at the sharp end but I do think that the deterioration in the standard does somehow diminish the whole event. In the December slot lots of top runners from a variety of running "disciplines" all turned out for their respective clubs. This will not happen in May.
And finally... every runner I spoke to on Sunday thought the event had lost some of its "essential character" moving to May.
Back to December please Halifax.
I'm sure that the top teams last Sunday won't imagine that their standards were any less great than previous years' winning teams.Quote:
Originally Posted by compo
It's not about elite runners and fast times.
The teams that did make the effort to turn out this time should get all the credit they deserve.
Elitism should be kept for the road and track fairies.
I do agree that December is the time for this relay but only because I'm an old dried up prune who doesn't like change.
Totally agree. Runners setting off at dawn, a good reason to delay the christmas paunch, top mountain runners/roadrunners/triathletes turning out in strong teams, standing around at Blackshawhead and having to frantically derobe when your leg 3 runners arrive, more mud, (...jumpers for goalposts). As a Calderdale based runner this event used to be the highlight of the year, but the summer slot puts it low on club's and runner's priorities. I do fear, though, that even if it went back to December it might not recover its previous status.Quote:
Originally Posted by compo
Can't it be about elite runners running fast times as well as everyone else running to be part of their team? Given the woeful state of road running in this country I'd hardly call that elitist!Quote:
Originally Posted by wharfeego
I agree with the comments about moving it from December. Even as a reasonably sized club, Abbey struggle to field a decent Men's team in May - we have people concentrating on spring marathons (or recovering from them), or the 3 Peaks or other similar ventures. And I should know, I'm the men's captain! (although saying this, we did have a good ladies team in this year - we've got a strong offroad running ladies contingent!)
Also having it the same day as the Leeds Half marathon is ludicrous! We had about a dozen runners running in that who would normally have been persuaded to do Calderdale, plus we marshal the start & finish of the race, so we have another 15 people doing that job - again some of which would run Calderdale.
In December, we never had trouble raising a team!
Well speaking for one of the smallest clubs in the race - Idle AC, with 42 members - we fielded a team - 3 of whom had run the Manchester Marathon 2 weeks before. If people want to run this type of race, they will, and sometimes they will prioritise it over other more individualistic races if the club pitches it as a big and fun endeavour, not just a chore that one has to do out of a sense of duty to club and country. Yes you may lose some top end in May, but also bring in some other novice fell runners who might find a December race more intimidating. So swings and rotary playground devices really.
Dave & Eileen's photos from leg 4 here http://woodentops.org.uk/index.php?t...pic=morephotos
If you want a bouncy castle, I'll lie down in the field at Heath RUFC.
Whilst I totally agree that the relay is now a low priority race due to the moving of the event, and also agree the standard wasn't what it has been, the clubs that did turn up deserve all the credit they get for running/winning ect, Don't forget some poor guy is reading all this shite your all typing and no doubt wondering whether it's worth organising at all just for all you moaning sods to pull his event to bits, whilst all the ones who did enjoy running/winning it will be the ones that suffer when the guy says sod it.......
So its simple if you didn't like it save your fingers from typing and just don't turn up, and if you have so much time on your hands go and practice your running, because if the standards were so shit none of you made much of an impact in better conditions on the records now did you !!!!! :wink:
Harsh, but fair!Quote:
Originally Posted by multi coloured
It's a good event, and whilst I accept the date clashes with local half marathons etc. I also expect that it will improve as people get used to it being in may. I enjoyed it and would have fancied thrashing the leg I got to see how close I could get to the leaders. My team were 20 mins away from the leaders of the leg on the day and it was a steady run for me so I would have fancied having a real crack at it. Maybe next year?
For people like me, who don't mean jack shit in the world of fell running, it's a really good event. I am quite confident that I enjoyed it more in May than I would have in December. I really liked running with a partner who I'd never run with before....in fact had scarcely met before. I wish I'd known about the free sarnies before spending a few bob in Tescos refuelling mind you.
950 runners this year (not too shabby). I'll wager a pint of Theakston's Best that it's bigger next year.
Well it's not our fault when the event is organised, if we ran the same time as this year in last seasons race we would have been third. Wharfedale are rapidly improving and there seems to be a bit of jealousy attached to some of these comments. Not everyone I may add! I hope everyone turns up in future because I'm tired of the what ifs! We wanted to win and we did, if bingley, Pudsey or Leeds would have won there wouldn't be half the shit written on here. We weren't full strength either but we got on with it and did the job.
Full congrats to Wharfedale for the win from me. A win is still a win, you can only beat those that turn up on the day. If the competition had been faster your guys would probably have run faster too. Job well doneQuote:
Originally Posted by Chewbacca
The 'whingers' seem to have forgotten the reasons why the event was (had to be) moved in the first place.
All credit to Halifax for the massive organising effort.
Absolutely - everyone can stand and compete alongside each other with no problems! All parts of the sport have a range of people across all levels of "seriousness", even the bits that take place on that red oval thingy.Quote:
Originally Posted by dominion
FWIW we made an effort to put a Leeds team in for no other reason than we thought it would be fun. Whats better than a hard run out with your mates on a nice Sunday in a beautiful part of the world? Sadly injury meant I missed it but hopefully we'll do it again next year.
Agreed - Congratulations to Wharfedale and Holmfirth ladies, the win reflects their growing strength as I said in my report for the local newspapers and I also predicted the Wharfedale win before the event.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Furness
A desire to return to the event to winter and the chance to rub shoulders with triathletes and top runners of all disciplines is neither a criticism of the excellent organisation by Halifax Harriers nor of the validity of the winning teams. Not from me it's not, can't see how anyone thinks it is?
:confused:
and the Leeds half marathon was won by ...a Wharfedaler :w00t:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Furness
It was run in the Winter for many years. Also 'whingers' is insulting of people who have articulated a perfectly reasonable preference for the old December date. The numbers speak for themselves 117 teams in 2009; 80 in 2012.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGrump
Perhaps you could remind us in your inimitably cheery style!:pQuote:
Originally Posted by TheGrump
I'd like to see a return to a December date,its a better event for it.If thats a winge..........tuff......Quote:
Originally Posted by crowhill
120 teams was probably too many. I suspect a limit of 100 might be more sensible.
I reckon numbers will creep back up as people get used to the new scheduling....I very much doubt that it will go back to December.
For the people who prefer December, would you still say that if you were stood marshalling at Wainstalls in a blizzard for several hours instead of running? If so, you can maybe volunteer to marshal next May.
I might well, but if I were not running, I would instead have to support my club who marshal the start/finish of the Leeds Half. An equally important event?Quote:
Originally Posted by manothemoors
I would prefer the December date, simply because it is easier to raise a "strong" team for my club then, and the event was more challenging in December. However, in principle, I have no problems with a May date, but it should be scheduled to avoid big local events surely? Whilst not to the taste of everyone, some runners like to run on both the road and on the fells... and I have always thought it important to support local events, otherwise they go the way of the Rothwell 10k...
If not selected I'd be more than happy to as I marshall at many races. e.g. Trog (Feb), Ovenden (Jan), Midgley Moor (Mar), Half Trog (Nov), Good Shepherd race organiser, CVFR winter handicap race organiser etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by manothemoors
Anyway you look at this thread, its clear that the majority, would for several reasons, prefer to run this race in December. All arguments relating to whingeing, allowing less able runners to participate etc. etc. are without substance or fact. Lets get one thing clear, its a credit to any organiser to put a race on for our benefit and I'm sure none of us here are critical of their efforts. Halifax have done a sterling job keeping this event running.
So to the facts.
1) There are fewer teams entering.
2)There are fewer "Elite Runners" and slower times posted. (This years was slowest since records began pre 1984).
3) It does make a change to run in a wet summer and it is certainly kinder on the Marshalls without whom no race would take place.
4)It clashes with numerous other events making team selection very very difficult. (My club normally submits 6 teams. It was very "touch and go" to field 2 this year.)
5)If any other club is willing, then they could organise an alternative "winter Calderdale Way Relay" Its not been patented yet.
Any other comment must surely be based on opinion or preference.
So thank you Halifax for putting the event on. I've run it about a dozen times but I won't be running it again whilst it takes place in May. RIP CW
Ditto here. Thoroughly enjoyed running with someone new, and being same pace made it extra special. This race will just get better and better.Quote:
Originally Posted by manothemoors
Oh and for those of you with opinion on December, I really really won't stop any of you trying to organise it, putting your money where your mouths are so to speak. I'm sure that Halifax won't get in the way of you all learning just how easy it is nowadays with insurance etc to sort the whole race out for December, maybe it could be an elite CW, so to speak. So please go ahead someone, c'mon you do seem quite passionate about it.
Oh and thx Halifax for sorting out this year, much appreciated, I will see you (and those with toys still in prams perhaps) next year.
I fully understand and accept the preference and arguments for December. However for those with short memories or who can't be bothered to look back through the thread, it's a simple judgment - risk of cancellation due to weather v. potential significant cost of cancellation. The same consideration applies to the PBR.