Calderdale Way Ultra

Saturday saw 81 runners from across the country tackle the challenging calderdale way ultra 52.86 miles and 2128 meters of accent which took in moorland, trails and towns of Calderdale. The runners set off from Belholme Park in Todmorden and followed the calderdale way around Calderdale to end up back in Belholme Park many hours later! Martin Davies of Todmorden Harriers came in first with an amazing time of 9hrs 11mins. First female finisher and also 3rd finisher overall was Lynne Berbatiotis from Rossendale Harriers in a time of 9hrs 43mins. Charles Calbourn of Todmorden Harriers came in 34th, 2nd v40 with a time of 14hrs 26min.

The calderdale way trail marathon took in the second half of the ultra race. 102 runners eagerly awaited the starting whistle at Shelf whilst also cheering on ultra runners coming through the half way mark of their race. The marathon was 26.8miles long with 1000metres of ascent. Dropping down into the many valleys of calderdale and onto beautiful moorlands. All runners, ultra and marathons, pushed hard to finish the route, being glad of the new finish which went across the Moor towards Walsden rather than down into the valley and up the gruesome finishing hill of Dobroyd Road which the route used to take. First to finish was Charmaine Horsfall in a time of 4hrs 27min. The first male finisher and 2nd overall was Stephen Kirk in a time of 4hrs 43mins. Suzy Straughan and Zoe Dijkman of Todmorden Harriers came in first female pair and 2nd and 3rd female finishers in a time of 5hrs 15min.

Matt FlanaganCalderdale Way Ultra