Report by Jo Daniels
Red Hot Toddy 10k Proves Just The Tonic For Wintry Weather
The wintry weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of the two hundred runners who convened on Central Park in Todmorden to celebrate the inaugural running of the Red Hot Toddy 10k road race on Sunday morning. Originally planned for December, the event was postponed as a result of the floods that caused damage and disruption in the area at the end of 2015. The New Year saw a new route for the Hot Toddy, with runners keen to put the course to the test. Following two laps of the park, which included some unexpectedly deep puddles and mud, competitors were taken up the lungbusting steep climb of Ewood Lane to Sourhall before looping back toward the Bacup road. After the long descent, the runners were guided through Todmorden past the bustling Sunday market before entering the park for a final sprint to the finishing line.
The Red Hot Toddy was the first road race in the Todmorden Harriers Grand Prix and brought no less than 38 Toddies onto the tarmac, all keen to get some early points on the score board. There were good performances aplenty. The first Toddie home was Andrew Worster. He completed the course in 39.35, finishing in 7th place. Ivan Gee came home in 12th, taking first place in the MV45 age category (40.57) with Jon Mitcham finishing just behind him in 13th place. Jon took the first place honours in the MV55 age group in 41.22. The Todmorden ladies were in fine form. The in form Pauline May claimed 2nd place in the women’s event. She finished 26th overall in a time of 44.10. Sarah Glyde was the second lady across the line for Todmorden. She crossed the line in 52nd place (47.05), closely followed by Kerry Edwards (54th) in 47.21. Other fine performances were seen from Rebecca Patrick who took first in the FV45 category (58th overall in 47.50), Mel Blackhurst who took first in the FV50 category(64th overall in 48.39) and Hannah Godden who took first in the FU23 age group (147th overall in 61.30.
The senior race was preceded by the ever popular Fun Run. The race took runners on two laps of Central Park, with all competitors receiving a goody bag as they crossed the line.
All proceeds from the event have been donated to the Calderdale Flood Relief Fund.
Full results for Todmorden Harriers
Position Time First Name Last Name Age Category
7 39.35 Andrew Worster M
12 40.57 Ivan Gee M45
13 41.22 Jon Mitcham M55
22 43.32 Peter Kerridge M50
24 43.57 Chris Goddard M
25 44.06 Michael Harper M45
26 44.1 Pauline May W
32 45.01 Joseph Courtney M
41 46.11 Duncan Ritchie M40
45 46.31 Andy Forbes M45
48 46.51 Guy Whitmore M45
49 46.53 Josh Murphy M
52 47.05 Sarah Glyde W40
54 47.21 Kerry Edwards W
56 47.31 Jonathan Daniels M40
58 47.5 Rebecca Patrick W45
63 48.32 Stuart Wolstenholme M40
64 48.39 Mel Blackhurst W50
66 49.1 Simon Galloway M50
71 49.5 Catherine Elvin W
75 50.3 Jordan Yates MU23
81 51.03 Ian MacLachlan M45
83 51.12 Phil Hodgson M55
84 51.28 Mark Williams M40
86 51.38 Jane Mitchell W
87 51.45 Kevin Coughlan M50
92 52.52 Richard O’Sullivan M50
93 53.02 Beverley Holmes W45
98 53.39 David Leslie M60
109 55.52 Kim Ashworth W
118 58.08 Stephen Corrigan M50
125 59.05 Heather Rostron W35
128 59.39 Nina Fedorski W50
147 61.3 Hannah Godden WU23
150 62.37 Emily Annison W
152 62.4 Gemma Lord W45
156 63.14 Nicola Corrigan W40
182 70.25 David O’Neill M55