Seven CVFR Juniors braved the onset of Storm Kathleen, heading to Barley in the foothills of Pendle for the latest counter in the junior club championships.
Superbly organised by Clayton le Moors, the races doubled as the Lancashire championship, which (to the delight of proud parent, and even prouder Yorkshireman Paul Haigh) gave some of the visiting Calder youth the added incentive of pinching podium spots from the county next door.
Paul’s “chip off the old block” Teddy Haigh (the family resemblance is certainly strong in terms of enthusiasm and energy levels) was first up in the U9 race. After a recent bout of illness, Teddy had declared he was going to “take the race easy”. That plan was quickly forgotten as he stormed uphill to lead the race at the top of the climb. Despite easing off the gas on the descent, Teddy glided down the hill into 3rd place, just a few seconds behind the winner – and smiling all the way.
Next up were Jules Ciolino, Leo Wright and Alfie Hobday in the U11 race. Unfortunately the boys took the wrong line up the first hill and found themselves towards the back of the pack. Despite this mishap, they fought back to finish valiantly.
Special praise goes to Leo, who lost a few places on the final descent due to his shoe coming off. Leo ran back uphill to retrieve it, then managed to retake several places as he finished the descent – still shoeless on one foot as he held the errant footwear in his hand.
Next up were the U15s, where Joe Stone smiled all the way to a 2nd place finish, not far behind the winner, Ilkley’s Robert Carter. Also placing in the top 10, Harry Cliff showed that recently moving up an age group hasn’t phased him.
Not far behind, in 15th, was Ted Parker, showing the fell running world what a decent set of young adults our Juniors are. Despite a family member straying onto the course on the final descent, Ted asked her very politely if she could move aside, adjusted his stride and didn’t let it put him off his finish.
As ever, all the juniors ran their hearts out, applauded loudly as their friends received their prizes and enjoyed a great day out in deepest Lancashire – reminding us again that Calder Valley’s future is bright.
Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
3rd | Teddy Haigh | U9 | 3:54 |
32nd | Leo Wright | U11 | 6:18 |
36th | Jules Ciolino | U11 | 6:30 |
38th | Alfie Hobday | U11 | 6:37 |
2nd | Joseph Stone | U15 | 20:33 |
10th | Harry Cliff | U15 | 22:27 |
15th | Ted Parker | U15 | 23:15 |