Fourteen Calder Valley juniors competed in the English Schools Fell Running Championships, which were held in Giggleswick on 24^th September.

Jayde McGregor tackles the stream crossing – credit Woodentops

With courses ranging from 2.7km for Year 7s to 6km for Year 12/13s, all age groups faced varied fell terrains with lots of twists and turns, a stream crossing, and a mix of short, sharp and more sustained climbs and descents.

Clara’s winning sprint finish – credit Woodentops

Racing in her Calder High School colours rather than her habitual CVFR red and white stripes, Clara McKee rounded off a triumphant year of fell-running by taking first place in the Year 8/9 girls’ race. 

Top ten finishes were also notched up by Charlie Pickens (6^th Year 12/13 boy), Mani Kaler (9^th Year 7 boy), Tom McKee (10^th Year 10/11 boy).

Tough steep climb for Rowan Gardner – credit Woodentops

Some newer recruits to fell-running also put in good performances, including Year 7s Rowan Gardner, Vincent smith and Rowan Campbell-Brough and Year 10/11s Isaac Howgate and George Daniels.

Calder Valley News Reporter: Jim Cooke

Calder Valley Fell Runners – 14 August 2023

Clara collects CVFR’s team certificate from GB star Nichola Jackson. Photo credit Steve Bateson

On Sunday, the Fell Runners Association held their annual junior presentation and fun day at Marl Pits sports centre in Rossendale, where Calder Valley were represented by Clara McKee and Jayde McGregor.

Showing us time and time again that the future’s bright for CVFR, the club’s juniors have put in some exceptional performances in the English Championships this year.

Juniors from all over the country who took part in activities before the presentation. Photo credit Steve Bateson

Over the series of six tough races, Clara won the trophy for first U15 girl. Clara’s proud mum (and fellow CVFR member) Trudi Entwistle said of the event: “They all had a great day, with activities, training tips and an inspiring talk from Nichola Jackson, Great Britain and England fell and mountain runner. It was a great social event, with chance to chat and catch up with kids and parents who they normally only see briefly on the fells at the start and end of races.”

In her first year of racing on the fells with CVFR, Jayde was one of ten juniors whose efforts throughout the season helped the club to take fourth place in the team competition, earning themselves a framed certificate. Individually, Jayde also came 13^th U17 girl.

CALDER VALLEY NEWS REPORTER; JIM COOKE

Calder Valley Fell Runners – 7 August 2023

It was a first senior victory for under 17 George McFie as he beats all to win Crow Hill Reverse Fell Race

Crow Hill Reverse

On Tuesday the first of August Calder Valley Fell runners took part in the Crow Hill Reverse Fell Race, which starts only 500 meters from their clubhouse in Mytholmroyd. This race gives club runners a chance to test themselves against each other up one of the hills, Wicken Hill, that they know so well form Tuesday night club runs. One of the clubs up and coming stars 16 year old George McFie won the senior men’s race. It was a club double with Natasha Butterfield taking the spoils in the women’s race.

Catherine Holden was first female Vet 40 and Aaron Roberts had a great race coming third overall. Andy Ford was first Vet 40 with Lee Shimwell 2nd Vet 40. Charlotte Taylor was first female Vet 50. Calder were first female team: Natasha Butterfield, Catherine Holden and Cass Chisholm and first male team: George McFie, Aaron Roberts and Andy Ford. From the young to the slightly older it was fantastic to see some of the old guard racing with 3 of our Vet 70s running the race. The race fell on Yorkshire day this year and as a tribute the first male and female runner to the top of Crow Hill donned a flat cap for the descent.

The Juniors take a running trip to Wales

On Sunday 9 July, in the Clwydian Hill, was the 5th race in the series of 6 Junior English Championship races. Like all fell races the championship is super inclusive and open to all juniors, the ‘challenge’ events were for under 9s and 11s and the ‘championship’ events for 13s to 19s. Each event was specific to each age group and had its own start time and route to make for a whole day of racing around the brackeny hilltop of Foel Fenlli in Denbighshire – It was also a tough day out for the 208 competing of which there were 9 members of the Calder Valley Juniors. They put in an amazing effort in what was described afterwards as … ‘without doubt the hardest English champs race ever!’

Charlie leading out with Will following closely behind. Photo courtesy of Trudi Entwistle

Charlie Pickens had an excellent race coming in second place in U17 in 36:47, beaten to 1^st by only 7 seconds. William Hall after his warm up race at Stoodley earlier in the week was 1^st U19 with 36:59.

Clara making it look easy in the beautiful Clwydian Hill. Photo courtesy of Trudi Entwistle

Clara Mckee dominated in the U15 race, marking a welcome return to form. She had a fantastic win with 35:10 as 1^st U15 female and 2nd U15 overall. Joseph Stone put in a strong effort and overcame some start line nerves to place 7th. Ted Parker dug in and delivered a solid performance.

Harry Cliff and Mani Kaler in the U13 had a great start and were racing neck and neck after the first climb. Harry finished strongly in 6th place. Mani suffered a stitch and pushed himself hard despite this to finish in 11th.

Jayde enjoying the race route. Photo courtesy of Trudi Entwistle

There were comments from the runners about the toughness of the course but also, it’s satisfying challenges. Jayde McGregor reported…’ it was very steep and challenging with several harsh climbs today and I felt to run strong right through.  At the finish I was feeling good and the race was fun! I set myself a target person to beat and I did that by about 3.5 minutes today so I’m still buzzing’

Will Hall echoed her sentiments…’It was a challenging race route with several ups and downs on the same hillside. The ascents were very steep and not easy to maintain a running pace, but the downs were fast, technical and a bit more exciting. I felt well prepared and fit at the start of the race so was happy that I could maintain form as the race progressed, edging ever further away from the field behind me’.

CALDER VALLEY NEWS REPORTER: louise williamson