“Shining” Saddleworth

The last two weekends have seen some important races for juniors with some great runs for the individuals concerned and the club. Firstly on the weekend of the 19th May the Intercounties race was held over the Shining Tor fell race in Derbyshire. Although a long standing event for seniors this year saw the inaugural running of the junior categories of U16 and u18. Each county entered teams of 3 runners in each age category and representing his county in the U16 race was Max Wharton who ran through severe stomach cramps to finish 6th overall but only 3rd Yorkshire counter such was the high standard.

In the older age group Brad Traviss who is currently experiencing a real surge in form ran exceptionally well to lead home the Yorkshire team finishing in 2nd place overall.

The following weekend saw the English Junior Championship move to Cowpe in nearby Rossendale for the 3rd round. The weather couldn’t have been hotter and with the course taking all the age groups out over rough exposed moorland this was real test of character as well as ability.

Picking up where he had left of the previous weekend Brad Traviss lead the race for large parts of the course and finished with a win in the U18 age group. This now makes it 3 wins out of 3 for Brad who looks certain to be crowned national champion. With the victory came the added bonus of the being selected automatically to the England team that will compete in the International race held later in the year. A great honour indeed and one that builds upon his selection to run for England last year in the home nations race.

With no male runners in the u16 age group due to injuries Issy Wharton and Molly Jagger both ran in the girls race and found the conditions really challenging and struggled to cope with the heat.

Martin Howard put in a solid performance in the U14 race initially he was well up with the leaders on the way out but as the race reached its later stages he began to tail of but still managed a very creditable 20th. Moving down to the U12 age groups both Isaac Mitchell and Nathan Sharkey ran well. Isaac in just his second fell race improved on his previous performance in a national race to finish 16th and Nathan also improved his placing. With half the English series now completed Nathan is inside the top 30 with Isaac just a few places further back.

The next day saw two CVFR juniors in action again as if the tough Sat race hadn’t been enough they also travelled across to the low key yet fantastic Saddleworth race which is held at Greenfield, which was also in the club championship. The junior races start from a scenic bank on the hill and take juniors either towards or to the monument at the top of the hill. Martin Howard managed to hang on to the leaders on the long climb to the top and then was able to let loose on the long downhill finish to move up to take 3rd place. Nathan Sharkey improving with every race managed to also get into the top 10 in his age group finishing 7th in the U12. The two lads were also joined by Issy Woodward who was taking part in her first ever fell race in the red and white vest of Calder finished behind Nathan over all in the U12 but was 5th girl which was a great start for her.

The next race in the junior club championship is our own race – Reservoir Bogs which is on the Sat of the midsummer weekend. We are looking to get as many of the club juniors to take part as possible and really kick start the racing season.