Calderdale Way Leg 4

Really pleased with the time that me and Jeff did. Was tough and Jeff murdered me on the last hill.
Bring on next year. Here are some photos I have found

Calderdale Way Relay - Leg 2

Same leg as last year for me, but this time partnered by Gerard Skippings, who was making his fell running debut. Gerard had been kicking by butt over the cross country and on the track for the past few weeks, but I had a feeling that I would be more than a match for him on the fells, so I was confident that it wasn't going to be me who was going to suffer the most (hehe).

Gerard was a bit nervous, which can often be the case when you try something new, and are not sure what you are up against, but he survived the experience in one piece (although he said he wanted to kill me, can you believe?), and I was really pleased with our time of 1:12:03, which was almost 2 minutes faster than Gareth and I had done in 2008.

Thoroughly enjoyed the day, and Gerard should be proud of himself for putting in such a good first performance.

Well done to everyone else who took part, and thanks to Captain Patchett for the organisational stuff.

Calderdale Way Relay 13 Dec 2009

Buying a pair of trail shoes and running up Beamsley Beacon during October half-term somehow made me think I could be a fell runner- how wrong I was!! Even 2 cross countries this winter didn't prepare me sufficiently for leg 3 of the relay. Asking for the shortest leg unfortunately also gave me me the steepest leg and I was left puffing away and walking quite a bit as I struggled to get up that damned mountain (officially a steep hill) from Todmorden. Poor Ryan Dransfield had to keep waiting for me and I couldn't stop saying sorry for slowing him down!! Anyway once we did make it to the top, the downhill section was great. Unfortunately there was more uphill to come and my 85kgs struggled to make it. Nevertheless I did get to the end in under 48 minutes, which was my target, and we didn't drop too many places, so pleased with the time. Thanks to Ryan for perservering with me and my whinging, and to Michael for the transportation and support at the end. I believe we came 51st overall which I think is very respectable, so well done to all and also to Gareth for co-ordinating it all. Hope you all have a good Christmas and all the best for the New Year: keep on running!! PS Kevin O: I think you and Ryan should do leg 3 next year, you'll be up that mountain in no time!!

Yorkshire six stage road relay championship

For the first time in a few years the Spenborough men manage to turn out a team for the annual Don Valley event.

Looking at the entry list it was disappointing to see so few teams entered (18) and we knew it was going to be a long hard afternoon as only the top teams were there.

Dave Lane got us off to a decent start coming in at around 14th (23:54).

Ryan Dransfield followed on the second leg on his first outing for the senior team (24:11) only slipping a couple of place.

Next Dan Stewart a last minute repacement (thanks again Dan) ran an excellent leg on return from injury (24:01)

Chris Jones put in a strong performance running at a pace well above expected finishing in 26:12.
Unfortunately as the afternoon wore on we appeared to be slipping backwards as incomplete teams dropped out.

Gareth Patchett took up the challenge on the penultimate leg scything through the field (well passing one person!) and running a fantastic time of 24:55. Well beyond expectations, especially after a heavy night on the beer.

I finished off on the last leg with one of my worst recent performances - outside 28 min but managed to hold position so we finished one place from the back. Probably about 14th.

Overall a positive performance and nice to see Spen start turning teams out again. Especially as so many other races were on the same day.

Thanks also to Kevin Ogden for coming down and supporting after competing in the Spen 10k that morning.

The Reindeer Romp Relays

There was a massive turnout tonight, with 37 teams taking part , it was also a new course due to rd works , as always a fast start down the track then right on the road as the left turn past the farm house was closed ] i thought we were doing it in reverse but we did a left into a corn field which brought us out on the rutted path just before the wooded section up to this point i was running well [my little legs were going so fast they were in front of me] with the relay you miss the hill out taking a left round the edge of another corn field though its not as steep as normal its quite a pull my lungs were fit to burst I'm sure" my team was Oliver carter leg 1 14.42, new girl sue pimley just over 16 mins leg 2, with myself leg 3 15.12 mick Howard ran well in just over 14 mins , I prefer this new course its more runnable

Bunny Run Relays

3 leg relay 1.5 miles/leg

Howling gales and driving rain met the Jones family team as we got to Haworth for the final Bunny race of 2009. The team consisted of Chris, Matthew and Sarah, who was coming up for her first Bunny experience.

Near to the start of the race we were told that the longer first leg was to be cut short because the extra loop was too muddy. This meant that we were all doing the same distance. So, we picked up the egg and a very cold Chris went to line up for the first leg. 12 minutes later Sarah set off and then it was my turn.

After waiting quite a long time in the quarry where you start I thought the wind had died down a bit. As soon as I got out of the quarry I was nearly blown back down again. I knew I was going to have fun. I seemed to be having a good run and I felt alright. Then, at about half way round, the rain turned to hail and the run became painful in more than one way. When I was finally near the the end and I turned to face the wind again, my cheeks were inflating with air.

Overall I had a good run and my Dad also had a great run. Sarah didn't enjoy the race much but did well for her first Bunny.

Spen Results
35 JONESEY'S JOGGERS 43.06

Leg 1: 21 CHRIS JONES   12.49
Leg 2: 41 SARAH JONES   16.59
Leg 3: 23 MATTHEW JONES 13.18

61 Teams

Full Results Here

The Curse of the Badger Stone - 24th May 2008

An epic tale of youth vs experience on Ilkley Moor

'The Curse of the Badger Stone'

Starring (in order of appearance) :

Ryan & Michael Dransfield

Emma & Edward Wilkinson

Matthew & Chris Jones

Act 1 - In the beginning...

The concept was simple; a relay race that matched a team of parents against their offspring to find out who would win. Simple eh? The event we chose was the “Badger Stone Relay”, an annual fell race held at Ilkley. Rumour has it that one of us (might have been Chris) had a navigational disaster at the same event last year causing the Spenborough trio to finish in last place?

Act 2 - The curse strikes once...

The first attempt to run the race in 2008 was back in April with a line-up that included James and Martin Thompson. However, we arrived only to find the race had been cancelled at the last minute. Still we had an enjoyable training run, and Michael got the chance to try his hand at bog snorkelling.

Act 3 - The curse strikes twice...

Not to be put off, we decided to try once more at the re-scheduled event on 24^h May. But this time, James Thompson, was unable to take part due to injuring himself in a bizarre shopping trolley accident. This effectively ruled out both James and Martin, due to our parent/offspring competition rules. Undeterred, we found two willing and capable substitutes in Emma and Edward Wilkinson, and the race was on once more!

Act 4 - The curse strikes thrice...

The teams were there, the weather was good, and the race was on! Ryan v Michael on leg 1, Emma v Edward leg 2 and Matthew v Chris on leg 3.

Ryan got off to an early lead ahead of Michael, but it was close, and no-one was prepared to accept my bet that Michael would win-out. They disappeared out of sight, and when they re-emerged on the descent, Michael had pulled out a lead, handing over a 30 second advantage to Edward.

Edward set off with intent, but Emma was in hot pursuit and closing him down. Again they disappeared from view, and it was some time later, we were all surprised to see Edward on the descent but no sign of Emma!

Unfortunately, Emma had made a wrong turn on the unmarked course during the descent, and lost valuable time. Consequently, Chris had a big lead on Matthew, which meant that it was always going to be an uphill (joke) battle for the youngsters from there on.

So experience won out over youth this time, but how long can it continue?

Sweets for the youngsters (1^st junior team) and beer for the parents (2^nd vets team), and a fun afternoon out for all. Watch out for a re-match in the near future!

Calderdale Way 2007

Good weather for the 2007 Calderdale Way and a decent results with Spenborough finishing 45th despite a weakened team.

Dan Stewart and Jeff Hornby off to a strong start on leg1. A tough leg that tends to attract each clubs strong pairings. Back in 45th place.

Then Chris Jacobs and Steve Moss pulled back places on leg 2 to get us to 38th.

New boy Chris King partnered Michael Dransfield on the fast and uphill leg 3. Chris (endurance man) found the speed a bit high and the distance a bit short and we dropped to 50th.

Then Dave Lane and Paul Sutcliffe (on the other tough leg) gained a place to be followed by

Frank Reddington and Gareth Patchett who pulled back another 3 places.

Steve Carter and Martin Thompson then sneaked back one more place on leg 6 to complete the 45th overall.

The Glory Years - Northern Six Stage

‘A funny thing happened on the way’

It’s not uncommon for a driver to exit a motorway at the wrong junction. A car load of Spen runners managed to come off at the right junction but on the wrong motorway, taking the M1 to Knutsford resulted in three team members arriving half an hour after the start of the race on a rain soaked Tatton Park course. It was a case of last shall be first and Ray Padgett stepped forward at twenty minutes notice to start the usually high standard first leg. Michael Sykes gained eight places on the second leg, but Keith Miller found the third leg pace fast and lost four places. By this time the Motorway hoppers were seen hot footing across the park and Alf Wolfenden regained the four places, with Richard Lee gaining one more. On the last leg the runners are spread over a greater distance and Gary Damiani’s run, the fastest of the team and gaining four places, was a fine performance. The team was not at full strength due to returns to universities, holidays and injury. 67 teams finished, fastest leg = David Lewis, Rossendale (17:42).

Ray Padgett 54th 20:27
Michael Sykes 46th 20:03
Keith Miller 50th 21:13
Alf Wolfenden 46th 20:43
Richard Lee 45th 20:40
Gary Damiani 41st 19:57

The Glory Years - 1992 Yorkshire Six Stage Relay

1992 Six Stage Road Relay Season (By Frank Reddington)

Yorkshire Six Stage Road Relays – 12.9.92 – Thornes Park, Wakefield
Senior Men – 6 x 3.8 miles

While our senior track men were competing for promotion to Northern Mens Division One at Oldham, the road men turned out for the traditional opening of the road relay season at Wakefield. Despite fielding a vitual ‘B’ team we finished a creditable 14th, with a second team finishing 31st out of 47 complete teams. Star performer was Darren Hansen, a fireman from Huddersfield, who gained ten places on the second leg and recorded the 34th fastest time overall behind Darren Spawforth of Wakefield Harriers who had the fastest leg of the day with 17:54.

‘A’ Team – 14th

Ray Padgett 20:09
Darren Hansen 19:30
Richard Lee 20:09
Alf Wolfenden 20:12
Robert Moon 21:47
Kevin Bentley 20:52

‘B’ Team – 31st
Kevin Ogden 23:15
Carl Wolfenden 22:26
Alan Whittaker 21:10
Keith Miller 20:44
Tony Patchett 21:22
Frank Reddington 21:50


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