Running log

Calder Valley Fell Runners stormed to victory in the rearranged Calderdale Way Relay.

The English weather was determined to have the last laugh on the 50-mile event, run over six legs on Sunday.

Abandoned in December due to snow and ice, it was threatened by moorland wildfires last week and subjected to a torrential downpour the night before the race.

The baked moorland paths and bridleways stood up to the rain, providing fast conditions for 84 teams with numerous club records tumbling.

Calder’s early five-minute advantage, forged by leg one pairing Ben Mounsey and Steven Bayton, was consolidated after a wayward leg three from rivals Pudsey & Bramley. They eventually finished eight minutes clear of Salford, with P&B third.

The Airedale Athletics team, made up of runners from Baildon, Bradford Airedale, Eccleshill, Queensbury, Saltaire and Skyrac, set new team records on every leg to finish tenth overall in a performance that was branded “unbelievable” by captain Will Kerr.

Calder Valley also scooped the mixed team prize, while Holmfirth won the ladies’ race ahead of Bingley Harriers.

Pudsey & Bramley had better luck at the Winter Hill Fell Race near Blackburn, where Darren Kay and Danny Hope were first and second respectively. Roger Hall (Wharfedale) was runner-up in the over-60s category.