After the sterling work of Meltham AC members yesterday morning and heavy overnight rain, the course of the Meltham 10K was in good condition for the race. Heavy rain and sleet threatened before, but cleared for the race. 232 runners made it around the classic course. Results can be found here. Well done to Martin Sauders or Rothwell Harriers for winning the race in 36:02 and Penny Ditchfield of Meltham AC for winning the Ladies race in 42:26. A special well done to Vikki Hart who despite pulling her calf muscle half way round still finished the race. We have had some photos of the race sent to us by Philip Bland, a big thank you to him, to see them click here.

Harrison Lane.

Rain before the start.

 Cakes provided by club members after the race.

After a great team effort by members of Meltham AC to remove snow from the start of the Meltham 10K it has been decided that the race will still be on tomorrow. However, we can not guarantee that snow will be completely gone from all the course so runners will be expected to tread carefully and exercise common sense during the race. Can we also please ask you to leave wet and dirty shoes by the door of the Community centre.

Please travel only if it is safe to do so and check the travel news before you set off.

Meltham AC members clearing snow for tomorrows race.

We have had requests for information on whether the Meltham 10K is still on due to the present snowy conditions. At present it is too early to make a prediction as to conditions on Sunday, but the BBC weather forecast is for rain on Saturday and Sunday which should allow the race to continue. If the weather is still bad we will make a decision on Saturday evening and post it here and on the facebook page.

Well done to Steve Perrin who ran the tough cross country Trigger Race from Marsden to Edale on 13/1/13. The race was held for the second time on Sunday. Entrants navigate their way from Marsden over Black Hill, Bleaklow and Kinder to Edale, visiting three trigs points on route. The linear route is measured at 20 miles with 4500 feet climb. Steve managed it in a great time of 4:56:06.

Full results can be found here.

Sunday 6th of January saw the first race on our calendar in 2013, the club handicap. The course is a tough cross country one around the local hills, made harder this year by the wet weather which made it very muddy. The fastest time around the course was set by Andy Whitworth in a time of 18:35. The handicap was won by Fiona McArthur, second was John Gray and third was Mark Cope. Full Results can be seen here Winter Handcap Results 2013. We celebrated  the race after with a curry at the Cinnamon Lodge in Meltham.

Runners before the race

Winter Handicap 2013 winners

Why not come run with us at Meltham over the Christmas break?

Sunday 23rd December – Yateholme and Blackpool Bridge

A steady @ 8 mile off-road social run (with re-groupings as appropriate). Meet Digley (quarry) carpark @ 9.20 for a 9.30 run

Thursday 27th December – Meltham Circular

A steady 9.5 mile off-road social run (with re-groupings as appropriate) from the Meltham Sports & Community Centre. Post-run mulled wine & mince pies. Showers and changing facilities. First group 9.20am – main group 9.30am

Friday 28th December – Sausage Sarnie 7

A steady @ 7 mile social run along the canal towpath (with re-groupings as appropriate) with post-run bacon buttie/sausage sarnie in the Little Bridge Bistro (£3). Order at Little Bistro @ 9.15am, run from Moonraker barge 9.30am

Sunday 30th December – Wes

A steady @ 10 or 12 mile off-road social run (with re-groupings as appropriate) from the Meltham Sports & Community Centre. Meet @ 9.20 for a 9.30 run

Contact Mike (01484 329482) or Andy Lang (andylang17@googlemail.com) for information

Eight Meltham AC runners competed in the Denby Dale Travellers 6 on Sunday 16th December 2012. In unseasonably warm weather they took on one of the hilliest races in the area. The race was won by Paul Merchant of Rothwell Harriers – 34:06 and first Lady was Emma Wolff – 42:14. Running for Meltham where:-

• Paul Elliott – 44:16
• Mark Cope – 44:23
• Ray McArthur – 46:45
• Andy Hargreaves – 50:21
• Gilly Markham – 53:08
• Sue Heap – 53:31
• Nick Thompson – 56:02
• Fiona McArthur – 61:12

Click here for full results

Click here for photos

Well done to Paul Elliot and Gilly Markham who competed in the last Silkstone Shuffle in very muddy conditions on Saturday 1-12-12.

Paul finished in 34:10 and Gilly in 44:15. well done to you both.

Well done to Meltham Park runner, Mark Cope, on Saturday who got his personal best time with 20:26, which moves him up to 4th fastest in the club. Good stuff Mark, full results can be found here.

Don’t forget there is a 5K Parkrun free to anyone every Saturday morning 9:00 at Greenhead Park just register and print your barcode here.

” Dirty Double” is the name for the last weekend of the Lakeland Trail series. There was the Helvellyn Trail on Saturday 3rd, which was run by Steve Perrin, John Gray, Nick Thompson and Andy Lang. On Sunday 4th there was the Ullswater Trail, run by John Gray, Nick Thompson, Gary Spivey and Andy Lang.

Conditions for the Helvellyn Trail where cold but good with the first fall of snow on the hilltops.

Sunday was very sunny for the Ullswater Trail race, which takes a Steamer from Glenridding over to Howtown and runners run back from there.

Most of the Ullswater trail was over rocky ground but there were also areas of slippy grass!