Race Date: Sunday 25th September 2022

Having been overlooked by the selectors for the Northern Road Relays and not wanting to fork out over thirty quid to enter the Sheffield 10k, at £13.00 this little club race up in Cleckheaton offered an economic alternative. Organised by Spenborough and District AC it’s an out and back along the tarmac surface of the eponymous Spen Valley Greenway trail which runs for eight miles from Ravensthorpe towards the outskirts of Bradford. According to Strava there’s about forty metres of climb going out so a nice little nudge on the way back to ensure a negative split.

Competitors from Halifax Harriers and fledgling Rotherham Running Club passing a flock of Swaledale Sheep, constructed from recycled industrial scrap. (Photo Woodentops.org.uk)

The race director was disappointed with the low turnout, partly due perhaps to almost anyone of worth being at the Northerns that afternoon although, with its 11:00am start, the trail was already busy with dogs, walkers, cyclists and other runners so there may have been trouble if the race limit of 200 had been reached. The race was won by M60, John Convery, Bingley in 36:24 with another M60 in third place whilst first woman was F50 Beth Massey, Otley in 41:25. These are great times for vets but shouldn’t be winning open races and is a shame as my own experience was that of a quick track.