Woodland Challenge 2007: The first Woodland Challenge.

Were you there?

Over 170 runners from across West Yorkshire and beyond took part in the inaugural Stadium Runners Woodland Challenge event on Sunday 14th October. The multi-terrain event based around the Storthes Hall estate near Kirkburton required runners to complete two laps of a testing 3 mile off-road circuit involving tracks, woodland paths, numerous hills, a water jump, stile crossings and a run along a river bank. The Pennine Brass Band provided encouragement for the runners and entertainment for the spectators by playing "Chariots of Fire” and other motivational tunes before and during the race.

The relatively dry conditions saw Penistone AC runner Shaun Dimelow take a commanding early lead which he maintained to win the event in a time of 36 minutes and 20 seconds, some 43 seconds ahead of his nearest rival Lancs and Morecombe runner Rory Macmahon. Holmfirth Harriers Gary Graham and Sean McCaffrey were third and fourth home respectively with Jamie Westwood from the host club taking fifth place to finish in a time of 40 minutes exactly.

The women's race was more closely contested with fell runner Helen Isley of Ilkley Harriers winning in a time of 43 minutes 5 seconds after successfully fending off challenges from Hallamshire Harrier Joanne Seymour (43 minutes and 42 seconds) and Holmfirth Harrier Jacqui Dews (43 minutes 49 seconds).

Prizes were awarded to the top three runners in the Senior event and the top placed runner in each Veteran age category. In addition to specially commissioned Woodland Challenge plaques, winners received IKEA food hampers or vouchers for Huddersfield running shop "Up & Running”. A range of spot prizes donated by local and national businesses were also awarded to runners through the field who may not have featured in the top places but put in an equal amount of effort over the challenging course. Many of the spot prize winners expressed surprise and delight at being recipients of items as varied as a hamper of Innocent Smoothies, Ben Sherman clothing, a free bicycle service, an I-pod and meals at local restaurants.

Prior to the main event over 50 children, parents and a large white rabbit took part in a fun run consisting of a circuit of just less than 1 mile around the perimeter road of the former Storthes Hall Hospital.

Summary of Winners from the 2007 Woodland Challenge
Male Category	Position	Name	Club	Time
Male Senior	1	Shaun Dimelow	Penistone Footpath Runners & Athletic Club	36.20
Male Senior	2	Rory Macmahon	Lancs & Morecambe	37.03
Vet 40	3	Gary Graham	Holmfirth Harriers	39.16
Male Senior	4	Sean McCaffrey	Holmfirth Harriers	39.22
Male Senior	5	Jamie Westwood	Stadium Runners	40.00
Male Senior	6	Steve Roebuck	Penistone Footpath Runners & Athletic Club	40.03
Male Senior	7	Damian Cole	Stainland Lions	40.09
Male Senior	8	Gavin Baxter	Holmfirth Harriers	40.32
Male Senior	9	Nigel Moran	Holmfirth Harriers	40.42
Male Senior	10	Ian Micklethwaite	Livingwell (Barnsley)	41.07
Female Category	Position	Name	Club	Time
Female Senior	1	Helen Isley	Ilkley Harriers	43.05
Female Senior	2	Joanne Seymour	Hallamshire Harriers	43.42
Female Senior	3	Jacqui Dews	Holmfirth Harriers	43.49
Vet 45	4	Treena Johnson	Dewsbury Road Runners	44.22
Vet 40	5	Catherine Howlett	Bingley Harriers	45.55
Vet 35	6	Maxine Worden	Dewsbury Road Runners	46.08
Vet 35	7	Julie Field	Huddersfield Road Runners	49.29
Female Senior	8	Emily Hughes	Unattached	49.29
Vet 35	9	Michaela Bromley	East Cheshire Harriers	49.35
Vet 45	10	Rosemary Baker	Stadium Runners	50.49
Vet Category	Position	Name	Club	Time
Male Vet 40	1	Gary Graham	Holmfirth Harriers	39.16
Male Vet 45	1	Ricky South	Holmfirth Harriers	42.05
Male Vet 50	1	Colin Milner	Holme Valley	43.28
Male Vet 55	1	Raymond McArthur	Metham AC	42.36
Male Vet 60	1	Rod Futrell	Holmfirth Harriers	45.29
Male Vet 65	1	Terry Lyons	Meltham AC	47.07
Female Vet 35	1	Maxine Worden	Dewsbury Road Runners	46.08
Female Vet 40	1	Catherine Howlett	Bingley Harriers	45.55
Female Vet 45	1	Treena Johnson	Dewsbury Road Runners	44.22
Female Vet 50	1	Eileen Sharman	Radcliffe AC	54.08
Female Vet 55	1	Aileen Baldwin	Stainland Lions	53.36
Female Vet 60	1	Christine Lyons	Meltham AC	60.24

"The encouragement of all runners though was second to none and the marshalling and organisation absolutely brilliant"

"Excellent first time event which many other clubs and organisations would do well to emulate”

"Hard course but great fun, well done to all involved at Stadium Runners”

"Nice atmosphere and really good organisation made it a good all round race. All marshals were efficient, friendly and supportive, many thanks"

"A very well organised scenic race, quite well attended, with good prizes, in an easy to find location. I will be recommending the event to my fellow club members for next year"

"Excellent race. Well organised, good facilities and a nice goody bag I loved the Brass Band and the announcer calling out my name as I passed/finished. Great marshals too, thanks to all involved"