88 teams took part last Sunday in the 31st running of the Calderdale Way Relay organised by Halifax Harriers. The event is run in pairs, over six legs, and covers a shade over 50 miles through some lovely scenery. The event starts and finishes at West Vale and is eagerly anticipated each year. Despite there being so many teams competing, it is vital that runners know their routes and individuals will usually reconnoitre the route in advance.
Preston Harriers entered two teams and Cat Slater and John Bradley led off for the A team covering their ten miles uphill and down in 1:33.04. David Rigby and Jon Green had a fantastic run on leg 2 to Todmorden which resulted in the 2nd fastest leg time of the day of 61.34 for their 8 ½ miles. They gained 22 places. Nichola Jackson and Neil McDonald were also speedy on the short leg 3 of 4.8 miles to a windy Blackshaw Head, posting the ninth fastest time. Tony Livesey and Andrew Newton on leg 4 maintained the team position to Wainstalls and Kevin Hesketh & Chris Tully ran a confident leg 5 to hand over to John Rainford and Sam Swindells for the last leg from Shelf. The team finished in a very good 14th place.

The B team were led off by Andy Acklam and Roy Parkinson, to hand over to Jim Doherty and Pete Carter. Leg 3 was Emma Essex-Crosby who knows the route well and with David Large, they gained four places. The final three pairings ensured the team place was slightly improved to a solid 47th overall; Alan Appleby and Stephen Bonsu on leg 4, Steve Mort and Mike Burnham on leg 5 and Ambi Tipping and Lindsey Berends on leg 6.