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Records fall to Carly in Harriers’ hot three-days

15/ 6/2006

Running

ROCHDALE HARRIERS' annual three race event was a great success last weekend, with two new records set.

All three days were very hard going in sweltering temperatures.

The first race was a 10k, with an initial 450ft of ascent from Norden up Edenfield road.

Carly Needham set a new ladies' record of 39 mins 20 secs, beating the record she had herself set in 2003.

Saturday's second race took in a gruelling six-mile multi-terrain route round the Naden Valley conservation area.

Despite the heat Carly Needham set another ladies' record of 42 mins 34 secs.

Sunday's fell race, based on Knowl Hill, was the most challenging with six-mile, 1300ft of ascent, and no shade.

One of the competitor's wives set up an impromptu water station at the top of Knowl Hill to help the athletes as temperatures topped 27 centigrade.

Overall the three-day event was won by Kenyan Tarus Elly who had an aggregate time of 1 hr 57 mins 11 secs.

The ladies' event was won overall by Carly Needham in 2 hrs 15 mins 10 secs.

Carly, Huma Rahman and Jan Needham won first ladies' team place for Rochdale Harriers.

Kris Robinson was the first finisher for Rochdale men. He clocked an impressive time of 2-08.41.

Harriers' John Mayall said: "All three days went like clockwork thanks to the organisational skills of Phil Roberts and his team of marshals and time keepers."

The next race organised by Rochdale Harriers will be the annual Rochdale 10k on Tuesday 4 July, start 7 15 pm from Springfield Park.