THE ROCHDALE HARRIERS cry of “strength and honour” rang out in the Rhone Valley at the start of the World Master’s Mountain Running Championships in the canton of Valais, Switzerland on Saturday 23^rd September.  Eight Rochdale Harriers, accompanied by team manager Colin Robinson, competed on the demanding and technical course of the 6^th World Championships from the villages of Saillon to Ovronnaz. The age categories ranged from 35 years to 75 years plus and competitors came from 25 different countries.

The men and women over 55 ran 7.9 kilometres and the 35 to 50 age groups ran over 9.5 kilometres. The course followed the vineyard terraces on the lower slopes, traversed a wooden, swinging footbridge  400 feet above a gorge, and then followed forest tracks and trails to the finish in the stadium at Ovronnaz. From the valley to the end of the race the runners climbed over 3000 feet.

Race day dawned with perfect Alpine weather, and all of the Harriers put in a creditable performance. First to compete in the 60 age group were Phil Roberts and Brenda Robinson. Phil finished in 1 hour 8 minutes 40 seconds and was 38^th in the men’s race. Brenda finished 7^th in the women’s race, an improvement of two places on last year, and did 1 hour 21 minutes 21 seconds.

In the 50 age category Mike Moran was 72^nd, 41 places up on last year, in a time of 1 hour 13 minutes 12 seconds. He was closely followed by Ray Dalby in 1 hour 14 minutes 43 seconds finishing in 81^st position.

On his own in the 45 year age group, Ian Stainthorpe ran 1 hour 13 minutes 45 seconds and finished in 76^th position.

The last age group of 35 plus consisted of Kris Robinson in 28^th position with a time of 1 hour 4 minutes 46 seconds. Mark Walker ran 1 hour 14 minutes 19 seconds in 38^th position and a magnificent performance from Duncan Whitehead placed him 48^th in a time of 1 hour 26 minutes 49 seconds.

The group found the course an interesting experience in that very few mountain races in the United Kingdom are run entirely up hill.

The 7^th World Master’s Mountain Running Championships will be held in Austria in September 2007.

Results