THE country's finest fell runners will be picking their way around the hills of Todmorden on Saturday.
Todmorden Harriers' Noonstone Fell Race was selected as the prestigious opening race in this year's English Fell Championship.
While many Harriers will be busy helping race organiser Andrew Horsfall, those taking part in the actual event will ho
pe that the advantage of being on home ground will start off their 2010 Championship campaign on the right foot as the club seeks to build on past triumphs.
Many of the biggest names in the sport will be present, including current British and English champion Rob Hope, as well as the upcoming talent of under-23 men's champion James Kevan and ladies under-23 Champion Emma Clayton.
Ladies team champions Calder Valley will also be hoping their local knowledge will set them on their way to further success this year.
The nine-mile race, which features 2300 feet of ascent and descent, will start from Mankinholes at noon on Saturday. The first steep climb up Coldwell Hill should spread out the expected 500 competitors before they drop back down to London Road. A climb up past Stoodley Pike will lead onto the fast descent to Withens Clough Reservoir. The third and longest gradient of the day takes the runners out onto private ground over the pathless Turley Holes and Higher House Moor with only the Two Lads Stones and the Little Holder Stones to assist with navigation.
After briefly following the Pennine Way from Warland Reservoir, a descent over Langfield Edge will lead to the final climb of the day past the Noon Stone on the way back up to Coldwell Hill and a steep testing decent to the finish at Mankinholes.
The presentation ceremony will be held after the race at the Top Brink Inn, Lumbutts.
Shaun Godsman of Calder Valley Fell Runners, won the event last year.
