All posts by Northowram Pumas

Couch to 5K 2023: Apply now!

Our Couch to 5K Programme

Want to take up running but not sure where to begin? Fed up with not having enough energy? Need that boost to get out of your door and take those first steps of the New Year? Let us help – our Couch to 5K plan could be for you!

We are delighted to announce that we’re running a brand new Couch to 5K programme in January 2023 – which is open to apply for now!

For just £20, you’ll be enrolled onto our 12-week course, which begins on January 4 2023. You’ll be guided every step of the way by our team of qualified run leaders and support groups, and will graduate at a local Parkrun on Saturday 18 March, running your first-ever 5K, cheered on by dozens of our members!

The cost of the course includes two organised group runs every week, a limited-edition Northowram Pumas Couch to 5K t-shirt and medal – as well as a free trial to join our club upon graduation. So many graduates of our C25K courses in the past have gone on to do incredible things – including running ultra-marathons. Who knows, you could be the next one doing something truly incredible.

Trust us, it’ll be the best thing you ever do. But be quick – as places are first-come, first-served. To get more information, email info@northowrampumas.co.uk!

If you’ve got any questions feel free to drop us an email.

How to Join Our #PumasFamily!

Joining our family at Northowram Pumas is simple. We welcome members of all abilities, from beginner to returning runner to competitive race-goer!

Anyone who joins is entitled to membership to the club until April 1 2024. Furthermore, we believe our prices are not only affordable, but supportive in these testing financial times.

Our prices for 2023-24 are:

£25: This is our basic membership which gives you full membership of Northowram Pumas.

OR

£35: A full membership to Northowram Pumas as well as becoming a registered athlete with England Athletics.

EA (England Athletics) membership allows you to compete in certain races the Pumas will enter teams in each year, as well as enabling you to gain a discount to every race you enter throughout the course of the year.

Joining is easy. Head to our online membership platform by clicking THIS LINK, create an account, choose your membership level and sign up! Then you’re free to attend any of our club nights on Mondays and Wednesday from 6:30pm. If it’s your first night, get there a little early, ask to be introduced to a run leader and we’ll do the rest! We’ll make sure you feel right at home.

We offer a free four-night trial before committing to any membership too! Again, you can sign up for that on the link above.

If you have any more questions, email info@northowrampumas.co.uk and we’ll respond as quickly as we can!

More About The Pumas And What We Offer

Northowram Pumas are an all-abilities, fun and friendly running club based in Northowram, just outside of Halifax.

We operate club nights on Mondays and Wednesdays which cater for runners of all speeds, from serious and competitive runners all the way down to beginners or those looking to return to running. Whatever your speed, and whatever your goal, we will be able to cater for you!

Our club nights start at 6:30pm from Northowram Cricket Club on Westercroft Lane. We offer two-tier membership starting at just £25, and any potential new member is entitled to a free four-night trial period to see if they think the Pumas is for them! We guarantee you won’t be disappointed, though!

Our club boasts some incredible achievements despite being only a handful of years old. We have run several successful Couch to 5K programmes in our short history, and some of those members have gone on to tackle distances including the marathon. We will support you on every step of your running journey, no matter what your goal!

But our club does not simply start and end with running. We are proud to label ourselves as much more than an ordinary running club. Our Friday social runs, which take place every Friday, always culminate with a drink in the village afterwards, and we also operate trail running groups through the week, coaching sessions on a local track and so much more.

But most importantly, we will offer any new member the chance to create memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. If you want to embrace something new, take your running to the next level or simply meet new people, then Northowram Pumas is the club for you.

To sign up, simply email info@northowrampumas.co.uk or message us on Facebook or Instagram: simply search for Northowram Pumas.

Anna’s Journey – from C25k to a marathon

By Anna Warrington

I started couch to 5k thinking I would give it a go and if I don’t like it I just won’t bother going again. I’d not run since school so knew it wouldn’t be easy. From day 1 I enjoyed it, the support from others doing it and the leaders involved is great.

The weeks fly by and we were soon at the graduation park run being supported by so many members from the pumas.


The running bug is catchy- so much so I went from C25K to 10k to half marathon and recently finished the Yorkshire marathon.

I’ve made many friends and love being a member of the club. If in doubt give it a go, you might surprise yourself and actually enjoy it!

This picture is me completing the marathon with a great friend I met on C25K.

From Couch to 10 miles!

By Jayne Scanlon

I’ve never been very good at exercise stuff. As a kid I was the academic one, the swot, the one picked to be prefect, but NEVER picked in P. E. I was always that one left that folk groaned at when they knew I was on their team. I was the one who never got picked for the good stuff on sports day, but got stuck with the 1500 metres because no-one else wanted it….. And I never finished it, I once even passed out on the third lap of the field!
Into adulthood I started suffering with chronic back pain and any form of exercise caused me discomfort and pain, so I stopped exercising, completely, and became even more incapable of more than a very short walk.

In 2016 I started working in Brighouse and I used to see groups of people running when I was coming home from work. I once saw one group, really spread out with a couple of ladies quite a way behind everyone else. I made enquiries and found it to be members of Northowram Pumas. I contacted them and spoke to a lovely guy called Ian who really tried to encourage me to his beginners class but I chickened out, I decided, when he told me they typically ran 3 miles, it was not for me…. After all, I could barely run a bath!!
I did however, like their Facebook page and, in 2018, when I saw their Couch25k program advertised I knew it was time. I bullied my son Josh to sign up with me and we both got in. Oh…. My…. God, I’ve done it now I thought.

I turned up that first session thinking there would be loads like me, complete beginners, all struggling to run and breathe at the same time. We were asked to run around the field to check our ability. To my horror, I was already half a field behind everyone else by the first lap and needing oxygen and a defib! I was mortified. So much so, I cried… I was so embarrassed, those old school feelings coming back.

Lucky for me, the leader didn’t give up on me, and told me it would get better, making me promise I would come back the next session…. And I did.
I worked hard during that program, running when they asked, walking when told and got my reputation of being stubborn and determined. I was the slowest in group, REALLY slow, but I never gave in, and on the 24th November, I did my graduation Park Run. I was disappointed, I was slow and I had to walk, I was so upset how far at the back I was, I never enjoyed the achievement and the love of the club who’d all turned out to support us.
Since then, I’ve had injuries, illnesses, bad periods of doubt but, belonging to a club has, for the first time in forever, somehow motivated me never to quit. I plodded on, doing my thing, sometimes improving, sometimes slipping backwards but never giving in.

One day, after talking with my husband who was doing the York Marathon, I decided to jump in with both slow feet and sign up for my first race, a 10 miler!!! Not a 5k, not a 10k but straight in. Stupid? Hell yes, achievable? Who knew…? But I wanted to do something amazing with him on that day.
I signed, with only 7 weeks to go!! and a holiday in between. Madness!!! But it was done, no turning back now. I only told a select group of people, mainly as I didn’t want any pressure, but also just in case I failed, that old embarrassed feeling coming back.

I trained, kind of, doing club runs and did two long runs with my husband .. A 5.4 and a 7.6 mile and pretty much accepted I’d finish it, but I’d have to walk.. A lot! But, after two of my closest club friends offered to run with me, there was no turning back, I was not going to fail or quit.
The day arrived, I got ready, I’d prepared the week before, eating properly, carbing up, feeling like a proper athlete 😂😂, and off we went.
I waved my husband off on his marathon and I waited for my event with my support besties. I was nervous, I felt sick, I was dreading the unknown… 10 miles!!! What was I doing?? The klaxon went and we were off.
I emptied my mind; I visualised a medal and I settled into my pace. I let folk pass me, I didn’t care, this was about me, not them and I ran! I just set myself mini goals, each mile to get to, and relaxed. It was tough in places, I hate inclines and there were some sneaky ones, but having two teamies with me made me dig in, I wanted to make them proud, I wanted to make my husband proud and most of all, I wanted to be proud.

I finished that race, 25 minutes faster than I had set myself and I ran the bloody lot, I never once stopped and I never once walked and I wasn’t last!! I’m always last, but not that day, I even passed people, that had never been known! I had only ever run 2 miles without stopping before so I had no idea where it came from but I pulled an amazing achievement out of the bag and I earned my medal!

I achieved the impossible for me, how? Well, support from others, running is lonely alone. Belief, if you don’t believe in yourself, others won’t believe in you either. Determination, the mind can force the body to react when you dig in. Realism, make your journey about you and your goals, don’t be pushed by others, set yourself achievable goals and you’ll get there. Finally, LOVE!! Love yourself for when you do your best and you’ll achieve your impossible.

My name is Jayne and I AM a runner!

 

Keswick Mountain Festival

Keswick Mountain Festival 2019

This is Big Brother.

Welcome to the Lake District, your home for the next 3 days. We believe it’s the perfect setting for a weekend of Running. For those of you into Cycling and Swimming, that’s available too. Big Brother has organised an evening of entertainment at the festival, stunning scenery in an unrivalled setting and a host of great house mates. Big Brother hopes you enjoy your stay.

 

What follows are the the Diary Room accounts of the weekends adventures by the people that lived them.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 1 – Andy Barnes

 

“Yo Big Brother. I was supposed to be doing the Sprint Triathlon first thing on Saturday morning. Except, this became a Sprint Cycle Sprint. There was to be no swimming as they found some sort of Green/Blue Algae in the Lake! I’m very disappointed. I’ve let the ladies down as they didn’t get to see me in my swimming attire!”

 

Big Brother didn’t get to see Andy on his bike either, with an irreparable puncture to his rear tyre meaning a transfer to the 25k. Andy finished in 133rd with a time of 2:46:53.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 2 – Rebecca Stanley

 

“Hi Big Brother. Just to let you know, I forgot the Desserts for dinner. I had one job! I’m not sure the house mates were that impressed. I did Keswick Parkrun on Saturday morning with Andy and then climbed up a mountain on Sunday afternoon with Claire and Andrew. Oh and the festival was brilliant. Glitter was a bit expensive though!”

 

Big Brother hasn’t forgotten about the desserts Rebecca.

 

 

 

 

 

Diary Entry 3 – Jude Roberts

 

“Good morning Big Brother. I did the 25k on Saturday. Myself and Andy actually ran the whole way together. I may have left him at the end though. First Puma home and all that! On Sunday we both ran up a Mountain. It was a bit chilly at the top. By the way, do you know what ABBA and Jeep stand for?”

 

Big Brother hasn’t forgotten any of Jude’s Acronyms. These are now the thing of legend amongst this year’s house mates. He finished his 25k in 125th position with a time of 2:45:43.

 

Diary Entry 4 – Andrew Mellor

 

“Hello Big Brother. The 25k was the hardest thing I’ve ever done! We set off, all smiles and were even at the front on the start line. The Captain would be proud! Two words to describe the route? Incredibly Tough! We all had to concentrate on our footing, watching those ankles and some of those descents were treacherous. Awesome oranges at the last checkpoint saved me. Loved every minute of the weekend!”

 

Big Brother has not forgotten Andrew’s fan boy moment meeting a YouTube star. He finished his 25k in 238th position with a time of 3:03:58.

 

 

Diary Entry 5 – Claire Ramsbottom

 

“Hi Big Brother! I did the 25k and feel like a proper runner now! No denying it was super challenging. I ran most of it and even made friends along the way which kept me going near the end. I saved our house mates on Saturday night by jumping into the road for a taxi to take us back to the house. Such a fab weekend. My face hurts from laughing!”

 

Big Brother hasn’t forgotten the amount of glitter in the Dining room. Claire finished her 25k in 360th position with a time of 3:27:18.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 6 – Peter Reason

 

“Hello Big Brother. The 25k was definitely hard on the legs. It was some of the most scenic yet challenging running I’ve ever done. It was a really tough race but I do fancy some cycling next time so may try a Sportive. Hats off to everyone who prepared the curry for Friday and pasta for Saturday.”

 

Big Brother is not sure if Peter got out of his hiding place behind the bedroom door. He finished his 25k in 422nd position with a time of 3:45:25.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 7 – Sharon Reason

 

“Hi there Big Brother. I ran the 10k on Sunday morning with Rob. We had a little boat trip across the lake to reach our starting point. It was a lovely route but at less than a mile in, Rob took a dive down the banking towards the lake. He’s just clumsy! Not sure how he expected me to pull him back up onto the path? I was actually tempted to leave him until two guys helped out. But we finished together and I’ve had a brilliant weekend.”

 

Big Brother would like to thank Sharon for driving people around Keswick all weekend. Sharon finished her 10k in 441st position with a time of 1:43:17.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 8 – Rob Bowman

 

“Aye up Big Brother. I’ve had a smashing weekend. I ran my first ever official 10k with Sharon. I suspect she tripped me up. In truth, I may have just fallen over a tree stump. But there was blood everywhere and grit in my arm. Thank you to the marshals for putting a plaster on my finger! Loved every minute and the support from the house mates was fantastic. Team Puma! Best thing I’ve been a part of in ages!”

 

Big Brother has looked into Robs tumble and found no foul play. He finished his first ever official 10k in 440th position with a time of 1:43:16.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 9 – Julie Bowman

 

“Hi Big Brother. It’s hard going to a festival and behaving yourself the night before an Ultra Marathon. I got up around 04:30 as our race was setting off at 06:00. Good job the other house mates were quiet when they stumbled in. They had been warned! The actual race was brutal. I fell at least once. 50k on that type of terrain is hard. Can’t believe Rob forgot my Fanta for the finish. Livid! Someone pass me the Epsom Salts!”

 

 

 

Big Brother is still afraid of being late for dinner after Julie shouted to the girls upstairs. Julie finished her 50k in 66th position with a time of 6:42:10, the 2nd female in her age group.

 

 

Diary Entry 10 – Tim Book

 

“Hello Big Brother. Is the WiFi working in here? Anyway, I did my 100th Parkrun on Saturday morning over at Whinlatter Forest, cycling over with Jane. Like Julie, I was on my best behaviour on Saturday ahead of the 50k. I even proper studied the route. It really was a difficult and tiring race, I had nothing left in the tank at the end. Fantastic weekend though!”

 

Big Brother would like to thank Tim for bringing entertaining music to the house. Tim finished his 50k in 21st position with a time of 5:47:41.

 

 

Diary Entry 11 – Jane Cole

 

“Alright Big Brother. Can I just say I’ve had a brilliant weekend. Disappointed not to be running but I’ve enjoyed 15 miles on the bike. We bought too many Pizza’s for Sunday but I’m blaming Claire for that. And where was dessert? Also, how good was Hide and Seek! Proper took my mind off Bob. Thanks to all the house mates for the funniest weekend ever. My cheeks and belly hurt from giggling all weekend!”

 

Big Brother recognises Jane for suggesting the house mates play Hide and Seek. Well done Jane.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: The diary records above may or may not bear any relation whatsoever to the events and individual views of the house mates over the Keswick Mountain Festival weekend. Rumours that Jude was evicted first for repeating stories and jokes are unsubstantiated.

Pumas Club Records

This is our club Hall of Fame and records page, with the fastest Pumas in our history given the credit their incredible performances deserve! Members must have been a registered Puma for their time to count.

Fastest Times: Male

5k: 16:56 – Martin Klavon
10k: 34:50 – Martin Klavon
HM: 77:42 – Chris Newton
M: 2:39:41 – Chris Newton

Fastest Times: Female

5k: 20:58 – Lisa Hirst
10k: 41:02 – Lisa Hirst
HM: 89:42 – Lisa Hirst
M: 3:31:00 – Lisa Hirst

Calderdale Way Relay Leg Records

Following the latest event in 2023, these are the existing Club records for the Calderdale Way Relay for each leg: male and female.

Open
Leg 1: 1:25:51 Stephen Earle & Chris Newton – set in 2023
Leg 2: 1:09:47 Luke Cranfield & Tim Brook – set in 2018
Leg 3: 0:47:22 Andy Sales and Shaun Casey – set in 2022
Leg 4: 1:27:06 Luke Cranfield & Rick Ralph – set in 2019
Leg 5: 1:04:36 Andy Haslam & Andy Sales – set in 2019
Leg 6: 1:29:31 Aaron Bower and Stephen Earle – set in 2021

Female
Leg 1: 1:45:40: Elizabeth Mcdonnell & Diane Cooper – set in 2017
Leg 2: 1:22:16: Elizabeth Mcdonnell & Diane Cooper – set in 2019
Leg 3: 0:55:13: Ally Canning & Diane Cooper – set in 2018
Leg 4: 1:42:57: Kirsty Edwards & Julie Bowman – set in 2018
Leg 5: 1:24:24: Gabriella Kenny & Julie Snee – set in 2019
Leg 6: 1:43:58: Kirsty Edwards & Victoria Owen – set in 2019

Bradford Millennium Way Relay Leg Records

And following the 2023 Bradford Millennium Way Relay, these are the fastest leg times set by Puma pairings:

Open
Leg 1: 1:29:00: Kole Broadfoot-Cox and Stephen Earle – set in 2022
Leg 2: 1:21:00: Simon Cleaver and Paul Stockdale – set in 2022
Leg 3: 1:13:25: Andy Haslam and Mark Hewitt – set in 2023
Leg 4: 1:22:13: Aaron Bower and Andy Sales – set in 2023
Leg 5: 1:36:41: Lisa Hirst and Aaron Bower – set in 2021

Female
Leg 1:
Leg 2: 1:48:51: Nicola Parker and Liz Lund – set in 2023
Leg 3:
Leg 4: 1:44:47: Camilla Gough and Leanda Cox – set in 2022
Leg 5: 1:51:13: Carly Teale and Rachel Williams – set in 2023

Burnsall Half Marathon

By Andrew Mellor

I’d never tried running a trail half marathon before. So for my first, what could be better than to try than one with spectacular views in the Yorkshire Dales? If you threw in a few hills and a bottle of beer at the end, I’d be completely sold. If this, like me, sounds like your thing, continue reading and let me tell you about this year’s Burnsall Half Marathon.

It’s the first race of the 2019 Due North Race Series, set in the stunning riverside location of Burnsall. It takes in several sections of the Dales Way footpath and provides some of the most beautiful scenery the Yorkshire Dales has to offer. It’s also quite hilly.

Six hardy Pumas arrived early ahead of the 10 am start to collect numbers and prepare for the challenging race ahead. The previous year’s event had seen some soaring temperatures, but this year was different. It was cold. Layering decisions became an issue immediately whilst waiting for the start but after a brief warm up around the field, we gathered with 208 other runners and were underway.

The start eased us in gently, looping around the field and then onto the path by the river. And then the first climb up Kail Hill. The route then continued uphill for what felt like forever until we reached the first welcome downhill near Trollers Gill at mile 3 (avoiding any confrontation with the fabled Barghest). Descending for the next few miles, through Skyreholme down to the river and then up into Appletreewick.

At mile 7 we were going vertical once more, providing a welcome opportunity to take on fluids and shed layers before climbing up towards Dibbles Bridge across some open, tough moorland and then up back up Langerton Hill. After some frankly ridiculous, un-runnable last climbs, we headed down towards Hebden, following the river and across the picturesque Burnsall Bridge to the finish.

The winner of the race finished in 1:27:20 and promptly claimed his prize and ran home to continue tending to his flock of sheep. Jude Roberts led the Pumas home in 15th position in an impressive 1:48:31. A sprint finish decided the 2nd and 3rd Pumas where I somehow crossed the line in 63rd with a time of 2:06:45, a single second ahead of Matt Newton in 64th with a time of 2:06:46 knocking 14 minutes off his 2018 time.

Kirsty Edwards finished in 73rd improving on last year with a time of 2:08:46 and was then delighted to be reunited with the gloves she’d reluctantly abandoned mid-way. And bringing us all home were Tiffany Lewis and Mark Kirkby, nipping under the 3 hour mark in 2:59:41 and 2:59:40 respectively.

Plenty of post-race refreshments were on offer, including some of the best yogurts you never really thought you needed and some cold pasta which was best avoided.

To sum up, it’s a tough (over 1650ft of Climbing!) but rewarding race in a stunning location. Really well organised and definitely something a little different. I’d wholeheartedly recommend you add this one to your calendars for next year.

Sowerby Bridge Flat Caps 10K

By Dawn Higgins

On a weekend where the Northowram Pumas were represented at many events throughout the North, this Puma chose to stay close to home and run the Sowerby Bridge Flat Caps 10k Race. Now in its second year, this race was described as ‘a charity 10k for any ability’, an ‘undulating 10k road race, chip timed, measured and fully marshalled course’ with all participants receiving a bespoke medal. With a 10.30start, the promise of a medal and some stunning views, I was in!

With hindsight, I don’t really think that this was as full and frank description of the route as I (and many fellow runners) would have liked. I’d driven a recce of the route and let’s just say that ‘undulating’ really doesn’t give this race justice. With over 1000 feet of climbing, all in the first half, it’s a bit like the Overgate route, but even more harsh!

Starting off from Snails HQ (Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club on Walton Street), it was a well organised and civilised start to proceedings. A quick lap around the field before we ascended up the paths through Dixie Woods, a right turn at the top started the further ascent up Sowerby New Road. After a mile of solid climbing, at the Church Stile Inn we turned right down Pinfold Lane to  enjoy some spectacular scenery, looking out towards Hebden and beyond. Heading out to Boulderclough, we turned up Shield Hall Lane, for an absolute ‘pig’ (insert swear word as you see fit) of a climb. You’d think that was it….but no. More climbing up Steep Lane, which, as names go is a fairly accurate description! To say it was hideous is an understatement; Think Howes Lane, but steeper. And longer. Ooh, throw in a head wind and you’re somewhere near!

Anyway…low point/high point? Who cares at this stage? Left onto Mirey Lane (more superb views), through Hubberton Green, right up Red Brink Lane and once at the top…..it’s all downhill! Views across to Norland, Huddersfield beyond and even Saddleworth! Down Toothill Lane,Thunderton Lane, left onto Plain Lane, down Upper Field House Lane, and back into Sowerby. Sometimes it has a bit ‘too’ downhill for us potential Fallers, but that just allows for Phoebe running. Past the school, round the corner and a sneaky last uphill section before crossing back over Sowerby New Road and back down through Dixie woods to where we started and the finish line! Phew!

My evaluation? This is not a 10k PB course. This is a harsh slog of steep, unrelenting uphill, with beautiful and stunning views to (hopefully) distract from what you’re doing! It was a well organised, well marshalled race with lots of support throughout and a lovely medal. All proceeds went to the Christie in Manchester. For many reasons, and not just because this year I was only there for the views, I will be back.

#FPH Dawn Higgins 58.19 (also #LPH and #OPH so there you go!)

Photo credits Jonathan Moon, Yorkshire Runner Photos and Sowerby Bridge Snails Flat Caps
Facebook event page.

Yorkshire Veterans Grand Prix at Middleton

By Andy Flynn

This morning we climbed aboard the fun bus for fun and frivolity at the opening race of the YVAA Grand Prix Series at Middleton Park, Leeds. There were a full array of ages on display from the ever youthful Tim Brook to a gent who was running in the 80+ category.

A 5.3 mile (8.5km) course awaited us and luckily for roadies like me it had dried out nicely for this race. We set off for a lap of the field then roughly two laps off the woods with a couple of decent hills involved. #FPH in a very respectable 10th place was Tim Brook followed by the evergreen Andy Haslam in 34th.

89th place was Thomas O’Reilly followed by Andrew Mellor in 104th. I saw Andrews shirt for the whole race but just couldn’t get any closer. Andy Flynn(me) came in 110th for his first victory over club legend Neil Coupe who came 122nd. Mark Kirkby then followed closely in 134th.

On the ladies side a great run by Jo Louise to finish 56th and a gritty determined run from Tiffany Emma Lewis in 68th who wasn’t feeling her best today.

Full results at website www.yvaa.org/grand-prix/

Next event is at Honley on Sunday 14th April hosted by Holmfirth Harriers. For those who’ve raced today keep your numbers and take a fiver with you to race. Those who haven’t, make sure you register at least the day before then do the same to collect your number. I’ll be away but no doubt there’ll be a fun bus thread in the days leading up it.