Race date: Sunday 16 February 2025

Race distance: 4.85km

Race report by Matt Broadhead

I’ve done this race before (https://www.steelcitystriders.co.uk/2023/hoppits-hill-race-2023-report/), and I was very much looking forward to the bacon sarnie beforehand, to the extent that I’d persuaded my brother, who lives nearby, to join me for a pre-race snack. Sadly, this time the cricket club canteen was shut, so we went hungry.

Hoppits Hill is a short-but-steep fell race that doesn’t feel like the “B” it’s categorised as. Until recently, it was race-directed by Nicky Spinks, who clearly knew what she was about when she planned the course. It’s now been taken over by Dewsbury Road Runners, of saucy-T-shirt fame. There are races for all ages, from under-9s to the two V80s that finished. Registration was simple, the race briefing was brief and the first hill was as steep as I remembered. I’d done 10 miles the day before and I set off a bit cautiously, which was an error because there’s a long single-file section at the top of the climb. Things soon open up though, and the course becomes a mix of harum scarum descents, muddy flats and one climb where I had to walk the top again. The finish is a sly little climb that leaves you breathless, and it’s time for a sit down.

The course was slightly longer this year, owing to a new fence, but not enough to account for how much slower I was. I enjoyed it though, and my brother’s partner supplied consolatory bacon sandwiches for lunch. Result!

• The under-9 race (1km) was won by Sophie Broadhead (no relation) of K&C AC in 5:53
• The under-11 race (2km) was won by Billy White (K&C AC)  in 11:11
• The under-13 race (3km) was won by Alice White (K&C AC) in 17:24
• The senior/under-17/under-15 races run concurrently on the same course. The fastest under-15, James Bastow, was 4th overall in 23:18. The fastest under-15 girl (and first female runner home) was Polly Foxall in 25:34. The fastest under-17 was Joshua Casey (Halifax Harriers) in 24:10, with fastest under-17 girl Alice Parry (Holmfirth Harriers) in 30:00. The adult winners were George Parr (Penistone) in 22:05 and Lisa Clarkson (Barnsley Harriers) in 29:10

Striders Result