Leo Pollard Memorial Fell Race in conjunction with Horwich Festival of Running
The weather forecast for Thursday 4th June wasn’t good with high chances of rain, however the forecast improved during race day, the rain held off and 96 runners had a wonderful time. Conditions were good if a bit windy on the high points of the course that starts at Rivington Barn and visits the Pigeon Tower, Pike, 2 Lads, Winter Hill Mast before returning to the Barn via the Pike and Pigeon Tower. The course was partially marked with signs and there were plenty of marshalls spread out around the course and Bolton Mountain Rescue had 3 vehicles at different parts of the course providing Safety Cover.
Horwich on home ground dominated the top of the standings taking the 1st 4 places, Luke Foley won in a time of 36 mins 50 secs followed by Sam Fairhurst in 38:26 and Julian Goudge in 39:48 (Matt Fawthrop was 4th in 40:32). 1st lady was Paula Pilling from Burnden Road Runners in a time of 52:12 followed by Karolina Graves from Billinge Running Club in 53:58 and 3rd Lady was Donna Cartwright from Ratcliffe AC in 55:13.
The highlight of the route is the decent from the high point at the Mast to the Pike across open moor with more than the odd section of mud here and there, 1 particular runner had found the mud and as in 2014 retuned covered in it for which he received a spot prize (Ian Swan Ratcliffe AC).
Leo Pollards family were out in force with several running and a large number supporting, Leos family also donated the spot prizes.
As usual the race proceeds are donated to Bolton Mountain Rescue and this year with 96 runners we were able to donate £500 to Bolton Mountain Rescue who require £60000 in donations per year.
Thankyou to Woodland Trust and United Utilities for allowing us to race over their land and to the Salmon family at Rivington Barn for allowing us use of the car park and grounds.
Mark Shuttleworth
Leo Pollard Memorial Fell Race results FRA_2026
Bolton Mountain Rescue with the £500 Leo Pollard Memorial Fell race donation
Race pictures can be found on the Leo Pollard Memorial Fell Race was Hendersons End Fell Race Here
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RACE DETAILS
- Date & time: Thu 4 Jun 2026 at 19:30
- Country: England
- Region: South/West Pennines
- Category: BS
- Website: https://lostock-ac.co.uk
- Distance: 8.5 km / 5.3 miles
- Climb: 335 m / 1099 ft
- Venue: Rivington Hall Barn grounds, Rivington, Bolton, BL6 7SB
- Grid reference: SD634145
- Skills: PM, LK
- Minimum age: 18
ENTRY INFORMATION
- Entry on day: Yes
- Entry on day fee: £5.00
- Pre-entry: No
CONTACT FOR RACE INFORMATION
- Mark Shuttleworth
07817578475
mark.shuttleworth@tiscali.co.uk - Race Organiser: Mark Shuttleworth
Note there are no toilets at registration, there are toilets at Tesco at Horwich just off J6 M61.
You can find photos from the 2024 and 2025 race on our Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092142715605
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Previous races
The race is run under the FRA rules in accordance with FRA safety requirements and rules for competition.
Please make sure you are familiar with them. See Requirements for Runners
https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/articles/documents
The race is a 6.2 mile fell race and contains significant ascent – 1378 ft over road, trail (some very rough) and open fell (maybe boggy in places depending on the weather).
The route will be partially signed but runners should familiarise themselves with the route which will be displayed at registration and attached to this post.
Runners should be accustomed to running the race distance & ascent.
Runners should not wear headphones.
No dogs are allowed on the race route.
Please note.
Please ensure you bring with you the recommended FRA kit. we may ask you to wear or carry all or some of it depending on the weather on the day/evening
Full details of FRA rules and kit can be found in the Requirements for Runners link above.
Note: New race route from 2024, see below for details.
The race route used for the 2019, 2022, 2023 races (no races 2020 or 2021 due to Covid) was approx. 7.5 miles and 1500 ft of ascent and was categorised as a BM Fell race. This is one of the longer midweek Fell races and with a 7:30pm start means that some runners are finishing at 9:15 – 30 not long before it gets dark.
This year we have attempted to shorten the race but still produce a route that is challenging and also agreeable to Natural England who authorise organised events routed over SSSI land on Winter Hill.
Race Route for 2024/2025
The route from the start to CP8 is the same as in previous years.
At CP8 we now divert up the Rotary Way to the Trig Point at CP11 where race numbers will be taken and the runners turn around and return down the Mast road to CP9 where they will turn right and head across the open moor to the Pike (CP6).
The route from CP6 (2nd time at the Pike) to the finish is the same as in previous years.
Who is Leo?
Lostock Athletic Club pays tribute to past Honorary Life President Leo Pollard who died after a short illness in January 2018.
Leo felt at home running in the hills and mountains. He was originally a keen walker and rock climber. Friends accompanied him on many epic walks. Leo soon began to up the pace and he enjoyed his fell running, competing in numerous mountain marathons, Fellsmans Hikes and Welsh 3000s. Leo loved to run all the classic Lakeland fell races including The Ennerdale, The Three Shires, The Grisedale Horseshoe, Langdale Horseshoe and the Wasdale Horseshoe. He also ran local races such as the Winter Hill and Horwich RMI Jubilee Races. He was proud to have run the Rivington Pike Race over 20 times.
Leo joined Lostcock AC club in the 1990s and immediately made his mark encouraging long distant events including The River Douglas Way in 2004 (from the source on Winter Hill to the sea at the Blue Dolphin on the Ribble Estuary) and supporting the Trans Pennine Way. He was an active runner then and every Wednesday you would find him running around 5 miles with his fellow club members and having a quick pint afterwards. Lostock AC started Leo running and enjoying Cross Country races again. He also initiated the annual club off road duathlon and remained an active runner until suffering a stroke. Then you could always rely on finding Leo marshalling and encouraging runners somewhere on route be it a BGR, Mince Pie Run or the Lostock 6. It has to be said that Lostock AC and the Achille Ratti Climbing Club gave Leo and his wife Freda, friendship, companionship and moral support throughout many years of his life.
Whilst newer Lostock AC members knew Leo for his unfailing support at multiple club events it was during the 1970’s and 1980’s with the Achille Ratti Climbing Club and Horwich RMI Harriers that Leo established his reputation as one of the finest fell runners of his generation. Always accompanied and supported by his wife Freda come rain or shine, day or night. He was one of the earliest members of the Bob Graham Round No 44 in 1976. In 1981 he was the first person to run to all the 26 Lakes, Meres and Waters, quite an achievement. 2 years later for charity he was also the first person to run the 126 miles of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. A training run for this event was to run the 54 mile Bolton Boundary. In the 1988 with ARCC members he inaugurated the classic Old County Tops Fell Race. Leo completed many long distance walks, relays and events. In 1999 at the age of 65 years he completed the Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge. Even the effects of a severe stroke did not stop Leo, his last mountain top in July 2017 at 82 years of age was Lattrig (1204 feet) celebrating 75 years of the ARCC.
To do all of the above Leo knew how to use the map and compass. A compass always points true. Leo’s compass was one that always pointed towards kindness and companionship on the hills. One that pointed out to others how they could achieve their goals and dreams. May your own compass guide you safely on your own journeys and adventures. Enjoy the hills, enjoy the race.
