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(Leg
records. Men.Ian Holmes/Rob Jebb. Bingley 1.16.17. 2006. Ladies
Jo Waity/Jo Smith.Calder Valley 2006)
This is the longest and possibly the
toughest leg. Start on the track on the N. side of the Long
Causeway Road approx 20mtrs beyond the gate at G.R. 892292.This
first section reverses the Haworth Hobble route across the
Cant Clough Reservoir dam passes on the E. side of Hurstwood
Reservoir to then climb the Gorple Road to Gorple Gate.The
route then drops down past Widdop Reservoir on the S. side,
across the dam and onto the Widdop road.After approx 3/4m
along the road going E. a right turn is taken heading up to
and crossing the Gorple Lwr. Reservoir dam. A left turn after
the dam then a right turn soon after takes you on a track
crossing Heptonstall Moor and the Pennine Way,emerging after
a descent onto Edge Lane. After a flat fast section along
the lane a sharp right hand turn is taken steeply down a tarmac
lane.At the bottom of the lane which bears right our route
goes left skirting the boundary fence of a large house and
garden ( Top o’th’Hough ) and climbing to a new
gate.A steep climb follows up to a large 5 barred gate above
Field Head Farm. Take care on this next section as the official
Waymarking signs keep being altered by persons unknown.Do
not turn left down the lane (New Lane ) past Field Head farm,carry
straight on for approx 20mtrs to another large gate ,go through
the gate and straight on until you arrive at a cluster of
farm buildings and turn left down Brown Hill Lane. This lane
emerges at a hairpin bend on the Blackshaw Head to Colden
road above the New Delight pub. Turn left down the road then
right at the bottom of the hill opposite the pub.
Take care not to miss the
next right turn before the houses at Shaw Bottom and
climb steeply between walls/fences crossing leg 4 of the Calderdale
Way relay. At the road turn left then right down Marsh Lane
to drop steeply down to Callis Bridge.Turn left just before
the busy main Todmorden to Hebden Bridge road ,the route goes
through the trees for 50mtrs not along the busy road.
Take extra special care crossing
the busy main road ! the changeover is just across the road,
it is definitely dodgy here please please please take care
!!!!!!! The changeover point is across the
road near to the canal bridge at G.R. 972264. Note…there
are no toilets at this changeover point,do not use the countryside
as a toilet !
There is very little parking at Callis Bridge
although some parking is available 500m away from the c/o
on the Todmorden side at a mill yard. Please park as directed
by the marshalls.
Do not park on Jumble Hole Road
or by the garages opposite the changeover under any circumstances.
We have had lots of complaints from local people in this area
putting the future of the event at risk.
(Leg
records men.Alex Whitten Adam Breaks 54.37. Calder Valley
2009. Ladies Donna Cartwright. Anna Lupton.1.21.01. Radcliffe
AC.2008)
Although not the longest leg it does
have the most amount of climb with a proper “sting in
the tail “ and the toughest climb of the whole route
! From the start at the canal bridge at G.R. 972264 this leg
begins with a longish,steady climb up through Callis Woods
onto Kilnshaw Lane and a fast section along the London Road
to Mankinholes. At Mankinholes a right turn upon reaching
the road then a left turn after approx ½ mile brings
you out onto the road again near to the pub at Lumbutts site
of the Stoodley Pike race. A short but uphill section along
the road follows until shortly before the Shepherds Rest pub
where the route branches off left at a large gate.The next
section is superb running on a setted gritstone path, firstly
between two walls and then across open moor above Walsden,past
several houses and farms and then steeply down and across
the canal to Bottomley on the A6033 Todmorden to Littleborough
road.This section is well waymarked although take care not
to miss the turn for the descent to the canal.At the road
turn left then along the road for 1/4m before turning right
at the pedestrian crossing . A steep zig-zag climb follows
leading onto a lane at the top ( Reddyshore Scout )
Turn Left along the lane,flat then downhill to the changeover
area where this lane meets Calderbrook Road at G.R. 944190.
Parking is available on this road although care should be
taken as parking is limited. Another option would be to park
on the main Todmorden to Littleborough road (A6033) near to
the Summit pub and walk up the short distance on the Pennine
Bridleway (South)(waymarked)
Note there are no
toilets at the changeover area do not use the countryside
as a toilet !
Mass
start time for leg 4 runners 1.30 pm prompt !
(Leg
records.Men. Paul Massey/Alistair Massey 34.48 Horwich 2007.
Ladies. Anna Kelly Vannesa Peacock 44.45 Clayton 2007
This is the shortest leg with the least amount
of climb and should suit the speed merchants .The running
is good mainly on newly laid paths and tracks although the
last section can be pretty boggy after heavy rain.From the
start at G.R. 944190 a short road section followed by a sharp
right turn will see you on the track which features at the
start of the Turnslack race. There are plenty of waymarking
signs on this section which passes close to Watergrove reservoir
at Wardle and then via the Ramsden road and skirting Brown
Wardle Hill to Whitworth.The changeover point is near to Lobden
Golf Club at G.R. 893177.Access to the c/o area is via Church
St. From Whitworth ( Turn at the Dog and Partridge pub) and
up past the Red Lion pub
Parking is available around the changover area.Please park
so as to avoid blocking farm/local access. Note…there
are no toilets at this changeover area,do not use the countryside
as a toilet !
(Leg
records. Men Gary Devine/John Henegan. Pudsey and Bramley,
58.26. 2006. Ladies.Anne Johnson.Naomi Sharratt. 1.14.54.
2009
The main feature of this leg is the mega long climb from Broadley
along the Rooley Moor Road to the Top of Leach the highest
point on the Mary Towneley Loop.From the start at G.R. 893177
the route cuts through the golf course and down towards Broadley.Take
care to look for the PBW sign which directs you sharp right
just before the small stone arch bridge on Ending Rake then
onto the main Bacup to Rochdale road (A671) via Tonnacliffe
Road.After crossing the main road take care to follow the
gravel track bearing right ( do not cross the narrow bridge
going left ) to cross the the river on a new large bridge.
Left after crossing the bridge and then first right onto a
path through the trees.Bear left after coming out of the woods
on a track then cobbled lane to Prickshaw. Turn right at Prickshaw
and follow the lane (Knacks Lane ) al the way up the Rooley
Moor Rd.
Turn right onto Rooley Moor Rd. and begin the long climb.The
going underfoot is good on a solid surface with some cobbled
sections.After the climb and a short descent take care to
bear left at a Y junction through Cragg Quarries.Look out
for the waymarking signs at the end of the quarry track which
direct you right ,through a gate then steeply down onto Cowpe
Rd.Turn left on Cowpe Rd and follow the Waymarking sigs to
Waterfoot. Turn right over the river and along Bridge St.
and left at the end (Waymarked Waterfoot) After 50 yds turn
first right onto a dirt track and past the wooden garages.This
track emerges onto the main Bacup Road.Cross the road at the
pededestrian traffic lights and go up Townsend St. and turn
right onto Mount Ave. just before the Jolly Sailor Pub .Run
up the hill past the school and turn left following the path
the black railings onto Booth Road. Run up the hill on Booth
Road until just before the brow of the hill turn left onto
Hey Head Avenue,go along the avenue for 100yds or so to the
finish at Fearns School.
From Cowpe road the way
to the finish will be clearly marked by the organisers with
bright direction arrows.
See the route description page for fully downloadable written
route descriptions and maps.
Team
captains must ensure that teams potentially in the mass start
are aware of the times. Teams who miss the mass start will
not be allowed to continue !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click
here
for a more detailed explanation of
the mini mass starts
.
The Mary Towneley Loop Waymarking was
completed by the Countryside Agency in 2002. Generally the
waymarking is excellent and runners should have no problems
finding their way around their respective legs although prior
knowledge of the route is essential. Several types of signage
has been used although most contain a small blue and
white circular disc with a white acorn symbol ( National
Trail ) enclosed within a blue direction arrow with the words
“ Pennine Bridleway National Trail –The Mary Towneley
Loop “ around the outside. Some of the wooden signs
are about 6ft high with 18in direction arms with the words
“ Pennine Bridleway “ ,a mileage indicator to
a future feature and the white acorn symbol.Some of the longer
direction arms have been broken off although the blue and
white disc screwed to the posts remain intact. Other wooden
posts more easily missed are about 4ft high
with a blue painted section, PBW inscribed and the blue and
white disc screwed to it. In the Whitworth and Waterfoot areas
the wooden type signs have been replaced by green metal direction
arrows on top of a 6ft metal post with the place name of the
next future feature and the white acorn symbol .The final
section from Cowpe Rd back to the finish can be complicated
so the organisers will mark this section with brightly coloured
direction arrows.
Types
of waymarking signs seen on the Mary Towneley Loop
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