As part of the centenary celebrations this year Stockport Harriers are staging the Len Mullen Memorial Cross Country on Sunday 9th October 2011 at Woodbank Park Stockport, in aid of The Christie and sponsored by Road and Fell, Stockport
The parkland course is run mainly over grass and paths which is suitable for spikes, descending to the River Goyt, one lap for ladies (3 miles) and two laps for men (5 miles).
Stockport Harriers was formed in September 1911 after several local Harrier clubs decided to amalgamate and be named Stockport Harriers.
Three of these local clubs were Reddish, Marple & Davenport Harriers whose members met in local pubs.
In 1946 Stockport Harriers moved their base to the stables (now demolished) at Woodbank Park Offerton.
In 1949 working as a reporter on the Stockport Express the then 23-year-old David Coleman won as a Stockport Harrier the prestigious Manchester Mile event at Fallowfield Stadium in a time of 4 minutes and 16 seconds.
A cinder athletics track was laid in 1952 and named the King George 6th stadium.
In 1987 an all weather synthetic track was laid after members of Stockport Harriers and Manchester Harriers & Athletic Club formed the Stockport Athletic Track Appeal (S.A.T.A.) which successfully campaigned for the £330.000 funding needed upgrade the cinder track to the synthetic track you see today.
Len Mullen was the Track & Field captain for Stockport Harriers he was the Cheshire County 1,500 metres Champion and a supporter of the Stockport Athletic Track Appeal in the late 1980’s.
Together with two other Stockport Harriers he appeared as an extra the Oscar winning film “Chariots of Fire” in 1981, the film centred on the 1924 Paris Olympic Games He can be seen running in the iconic opening scene on the beach at St Andrews with fellow Harrier Graham Brooke who has entered the race.
Sadly Len died in 2008 from lung cancer, there is a memorial bench in his name at Woodbank Stadium.
George Tivey a life member of Stockport Harriers will be the event announcer. His daughter Lesley Tivey a proficient middle distance runner in her youth was the third member of Stockport Harriers who appeared in many of the crowd scenes during the making of “Chariots of Fire”
Spectators and officials to this event are encouraged to adopt the 1911/ 1924 dress code of the day.
In addition to prizes to the athletes, a prize for the best dressed and most authentic Lady and Gentleman in 1911/1924 costume.
Struggling for ideas think Mary Poppins!
Women’s race starting at 1.15pm. Men’s starting at 2.00pm.
Entry Fees: Attached athletes £5. Unattached athletes £7. On the day entries £2 extra.
Pre-entry closing date: 2nd October.
Prizes: 1st 2nd 3rd Men, 1st MV40, MV50, MV60.
1st 2nd 3rd Women 1st WV35, WV45, WV55.
Team Prizes (3 to count): 1st men’s, 1st women’s, 1st Stockport Harriers men’s and women’s 1st Stockport Harriers MV50 and WV50
There will be computerised results service provided by Steve Ashcroft from Shoestring Results.