Below is a press release of some of the racing that has happened over Christmas and New Year. If you've done any races that I've missed, get the results on the blog.
There was plenty of racing action over the festive period for Keswick Athletic Club members. This would help to alleviate the impact of the various temptations that tend to arise over Christmas and the subsequent widening of waist sizes.
The Wansfell fell race in Ambleside is the perfect antidote to gluttonous Christmas behaviour. The race takes place two days after Christmas so provides the perfect opportunity to work off too much turkey.
The race can sometimes be affected by cold weather and icy conditions but this year was mild and the toughest part of the race was the wet underfoot terrain on the side of the fell. The race is a short and sharp affair starting from Ambleside. It is just over two miles in distance but squeezes in 1,300’ of climbing. The lung-bursting ascent to the summit of Wansfell is followed by an electrifying descent back down the hill-side and into the town.
Bingley’s Rob Jebb made his return to racing after suffering a dislocated shoulder earlier in the season and took the win in a time of 19:59. This was some way off the record of 18:56 set by Keswick’s Kenny Stuart in 1984 but times were generally down due to the damp conditions. The first female was Sarah McCormack of Moorfoot who finished in 23:57. The runners up were Kim Collison (Eden Runners) and Lindsey Brindle (Horwich) respectively.
The first Keswick AC runner was Chris Edis who placed well in a competitive field to finish 10th in 22:32. Following close behind Chris was John Nicoll in 12th (22:49).
For those looking to get the New Year off with a racing start, there is the Nine Standards fell race in Kirkby Stephen on New Year’s Day. Starting from the Market Square in the small town, the route is a simple out and back course to the mysterious Nine Standards stones that sit above Kirkby Stephen. The course includes a fair bit of tarmac for a fell race but still manages to squeeze 1800’ of climbing into the 8 mile course. The event was clear of snow this year but there were some wild winds and blustery showers for the competitors to deal with.
There was some excitement in the ladies race as the record was broken in dramatic fashion. Keswick’s Pippa Maddams and Todmorden Harrier’s Lauren Jeska crossed the line together in joint 10th place overall and clocking a record time of 1:00:55.
The men’s race was won comfortably by Howgill Harrier Carl Bell, finishing over two minutes ahead in a time of 52:57. Kim Collison, as at Wansfell, finished second getting back to the Market Square in 55:25. Keswick AC’s Russell Maddams was third in 57:52.
Russell was joined by Steve Angus, running his first race in a Keswick vest, and Richard Unwin to secure a men’s team prize. Steve finished 7th in 1:00:16 and second veteran over 40 and Richard finished 41st in 1:09:37. Further Keswick representation came from Angela Armstrong who finished 55th overall in a time of 1:12:33.
Along with the action on the fells, a number of Keswick members took to the roads to get some racing in over the Christmas period. Two Keswick runners happened to be in the south of England over Christmas and both took part in the 8th annual Pilot Inn 4 Mile Christmas Road Race in Hardwicke, Gloucestershire. Keswick’s Steve Hebblethwaite was in amongst the front runners and secured a worthy 3rd place, finishing behind Andy Kaighin of Cheltenham Harriers (20:50) and Kyran Hale of Severn AV (21:09). Steve’s time was 21:26 and he was joined by club colleague Dave Burton who ran 25:46 and finished 23rd. Dave has been training with Keswick AC for many years and this was his first race as a first-claim member.
There was only one Keswick runner at the hugely popular Ribble Valley 10K in Clitheroe, Lancashire. But Samantha Ayres ran a strong race to finish 6th female over 40 and 31st female overall. There were 898 runners in total and there was some fantastic racing at the front of the field as the course record fell. Jonny Mellor of Liverpool Harriers & AC pipped the international triathlete Alistair Brownlee (Bingley Harriers & AC) to the line by a mere five seconds. Mellor ran the record breaking time of 29:10 and Brownlee was just adrift stopping the clock at 29:15. In the female race the victory was a little more comfortable for Katrina Wootton of Bedford and County AC. She ran a time of 33:57, some way ahead of second placed Tessa Walker (Salford Harriers & AC) who ran 35:51.
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