The Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland hosted the first round of the British Fell Running Championship as usual this year. Breezy north westerly winds had blown away overnight rain as forcast, for the 12pm start, and as the field of over 200 registered for the race the last of the cloud lifted to clear from the summits of Meelbeg and Meelmore –the first and the last checkpoints that are in view from the start/finish at the foot of ‘Happy Valley’.
Pippa Jackson recorded the fastest ladies time over the course since Angela Mudge’s race record of 2003, finishing in a time of 50.05 to take maximum points for the British Championship following her first at Pendle in the English -an excellent effort. Dave Spedding also claimed maximum points, finishing 1st MV60 in 53.36 and 85th place, beating a number of young chancers newly promoted from the MV50 category in the process too. Lyn Thompson opened her points account in the British too claiming 3rd FV50 in 1.01.25 -22nd lady and 160th, closely followed by Jo Gillyon (1.02.21) 24th lady and 165th. Geoff Somers completed the Keswick AC team, finishing in 1.06.41 -7th MV55 and 189th overall.
The Keswick AC ladies are 4th positioned team in the British Championship after this opening race, just outside a medal position. The next race is at Stuc a Chroin, on 2nd May.
Full results at http://www.nimra.org.uk/results.asp?rID=381
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