Duddon fell race -Saturday 30th May

A hot day for the first category AL 'lakeland classic' race of 2009, from the Newfield Inn at Seathwaite. 18m/6000' over Harter, Hardknott, Little Stand, Swirl How, Dow Crag, White Pike and Caw. Simon Booth won in a time of 2.56.13. Only one Keswick AC runner was out, Andrew Murray finishing in a time of 4.24.41 -well done Andrew. There were 208 finishers, 10 retired.

Full results.

Coniston Gullies

1 mile 1000 feet.

Anyone interested in experiencing one of the most dangerous (fun) descents in fell racing please attend Coniston gullies fell race this Sunday.

Good prizes (£money£)

I enjoyed it so much last year that I intend to drive up from Eastbourne (350 miles). Is this the longest drive per mile of race ever?

For further details please see http://www.bofra.org.uk/Coniston.php

See you there.

2 Riggs - 26th May 2009

Well done everyone who ran last night. A great short race which isn't as easy as it looks when you do a recce!!. Perfect conditions for racing although it wasn't much fun marshalling as it was a cold wind with the odd drop of rain.... am I going soft?. Results are now on the club's web site.

Ricky Lightfoot making winning look easy

New club member, Jamie Luxmoore

Pez Bullen

Keith Hill

Diane Shaw

John Rutter

Jura fell race -Saturday 23rd May

There was low cloud and mist throughout the 16m/7500' of the Isle of Jura fell race on Saturday, which made for some interesting race results. A field of 151 contested the race, Ian Holmes winning in a time of 3.49.50, and Angela Mudge first lady home in 4.23.46. Well done Neil Thompson who clocked a super 4.36.55 for 21st.

Pacemaker

Dear all

This is a reminder that I am still looking for contributions for the next issue of Pacemaker. It’s not that we are desperate or anything (!), but we are looking for pretty much anything to do with running and running-related activities.

We hope to publish the next Pacemaker by the end of June, so I would be grateful if you could get your contributions to me by Sun 14 June. Please feel free to get in touch if you are interested in submitting something but are not sure – for example, because:

• You want to know how long it should be
• You want to know whether it would be suitable/appropriate
• You won’t be able to meet the 14 June deadline (eg because you want to write a report on a race in mid June)

Cheers

Quentin

Helvellyn fell race -Sunday 24th May

Bram Cragg Farm in St John's in the Vale is the start for the 11m/4500' of the Helvellyn race. As the remains of overnight cloud lifted off the summits, the sunshine came out, accompanied by a cool breeze -good conditions for a fast race, and Mark Roberts (Borrowdale) duly obliged posting a winning time of 1.39.01. Jo Waites (Calder Valley) was first lady home in 1.59.36.

Keswick AC: Colin Valentine, 2.00.40 (21st) was first club counter just ahead of Nick Ogden who showed no signs of fatigue following his exploits at the London marathon and Sailbeck running 2.04.09 (26th). New recruit Daniel Barton continues to impress with a good 2.13.02 (49th), followed by John Horne running 2.42.45 (131st). Ladies: The only Keswick AC lady was Lucy Dunn in 2.57.30 (19th) -everyone else must be off at Jura!











More photos here.

Results here.

Club Road-Championship: Moorclose 10km -Tuesday 19th May

Following the 2009 Keswick AC road-championship ‘curtain raiser’ (the long race Haweswater half-marathon) the championship has taken an interesting turn, after last night's short-counter and second race of the season, the Moorclose 10K. The top three Keswick AC finishers both in the mens and ladies were all different to those in the first race, throwing the championship wide open going into race three of four at the Newlands Round on July 22nd.

There was a good turnout from the club for the altered and re-measured 10K which promised fast times due to the relatively flat nature of the out and back course on the Workington-Whitehaven cycleway. A good breeze on the less sheltered parts of the course however ruled out a super fast race, but largely pleasant conditions and warm evening sunshine prevailed to make an enjoyable run and an opportunity for some good racing.

Photo: Phil Hawley

Rob Walker (Barrow & Furness) posted 33.25 to set the mark for the new course, followed by Phil Winskill (Dark Peak) in 33.39, and Graham Mason (Border) in 33.59. Amongst the Keswick AC runners Pippa Jackson who was only out for a swift training run, notched up another win with a good run to set the par for the newly measured course with 38.28 and 12th place overall –a good run to compliment the win at the Netherhall 10 earlier in the year which in the process, also set a new course record by almost four minutes.

Jo Gillyon ran 43.11 to take 2nd, with Kim Clark making it a Keswick AC clean sweep in the ladies race with 46.39 for 3rd and 1st FV45, Anne Downie (46.47) claimed 2nd FV45, Cathy Colam (49.03) 2nd FV55, Karen Holmes (56.17) and Gillian Brown (60.06) 3rd FV55.

For the men, Steve Hebblethwaite ran 35.34 (5th). Ian Davies continues his return to form, notching up 36.56 for 10th -a time 2 seconds off his pb for 10K. John Beetham claimed 3rd spot with a run of 38.58 (13th), Keith Hill (39.07), and Ian Boit (39.26).

Duncan Overton, who this year is again posting some fantastic times ran 40.28 (RRC standards ‘Gold Star’ time) taking 1st MV60 by a mile, from Pete Haworth (40.48) -3rd MV50, John Waite (41.56), Peter Bingham (42.03), Andrew Slattery (42.11) Quentin Merritt (44.38), Steve Harwood (45.08) -2nd MV60, Phil Sturgess (45.42), Barry Halsall (46.30) -3rd MV60, and Chris Clark (48.32).

The next race in the championship is the new Newlands Valley Round (details here) from Keswick School on Wednesday 22nd July, with the fourth and final race at the Derwentwater 10 on 1st November. Updated club-championship tables are posted on the club website.

Swinside Summit Run - Sunday 24th May

Have you ever fancied going up Swinside (the hill not the pub)? .... I have every time I look out of our window!!, Well now you can this Sunday, 24th May. There is a walk and picnic planned at 2pm and thanks to Cathy Colan we can now run up it at 6pm, meeting at the suspension bridge in Portinscale. Apparently the view up Newlands is spectacular. There will be a charge of £5 which will go to Portinscale Village Hall Roof project. This is a one off chance to go up this privately own hill. Run as fast or as slow as you like .... and take a camera.

update.... 6 members enjoyed the run.

UKA British Fell and Hill Relay 2009

The 21st UKA British Fell and Hill Relays will be on Saturday 18th October, and this year are being organised by Cumberland Fell Runners from the Ennerdale Showfield, Kirkland. Full details will appear in the next edition of the Fellrunner, but it is understood that all routes have now been assessed and will be as follows...

Leg 1: AS Solo – 5.25 m/1280’ estimated winning time: 45 min
Leg 2: AM Pairs – 5.6 m/2300’ estimated winning time: 60 min
Leg3: Orienteering Pairs– 5.6 m/1410’ estimated winning time: 60 min
Leg 4: AS Solo – 4.0 m/1250’ estimated winning time: 40 min

In addition to the normal team categories (men open, ladies open, mixed, men V40) it is understood that this year there will be men V50, and ladies v40 categories.

Glaramara Fell race –Sunday 17th May

Unfortunately this great little race in Borrowdale fell this year between club fell-championship race Latrigg last week, and road-championship counter Moorclose 10K tomorrow, so just one Keswick AC lad at the race this year –Allan Buckley finished 3rd MV60 and 54th in a time of 1.30.02. Rob Jebb (Bingley) finished first (49.21) after a win at Fairfield on the Saturday and at the Fred Whitton one week before. Hazel Robinson (Ambleside) won the ladies race in 1.01.38.

Full results here.

Porta Marathon, Germany –Sunday 17th May

Mark Denham Smith posted an RRC ‘road standard awards’ silver qualifying time at the Porta marathon in Minden, Germany yesterday. Finishing in 3.07.03 Mark placed 12th overall and 4th V40.

Fairfield Horseshoe –Saturday 16th May

While low cloud, strong winds and rain shrouded the summits, two Keswick AC runners lined up along with 289 others at Rydal Hall on Saturday for the 9m/3000’ of the Fairfield Horseshoe. The prolific Colin Valentine was the first home in a respectable 1.38.23 for 41st, adding another race to his already impressive tally this year. Andrew Murray who lost his way following a group on the Fairfield summit during an attempt at the race in 2006, exorcised some demons this year finishing in 1.50.52 (107th) despite wind, rain and low cloud.

Full results here.



Picture: Steve Harling

Sedbergh Gala -BOFRA championships –Saturday 16th May

The first race in the British Open Fell Runners Association (BOFRA) championship 2009 was the 2.6 miles and 1200’ of the Sedbergh Gala race. Chris Edis ran the steep climb of Winder fell and descent back to the showfield in 20.56 to secure 3rd place –very well done Chris.

1st Alastair Dunn (Helm Hill) 20.12
2nd Brendon Taylor (Rossendale) 20.55
3rd Chris Edis (Keswick AC) 20.56

Full results here.

Latrigg fell race –Wednesday 13th May

A strong turnout at Latrigg last night with some great individual performances, the race this year was a club fell-championship race. With the forecasted rain holding off, conditions underfoot were dry and a fast race developed as a keen pace was taken up from the start. Phil Winskill came out on top in 18.53, from Andrew Schofield (19.08) and Steve Hebblethwaite (19.19). Looking through the archived results (from the last 10 years) Pippa Jackson (21.11) recorded the second fastest ladies time for the race in some years after Victoria Wilkinson’s 2005 record, and lead home a winning Ladies team with support from Lyn Thompson (24.20) and Jo Gillyon (26.24). Keswick AC also took the men’s team prize this year with Steve Hebblethwaite, Chris Edis (19.59) and Ian Davis (22.17). Some fine performances from loads of Keswick AC members –full results here, and pictures here.


...Picture: Dunc Overton

Track & field County Championships Saturday –Saturday 9th May

Well done to Laura Vaillant who took 1st place in the 1500m at the Cumbria Athletics Association County Championships at the Sheepmount Stadium in Carlisle on Saturday in a time of 5m.14.4s. A special mention as this time places Laura top of the 2009 county rankings –well done.

Mapmyrun

A friend sent me a link to a website which allows you to mark a route on a map (like a free online version of Anquet). Then it tells you the distance. It’s not great for off-road stuff (slightly better if you use the ‘hybrid’ map which overlays a road map on to a satellite photo) but seems to work pretty well for road routes. Check out the link below if you are interested. (I can’t be the only one sad enough to find this sort of thing interesting!)

http://gb.mapometer.com/en/

Quentin

Pendle Cloughs Fell Race -Saturday 9th May

Colin Valentine was the only Keswick AC representative to race over the 14m/3900' of the Pendle Cloughs race from Downham near Clitheroe on Saturday. A fast run of 2.29.23 earned him a top 10 finish in 9th. This follows an impressive 48th in a quality field of 287 at the Coniston -9m/3500' category AM race last weekend.



Picture: Andy Hirst

More junior races, and junior race calendar

The following website is updated with the fixtures in the FRA calendar which also offer junior races. The site is updated with fixtures for the current and next two months.

Listed below are a few local junior races:

June 13th, Godsworth, Ennerdale Show Field, nr Kirkland, 11.00am (U10, 12, 14, 16, 18)

June 20th, Ambleside -FRA English Championship counter, 2.00pm (U8, U10, 12, 14, 16, 18)

June 28th, Arnison Dash -English Junior Uphill Championships,
Patterdale, 11.00am (U8, U10, 12, 14, 16, 18)

July 5th, Langdale Gala, Chapel Stile, Langale, 3.00pm (u10, 12, 14, 17)

July 18th, Cleator Moor Sports, Wath Brow Sports Field, 1.15pm (U10, 12, 14, 16, 18)


The BOFRA website is also of interest as most of these fixtures host junior races too, including this month alone...

Sat 16 May -Sedbergh Gala (U12, 14, 17)
Thurs 28 May -Killington Sports (U 12, 14, 17)
Sun 31 May -Coniston Gullies (U9, 12, 14, 17)

Coiners, FRA Junior Championship race -Monday 4th May

Well done to Rosie Stuart who ran a hard race at this season's second FRA English Junior Championship race against a top class field at Coiners in Yorkshire. In a close race for first place Hannah Bateson (Lancs & Morecambe) came out on top in the U18 race in a record time of 24.50 from Rosie in 25.18, and Rachel Jefferson (Warrington AC) in 25.23.

A second place to add to her first in season opener at the Anniversary Waltz puts Rosie in a fine position in the Championship. The next race in the Junior Championship is at Shutlingsloe on 25th May.


picture: Eileen Woodhead

Buttermere Sailbeck race -Sunday 10th May

Conditions were fine for the Sailbeck race today, following some pretty nasty weather through the week. At my count on Ard Crags there were 8 Keswick lads running. Andrew Schofield of Borrowdale was first home in 1.30.38, almost 10 minutes faster than on the scorching hot day on which the race was run last year

Taking over 10 minutes from his own time of last May, Matt Fraser followed Scoffer home for 2nd place in 1.33.42. Chris Edis followed in 1.42.56 for 19th -another fast time which would have seen him first placed Keswick runner in 2008's club-championship counter.








In a close battle for 52nd place there was little to separate Neil Thomson and Nick Ogden on the steep descent to the finish, Neil coming out on top in 1.55.36 from Nick in 1.55.42.

Full results to follow sometime. You can click on photos above for larger images...and a few more snaps here.

Hydration systems

Hi. Does anyone have any experience of using one of those hydration systems built into a bumbag (eg Camelbak Flashflo) as an alternative to carrying drinking bottles (which I hate)? If so, can you recommend one that is light and comfortable, yet has enough storage space for obligatory fell racing equipment (ie waterproofs, map, compass, whistle)?

Cheers

Quentin

Keswick AC club-championships 2009

The league tables after the first races for the Keswick AC club fell-championship and road-championship are online in the members section of the website.

old crown round - record

don't suppose anyone knows the record for the old crown round - (Carrock Gt Cockup Skiddaw Blencathra - 18M 5,700') - Seem to think it's around the 3 hr 20 mark. Richard Unwin had it at one time - does this still stand. No-one in the old crown seemed to know. I had a jog round last wednesday evening in 3 27 though that was fairly steady. A couple of good distance runners pushing the pace should be able to get close to the 3 10 areas without much ado.

Keswick Half Marathon –Sunday 3rd May

The Keswick Half Marathon run on Sunday, was won by James Bulman of North Yorks Moors in a time of 1.12.30, from Russell Maddams (1.14.23), and Phil Winskill (1.18.04), with Paula Adams first lady home in 1.30.35. Keswick AC: Ben Farrell was the fastest of the men in 1.24.21 and Debbie Edgington in 1.44.59, the fastest of the ladies.

Keswick AC: Ben Farrell (17th) 1.24.21, Daniel Barton (38th) 1.29.19, Rob Hankin (48th) 1.31.14, Andrew Slattery (88th) 1.36.10, Andrew Murray (99th) 1.37.42, Conrad Slack (139th) 1.40.27, John Dawson (171st) 1.43.05, Debbie Edgington (193rd) 1.44.59, Sue Wilkinson (3rd FV45) 1.45.54, Paul Titley (227th) 1.47.23, Annabel Holmes (241st) 1.49.03, Cathy Colam (1st FV60) 1.50.31, Nicola Davison (322nd) 1.55.31, Diane Shaw (272nd) 1.51.24, Steve Strachan (353rd) 1.58.56, Rachel Slattery (362nd) 1.59.32, Alison Cutts (431st) 2.13.45.

Full results at... www.ukresults.net/2009/keswickhalf.html

MOORCLOSE 10K, CLUB ROAD-CHAMPIONSHIP

The next race in the Keswick AC club road-championship is...

Moorclose 10K, Tuesday 19th May at 7.00pm, from the Moorclose Sports and Leisure Centre, Workington.

The course is a mostly flat, traffic-free, out and back route on the Workington to Whitehaven cycleway. A Cumberland AC organised race, the entry form can be downloaded from their website at... www.cumberlandac.org.uk/events/moorclose.htm

The club road-championships...

1 March –Haweswater Half (results)
19 May –Moorclose 10K
22 July –New race start from Keswick School
1 Nov –Derwentwater 10M

Best 3 from 4 races to count.

Stuc a Chroin, British fell Champs –Saturday 2nd May

This tough 14m/5000’ race in the Trossachs was the venue for the second race and long counter of the British Fell Championship this year on Sauturday. Pippa Jackson (2.23.33) placed well up the field in 49th overall to claim 2nd place in the ladies, behind course record holder Angela Mudge. Dave Spedding showed he is in good fettle by running 2.46.54 to take 2nd MV60 (93rd overall). Well done to the Keswick AC ladies who ran themselves into the British Championship team bronze medal position after this race (championships), again fielding a strong team -a welcome return to the fold for Cathrine Evans who followed Pippa home in 3.24.34 to place 39th lady, followed by Jo Gillyon in 3.25.51 for 41st lady –less than 90 seconds separating the pair after 14miles and 5000’ of running.


Full results at... www.shr.uk.com/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0033&RaceYear=2009

The next race in the British Championship (and also an English Championship counter) is medium, Tebay (8m/3000’) in Cumbria –details in the FRA calendar.

Dalton 10K - 1st May 2009

This was a friendly and enjoyable evening 10K in South Cumbria. There was a good turnout wanting to enjoy the nice sunshine and cool breezes.

But only two from Keswick made the journey South to contest on an undulating course. Steve Hebblethwaite has set the 10K standard for 2009 finishing 5th in 35:23 and setting a personal best time. Ian Davies finished 18th overall in 38:36.

Moorclose on the 19th May is the next local 10K and is a Club Championship counter. See the races section on the website; pre-entry is advised.