CONISTON FELL RACE ENTRIES OPEN TODAY!

The next race of the 2010 English Championship is Coniston, on May 1st. Entries open TODAY (1st March). Forms will be available from the website HERE. With a limit of 400 entries, get your form in quickly! There will be no entry on the day.

A clssic route, the race starts and finishes from the Institute in the village centre and takes in Wetherlam, Swirl How and the Old Man -9 miles, 3500ft of ascent.

Noon Stone fell race, 9m/2300' -Sat. 27th Feb. English Fell Running Championship

The 2010 English Fell Running Championship got underway on Saturday 27th February with the Todmorden Harriers-organised Noon Stone fell race in W Yorks. "The race has a reputation for being a bit of a bog trot, and it is well earned" as Alister Murray put it, on the Horwich RMI blog, "The temperature was barely above freezing, the ground was saturated, and it looked like the clag was going to be down on top" -perfect conditions!


Photograph: Jill Bennett/Northumberland Fell Runners

Keswick AC ladies, missing one or two of the team who had to sit out because the race filled up early when entries opened in January, had a fine race to take 4th placed team at this first counter of the season -Julie Carter was first home, tackling the challenging course well, to finish in 1:32:54 for 4th F45. She was ably supported by Holly Williamson (1:34:13) happy to be back in Keswick AC colours and 23rd, while Jo Gillyon (1:36:04) glided across the moor as per Dunc's instruction in 28th, all three girls scoring points for the individual open ladies competition -no mean feat in what is always a competitive field for first race of the season. Hayley Hodgson placed 9th F40 in 1:47:06, with Debbie Edgington (1:51:52) close behind, and Kim Clark 7th F50 in 1:54:05.


Photograph: www.sportsunday.co.uk

The last time this race was selected for the season opener was 2004, Dave Troman led home a team of Mark-Denham Smith, Nimrod Lockwood, Dunc Overton, Dave Birch that packed five runners into the top 100. In what felt like a resurgent Keswick AC men's team this year Steve Hebblethwaite posted 1:10:53 for 11th, supported by strong runs from Jamie Luxmoore -1:17:59 (63rd), Ian Davies -1:21:04 (94th) and Chris Clark -1:45:49 (391st/15th M60), all of whom ran well in a highly competitive championship field where an improvement of a couple of minutes can gain you 20 places in the race. Keswick AC men did not field enough runners required (5) to place a team.

All in all a good day out, rounded off by a pint in the Top Brink Inn before the minibus back to the sunny Lakes, punctuated by stops to stretch bog-stiffened legs!

The next race of the English Champs is Coniston, on May 1st. Entries open on Monday 1st March. Entry-forms available HERE. With a limit of 400, get your entries in quickly!

Ladies
22. Julie Carter -1:32:54 (4th F45)
23. Holly Williamson -1:34:13
28. Jo Gillyon -1:36:04
68. Hayley Hodgson -1:47:06 (9th F40)
78. Debbie Edgington -1:51:52
85. Kim Clark -1:54:05

Ladies Team
1. Calder Valley
2. Bingley
3. Ambleside
4. Keswick

Men
11. Steve Hebblethwaite -1:10:53
63. Jamie Luxmoore -1:17:59
94. Ian Davies -1:21:04
391. Chris Clark -1:45:49 (15th M60)

423 finished
6 retired

Full results HERE

Sports injury books

Hi. I seem to have misplaced my 2 sports injury books (one on the anatomy of injuries; the other on exercises to treat injuries). They are probably somewhere in my house but it is just possible that I have lent them to someone. Ring any bells for anyone? Cheers. Q

Minibus to Noonstone

A minibus has been procured for the trip to Noonstone. Leaving Keswick at 08.00 -meet outside Booths. £10. Any problems, give me a shout. Spare seats available for anyone who wants a day trip to support.

Dont forget full kit -full body cover, map, compass, etc. See everyone on Saturday!

Steve
01900 821501
07854 643274

High Cup Nick

I am intending to do High Cup Nick on Sat (27 Feb). The race starts in Dufton at 2pm, so I am thinking of leaving Keswick at about midday or just after. If anyone fancies a lift, give me a shout:

Tel: 017687 72730
Email: q.merritt@tiscali.co.uk

Quentin

Lancs Lad In Yorkshire!!!

so I chose a race on foreign soil to open my fell season, the Ilkley Moor fell race was actually the first fell race for me since the Borrowdale last year! Trudy was hoping to repeat the return to form she showed at blake fell. The conditions were at best challenging given the heavy snow fall overnight and through the morning, still it's the same for everyone! This race always attracts a big field being a good catchment area for all the yorkshire clubs. Inspite of the weather this year was no different with 220 runners on the start line. This is home ground for Trudy, her being a Bingley lass, it was nice to see another KAC vest - Colin Valentine had also made the trip to the land of tea, cricket and aunt Bessies puddings. The start to this race has a real bottleneck so it pays to start at the front (something I learnt the hard way 3 years ago), it follows a contrived route to such landmarks as - the cow & calf rocks, pancake stone, rock valley and the badger stone. The course manages some good hard climbs given that the moor never reaches any great elevation, with the snow & ice the desents demanded all those well honed lakeland skills. I managed a new pb knocking 5 minutes off my 2007 time to finish 32nd just behind Colin who had the stronger climbing legs today. Trudy also knocked off 3 minutes from her 2007 time to finish 15th out of 36 ladies (116th overall) getting the better of amblesides Britta in a dogged fight from start to finish, given the underfoot conditions and desending not being Trudy's strong point this was a great performance...well done. Even though this race is on the 'wrong side' of the pennines I definitley would encourage anyone to give it a go, very well organised and a cracking little course.

winner: Graham Pearce (pudsy & bramley) 39:52

KAC Results: Colin Valentine 47:23 (22nd)
John Beetham 48:41 (32nd)
Trudy Beetham 59:51 (116th)

More Pics from the X-Country 20 Feb 10

Some more pics of the Seniors race, in the hospital field part of the course are at this link: http://www.lakelandimaging.co.uk/XC20Feb10/
Check out number 25 of the leaders on their first lap :-)
Anyone wanting high-res versions just ping me on training@keswick-ac.org.uk.
Dunc

Athletics on BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 OD

Coverage of this afternoon's Aviva Indoor Grand Prix from Birmingham, including an 800m win by Jenny Meadows in a new UK record (of 1:59:11), a benchmark set seven years ago by Kelly Holmes is now online on the BBC iPlayer (here).

Both the double world and Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele, and European Indoor Champion Mo Farah pulled out of the 3000m race, Bekele citing a calf injury for his withdrawal while Farah says he is still not at full fitness yet -on finishing the European Cross Country Championships in Ireland Farah, who set a new British 3000m record last year in a time of 7:34:47, collapsed with exhaustion following a duel with Spanish winner Alemayehu Bezabeh.

Highlights of the Aviva UK Indoor Championships and European Trials in Sheffield last weekend can also be watched online, on Channel 4's online replay website here

REMINDER: Cumbria League XC tomorrow -Fitz Park, Keswick

The postponed final Cumbria League Cross Country event will be held tomorrow -Saturday 20th February at Fitz Park, Keswick.

Junior Races from 12:00. Seniors 13:10. Enter on day. Counter for Club X-C Championship.

Help is needed with organisation, course marking etc. if you are able to spare any time. Please contact: sec@keswick-ac.org.uk

Loughrigg–Silver Howe Chase - report

Two of Keswick’s finest – ok, one of Keswick’s finest and another bloke with a car – made the long trek south over Dunmail Raise into the terra incognita of South Lakeland to run in today’s Loughrigg–Silver Howe Chase. The former (Steve Heb) was part of the leading group from the start. To begin with, he ran well within himself after a hard hill session the day before. And because he didn’t have a clue where he was going. Then, as the leading pack approached Silver Howe, he followed Simon Booth and the two of them pulled ahead. They extended their lead on the return journey and finished comfortably ahead of the field in a time of approximately 1 hr 12 mins. Simon was a smidgeon in front on the line but it was to all intents and purposes a shared victory. Well done Steve. The other bloke tucked in behind two women, partly because he didn’t have a clue where he was going. And also because it seemed like a good idea at the time. But he made his move on the way back, just after the nasty second ascent of Loughrigg, and finished strongly with a new PB (1:25), nearly 4 mins inside last year’s time – and well inside the top 30. But there were only 31 starters!

Buttermere Round -Sun 14th February

70 starters this morning for the 2010 Buttermere Round, with 68 finishers for the 34km course that takes in Borrowdale, Honister Pass, Buttermere, and Newlands Pass. First male was 2009 winner and course record holder Steve Littler (Wesham RR) in 2:09:40, with Gill Laithwaite (Border Harriers) just over two minutes outside her own course record (set last year) in a time of 2:35:27. Nick Ogden was fist home for Keswick AC by a margin of just under a minute from Rob Wynne. Rainer Burchett (Keswick AC) was 1st V70 in 3:45:10 -well done Rainer.

Men
17 Nick Ogden -2:39:30
20 Rob Wynne -2:40:29
45 Neil Elsender -2:57:27
67 Rainer Burchett -3:45:10

Ladies
7 Teresa Segasby -3:36:12

Full results HERE

Parbold Hill Race -Sat 13th February

Jamie Luxmoore, currently our Lancashire correspodent was the only Keswick AC runner in a field of 473 runners at this year's Parbold Hill Race yessterday, organised by Lancs club Skelmersdale Boundary Harriers, a strong run of 45:48 for 9th place showing the kind of form he is in going into the season. With the English Championship race at Noonstone now two weeks ago he should be pleased with a stong run.
Nick Neigh (Altringham & Dist. AC) was first home with a time of 40:58, with Liz Whitfield of Spectrum Striders first woman in 49:48.

Full results HERE

Lancaster 5K Series 2010

The dates for the 2010 Lancaster 5km Race Series have been announced. Five Saturday evening races between May-September, on the fast and flat traffic free course, from the athletics track at the Salt Ayre Leisure Centre.

 Sat. 29th May
 Sat. 26th June
 Sat. 31st July
 Sat. 28th August
 Sat. 25th September

Details/entry form HERE

Uzzicar Winter Series Race (27 Feb)

The next winter series race (Stile End and Barrow from Uzzicar) was due to take place on Sat 27 Feb. This is the same day as the Noonstone (Eng Champs counter) and High Cup Nick fell races, which numerous club members have said they will be running. We have therefore decided to cancel our winter series race. Hopefully, we will be able to re-schedule it for a little later in the year – possibly as an evening race once the nights get a little lighter. Apologies to anyone who was particularly looking forward to it.

Loughrigg-Silver Howe

Apparently the Loughrigg-Silver Howe Chase is at 12.00hrs on Sunday. I did this last year and think it is a cracking race to open the season (for those of us who have dodged all the really early season openers). I will be leaving Keswick at about 10.30am. If anyone fancies a lift, give me a shout - email (q.merritt@tiscali.co.uk) or phone (x 72730).

Results - winter series #4 (Blencathra Centre)

Five of us turned up for last Saturday's race. We ran three laps of a ~1k loop that Steve had set up for the juniors. Steve tried to convince us that he had created a course without any really steep ascents, but given that we ran out along the Glenderaterra track for a few hundred yards and then simply turned right up the fell ... You get the picture. Anyway, here are the results:

1st: Steve Hebblethwaite (M) 21:00 (approx)
2nd: Craig Smith (V40) 24:25
3rd: Dave Owens (V50) 25:38
4th: Quentin Merritt (V45) 25:47
5th: Jo Gillyon (F) 26:54

Well done Steve - and hard luck on not catching us up by the end of your 'bonus' lap - although you did come close, completing your 4 laps in a speedy 28:29.

PS There was no junior race because ... there were no juniors.

Scottish Islands Race

A friend of mine requires two runners to compete in the above race on the weekend of 21 May. If you are interested or would like more information, then please contact me on 01768 864767 or email enquiries@tirrilfarmcottages.co.uk

Dave Owens

Cumbria League x-country RE-SCHEDULED

The final race of the Cumbria League was postponed due to the weather in January has now been re-arranged for February 20th, according to a memo circulated by Noel Hakeman...

"Hi All

The match from Jan 9th has now been re-arranged for February 20th, 2010.
NOTE ALSO THAT THE VENUE HAS BEEN MOVED FROM CARLISLE TO KESWICK.
The course may differ a little from that used in December.
Arrangements are as usual - first race at 12noon. Medals will be presented after the u15 race and this may delay the start of the Sen race by a few minutes."

Noel Hakeman

...the Keswick AC club Cross-Country Championship has been extended to include this final counter. Remember the x-country champs are based on best 3 results from 6 races -details here.

One of your last chances to get out for a run around in the mud this year. See you all on 20th,
Steve

PS -Anyone not running who is able to help out with course marking, marshalling, etc. should get in touch via training@keswick-ac.org.uk

Winter Series #4 -Blencathra Centre

The penultimate race in the Keswick AC winter series is this Saturday! Almost your final chance to get out to one of these fun, informal events and have a run.

Date: Saturday 6th February
Venue: from the Car Park by the Blencathra Centre above Threlkeld. Courses: A beutiful setting and great little courses. Juniors -U8, 1km, U11, 2km, U13, 3km, U15, 4.4km, U17, 5km.
Senior fell course, with bad weather trail alternative.

Juniors at 10.30, Seniors from after 11.00 -all welcome.

Get those fell shoes out! See you all on Saturday!

Steve

Reflections on circuit training

I know we have only just published the latest issue of Pacemaker, but I'm already thinking about the next one. I would like to include something about John's circuit training sessions, which are proving to be really popular. Ideally I would like to have pieces from several people - a mixture of men and women, younger and older, faster and not so fast, experienced and beginner. These pieces could be short or long, and focus on issues like: what you liked/didn't like; what you expected from it and what it was really like; what impact it has had on your running, speed, endurance, injuries and even appearance (all those 6 packs appearing everywhere!). I'll send out a reminder in a month or so. The next issue is due at the end of April, so the next copy deadline will be mid April. Ish!