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!