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