Causey Pike, 4.5m/1780', Keswick AC club fell-championship -Saturday 27th March

Photo: Rob Jebb leads from Steve Hebblethwaite (Keswick AC) and Tom Addison (Helm Hill) at the foot of the first climb, to Rowling End -Pete Richards

On a bright and sunny afternoon a record number turned out for the 4.5m/1780' classic, climbing from the bridge at Stair via Rolling End, and returning by way of a steep descent to Stonycroft Gill and the mine track. Among the 143 starters, 22 Keswick AC -Causey being the first of the four-race 2010 fell-championship, with races to follow at Skiddaw (July 4th), Borrowdale (August 7th), and Dale Head (September 19th). The race was won by Rob Jebb (Bingley) in 33:12, and Pippa Maddams (Keswick AC) in 39:12. Pippa's run, just 35 seconds outside of the tough ladies course record (J. King, 38:37, 2000), is the closest anyone has come in ten years, and is the only time that the race has been won in under 40 minutes since that year.


Photo: Craig Smith chases Colin Valentine for early season points in the 2010 V40 fell-championship -Pete Richards

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP
Pippa, close to a minute faster than her time of last year for the race, took maximum points in the ladies championship, with Julie Carter following in 46:28 for the 1st V40 prize. Jo Gillyon ran 48:17 to make up the winning ladies team, and take home the ever present easter-themed chocolate team prizes. Hayley Hodgson (52:09) took 4th with Anne Downie (57:00) 5th, and 2nd V50 in the race behind Clayton legend Wendy Dodds.

Steve Hebblethwaite took over 90 seconds off his 2009 time, for maximum points in defece of his club fell-championship with a run of 35:18 for 3rd place behind Jebb, and Borrowdale man Mike Fanning, with riavals for this year's championship -Matt Fraser, Phil Winskill, and Ian Davies, absent. John Nicoll, suffering from a bad cold still made the start line, and even more impressive, posted a great 39:50 in a bold run to take 2nd place points by a mere 8 seconds from James Luxmoore (39:58) who ran well following a tumble on the track before Stonycroft Gill.

The V40 category of the championship was even more closely contested with Dave Prosser, returning from injury to clock 41:16 for the top V40 spot, with Colin Valentine (42:32) and Craig Smith (42:39) in a close battle for 2nd place. Eight V40 men ran in total.

Jim Downie heads the V60 category after the first race, taking 1st V60 today in 48:45 -a mention here, must go to Lyn Thompson for her organisation of this great race with generous prizes across the categories, and also to the many volunteers of the club who marshalled the course and helped out at the start and finish.

KESWICK AC RESULTS:

Ladies
1. Pippa Maddams -39:12
2. Julie Carter -46:28 (V40)
3. Jo Gillyon -48:17
4. Hayley Hodgson -52:09 (V40)
5. Anne Downie -57:00 (V50)

Men
1. Steve Hebblethwaite -35:18
2. John Nicoll -39:50
3. James Luxmoore -39:58
4. Dave Prosser -41:16 (V40)
5. Colin Valentine -42:32 (V40)
6. Craig Smith -42:39 (V40)
7. Daniel Barton -43:12
8. John Beetham -43.23
9. Rob Wynne -45:12 (V40)
10. Keith Hill -45:48 (V40)
11. Neil Thompson -46:26 (V40)
12. Quentin Merritt -46.27 (V40)
13. Paul Maxwell -46:31
14. Mark Rutherford -46:57
15. Jim Downie -48:45 (V60)
16. David Harrison -52:48 (V60)
17. Neil Elsender -52:53 (V40)

Photos by Pete Richards can be found here

Full results available over on the club-website: www.keswick-ac.org.uk


Photo: Jim Downie (48:45) contouring after the beck, on his way to the MV60 prize -Pete Richards