Scafell Pike 4.5miles 3000ft 24th September

A total of 78 runners turned up for this short classic race. With no rain, mild temperatures & little wind, running conditions were pretty much perfect. Myself, Chris & Kim Clarke were the small contigent running for Keswick AC. After a very steep climb up Lingmell the gradient eases off slightly which allows for some running. Dalehead winner M.Mikkleson-Barron led the race from the start, with Chris Newman leading the chasing pack, which a group of us followed, but due to a navigational error led us all a little too far right of Lingmell, leaving us a rough & heathery traverse back onto the main track towards Scafell only to find runners ahead of us. Nearing the the summit I felt quite good, and places swapped to and thro with the 2 others runners I was with. After handing in a number tag to the marshall on the summit it was time for a hair raising descent. Following the same stony track down, the main obstacle was to avoid the hordes of walkers enjoying the conquest of Scafell- even in the fog! Still all runners were cheered on by plenty of spectators. Myself and another runner took a slight shortcut of the main track and luckily found a sheep trod where plenty of mud & stud marks were so we knew we were heading in the right direction & managed to get back on to Lingmell. The final descent was an endless leg pounding affair, but once out of the clouds & the finish in sight it was bearable. Eventually reaching the flatish, boggy fields towards the end, it took all but every last bit of energy to cross the finish (the sight of Joss Naylor casualy watching as we finished was nice to see).

1st M.Mikkleson-Barron 59.24 (Borrowdale)
2nd M.Robinson (DPFR)
3rd C.Newman (Wharfedale)

7th J.Nicoll (Keswick) 1.06.35

I believe the first lady to finish was Hazel Robinson (Ambleside), but had to leave fairly soon after race, so full results should be online for all to see on CFRA website or FRA website.

Not sure how Chris & Kim came in but I expect they had a good time!

All said & done this was a most enjoyable race which was well organised with drinks & delicious homemade flapjack for all the runners, some of which traveling far and wide to tackle Scafell. Well worth the trip.