Coledale recce request

Roger Baumeister (Dark Peak) has asked if anyone would be willing to do a recce of the Coledale Horseshoe race route with him. See below for his email. If you are interested, please contact Roger directly at: rogerbaumeister@gmail.com

“I have been given your name by Jon Broxap, whom I have known for many years, back to the days when I did a lot of racing and other big runs. After a gap of up to ten years since I raced on a regular basis, I have rejoined the FRA and having had my 70th birthday last December, decided to compete in the English over 70 champs. The last Lakeland fell race I competed in was the 1998 Borrowdale. We come up to the Lakes regularly as an "oldie" gang every January and walk the fells. We also have all done the "Joss Naylor" challenge run, my own was in the over 60 [18hr limit] in 2003. The first championship race was the "Lads Leap" which was on home ground and I was able to recce the course easily. The Coledale is on an area that I have not been on for many years. I am coming up on the Thursday before the race by bus pass and will camp Thursday and Friday. I am going to recce the course on the Friday morning. The whole purpose of this email is to ask if any oldie member of Keswick AC, who is not running in the race, would consider coming out with me on the Friday morning to show me the course. Particularly as I was next to last on the Lads Leap. I do hope for improvement but maybe not much this year. I hope that you will let me know either way, thanks. Roger Baumeister

With less than a week to go before The Causey Pike fell race myself & Dan would personally like to thank all the volunteers, helpers and race sponsors (EDZ of Keswick) who have kindly offered to help.

We urge all competitors taking part to please use the field provided for parking. For a small charge per car it will ease any issues on what is a narrow road & generally very busy with tourists & sightseers at this time of year.

This year as well as all the usual prizes ( provided by our fantastic race sponsor EDZ technical clothing of Keswick) we will be introducing some new ones!!

1st male & lady U23

1st male & lady to the summit

Also can you break the mens or ladies course record? If so we you will be in with a chance of a cash prize !!

Here are the times that currently stand.....

Mens: 32mins.14secs (S.Booth 1998)

Ladies: 38mins.25secs (P.Maddams 2011)

So dust of your walshes & get ready to spring into action!!

Finally we would love it if anyone would be prepared to bake a cake or whip up a few tarts to help out with the refreshments that we are providing, we are not expecting a master chef masterpiece, so if you fancy a go, please contact Dan Barton.

mobile 07834518300 or email: barton_daniel25@yahoo.co.uk

Club Road Championship Round 1: Lorton 10K -Saturday 24th March

The first fixture of the 2012 Keswick AC Club Road Championship took place yesterday at the Bodyfit Lorton 10K where there was close competition for Championship points as over 30 Keswick AC members toed the line for an early season test of fitness, and a good opportunity to nail their colours to the Road Championship mast.

The Championship consists of three races this year, and with members' two best races to count, competition for all age categories will still be wide open going into the second fixture.

In the opening fixture, a number of runners impressed -Sam Ayers, in training for the Lochaber Marathon in May, posted a time of 42:12 to win the women's race by 8 seconds from Eden's Ruth Hetherington. Sarah Bailey (43:44), 42nd in the English Fell Champs Lad's Leap last week, and Hazel Davies (44:28), also Lochaber bound, made for a strong trio and brought home the team prize for Keswick AC.


Rob Wynne, in preparation for next month's London Marathon, ran a great 39:29 for 1st V50 and 15th place overall which, with his 2:32:63 at last month's Buttermere Round, bodes well for his attempt at 26.2 miles.

New member Mark Lamb impressed in his club championship debut, running a confident race to record 37:37 and a well earned top ten finish, the 20 year old showing that he clearly has considerable talent for the sport.


Not to be outdone by the youngsters, Ian Addison brought home a category win, taking the V75 category from veteran road racer Rod Berry of Great Langdale RC.

The new event was organised to raise funds for extra-curricular activities for the children at Lorton School.

Ricky Lightfoot was a clear winner, opening a gap on the field after less than 50 yards, he went on to record a time of 32:22 for the testing course -a very good time which will take some beating.


The remaining fixtures in the Club Road Championship are the Eaglesfield 5k (30th June) and the Brampton-Carlisle 10M (17th November).

The Club Fell Championship gets underway next month at Buttermere-Sailbeck (29th April) and continues with Borrowdale (4th August) and Dale Head (16th September).
For more details on the Club Championships see the Championships page on the club website HERE.

Results:

1. Ricky Lightfoot (Ellenborough AC) -32:22
2. Steve Hebblethwaite (Keswick AC) -35:21
3. John Mason (Border Harriers) -35:28

6. Ian Davies -36:50
9. John Beetham -37:28
10. Mark Lamb -37:37
12. Graham Airey -38:13
14. John Nicoll (MV40) -39:26
15. Rob Wynne (MV50) -39:29
17. Chris Brewer (MV40) -39:56
22. Dan Reed -40:27
25. Simon Thompson -41:07
28. Lee Newton -41:23
34. Duncan Frampton (MV50) -41:46
37. Rob Jones -42:04
55. Martin Bell (MV45) -45:05
60. Paul Johnson -45:33
63. Mike Beechey (MV45) -45:57
82. Paul Dobson (MV45) -48:23
83. Quentin Merritt (MV50) -48:33
112. Chris Clark (MV60) -51:46
192. Ian Addison (MV75) -1:07:31

40. Samantha Ayers (FV40) (Keswick AC) -42:12
42. Ruth Hetherington (Eden Runners) -42:20
44. Sarah Bailey (Keswick AC) -43:44

50. Hazel Davies (FV45) -44:28
57. Trudy Beetham -45:13
69. Rachel Mellor -47:01
77. Sue Wilkinson (FV45) -47:58
81. Angela Brand-Barker (FV50) -48:22
88. Nicola Black -48:55
90. Annabel Holmes (FV40) -49:13
118. Siobhan Brewer (FV40) -52:27
126. Kim Clark (FV55) -53:12
153. Suzanne Gilmore (FV40) -58:06
165. Rachel Kearns (FV40) -59:23
184. Fiona Alder (FV55) -1:03:56
198. Carla Starouschek -1:13:17
201. Gillian Brown (FV55) -1:14:00

Full results HERE

Photos © Chris Lewis Photography. More photos HERE.

Karrimor Great Trail Challenge

As mentioned in a previous blog, the inaugural Karrimor Great Trail Challenge event will take place, based in Keswick, on Sunday 17th June 2012. See the event website for details:

http://www.greattrailchallenge.org/

The organisers are looking for volunteers to help marshal on the day and have kindly offered to make a donation of £15 to the club for each member who volunteers. Marshals will also get a race jacket (not sure if this is for keeps!) and a packed lunch (who could resist?). If you are interested, please contact the Event Manager directly (see below) and please let me know so that we can claim the £15 donation.

Event Manager: Max Coleby

Email: max.coleby@nova-international.com

Mob: 077 388 90777

Tel: 0191 226 3227

Lorton 10k

I'm planning to do the Lorton 10k this weekend - the first counter in this year's club road championships. The race starts at 11am, so I guess I'll be leaving Keswick at around 9.45am. If anyone wants a lift, give me a ring (72730) or email me: q.merritt@tiscali.co.uk

Windermere Marathon

This event is taking place on Sunday 20 May. See here for details. The event organisers are still looking for volunteers to help marshal, etc. If you are interested, please contact Ali Harris:

ali.harris@brathay.org.uk
015394 39749

Elite Athlete Interview with Steve Vernon

England Athletic Training Event for Coaches and Athletes – all abilities welcome:

· Wednesday 21^st March 6.30-9.30pm

· Braithwaite Village Hall, near Keswick

· £5

· Light refreshments included

The session is open to all levels of both coach and athlete. Booking advised, please contact edavenport@englandathletics.org.

If you can’t make the earlier session but would like to come to the later session, that’s fine but please inform us.

6.30-7.45pm: Core Conditioning. After warming up, this evening’s session will focus on the ‘plank’. We’ll be looking at (and trying out) many varieties of the plank starting from the easiest versions progressing to more challenging varieties, using movement and equipment such as the gym ball and balance cushions. As always, we will be focusing on ‘best technique’.

The session is led by Sam Ayers; a Level 3 Endurance and Strength and Conditioning Coach. This is a practical session, however, if you’re injured or are a coach who’d prefer to observe, that’s fine and as usual Sam will be making comments on why she’s chosen particular exercises or adapted them to suit certain members of the session.

7.45-9.30pm: Elite Athlete Interview with Steve Vernon. Steve Vernon was the silver medallist at this year’s National Cross Country event at Parliament Hill, having won the event in 2011. He is also our current Northern Cross Country Champion. This is your opportunity to ask Steve about his current training, preparation, background etc. Questions will be opened to the audience on the evening but if you have a particular question or two that you’d like to ask, please e-mail sam.ayers@tiscali.co.uk and we’ll do our best to make sure it’s included

"Causey Pike fell Race 2012" - Help required

This is a message for anyone who may not be running on the 31st of March for this year`s blast up & down Causey Pike.

We still need help for this event, in particular we require another 3 marshals for various positions on the course.

Also is there anyone fairly competent with organising results on the club computer? if so we would like to hear from you.

Please contact John Nicoll via email : johnnicoll1@btinternet.com

Or

Daniel Barton : barton_daniel25@yahoo.co.uk

This should prove to be a great event this year with EDZ technical clothing company from Keswick, sponsoring the race, there will be lots of great prizes up for grabs!! So if you are not running any help will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks. John & Dan.

The following report on the Netherhall 10 is taken from the Times & Star on Friday 2nd March (click on image for a larger view)...

Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships

There were some familiar names at the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships which took place in Cofton Park, Birmingham at the weekend. Well done to all those from the Club representing Cumbria.

Senior Men

1. Keith Gerrard, Lancashire (34:57)
2. Ricky Stevenson, North East (35:06)
3. Phil Wicks, Surrey (35:11)

16. Peter Huck, Cumbria (36:26)
35. James Douglas, Cumbria (36:58)
124. Steve Hebblethwaite, Cumbria (39:18)
159. Iain Quinn, Cumbria (40:14)
163. Russell Maddams, Cumbria (40:18)
190. Ben Harrison, Cumbria (41:10)
210. Kevin Bell, Cumbria (41:41)

Cumbria – 15th/30 qualifying counties.

Senior Women

1. Gemma Steel, Leicestershire (26:48)
2. Stephanie Twell, Hampshire (27:03)
3. Hannah Doran, Leicestershire (27:25)

127. Rhiannon Silson, Cumbria (32:15)
194. Sam Ayres, Cumbria (34:46)
224. Hazel Davies, Cumbria (36:05)

Trimpell 20

Great to see several Keswick AC ladies (+ David Harrison) at this race - results HERE .Well done to you all.

Black Combe Fell Race - 3rd March 2012

Well done to all those tackling the Black Combe fell race at the weekend. I think it’s a cracking race and was sorry to be down country this year and miss it. Reports seem to suggest that there was a pretty nasty hail shower during the race – I hope the pies at the end made up for having to endure the wintry conditions.

1. Rob Jebb – Bingley Harriers (1:07:15)
2. Carl Bell – Howgill (1:08:47)
3. Chris Steele – Borrowdale (1:08:51)

1. Hazel Robinson – Ambleside (1:29:48)
2. Angela Armstrong – Keswick AC (1:35:45)
3. Wendy Dodds – Clayton-le-Moors Harriers (1:38:03)

Keswick AC:

28 Lee Newton 1:20:55
57 Nick Ogden 1:29:31
64 Rob Jones 1:30:29
75 Donald Ferguson 1:33:38
88 Craig Dring 1:37:40
99 Martin Bell 1:40:46
120 Andrew Murray 1:45:09

2 Angela Armstrong 1:35:45
19 Nicky Butler 2:00:32

Full results are on the Black Combe Runners website.

Haweswater Half Marathon 4th March

Well done to everyone who ran today. It looked like the club was well represented out on the course and I did my best to cheer everyone on even if I didn't know your name. Sorry I didn't get a chance to catch up with anyone at the end but we had 2 very tired and whingy children on our hands so it was straight home for us. Congrats to Russel on a top 5 finish especially after your win last weekend.
Hope to see you all out racing again soon. Trudy (Beetham)
Mike - yes we were TOO far back but hope you were pleased with your time.

RESULTS

Keswick Women Win Again!

Keswick women won the team prize at Trimpell 20 Sunday 4th March with the team consisting of the following:

• Sam Ayers (2.23.55, 5th)
• Hazel Davies (2.28.09)
• Angela Armstrong (2.34.23)
  
• Siobhan Brewer (2.48.01)

David Harrison was the sole representative for the men in 2.44.37.

The winner was Andy Norman in 1:49:04. (5.30min/mile) and the first woman was Treena Johnson in 2:15:19 (6.45 min/mile). Treena is a V50, in fact the all the top 5 women's places were vets.

Unusually for a small race, it was four to count for the team. We're all training for marathons and on schedule for our target times. Hazel, Siobhan and myself all used the race to practice our marathon pace. The plan was to do the first 4 miles at a easy building to steady pace then the remaining 16 at marathon pace.

Don't forget... next spring, we're looking to get as many women runners on the startline at the London Marathon. Championship Start, Good for Age Start and Mass Start... it doesn't matter where you're at, the more the merrier.

Keswick Men... how about joining us?

Long Sunday road run

Laura Cowley and family are visiting Keswick next week. Laura is a pretty serious marathoner (PB of 2:44 at last year's London Marathon - yes, really - see link below) and is looking to do a long road run on Sunday 11 March. If anyone fancies joining her (and advising on choice of route), call Mrs Avis Cowley (not me!) on 01707 271127 or 07780 150322.

http://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=2005

Karrimor Great Trail Challenge

A new trail running event has been announced for the Lake District by the organisers of the Bupa Great North Run and British Gas Great North Swim. The Karrimor Great Trail Challenge will take place on Sunday 17^th June 2012 with 10k, half marathon and marathon distances all setting off from Keswick 10am. The 10km route covers one short lap, which heads out flat along the old Keswick Railway track for about 2 miles, climbs over the northern shoulder of Latrigg Fell, before making its way back down Cumbria Way to the finish. The half marathon consists of one lap of the short course and one lap of the long course. From the old Keswick Railway track, the long lap turns right up toward Wescoe Farm and onto Lonscale Farm, taking the runners to the highest point of 399m. It then makes its way back down Cumbria Way to the finish. The marathon covers two laps of the long course and two laps of the short course. Entry fee includes a medal, Karrimor Great Trail Challenge t-shirt and finisher’s pack. Find out more and enter at www.greattrailchallenge.org