Blackcombe

Hello,

Is anyone up for the trip down the coast to do Blackcombe on Saturday?

If so and want to share a lift get in touch on 07973768018

Thanks Carl

English National XC, Sunderland, Sat 23rd Feb 2013

Photo courtesy of Mark Sherman

The English National Cross Country is regarded by many as one of the highlights of the athletic calendar. After successful efforts by senior men's and women's teams at last month's Northern Championships, Keswick AC once again showed that it has some considerable cross-country talent, in yet another major domestic cross-country competition at the weekend in challenging, muddy and snowy conditions in Sunderland.

Well done to Katy Livesey who has shown great potential this season with some fine performaces in the Cumbria League -stepping up to national level on Saturday Katy placed 132nd in a large field of 264 u13 girls, finishing in a time of 13 minutes and 58 seconds. The race was won by Katy Ann McDonald of Herne Hill Harriers in 11 minutes 26 seconds.

It was also Samuel Macy's first experience of the National who acquitted himself well in the u13 boys race, placing 158th out of 205 in a time of 14 minutes and 10 seconds. The race winner was Tom Kendrick of Tonbridge AC in 11 minutes and 7 seconds.

Hazel Davies, using the race as a tough training session part of her preparation for the London Marathon placed 192nd (out of 427 senior women) in 40:44. Louise Damen (Winchester & District AC) won in emphatic style in 29:31, a minute clear of the second placed runner.

And so to the final race of the day, the 126th edition of the Senior Men's English National XC.  Keswick AC has grown markedly in strength as a cross-country club in the last few years and this year saw the club take several keen senior men to the race, and the first time in a number of years that the club has fielded enough athletes for a men's team at the race.

The race for the 2013 national title turned into a hard fought battle between reigning 2012 National champion Keith Gerrard of Newham & Essex Beagles, and 2013 Northern Champs winner Steve Vernon of Stockport Harriers. Vernon who has represented GB at the World and European mountain running championships and won his fifth Northern title this year had to settle for second place, by a margin of only three seconds as Keith Gerrard became the first man to defend a National title since Glynn Tromans, covering the 12km course in 41 minutes and 21 seconds.

With a number of the Keswick AC men having their first taste of a National XC and a couple more their first experience of cross-country outside of the Cumbria League, the senior men's team placed extremely well in 20th out of seventy nine clubs. In a top 20 that includes some much larger and well respected athletic clubs, the performance bodes well for the club going forward and sets the standard for next year's event which is likely to be hosted in the midlands.

Photo courtesy of Adi Royle

The team consisted of Steve Hebblethwaite (70th, 45:18), Carl Bell (82nd, 45:43), Ian Davies (284th, 51:10), Josh Hebson (335th, 52:16), Chris Edis (464th, 52:46), Robin Orr (507th, 56:01), Simon Neville (610th, 58:10), and Albert Livesey (949th, 1:08:12). There were 1085 finishers.

There is a video of the race HERE.

Runners Needed for Three Peaks Yacht Race 2013

Mike Jaques is an experienced racing skipper who is looking for two good runners to join his boat "Nunatak" this year. He is aiming to win the event overall having been third in previous years.

There is no cost involved as all you have to do is get yourself to Barmouth for the start on 14th June and then back from Fort William on or around 17th/18th depending on wind and tides (there will be plenty of others heading south to catch a lift from).

Sailing experience would be useful but not essential as you'll just have to concentrate on the three runs and possibly a bit of rowing if the wind dies!

Details of the race can be found on http://www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk/

Mike is also looking for runners to join him on the Scottish Islands Peaks Race from 15th May.

Details of this can be found at http://www.scottishislandspeaksrace.com/

Mike's wife Pam is a doctor who kindly stopped to help me when I had my accident at  Langdale.

If you are interested please contact Mike on mike@nunatak.co.uk or Pam at pam@nunatak.co.uk and they'll be able to give you any further info you need.

Bon voyage.

Speds 3 Peaks

You may have seen the report in the members section for the 2013 running of this event in which I asked about history of the event prior to 1993.
From a quick check of my old newsletters I see that I organised an event from our shop in the square in 88 and 89 which did Lonscale and Skiddaw House area. Then it looks like 1990 saw the inaugural running doing the clockwise route based on a training route used by Barrow House workers Jon Broxap and Pete Barron. Seems like Nigel Lanaghan took off from the group up Latrigg and it has been competitive ever since. 4 names appear on this years results that were on the first one. Namely Steve Harwood, Keith Loan, Simon Booth and Sped.
If you haven't made the effort give it a try next year [25th running] -- test the capacity and cake making of our flat! An extra dozen will see us over the 50 mark ,but I'm sure we can do even better than that!
Sped

2013 Club Championship races announced!

The races for this year's Club Fell Championship, and Club Road Championship have just been announced.

Get these dates in your diary now, and spread the word! Please note date of the Round The Houses race is Tuesday 23rd April -different to previously publicised elsewhere.

Road Championship (* indicates individual distance championship race) 

**NEW DATE** Tues 23 April Round The Houses 10K **NEW DATE**
Sun 5 May Keswick ½ Marathon
Tues 28 May Lambfoot Loop 10K
Wed 26 June Eaglesfield 5K *
Sun 8 Sept Cumberland Ale 10, Cockermouth*
Sun 17 Nov Brampton – Carlisle 10
Sat 14 Dec Langdale 10K

Fell Championship (* indicates individual distance championship race) 

Wed 1 May Dockray-Hartside (M)
Sat 11 May Fairfield Horseshoe (M)*
Wed 19 June Langstrath (S)
Sat 13 July Wasdale (L)*
Sat 27 July Blisco Dash (S)*
Sat 17 August Howtown (L)
Sat 1 Sept Loweswater Show (S)

Overall champions for road and fell will be decided on the basis of members' best 4 results from the 7 championship races.
Members can choose any 4 races from 7 (do not have to include races at all distances (short, medium and long)).

To win the overall championships, members must compete in at least 4 races.
Both championships will be decided on a points system, the leading KAC member (male and female) in each race will be awarded 100 points, with the points awarded to all other KAC members awarded by means of the following formula: Points = 100 x (fastest KAC time) / (runner’s time).

Edale Skyline Recce 24/2/13

Me (Phil Winskill), Carl, Steve Hebb and Lee are planing on going down to recce the course on Sunday Feb 24th.  The choice is going down the afternoon before and stay over at a YH (Castleton or Edale), or go for a day (early start).  It's obviously open to anybody, but if you could comment here, we can share transport etc.

Phil

Three Peaks Race - Sat 27th April

Three Peaks entries open today.

330 entries already with a handful from Keswick.

Be quick if you want to get in - the limit is 999.

 http://www.threepeaksrace.org.uk/