Race Review

I put together the below report as a result of some top performances from the Club's runners last weekend.  I haven't been able to get full results from Middle Fell as yet so apologies if I've missed you out.

It was to prove a successful weekend for Keswick AC with some impressive results at the Lorton 10k, the Middle Fell fell race and the Wilmslow Half Marathon.

This year was the fourth running of the Lorton 10k and the weather was near perfect for racing with sunshine, cool temperatures, little wind and no rain.  The race starts in the idyllic village of Lorton, situated just outside Cockermouth and the vale is surrounded by the picturesque Buttermere, Whinlatter and Loweswater fells.  The race route is a testing one with some stiff climbs as the course loops from Lorton down to Loweswater with a return on the east side of the River Cocker.  

The race was the first fixture in the 2015 Keswick AC Road Championship and there was close competition and excellent performances as 16 Club members looked to set down an early-season marker in the Club Championship.

There were victories in the men’s and ladies races for Keswick AC as Sam Stead took the win in 33:42, some 10 seconds ahead of Tom Durcan of Derwent AC (33:53).  Sam has made tremendous strides over the last 12 months and this was emphasised by the fact that he ran 36:31 over the same course in 2014.

In the female face, Hannah Horsburgh and Catherine Spurden scored a one-two for Keswick and there was little separating the two runners.  Hannah finished in 39:07 and Catherine, running her first race over the 10km distance, put in an impressive debut performance of 39:33.

There were a number of other category victories for Keswick AC as Rob Wynne finished first MV50 (40:20), Annabel Holmes was first FV45 (43:10), Steve Harwood was first MV65 (51:19) and Pat Richards was first FV60 (53:37).

Keswick runners were in abundance and a number were to go onto record personal best times which is some feat on the undulating Lorton route.  Club runners included Peter George (36:58), Jonny Hume (37:38), Richard Clarke (42:49), Ross Butler (43:02), Peter Richards (48:48), Emma McKinney (50:34), Kim Clark (50:56), Patric Gilchrist (52:34) and Juliet Grieves (53:30).      

The sun shone on a glorious March afternoon for the Middle Fell fell race in Wasdale.  The race starts from the small village of Nether Wasdale and is 6.6 miles long and includes the 1700’ ascent of Middle Fell.  The route leaves the village and follows the road for a short distance, after which the runners leave the tarmac and can enjoy two miles of relatively flat countryside as they cross the green fields of Nether Wasdale.  As they approach the small cluster of buildings at Greendale, Middle Fell becomes clearly apparent and, with little route choice available, the runners have to make their way to the summit and return via the same way.

There are no official results as yet but Keswick were again well represented.  Tom Addison of Helm Hill was to take the race victory but both Carl Bell (4^th) and Phil Winskill (8^th) were sporting the green and yellow in the top-ten of the field.  But the stand-out performance from the Club came from Jo Gillyon who took victory in the ladies race.

The Wilmslow Half Marathon is a popular and well subscribed half-marathon.  It provides excellent preparation for those looking towards the London Marathon, and with a quick course and stacked field, plenty of opportunity for runners to clock personal best times.

There was a large contingent of Cumbrian runners at the head of the field.  There were two runners from Carlisle-based club Border Harriers; James Douglas (6^th, 1:07:20) and Robert Hodgson (25^th, 1:11:38).  And West Cumbria was represented by Ellenborough AC’s Chris Steele (14^th, 1:10:04).

With each having Marathon aspirations, Keswick’s AC’s Steve Hebblethwaite and Russell Maddams will be well pleased with strong runs at Wilmslow.  Steve managed to score a personal best time, finishing 29^th overall in 1:12:14.  This was over two minutes faster than his 2014 effort over the same course, evidence that his diligent marathon training is paying off.  Russell also had an excellent race and was a mere 14 seconds behind Steve, finishing in 1:12:28 (34^th overall and 8^th MV40).  But the Keswick performance of the day went to Marc Brown.  After a breakthrough season in 2014, Marc is showing further improvement in 2015 and took a massive three minutes off of his half-marathon personal best time.  Marc finished 22^nd overall in a time of 1:11:13.

The race was won by Ben Siwa of Run Fast in a time of 1:04:57 and the female victor was Perendis Lekapana, also of Run Fast, who finished in 1:11:24.

Northern Road Relays

The Northern 12 Stage Road Relay Championships are being held this weekend at Sefton Park, Liverpool. Keswick are sending a strong men's team with the aim of finishing in the top 25 and thereby securing a place at the National Championships. Competition will be fierce with all the top clubs from across the region participating.

Here's the team. Wish them luck!

1. Marc Brown
2. Patrick Malkinson
3. Sam Stead
4. Chris Edis
5. Peter George
6. Adam Campion
7. Steve Hebblethwaite
8. Andrew Slattery
9. Ian Davies
10. Steve Jones
11. Lee Newton
12. Chris Brewer
Reserve: Rob Wynne

Legs 1, 3, 5, and 7 are approx 4.9 miles, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are approx 2.8 miles.

A Grand Day Out for Keswick Fellrunners

Saturday 28^th February saw the first fell race of KAC's fell running championship at High Cup Nick with an excellent turn out from the club. The promised rain held off and the prevailing wind blew us up the valley but made for a very chilly and tough return on the shoulder above the nick. As ever, the running up the valley was very muddy, tussocky and energy sapping but the stream of golden Keswick vests inspired us all to some of our best running. Nearly everyone improved their previous time, most notably Rachel Findlay-Robinson who, in spite of a heavy fall, came in third place amongst the Keswick Ladies helping them to the team prize alongside Angela Wakefield, an impressive fourth lady and Lyn Thompson. The men also took the team prize with Sam Stead proving he is as good on the fell as he is on the road and on cross country. He came an impressive second to the incredible Ricky Lightfoot who broke the course record. It was a great day out for our runners of all abilities and particularly good to see Steve Harwood back out on a fell race for the first time in some years and finishing very strongly.

The previous Saturday, a group of intrepid runners went to the Loughrigg Silver Howe race. Most were lost in the blizzard at some point as the navigation there is challenging there even on a clear day. Particularly good results were by Cat Spurden, second lady and Phil Winskill, fourth man.

Recently our long distance expert, Dave Troman, had a podium finish at the Osmotherly trail marathon and Keswick runners were to be seen doing well as far afield as Bodmin (Sam Stead) and Portsmouth (Adam and Peggy Campion).

The road runners have also had a busy few weeks with several good results recorded with Sam Ayers first lady at both the Lancaster 10 and Netherhall 10 with many other runners getting well placed and achieving personal best times.

KAC is not just about racing though. It offers social runs as well as planned training sessions (both daytime and evening) to improve speed and stamina. Anyone who would like to join us is very welcome. Just check out the training page on the Keswick AC website or email new@keswickac.org.uk.

Haweswater Half Marathon

10 hardy Keswick AC runners battled the elements at this Sunday’s Haweswater Half Marathon.  The hilly route set by organising club Eden Valley Runners was made all the more challenging due to 25mph winds and sleet showers.

At the sharp end, the race was won by James Buis (1.12.51) of Border Harriers who was given a good battle by Derwent AC’s Tom Durcan (1.13.06).  In 3^rd and 1^st V40 was John Clifford of New Marske Harriers (1.14.24).

The women’s race was more spread out with Heidi Dent of Howgill Harriers building a strong lead from the outset to finish 38^th overall in a time of 1.26.51.  Jessica Wilson-Young travelling from Edinburgh AC was 2^nd and 1^st V40 (1.29.16) followed by Paula Irons of Black Coombe Runners in 1.30.28.  Keswick’s Sam Ayers finished a strong 5^th and 2^nd V40 in 1.32.04.  However, the best race goes to Annabelle Holmes who raced brilliantly to gain a massive personal best of seven minutes over the half marathon distance.

James Christmas	M	01:28:59
Samantha Ayers	F40	01:32:04
Annabel Holmes	F45	01:35:08
Suzanne Smith	F40	01:37:21
Keith Hill	M45	01:40:16
Rachel Mellor	F	01:40:21
Mike Beechey	M45	01:45:15
Daniel Barton	M	01:48:43
Libbie Graham	F	01:48:44
Juliet Grieves	F45	01:57:58

The next road outing for Keswick AC will be the Lorton 10K on Saturday 21^st March, from Lorton School.  Details can be found on the RunBritain website.