British Championship round #3: Dollar 9.4m/3150' -Saturday 31st July

Five Keswick AC ladies, and five men made the trip across the border for this most enjoyable 9.4m/3150' race from the town of Dollar, in the shadow of the Ochil Hills.

Full results here. Some photographs here and here.

Changeable weather with the cloud coming and going for the early part of the afternoon led to a palpable air of excitement as the assembled field of over 270 runners warmed up in the pleasant surroundings of the town's Dollar Academy. Following a steep climb to Saddle Hill the course is for the most part very runnable on good grass over Whitewisp Hill, Tarmangie, Andrew Gannel and Kings-Seat, before a long descent over Bank Hill to the finish at the Academy.

Pippa notched up a win in fine style just a week after the her great run at last weekend's Snowdon Race. Yesterday's makes it three wins out of three races this year for 2009 English and British champion Pippa. Some bold running from the rest of the ladies -Cathrine Evans, Julie Carter, Siobhan Brewer and Kim Clark saw Keswick AC win the team (3) competition from Eryri placing them in a great position going into the final championship race at the Black Mountains in South Wales on September 25th.

Keswick AC's improving men's side was well represented yesterday too -Steve Hebblethwaite (10th) well supported by strong runs from Jamie Luxmoore (36th), Chris Edis (50th) Ian Davies (51st) and Chris Clark (232nd). It has been a couple of years since the club fielded full mens teams for the English and British and it has been great to see a few of the lads running well and getting in the mix at a couple of the races this year.

Full results here. Some photographs here and here.

The final race in the 2010 British Fellrunning Championship is South Wales' 17m/5200' Black Mountains race on 25th September. For details and entry form click here. Entry limit of 400 so pre-entry is advised. Email Steve (stevenhebblethwaite@hotmail.com) so we can sort out transport and accommodation.

British Championship round #2: Sebergh 3 Peaks, 4.1m/1663' -Saturday 26th June

A very warm afternoon, 4.1m/1663' starting at the Peoples Hall above the town and traversing the three peaks of Winder (1551'), Arant Haw (1984') and Crook (1509'), before a steep descent to the finish by the hall.

The cloud cover that had been present earlier in the day had all but disappeared by the afternoon and the ladies race started at 2pm under the hot sun, followed by the men, one hour later at 3pm.

We were watching the ladies race on the climb of Winder where Pippa and Olivia Walwyn were taking up the pace at the head of the race to the extent that they had gapped the rest of the field at this point. Pip had a cracking descent and was a clear winner in the end by some margin -I didn't see the finish as between trying to warm-up and do a few strides I was seeking any shade I could find from the heat of the sun. Pippa was ably supported with good running from Julie, Holly, Jo, Hayley, and Kim.


Picture: Julie Carter -2nd counter in Keswick AC ladies 3rd placed team on Saturday, courtesy of Peter Thompson

The challenging course and conditions were coupled with a strong field contesting the men's race -the British championship now consisting of only 4 races with only one short-counter meant a stacked field and highly competitive racing. It was great to see the best of the resurgent Keswick AC mens team out for the race -myself, Chris Edis, John Nicoll experiencing a baptism of fire in his first Eng/Brit champs outing, Ian, Jamie and Chris Clark too. A good showing from the lads and tough race made for a great day, and very well done Pippa.


Picture: Gary Jones (Northumberland FR) chases Matthew Roberts (Eryri) and Steve Hebblethwaite, courtesy of Peter Thompson

Ladies:

1. Pippa Maddams (Keswick AC)-37:54
2. Claire Whitehead (Cosmic) -39:09
3. Olivia Walwyn (Altringham) -39:12

31. Julie Carter -46:27
39. Holly Williamson -47:07
53. Jo Gillyon -49:20
68. Hayley Hodgson -51:28
80. Kim Clark -54:31

Teams:
1. Eryri Harriers
2. Dark Peak
3. Keswick AC

Men:

1. Tim Davies (Mercia) -31:59
2. Rob Hope (Pudsey & Bramley) -32:20
3. Andrew Davies (Mercia) -32:27

38. Steve Hebblethwaite -35:55
80. Chris Edis -39:11
87. John Nicoll -39:55
106. Ian Davies -41:00
146. Jamie Luxmoore -43:46
227. Chris Clark -57:37

Silent Valley fell race, British Championship, 10m/4500’ –Saturday 10th April

Photo courtesy of Newcastle AC

Saturday 10th April, Mourne Mountains Northern Ireland, the first round of the 2010 British Fell Running Championship held over a new race route -Silent Valley, 10m/4500’. Race winner was Andy Symmonds (Kendal AC) in 1:43:56 from Morgan Donnelly (Borrowdale FR) running 1:44:14, and Rob Hope (Pudsey & Bramley) in 1:45:35. It was fantastic to have some good company for the race yesterday –a full Keswick AC men’s team placed 7th, behind strong teams from Borrowdale FR, Dark Peak FR, Pudsey & Bramley AC, Mourne Runners, Calder Valley FR and Eryri Harriers. Seeing Matthew come through so strong on the first climb was absolutely fantastic and I had to to push hard on some of the frankly brutal descents and climbs that followed to try and keep him in touch –had it not been for some sketchy lines taken over rough ground following Borrowdale vests we both may have pulled through for top 15 or top 10 finishes in what was a quality race at the sharp end.


Photo courtesy of Newcastle AC

The ladies acquitted themselves well too -Pippa picking up a win with a particularly strong effort in the opening British Championship race of the year, despite being quite under the weather, and leading the ladies to 4th in a very close team competition (team results here).


Photo courtesy of Newcastle AC

As I write this I’m now feeling somewhat tired out by a fantastic weekend of fine weather and some great fell racing –good crack. Well done to all who raced. Next British Championship race is the Sedbergh 3 Peaks race, 4.1m/1663’ on Saturday 27th June –If you haven’t got your entries in, do so now as the race will fill up long before.

17 Matthew Fraser 01:53:55
19 Steve Hebblethwaite 01:54:28
55 Jamie Luxmoore 02:09:55
93 Ian Davies 02:24:45
184 Chris Clark 03:35:58

1 Philippa Maddams 02:09:35
17 Julie Carter 02:30:30
20 Joanne Gillyon 02:38:00
25 Holly Williamson 02:45:55
42 Kim Clark 03:18:36 (3rd FV40)

Full results here.

More photographs here, here and here.

British Champinship -Round #1: N. Ireland.

More details on the race and 10m/4500' course can be found on the NIMRA website HERE.

The entry list for the race is online HERE. 11 Keswick AC runners are travelling this year. There is also entry on the day. Let's hope the wind drops for the ferry crossing on Friday!

Sedberh 3 Peaks -English/British champs race ENTRIES OPEN

Entries for the Sedbergh 3 Peaks race, 4.1m/1663' which takes place on Saturday 26th June, opened on Friday (March 26th). The race is a counter in both the English and British Championships and is likely to fill up very fast so get your entries in NOW.

5 (men) to count for a team and 3 ladies.

SAT. JUN 26. SEDBERGH 3 PEAKS. AS. Ladies 2pm, men 3pm. 4.1m/1663'. Venue: Howgill Lane, Sedbergh. GR 656923. £5, pre-entry, use FRA universal entry form from FRA website or calendar. Cheques to 'Jon Richardson'. Limit 500. Details: Jon Richardson, 12a Queens Drive, Sedbergh, LA10 5DP.

The printable FRA universal entry form can be downloaded HERE

FRA English Championship -Noonstone fell race

The first race in the 2010 English Fell Running Championship is Noonstone on Sat. 27th February

The race is PRE-ENTRY ONLY with a limit of 500, so early entry is essential (i.e. within next couple of days).

Entry is via the official entry form only, which can be downloaded at link below:

www.todharriers.co.uk/noonstone/noonstone_entryform_2010.pdf

Further details about the race on the Todmorden Harriers website www.todharriers.co.uk

The other races in the 2010 English Championship (best 4 to count, 1 at each distance) are:

27th Feb -Noonstone (Medium)
1st May -Coniston (Medium)
12th June -Ennerdale (Long)
26th June -Sedbergh Three Peaks (Short)
18th July -Holme Moss (Long)
5th September -Shelf Moor (Short)

And in the 2010 British Championship (best 3 results, 1 at each distance):

10th April -Silent Valley (N.Ireland) (Medium)
26th June -Sedbergh 3 Peaks (Short)
31st July -Dollar (Scotland) (Medium)
25th September -Black Mountains (Wales) (Long)