Blake Fell. 4.5m/1700' -Sat. 30th January

Nearly a hundred runners assembled yesterday for the early season Blake Fell; four and a half miles, with 1700' of climb -first to Sharp Knott, then onto Blake Fell, Burnbank, and finally Owsen Fell before a steep descent to the finish. Bright sunshine, with little wind made pleasant running conditions, with the sometimes soft ground between Blake and Burnbank set hard by the frost.

For those who had competed at the UKA Fell + Hill Relay Championship in October of last year, the race was a return visit to fells much used by the relay. The Blake race this year however followed a slightly different route to that of recent years -the ascent of Sharp Knott being flagged to avoid damage to the erroded path out of the forest.

There was good turnout of Athletic Club members, with some very good performances by several individuals. Pippa, who had a super strong run setting a new course record in 36:02, was a class above. John Niccoll too showed his improving form giving Chris Edis good chase to the line, who along with Matt Fraser and Steve Hebblethwaite took 4 of the top 10 places with a dominant team performance that bodes well for 2010. Well done all.

1. Chris Steele -31.24 (Borrowdale)
2. Steve Hebblethwaite -32.31
3. Simon Booth -32.49...V40 (Borrowdale)
4. Matt Fraser -33.58
5. Martin Amor -34.33...V40 (CFR)

8. Chris Edis -35.52
9. John Niccoll -35.57
21. Ian Davies -37.50
22. Craig Smith -38.19...V40
27. Colin Valentine -39.17...V45
33. Rob Wynne -40.51...V40
40. Dave Owens -41.30...V50
74. Chris Clarke -48.37...V60

11. (1) Pippa Maddams -36.02
46. (4) Julie Carter -42.31...LV40
57. (7) Jo Gillyon -43.55
59. (8) Trudy Beetham -44.19
71. (12) Hayley Hodgson -47.43...LV40

Full results on Cumberland Fell Runners website HERE

Would like to sign up for some circuit training sessions, could you please give me a contact number or email address, many thanks, Nicky

Blake Fell 30/1/10

well done all, good KAC turn out. some excellent runs (the Miss'es did ok!!). Nice one Steve H finishing second and beating no other than simon booth into third.

Running to the limits -TV programme

Channel 4 are showing the programme 'Running to the Limits' again this Sunday morning at 07:45. It is an intersting watch -inspiration before you go out for your long Sunday run!

The documentary was made by a filmmaker -Alex Vero, who was 16 stone, overweight and a heavy drinker, before deciding to take up running, and attempting to see what it would take to become an international marathon runner. The documentary also spends some time with GB distance athlete Ben Moreau and Ethiopian Mengsitu Abebe, in what is an interesting look at distance running, and the marathon.

Blake Fell

Sat Jan 30 Blake Fell 12pm from Lamplugh Green.   4.5miles / 1700' £4.00 on the day.

This is a great little race taking in Sharp Knott, Blake Fell, Burnbank Fell and finally Owsen Fell.  Anyone involved in the FRA relay last year will recognise the area!

Anyone wanting a lift drop me an email on  jogillyon@yahoo.com I will be leaving Keswick about 10.45am.

KAC Club Champs Races for 2010

The Keswick AC Club Championships Races selected for 2010 are:

Fell Championship

Sat 27 March CAUSEY PIKE (S) 4.5m / 1780’
Sun 4 July SKIDDAW (M) 9m / 2700’
Sat 7 Aug BORROWDALE (L) 17m / 6500’
Sun 19 Sept DALE HEAD (S) 4.5m / 2210’

Road Championship

Sun 7 March HAWSEWATER HALF MARATHON
Tues 18 May MOORCLOSE 10K
Wed 21 July NEWLANDS VALLEY ROUND 6.8M
Sun 7 Nov DERWENTWATER 10M

The Club League is the same as last year, any 8 from the 13 Club Races.

Sped's 3 Peaks 2010, 12.5m/3600' -Sunday 24th January

28 folks out today for this scenic route which takes in Catbells, Walla Crag, and Latrigg. Pleasant conditions -little wind, allmost all of the snow of the last few weeks now cleared.

Following a burst pipe and no water at the Pavillion in Fitz Park the clock was turned back 15-20 yrs, the start being from Market Square outside Sped's flat -A very big thankyou to Dave and Vida for their hospitality, rewarding tired runners with plentiful cups of tea and cake and somewhere to rest, thanks both.

The closed suspension bridge at Portinscale this year forced a short detour -via High Hill (B5289) and the A66.

Chris Steele -1.43.13
Simon Booth -1.44.30
Steve Hebblethwaite -1.50.02
Pippa Maddams -1.59.00
Dan Barton -2.16.00
Toby Cushion -2.17.00
John Beetham -2.17.00
Dave Spedding -2.20.00
Quentin Merritt -2.25.00
Dave Owens -2.27.00
Jo Gillyon -2.34.00
Cat Evans -2.34.00
Chris Evans -2.34.00
Gill Conroy -2.44.00
Mikey Cunningham -2.44.00
Caz Cunningham -2.44.00
Hayley Hodgson -2.51.00
Debbie Edgington -2.51.00
Jim Downie -2.51.00
Kim Clark -3.04.00
Chris Clark -3.04.00
Patric Gilchrist -3.06.00
Barry Halsall -3.19.00
Lesley Malarkey -3.15.00
Pete Richards -1.53.10...Catbells/round lake end
Anne Downie -2.11.00...Catbells/Walla Crag
Pat Richards -2.11.00...round lake end/Walla Crag
Rose Gittins -2.11.00...round lake end/Walla Crag

...well done all.