Gummer Howe

Preston Harriers' fell & trail running section . Some of our fell runners also do cross country and road running, but fell running is our main activity.Fell Running tends to be a Northern sport, the Lake District being the main centre for fell runners. The Harriers are the organizers of Paddy's Pole Fell Race, which usually takes place in June. Our junior fell runners are in a keen fell running section, you can read about them in juniorfellblog below. Preston Harriers running club was established in 1881. Mick McLoughlin the chairman of fellblog did the Bob Graham Round in 2005. Fell Runners are not as much bothered about PB's as they are about 3B's ( a local brewery).

Preston Harriers Fell Section :- fellblog

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Gummer Howe

Report from Robyn & Pictures from Mark Burbeck

3 miles / 900ft ascent / ¼ mile row

You know that feeling when you’ve had a really great weekend which makes Monday morning seem that more unappealing? Well, I figured, if I knock out a race report tonight, it will make that “weekend feeling” stay a little longer and postpone the “Monday feeling” till its dawn is inevitable. So I now sit chuckling at the computer reminiscing over the remembered snippets, instead of sulking and dragging my feet into the new week.

The plan was to meet up at about 10h30 at Ambleside Youth Hostel, from where Simmy and Ann set off for a walk; Val McDermott headed for Go Ape; Gordon, John R. and Mark B. swapped bicycles for walking boots and Pete McDermott, Colin S., Jane H., Roger and me set off on our bicycles for a lap of Lake Windermere. While all of this was going on, Mick Mac was running his way around the Great Lakes Run (12 miles and 5500ft ascent) and John G. was making his way up with Sarah, Tom and Luke, aiming to meet us at the start of the race.

We got very cold and wet on our 28 miles cycling around the lake, which was to Colin’s surprise, quite hilly for a circumnavigation of a body of water! We stopped about halfway around at Lakeside to have a bite of lunch, drip water all over the cafe’s floor and use their serviettes to blow frozen noses on before returning to the Youth Hostel to meet up with Mark, John R. and Gordon (who all looked like they’d come second in a fight with Neptune – dripping from head to foot with silly grins that implied that Bacchus might have also been involved in the brawl). After a quick shower we settled down in the lounge with cups of coffee and tried to wind Simmy up into joining Pete M. in the individual Gummers How race. When we got tired of that, we turned our attention to Colin S., trying to shame him into giving the race a go. But despite our best efforts, it wasn’t until a very tired, blue but happy Mick arrived from his race, that Colin was convinced to do the race – taking Mick Mac’s place in Jane’s and my boat.

Last year Rog, Gordon and Steve were in one boat while Jim D., Pete C. and me manned the other. This year Steve B was on call for work and Guru Gordon was under doctor’s orders so couldn’t take part, but came up to give his blessing, cheer us along and make lesser mortals happy by posing for his picture with themJ Mark B. sprained his ankle on Tuesday nights orienteering so couldn’t float in my boat and my oarsmen from last year, Jim D. and Pete C., had other fish to fry. Nonetheless, we managed to field two full teams and hero Pete McDermott took part in the individual race to come 13th in a field led by Ian Holmes where others feared to tread (you know who you are J).

One wise junkie of the plan. Sees no evil, but also plans for the next curry night.

Repeat after me R O W I N G B O A T.......thanks Simmy, now say after me, ROWLOCKS

The weather was, as the kids would say, minging. One good thing though, was the rain knocked the surface of the lake flat, so we didn’t have to contest with waves! Pete and the individuals set off at 17h30. Crikey! You should have seen the man row! He was 12th/13th to the rowing boats and through sheer skill and strength, overtook about another 6 boats on his impressively straight and direct journey to the other side. Unfortunately the hill is a killer. Straight up. The other competitors overtook him on the run, but he was soon rowing his way powerfully back at Lakeside to the welcome roar of the appreciative crowd.

The FIRST V60 of the day. Well done Pete, you did us proud.

No John, we don't have to carry the boat up the hill!

And they all said "Who is this guy with Gordon?"

After becoming drenched alongside the lake, it was the teams’ turn to set off at 18h30. John R., John G. and Rog in one boat with Jane H., Colin S. (stepping in for the blue and tired Mick Mac) and myself in the other. Colin was impressively patient with us as we set off from the start, about 600 metres up the road from the lake. I bet he has never competed in a race in the nether regions of the field. After numerous strategy changes – we got to the boat, Colin and Jane jumped in to control the oars and I gave a push start. Jane and I then swapped positions with Jane taken over captaincy and yelling instructions and me rowing. When I say me rowing, I do mean me rowing. Colin had an oar, but with his height and strength, he only took about 3 pulls and I spent the rest of the width of the river trying to point the boat around again under Jane’s orders! Despite this, we managed to catch a number of boats on the water. We even succeeded in ramming the other Preston boat.

When we hit land, Jane took off uphill and I followed on meekly behind, while Colin ran about 3 times the distance, going between Jane and me to give words of encouragement. What a man. We figured if Jane got to the top ASAP, I should hopefully catch up on the down, and it worked well. We hauled in about 3 or 4 other teams by the time we got back to the boat. And with another strategic shuffle, the oars were handed solely to Colin - whom Jane thoroughly enjoyed shouting at all the way back to Lakeside!

Everyone was cold and wet, even the spectators, but everyone was smiling. Unfortunately the man with the black suit and white gloves wasn’t there to hand us a beer at the end, but instead left a box filled with ice and Budweiser on the side for us. Helen B came alongside to give a shout of encouragement with her sister Liz before setting off for Preston while Mark and Gordon (long having surrendered in their battle with Bacchus) entertained us.

Once back at the YHA and showered, we all set off for Ambleside and a well earned feed. Happy conversation and Kingfisher wiped out any signs of the tired and cold we’d all felt during the day. We then moved on to The Queens Head, where we impressed the barman with our intelligent conversation and hairy toes before the final bell rang us out. Well, tried to anyway. John R, Mick Mac, Gordon, Mark, Rog and me then descended into the hotel cellar, where we were forced to drink a pint of Tetley’s, make merry, and even dance a bit before walking back to the YHA. Even this wasn’t your ordinary journey home, and we saw Mark transform into Coneman before reaching the lounge, chocolate machine and finally beds.

Breakfast was welcome and interspersed with rushed visits to the water closet for repercussions from the previous night’s curry. Then a bimble into town in the pouring rain and howling wind for coffee and a snack before heading back. What a merry weekend. Thanks everyone.

And they all said "Who is this guy with Gordon?" For those unbelievers, yes it was Ian Holmes!

Thanks Robyn & Mark for Report & Pictures. There were even more pictures then these!