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Chipping Show 2007        Pictures from Robyn, Blogger, Steve Jackson & Angela Hodgson

Report by Joe Howard     Results Brian Dearnaley

Chipping Show  - Fell Race.

The official office, (camper; -tired top end of the engine ), was not available this year so we assembled the usual canvas for registration on Friday afternoon to establish our H.Q.

The exit passage, from the field, was trimmed back by Maurice whilst the tents were being put in place (one pole missing-replaced on Saturday).

On Race Day  the entry system was ready early while the run-out from the showfield was flagged, to the foot of the fell, with the help of one of the local farmers.

The race started on the showfield and, this year for the first time, all the competitors were going to be allowed the glory of finishing on the field as there was no Grand Parade  of cattle and sheep.

            The threatened low cloud had lifted from the nearest fells but continued to roll back and forth over the higher ground around the higher check points. 73 runners left the field (followed by sweepers Barry and Mike)  and T.Cornthwaite, a previous winner,  established and early lead before the race reached  the fells. In the changing conditions there seem to have been a variety of routes chosen to make the way between checkpoints with Lloyd Taggart (Dark Peak) back on the field first in a record time of 62:19.

The first lady, J.Lee (Eryri) also beat the ladies' record in a time of 75:39.

The prizes were finally sorted out after a male runner had used a female's number.

The first team was from Dark Peak -Lloyd Taggart, D.Taylor, P.Winskill.

The v40 prize winner was Dave Nuttall (Clayton) who came in surrounded by the Holcombe Hunt hounds. 

S Charman LV 50 (Helsby) came to receive her prize and announced that her husband had not arrived and this was some time after the sweepers had come in with the last runner. The marshals on the fell began to do a sweep and the situation was reported to he police.

M.Charman eventually arrived on the showfield 2 ½ hours after the last runner and just before Mountain Rescue and helicopter rescue were in action.

Preston Harrier runners were Alan Metcalf 79:11 ; John Rainford 80:01; Sarah Gohil 101:11.

Thanks are due to :-office staff-Marie, Eileen, Brian & Maurice.

Fell marshals – Bob & Catherine, Eddie, John, Peter, Steve Jackson, Alan, Roy .

Road marshals -Dave & Valerie & Peter K & Barbara, Roger & Robyn.

Field staff- Nigel & Linda, Dave & Anne, Phil & Philippa (time keepers), Helen & Brian, Louise.

Thanks also to:- Stan Bullock,The Show Committee ( first male & female prizes);

 Sweat Shop – prize vouchers.

Photographers Robyn & Roger were at the first checkpoint stile over the fields from the showground. Blogger was at the point were the race moved from the road onto the fells. Steve Jackson was up on the fells in the mist. Angela Hodgson was at the showground waiting for her sister Helen.

Leader (144)  T Cornthwaite, uphill from the showground, then first over stile.

Lloyd Taggart Dark Peak in green is second to the stile    P Winskill Dark Peak following close behind

M Whyatt (Bowland) at the first stile

J.Lee first lady comes & goes (very quickly).

John Rainford over stile.                                164 R Walmsley (Bowland) queues at stile

R Walmsley (Bowland) closely followed by J Hogg (Saddleworth) Then our own Sarah Gohil climbs stile in style.

Helen Howard from Amsterdam over first stile follows the field up the long stretch road.

T Cornthwaite (144) previous winner is first to leave the road and join the fell, Lloyd Taggart (152) is second at this stage & the rest follow

P Winskill followed by M Whyatt (Bowland)   185 D Taylor (Dark Peak) & A Breaks (CVFR)

187 M Nuttall (Blackburn)                              183 S Edmondson  (Horwich)       

194 D Nuttall (Clayton)                                      178 G Pearse (Blackburn)

J. Lee first lady to leave the road for the fell.        148 J Thompson (Newburgh)

133 R Lambert (Helsby) 139 D Reynolds (Newburgh), then in red vest is Harrier Alan Metcalfe incognito.

Then John Rainford was too fast for me, as usual. There is a glimpse on John's picture of our famous road runner, Ann Sweeney in Marshall's garb. Alongside her is Sharon Trusch our famous track runner, both of whom are trained by old Alan Appleby, seen below. 165 Sarah Gohil more often seen on the road (unfortunately).

Helen Howard leaves the road for the fells. Backmarker at this stage.

Our old man at the top, Alan Appleby.  188 G Johnston (Blackpool) John Rainford tucked in behind

Sarah Gohil appears out of the mist.

Last runner, Helen Howard gets plenty of attention from the Preston Harrier sweepers.

144 T Cornthwaite leaving the fells in 2nd spot, for the road stretch.

Lloyd Taggart in green, well in the lead as he approaches the stile, approx 1 mile to go. M Whyatt (Bowland) flying along in 3rd spot.

A Breaks (CVFR) with good shot of Parlick, followed by M Chippendale (Bowland)

142  C Balderstone (Clayton) followed by J Lee, leading lady one mile to go.......

John Rainford coming

John Rainford going.

191 C Halsall just leading 174 M Gibbison (Both Bowland) 174 went on to beat 191 by over 2mins

131 A Heaton (Bowland) amazed by Robyn's support.     Sarah Gohil coming

Sarah Gohil going

179 R Scarsbrook (FRA) Not surprising that he's smiling....... he's just seen Robyn, ace photographer & marshal.

C Riley (U/A) A Burnley runner. 

Helen arrives at the showground. We thought she was last!

Helen greeted by Ruth her sister-in-law. Stoking up with a brew & edibles.

Posing with Joe her big brother. Helen was visiting her family so why not do the Chipping Show Fell Race? She's in training for Amsterdam Marathon. (A less hilly affair).

Serious post race discussions. Right to left. Robyn & Roger, first & last check point marshals & ace photographers. Carol, in the mist marshal at the gate after Parlick. Catherine the marshal at the foot of fell kissing gate. Blogger wondering whence his next pint might come!

You may like to see previous Chipping Show Race

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Lots of fell runners break away from their original running clubs, mainly because they have no interest in track & field, fell running being their main interest. The fell running section of our club decided to have their own website, probably for the same reason. Now a V70, George Arnold is our oldest active fell runner. There are a few more of us close behind! One of our top female road runners, whilst marshalling recently at Chipping Show Fell Race commented on just how friendly fell runners are.