Fiendsdale Fell Race. AM, 9m / 2600’ Race 2 in our championship.

What a scorcher as 416 runners packed the lane to Fell Foot for the first English Championship race of the season. Thirteen harriers, including TWO ladies, shuffled at a leisurely pace up the lane and through the gate to spread out all over the fell side, what a sight to behold, as we headed to c.p 1 at the saddle. As we climbed at a walking pace I glanced up to see the leaders still jogging and almost at the top, they are super fit. Once over the first climb I joined the long snake of runners across Wolf Fell towards c.p 2 at the fence junction, most taking a beeline to the c.p instead of the usual path and it seemed to be slightly quicker. After dibbing at c.p 2 nearly everyone headed for the decent down the gully towards the valley path. This caused the path to get badly cut up and very hard going but worst was to come, once on the narrow undulating valley path it was extremely hard going as the path was all churned up by all the previous runners and you got held up by runners slipping and stumbling all the way down until we reached the beck. As the valley opened out the pace quicken as we raced towards c.p 3 at Langden Castle , our only concern now was dehydration because of the heat so I drank from all the becks I crossed.

After c.p 3 I had an energy gel, which propelled me up Fiendsdale Nab, and I overtook a number of runners and continued over Fiendsdale Head and had a fast decent down Holme House Fell to c.p 4 at the sheepfold. This is where the leaders went astray, they lost sight of the leader Simon Bailey and went to far right after Fiendsdale Head and missed the sheepfold. They are human after all. At the sheepfold I drank at the stream and took an energy gel before the very steep climb to c.p 5 on Fair Snape. Many of the runners were suffering on this climb as the heat began to take its toll and the sight of John and Steve just ahead of me spurred me on. I passed them and others on the climb and once over Fair Snape I gritted my teeth and ran flat out determined no one would pass.

After the decent and only the climb to Parlick left I felt good jogging up Parlick, through the c.p and had a exhilarating descent to the finish knocking 2 minutes of my fastest time. This was a truly tough fell race and to finish this race you will finish any fell race. I had a great run and even got sunburned on the back of my neck, it was the only bit not covered in mud.

Congratulations to everyone who ran, and to Bowland for a superbly organised race.

The only negative thing was only 13 harriers turned out for an English Championship race right on our door step and what a day you missed. The positive is we now have two ladies only one more for a ladies team. 492 entered, 416 started, 4 retired.

Results: - 1^st Simon Bailey. Mercia . 1:15:48

177^th Ash Nixon. 1:43:00

220^th Mick Mcloughlin. 1:47:30

240^th Steve Foster. 1:50:41

264^th Alan Appleby. 1:53:56

274^th Karen Nash. 1:56:14

277^th John Griffiths. 1:56:37

316^th Peter Carter. 2:03:11

352^nd Jim Doherty. 2:11:14

362^nd Eddy Stewart. 2:13:35

364^th Sarah Gohil. 2:13:52

389^th Brian Dearnaley. 2:21:53

393^rd Joe Howard. 2:27:30

400^th George Arnold. 2:33:07

Fellblog cannot condone the use of energy gels and wishes to make it clear that Fellblog is in no way responsible for the use of such booster supplements.

The first picture shows John Griffiths, Steve Forster, Pete Carter & Mick McLaughlin coming through the gate, very early on in the race. Nobody knows who is in the second picture. Our new member The Great George Arnold running for The Harriers for the first time can be seen in the third picture coming thro' the gate in his familiar colourful hat. I think he's still wearing his hand stitched Preston AC club vest. Joe, Brian and everybody's favourite, Allan Appleby, can be seen just ahead of him. Looks like Mick's approaching the summit of Fairsnape, this is really tough going. John G is descending from Fairsnape, not at his best! Karen Nash & Ash are wearing smiles and Jim looks on top of the world, at Parlick summit? Pete Carter also at Parlick. As you can see, there are various ways to the check point.

See Bowland site for results http://www.lorrcleaning.com/bowland/overallresults.html and also their report on the race

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