FRA
Relay 2005
We
are well endowed this race, with two superb reports, and some good pictures from
Steve Jackson & Joe Howard + a link to fra spotted by Jon Carberry (Nick
& Nick)
17th.
British Fell and Hill Running Relay Championship, Alva, nr
Stirling
, Sun. 16th. Oct. 2005 by Mick Mack
What a struggle to get two teams for this fantastic event,
we get plenty of time to get organized but still have to rush around at the last
minute. I’m open to suggestions for next year, maybe we just enter one team,
end of moan.
We left
Preston
at 5.30am and arrived in Alva at 9am on a dry cloudy day, the Ochill hills
rising nearly vertical from the village, a few hearts sank as we all gazed
skywards to view where we would be competing.
Leg 1. 5m/ 2400’
Gordon and new boy Steve Jackson set off in the mass start
along the road before turning right to go up the steep hillside, both smiling
for the camera. When they returned to the changeover point the smiles had
disappeared and the effort they had put in clearly visible on their faces. A
tough leg.
1st Kendal 46.33
54th Gordon 1.02.36
79th Steve 1.10.41
Leg 2. 4m/ 1400’
Steve Smith blasted off on this fast up and down course
overtaking seven teams as he showed his international pedigree. At a steadier
pace Alan Appleby put in his reliable run to pass three teams and return in
great style. Only a handful of runners beat Steve’s time.
1st
Dark
Peak
27.20
43rd Steve Smith 32.26
75th Alan Appleby 37.58
Leg 3. Navigation, appox. 9m/ 4000’
Jim Doherty and Roy Parkinson waited for Steve to return at
the changeover tent not realizing he hadn’t put his number on,
Roy
has a new p.b for 200m as he sprinted to the minibus and back just in time. He
was well warmed up for the near vertical climb to the first control point. John
Carberry and Michael Mcloughlin took over from Alan and set off on the same
climb, it didn’t half stretch your calves. From here we contoured around the
hilltop and over the next small top before steeply dropping down to the burn and
steeply up the other side to the control on top of Colsnaur Hill. Again we
contoured around the hillside before dropping down and up the other side, over
the top and another steep descent to the burn before climbing to the control on
The Cloves. Finally we reached a vehicle track to run on but we were knackered
by then. Another climb and we reached the next control which lead to the final
descent on a good track, here we were passed by the winning
Dark
Peak
pair on their final leg. We finally clipped at the last control and ran as best
we could to the hand over point, getting a great reception from the watching
crowd. It was a very tough leg with hard climbs and steep descents but I enjoyed
the course in beautiful unspoiled hills.
1st
Dark
Peak
1.14.31
68th Jim and Roy 1.54.35
87th John and Mick 1.59.32
Leg 4. 9m/ 3700’
Dave Nicholson and Nicolas Conlon drew the short straw for
another very tough leg, all climbs only possible at walking pace. They done
great, both looking great as they sprinted down the final road section, cheered
on by the rest of the Harriers. I was slightly worried about Nicholas on this
leg as he has never competed in a race with so much climb before, but he took it
in his stride. As John and myself came in Joe and Simmy passed us in the mass
start for Leg 4. As usual they took every thing in their stride and stuck to the
task to complete this hard leg, well done to them.
1st
Dark
Peak
1.12.09
72nd Dave and Nick 1.52.45
89th Joe and Simmy 2.25.34
91 teams competed.
A big thanks to everyone who stepped in at short notice.
Steve Smith, Steve Jackson, John Carberry and Dave Simpson. I hope you enjoyed
the day and we will see you on the fells for the next relay.
Mick.
Alva, near Stirling,
Scotland.
by Steve Jackson
The sensible
writing in black is by Steve, the red is the blogger, sorry lads.
A fast moving mini-bus left Preston at 5.30 am on Sunday
16th October, with a group of bleary eyed fell runners heading for Alva, near
Stirling, in Scotland.
The destination was the venue for the British fell &
hill relay to take place on the steep and mostly grassy Ochils.
10 of us were on the bus driven north by Joe Howard and we
were to meet up with Dave Nicholson and Roy Parkinson. Most managed a bit of
sleep thanks to Joe's careful driving. Joe had a power-nap on arrival stretched
out over several seats.
Two teams were fielded, organised by Captain Mick; an Open
and Vets Team. Mick had also arranged perfect weather, dry with sunshine and
high cloud, with a fresh wind over the fells. This is the only picture of Dave
Nicholson on the website. Good to see you Dave. I'm sure Rick will have
something to add! The tribute to Mick above re his BG is one thing. That two
teams from the Harriers ever got to Alva, is a further tribute to Mick's
tenacity. Most of Mick's twelve disciples had intimated "don't include me
unless you are really desperate". The truth is he really was
desperate, cos on the previous Tuesday he almost ask me to join the lads. But
like Judas, I let him down!
Steve before start of First Leg (Just what have I let
myself in for?)
Leg 1 was solo at 7k and 730m of ascent. Surely you didn't
do it in the van Alan? What will all the kids say?
Leg 2, solo at 6k and 430m of climb.
Leg 3. Not much Navigation required.......It's up that
thing there.
Leg 3 was the navigation in pairs leg, with an awful lot
of up & down. Jim looks for Roy & probably shouts something obscene.
Roy answers "I'm coming darling" or words to
that effect. There is a story to be told here.....Roy thought he was boxing
clever letting the wife arrange a pleasant weekend away with family &
friends...............in Alva! "Did I not mention
sweetheart that the FRA Relays are on that weekend? Where? Surely I said
Alva?"............What Jim doesn't know is that Roy didn't have such a bad
run at all, in fact he had a bloody good one, considering that during their 3rd
Leg, while Jim was doing what he likes best, navigating & wondering why Roy
was still out of sight, Roy had actually nipped back to Alva, picked up
the wife, gone to Tesco, done the shopping & still managed to catch up Jim!
Mick at end of his Leg 3 - Horwich Ladies aghast at realising they have to go back to last checkpoint.
John at end of his Leg 3 with
Mick.
Leg 4 was pairs at 13k and 1150m of ascent. Dave Nicks
& Nick.
Most of us seemed to be running with or near the Pennine
Ladies Team during the event, which is why we requested their team picture at
the end! No other reason, although Gordon suggested a "twinning" club
arrangement.
Our results:-
Open Runners Times
Leg 1 - Gordon Thompson 1:02:36
Leg 2 - Steve Smith 32:36
Leg 3 - Jim Doherty
Roy Parkinson 1:54:35
Leg 4 - Dave Nicholson
Nicholas Conlon 1:52:45
Total Time 5:22:22. 45th from 52 open teams
Vet Runners Times
Leg 1 - Steve Jackson 1:10:41
Leg 2 - Alan Appleby 37:58
Leg 3 - John Carberry
Mick McLoughlin 1:59:32
Leg 4 - Joe Howard
Dave Simpson 2:25:34
Total Time 6:13:45. 25th from 25 male vets teams, but not
in last place overall.
Open winners were Dark Peak A in 3:42:11. 2nd, Pudsey
& Bramley in 3:47:47. 3rd Ambleside in 3:53.43.
In the Vets, winners were Pudsey & Bramley in 4:02:47
just pipping Carnethy A who had 4:03:27.
Ladies winners were Carnethy in 4:39:47 from Ilkey in 2nd
with 4:56:41.
91 teams took part in all three categories.
Full results at
www.carnethy.com
Arrival back in Preston saw tiredness relieved by a visit
to the Black Bull in Fulwood - unfortunately, there are no pictures!
Thanks to all the team for a great day out, especially the
drivers Joe, Mick and Jim. Joe`s wife was the star having made a fantastic fruit
cake!
It`s great, this fell running!
Steve Jackson
Just noticed that the FRA have now listed the English & British
Championship races for 2006 at www.fellrunner.org.uk/championships
Thanks Steve for this report & Photos
& the link to FRA. Sorry I missed that cake! .Anybody else got any pictures? Come on Simmy.
The following are pictures
answered my plea from
Joe Howard
Steve Smith hiding his England vest. You
know what these Scots are like!
Looks like Steve
It is Steve!
Looks Like Jim & Roy, you can't be too
sure!
It is Jim & Roy, Jim still doesn't
know the truth.
Alan preparing the van for his leg.
One
final picture (Nick & Nick in action)
Thanks to Jon Carberry for
the tip. (Looks like Dave Nick is threatening the camera man).
You may like to
read about the race in 2004
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to FellBlog
