2007 FELL
CHAMPIONSHIP.
Helvellyn
Sunday 27th May Report by Robyn
Anderson
Helvellyn Race Report
As no one has done one yet and I need something to do - Roger is in the garden
with a pick axe (Shudder) and I have been set back by a little cold (cough,
cough) preventing me from helping in the garden, here is a race report from the
back of the pack…where we have lots of fun and even chat, a little.
Sunday the 27th May was not
the warmest or sunniest of days, although it was pretty windy. The dire forecast
limited the field to 92 competitors and only 5 Prestonians, Steve B., John G.,
Rog T., Mic M. and me, Robyn.
The race began at 12h00 from Bram Crag Farm (the farmer man is a lovely bloke
and we chatted over a comforting cup of tea at the finish, about how he needed
to get a bigger barn for such events). From here, we contoured in a polite and
orderly queue along to Fernside. Along the way, I met and chatted to Catroina,
who had travelled all the way from
Glasgow
for the race.
Next came the clamber up to Calfhow Pike. I found the best approach to this was
on all fours, leaving me with stiff shoulders on Monday morning. Ascending this
almost unrunnable slope, I met and chatted to Amanda of Cheshire Fell Running
group. Amanda volunteered to second me on Duddon, as she hurt her toe and
didn’t think she was up to it.
After the brief pause to shout our numbers at the control point on Calfhow Pike,
we contoured up and around Great Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd. This was a good
running section during which we could stretch our legs and maintain a steady
conversation surrounding the subject of ‘which bitter is best’.
After this, there was a steady rise to the control point at The Raise. By this
time, the weather had taken its toll on my gloved hands, which were now blue and
lifeless. At the same time, both my laces came undone so, I had to stop to try
and tie them up – to no avail. I stood there helplessly for about 30 seconds
until some fellows caught up and asked if I was all right. I explained my
situation after which ‘Graham’ tied both shoes for me most tightly. I
promised to buy him 2 pints as a reward, but couldn’t find or recognise him at
the end, as everyone had taken hats, gloves, cags and trackies off in the warmer
climes of The Vale.
Next came the trek up and down White Side. It was on the way down, just before
the final slog up Helvellyn, that we crossed paths with the winners. They
definitely did not look as if they were having as much fun as our happy little
band. Next came Steve B, striding along easily followed in hot pursuit by John
G. A little time lapsed before we saw Rog T. descending the slopes of Helvellyn
followed by Mic M. Both looked comfortable despite their detour which added
another half mile to their journey. Roger did not say hello on his way down, but
Mic was kind enough to point out that there was ‘no bloody
marshall
at the top’.
We pressed on up Helvellyn, around the trig point and returned to Bram Crag Farm
via the same route, not talking as much (except for the man without a shirt
whose name I forget, who shouted ‘Oh F…’ as he jumped off the path when he
heard me running down behind him. The descent from Calf How Pike was awesome,
and made the race well worth entering, even if it was just one great bum slide.
Pos
Time
Name
class
19
2.05.48 Steve Bamber
MV40
22
2.06.41 John Griffiths
MV40
39
2.23.23 Roger Taylor
M
49
2.26.33 Michael McLoughlin MV50
69
2.42.09 Robyn Anderson
F
Photos by Darian
at Borrowdale Fell Runners
Sorry John G, couldn’t find any of you. Robyn.
Blogger
also apologizes for being incapable of getting the pictures straight. And now
for a report from the front of the pack....................................
Helvellyn
Fell Race. AM. 11m/4500’ 27.5.07 Report by Michael McLoughlin
Only
five Harriers at this race, the fifth in our championship, and the first in the
Lake District
. It is a tough race and none of us had done it before so we were a bit
apprehensive as we lined up at the start and the unsettled weather had most
runners well rapped up. We started in the farmyard and followed a single track
until the first climb to Calfhow Pike, and what a steep climb it was, my
calf’s aching at the top. It was good running from here and because we
hadn’t done it before we followed the tourist path instead of cutting the
corners but eventually reached Helvellyn where we lost time expecting to find a
marshal at the trig point but there was none so we turned and retraced our step
back over Raise to Calfhow Pike. We now headed down the very steep descend we
had climbed now knackered, and it was hard going trying not to tumble. Once down
it’s a short race back to finish in the farmyard and the end of a very tough
race.
Two of
our juniors were competing in the English Junior Championship at the same venue,
Nicola Jackson and Andrew Harrison but they had run their races by the time we
got back and I hope they enjoyed the day. The seniors retired for a well earned
pint in the Sportsman Inn.
Results,
1st
Nimrod Lockwood, Borrowdale, 1.53.00
19th
Steve Bamber
,
2.05.48
22nd
John Griffiths
,
2.06.41
39th
Roger Taylor
,
2.23.23
49th
Mick McLoughlin,
2.26.33
69th
Robyn Anderson,
2.42.09
95 ran,
92 finished.
Blogger
also apologizes for the incorrect spelling of Michael's surname for the last two
years. Further it appears to me that Robyn my old adversary, has improved by
leaps & bounds during the convalescence of my injured foot. The show down
race was going to be at Pendle, until my Aprilia fell on my foot. Well I ran
for the first time in 8+ weeks last night. Observation, happy but overweight
& breathless! I doubt if I will ever catch Robyn in the future. But never
say die!
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