Preston Harriers Fell Section :- juniorfellblog        

PENDLE 20th March 2005    

This page is really pleasing, so many contributions and pictures. 

Report & Pictures from Allan Appleby

Pendle English Junior Championship Races – 20th March 2005

  The first of the Championship races were held at the foot of Pendle Hill, near Barley, on a nice and pleasant morning, just a little overcast but little wind.

  The Under 10 race didn’t count as a championship but was quite well supported and Christopher Nash shot up the hill like a mountain hare and kept the pace going at the top to come home a clear leader.

In the Under 12 race, Matthew Nash was well up the field on a different course which started with an almost immediate sharp climb, this was the start for all the championship races. Matthew was second going through the gate out towards the fell and he maintained his position to the finish. An excellent run for Matthew, obviously the orienteering is paying dividends. Ashley Bradshaw came to watch and get the taste of a fell run, but her swimming training had been heavy recently so she gave the run a miss but seemed keen to give it a go in the future.

  With the under 14’s we had a good turn out, with Andrew Harrison for the lads and Nichola Jackson, Emily Kevan, Naomi Cox, Beth Sommerfield and Verity Cook for the girls. This was new running for Beth and Verity and to start in championship races , where standards would be highest, didn’t phase them.

  Andrew’s knees held up to the gruelling climbing and descents after the trouble he has been having, one of the troubles of growing. However, he had a good run and finished in a decent position.

  Nichola led the girls home with a good steady run, Emily putting in a good performance as well. Naomi, Beth and Verity put in determined efforts on what must have been daunting climbs for them.

  We thought the course went along the rough track up through a field to a farm and then they turned round, but no, the route went through the farmyard and up onto the fell proper for quite a way before turning round and returning. The girls stuck at it and completed a tough course and still managed to smile at the finish where they received goody bags and a drink.

  Amie Kevan and Rob Jackson went in the under 16’s race following the same route as the under 14’s but going up to the trig point before returning. Rob had another great run, well up with the leaders, similarly Aime came through in a good position in the girls field, a really good run.

  Someone came up to me during the races and said they didn’t associate Preston with fell running. I said we had one or two youngsters who were quite keen and hopefully by the end of the season we may have some contenders for the championship spots, he seemed impressed, watch this space!

  Fell running is quite different from track events, more low key, often in beautiful settings as today, and a good chance of a small prize for all the effort put in. Have a go, you could be picked to run in the Fell Relays Championships for the club in September, that will be a great event.

  Next Junior Championship run – Wrekin, near Telford , Sunday April 10th, 11.30am start.

  Next Fun Fell Races

  Wray Caton Moor, near Lancaster , Monday May 2nd, 11.30am start.

Junior races, under 8, under 10, under 12, under 14, under 18, 50p Village Fair, Scarecrow Festival, Hutton Roof Crags, near Carnforth, Saturday May 28th, 2pm start.

No this is not really Nichola, she's a lot faster than that! 

Trouble is there's no pictures of her. Well lo & behold here's a picture of the much faster Nichola, taken at North of England XC Championships earlier this year. I'm leaving the previous picture, I like it, it reminds me of me. No not an alien, just an old slow coach.... & since this picture came, there are two more, this time at Rivington. + more pictures of all the others.

Pictures of Start, Amie, Verity, Naomi, Beth. Guess which order!

There follows a further report & more pictures from Mick McLaughlin our  Fellblog Chairman. He seems impressed by your achievements. He is going to do the Bob Graham Round in summer, anyone not sure what that means? He just has to do 42 peaks in the Lakes inside 24 hours.

English Junior Championship.  19th March.  Barley.

  The first time I have gone to watch a junior race and I am full of admiration for everyone who took part. Those familiar with the finishing field on the Half Tour of Pendle race will appreciate how steep this field is, and what an effort is required when all the races start at the bottom and head towards Pendle. All races were out and back, and went, to varying degrees, up Pendle.

First race was the u10’s where Christopher Nash lead from start to finish, what a talent and a great climber, well done.

Next the u12’s who had 2m and 500’ of climb and went to Buttock before turning and retracing their steps back to the finish. Matthew Nash had a fantastic race and battled all the way to finish 2nd in 15:45, to complete a family 1-2. There are championship winners here.

The u14’s saw the biggest Harrier turn out with 5 girls and 1 boy, three of the girls in there first fell race. The race went via Buttock to halfway up Pendle before turning and retracing there steps back to the finish, 2.5m / 800’.

This was a very tough race for seniors, never mine for juniors, and to there credit everyone completed. 1st Joshua Moody, Matlock, 18:54,

Harriers: 31st Andrew Harrison, 23:51

               33rd Nichola Jackson,  24:00

               41st Emily Kevan,        26:40

               44th Naomi Cox,          30:55

               45th Beth Summerfield, 34:32

               46th Verity Cook,          34:37

I cannot praise these junior enough, to complete this tough race means you can complete any fell race.

The u16’s went to Pendle trig point and back, 3.5m / 1000’, again a tough race. From the start Rob Jackson was in the first three and Amie Kevan in the leading bunch as the field spread out. Rob was 2nd to the trig point and Amie not far behind. On the very fast decent Rob put in a great efford to finish 5th and Amie a fantastic 32nd in a high class field. 1st Tom Addison, Helm Hill, 23:25.

Harriers:            5th Rob Jackson,                    24:33

                          32nd Amie Kevan,                  31:49

Again well done our Harriers, there was a lot of talent running in this race and we are right there with the best of them.

The last race was the u18 and Senior race, 4.5m / 1400’, unfortunately Alan Appleby and myself passed on the invite to run, still aching from Fiendsdale on Saturday, and no Harriers took part but I would like to mention Amies’ brother James who ran magnificently and fought all the way around with Adam Peers of Wirral to finish 2nd to Adam. Watch out when these boys start senior races, it’s a shame he runs for Horwich.

The Pictures above from Mick McLaughlin. I can spot Amie running well, above the reservoir, & Andrew in his mucky new Walsh's. Well done to all of you for taking part, and putting in so much effort. If anyone wants to add names to the pictures I will do it if you tell me some names. We are trying our best to spell Amie correctly.

Pictures below from Colin Harrison. Andrew was running so fast his dad missed him! Matt Nash in the lead at the start below, and looking unbeatable by himself.

The bottom picture is the start of the U14. before Andrew had revved up.

Andrew in the pack, revving up.

Please tell me any more names missed out or to put in.

Like to read about that Bob Graham Round?  After all Mick McLaughlin's going to do it in summer, and Pete Benson did it some time ago.

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