The fell running section
of Preston Harriers. Some of our fell runners also do cross country and road
running, but fell running is our main activity. Our junior fell runners are in a
keen fell running section, you can read about them in juniorfellblog
below. Preston Harriers running club was
established in 1881. Mick McLoughlin our chairman of fellblog recently did
the Bob Graham Round. Fell Runners are not as much bothered about PB's as they
are about 3B's ( a local brewery).
Preston
Harriers Fell Section
:- fellblog
World
Masters
Mountain
Running Championship,
Switzerland
, 23rd September.
Report
from Mick Mack
What
a cracking long weekend. We set off in sunny weather from Liverpool and arrived
in Geneva in the afternoon, the sun still shining as we collected the hired car
and headed to our destination, Ovronnaz, about 95 miles out of Geneva, passing
the picturesque Lake Geneva.
We
finally arrived at our accommodation in a Sports Arena which was also the Event
H.Q, 4500’ up and surrounded by proper mountains, the scenery was superb, and
after settling in went and walked the last 2km of the course and then recced the
village and found a suitable hotel, Valais Viux, where the food and drink was
excellent and we made this our H.Q.
Friday
we visited the famous suspension foot bridge which was on the course, it was so
high up it made you queasy just looking down and some runners went across with
their eyes closed during the race, none of them harriers I hasten to add. After
regaining our composure we went to the start down in the valley to register for
the race, collect our numbers and chat to fellow runners from the U.K, over 100
had entered. The rest of the day we spent sightseeing before attending the
Opening Ceremony, watching the great fireworks display, eating our pasta supper
before retiring early for tomorrow’s race.
Saturday
morning we got the bus down to the start where all the runners were warming up
even though it was a glorious day. George Arnold was off first, but we didn’t
see him as his start was further along the course, 7.6km/850m. All races were in
5 year categories so I was next harrier, followed by Gordon and Colin, then
Steve Bamber
and Pete, 9.6km/1050m. The course was steep in places with lesser climbs in
between but run able all the way. I started a bit too quick on the first road
section and had to walk the steep section through the vineyards but picked up on
the section to the bridge where everyone had to walk across. After here I was
doing fine but still walking the steep climbs as we gradually meanders up the
mountain towards the finish on the running track at the Sports Arena. More and
more people cheered us on as we neared the finish as I raced with two others on
the final climb. I knew the last bit into the Arena and made a final effort on
to the track and dashed the last 300m to finish ahead of the other two. I
didn’t feel too bad but I realised I’m not fit enough to run up hill for
over an hour, though I enjoyed the race.
Next
home was Colin followed by Gordon in the V45, both having good runs, and then
Steve and Pete in the V40 race, Steve and Gordon running the whole course and
everyone enjoyed the run and the fantastic atmosphere.
After
the race we washed and returned for the medal ceremony, cheered on the Brits who
won a fair share of medals before retiring to the Hotel Valais Viux for a well
earned pint of the local beer called Cardinal.
After
breakfast on Sunday we got the ski lift to the
restaurant at over 6000’ and had a fantastic days walking in
spectacular scenery, the high point being nearly 8000’. We returned via the
ski lift and headed to the local hot spa to relax and soak in the whirlpool
baths for three hours before returning to the Hotel for our last visit. We had a
great evening with the lads from Rochdale Harriers, collect our glass tankards
and returned happy and content to our beds.
It
was such a great weekend we were sorry to leave on a rainy Monday morning for
our flight back to
Liverpool
and everyone agreed we will be back next year. Many thanks to Colin
Shuttleworth and
Steve Bamber
for all the excellent organising and Gordon for transport to and from
Liverpool
Airport
, Pete and Colin for acting as translators!
Results,
Short
Course, 7.6km/850m.
George
Arnold, 1.28.05. V70.
Long
Course, 9.6km/1050m.
Colin
Shuttleworth, 1.02.29. V45.
Gordon Thompson
, 1.06.58. V45.
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