Fell Race

Runners - 14 - see results.

Marshalls - Midge and John Castick, Frank and Margaret Williams, Joe Flynn, Chris Thickett, Steve Cheslet, Heather Brooke.

Non runners - Zoe Talks, Martin Heaton, Alex Heaton, Cathy Gordon, Paul Gledhill and some others.

Food and hospitality - Sabina Cosulich.

Course planning - Craig Marsden.

Course testing and race controller - me.

 

There was a lower turnout than last year despite assurances from me that the course would be shorter and with less climb. This was in fact absolutely true. Having said that, I have to concede that the going was certainly tougher at times, resulting in the expected ear bashing received from some participants who like their mountaineering to be conducted on well defined paths with regular signposts telling them where they are and where to go.

Checkpoints this year were carefully selected to minimise subsequent debate about whether or not they were in the right place and to try and ensure that finding them was in within the navigational abilities of participants. Checkpoint 1 was made for Midge who wasted no time in donning her wetsuit and setting up the checkpoint in the middle of Mermaid's Pool. Somewhat to my surprise no one failed to complete the course as a result of missing a checkpoint, though Al did try quite hard. Checkpoint locations were also selected in order to try and provide distinct choices of route on at least some of the legs.

From the start to no. 1 presented a choice of going north or south of the Kinder reservoir. Both routes have rough going on them but the southern route is slightly longer and involves some wasted ascent and the northern option would be quicker for most. In fact only Sheena and Dave Bish took the southerly route. 1 to 2 was tackled by pretty much the same route by everyone with the exception of Al who headed straight off to checkpoint 3 and made it most of the way before realizing there was actually a checkpoint no 2, adding around 7km to the distance he covered. 2 to 3 was intended to present a dilemma; whether to run around the rim of the plateau and descend to The Knott, or to take the shorter option of descending to the reservoir and climbing back up to The Knott, the saving in distance countered by additional climb. In the event only Steve Bowker and Bob Kelly took the low level route, the rest were swayed by the more attractive option of staying high in the pleasant conditions. The low level route is in fact considerably quicker, with the time for this leg reduced by at least 20% over the high level route. Those that took the high level route were frustrated by thick, deep heather on what would otherwise have been a very rapid descent over Leygatehead Moor. By contrast the descent to the reservoir is on good ground and very fast. The final 2 legs didn't really offer much by way of route choice but a few tried deviations to avoid further sections of trackless heather and one or two got a little confused crossing the fields to the finish.

All participants, non participants, marshals etc enjoyed superb hospitality courtesy of Sabina with loads of good food and an endless supply of tea.

Winners as follows:

• First male - Duncan Lee.
• First Female - Michelle Harvie.
• Handicap - Bob Kelly.
• Concordia - as far as I can tell no one met the criteria as all club members participating have previously participated.

 

Results:

A big thank you from me to all the marshals and to Sabina and Craig for ensuring a good time was had by all (I think?).

Roger Mapleson