UK fell racing round-up
Conditions were tricky at Deuchary Hill
The fell racers are hard at it. Andy Symonds had a good weekend with wins at Deuchary Hil and the River Tay Dash, with Karen Alexander taking the first round of the Northern Ireland Mountain Running Championship at Slieve Gullion on Saturday.
With a busy few days in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales, the fell season seems to be gathering momentum, the coming weeks also see the British Fell Championship kicking off at Slieve Bearnagh in the Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland.
O’Flaherty and Alexander win Championship opener
Despite the poor weather there was a near record entry for the 3.5 mile Armagh AC promotion. Course record holder Deon McNeilly of Newcastle AC lead the runners up into the mist and drizzle that covered the south Armagh peak. After the 1,000 foot climb to the North Cairn the leaders were closely bunched. Just 5 seconds separated McNeilly, O’Flaherty, the Mourne pair Des Woods and Edward Hanna and North Belfast Harrier Neil Carty as they headed along the windswept ridge to the summit. At this stage Karen Alexander was leading the women and climbing strongly, well up the field in about twentieth place overall.
Karen Alexander
Symonds wins Deuchary Hill at a canter
The early morning storm and snow flurries did not bode well but the sunshine broke through and we took a decision to go ahead. A good field of 46 set off from the Hilton Hotel in Dunkeld around Craig a Barns, a lovely wooded route climbing gradually on a narrow path far above the River Tay. The excellent running was at times interspersed with a little snow but it thawed quickly in the spring sunshine as Andy Symonds led the way followed by myself, valiantly trying to keep up before the inevitable steep hill. The birds were calling loudly as we passed the rocking stone and the first marshall, then on to Rotmell Wood where the race opens out and the first views of Deuchary hill are glimpsed.
Prasad breaks his own record for the Birnam Hill Classic
A record entry and excellent field with 61 were greeted by a clear sunny day. The leading group of four shot off and remained well ahead of the rest. Prasad Prasad, last year’s winner, showed everyone a clean pair of heels although Brian Marshall, Robbie Simpson and Andy Symonds chased him valiantly. Prasad was just clear at the top and extended his lead on the swift descent, followed by Andy.
Symonds is the Prince of Darkness: River Tay Dash
The initial race in the Highland Boundary Races commenced at the Hermitage, near Inver, Dunkeld last Friday night with 35 people taking part.
John H
(Courtesy of John Heneghan’s Saab Salomon blog!)
So thats the first championship race of the year out of the way, and I managed to suprise myself. Like I said in myfirst posting I normally dont run that well in the first few champs races of the year, but in the Half Tour of Pendle on Saturday I ended up finishing second. It was a good race, won by the evergreen Ian Holmes. Results
Pipe Dream, Dolgarrog, North Wales
This was the 5th running of the Pipe Dream Race, and it turned out to be a record turnout with 101 taking part, no doubt helped by the fact it was a WFRA North Wales Series counter.
Scott and Craig battle it out in the Pipe Dream
