Duncan wins at Stuc a' Chroin
Jon Duncan
Jon Duncan is a world class athlete. Better known for being part of the world orienteering championship winning GB team of 2008 his prowess in the mountains was also underlined this weekend at round 2 of the British fell championship.
Stuc a’ Chroin is a beast and befitting of a championship race. At 14 miles with 5000feet of ascent, the climbs of Meall Mor and Beinn Each are brutal – this race isn’t called the ‘Chingrinder’ for nothing!
In contention from the gun Duncan came out of the final forest descent with a visible lead over Tom Owens, however the young Shettleston Harrier reeled Duncan in so much so by the finish that his lead after over 2 hours of running was a mere 3 seconds. 2008 reigning champion, and winner at the Slieve Bearnagh opener, Rob Hope, was a strong third and maintained his lead in this year’s championship after 2 races.
Tom Owens comes off Beinn Each
Freshly returned from Nepal, Angela Mudge’s trek up the Stuc must have felt like a mere molehill after the heights of the Himalayas, the life at altitude will also have given her added benefits – not that she really needed any in the first place!
Although well outside of her amazing 2003 record time of 2:18 (a time that would have earned her a top twenty place this year), Angela was still a 4 minute victor over round 1 winner Philippa Jackson. Helen Fines and Scot Clare Whitehead chased Jackson home for 3rd and 4th respectively.
Angela Mudge relaxes after another classy win
Full results are now available at the Scottish Hill Runners site
The is a little hiatus until the next race in the championship which is the 8m/3000’ English round at Tebay, Cumbria, taking place on the 20th of June.
