Hope does the 'classic treble'...
Hope outsprints Jebby at Grasmere
Some things are quintessentially British, especially when it comes to hill and fell racing. And a fair few of our European friends find the thought of blasting up a hill, with no real track as such, and back down at break-neck speeds, a little odd…
The Kilnsey flag marks the peak!
Within the British fell running scene are the summer shows. Many of the classic short fell races that exist in the north of England are linked to (or at least once were) shows and sports days, some of them hundreds of years old. Similarly with hill racing in Scotland and Wales. But of course some races are more prestigious than others – such as the recently run Grasmere race – and there exists a ‘classic treble’!
The last week or so in August sees three races, all extremely short, all extremely tough and all extremely coveted. First up is the 1.5 mile Burnsall race. This year held on the 21 August, and a special race in that it was the 100th edition. Winner – Rob Hope.
Just over a week later and it is Grasmere, well documented on MST over the last week or so – and incredibly 160 editions old. Stuff that legends are made from. Winner – Rob Hope.
Rob Hope at Grasmere
And lastly on Tuesday it was the notoriously treacherous (and a mere 113 editions old!) Kilnsey Show Crag Race. Another blast up and down to a height of 1000ft in the space of one mile, requiring the winner to remove any doubt or fear on the descent – something that most fell runners are good at (Results). Winner – (for a record-breaking 8th time!) Rob Hope.
So, it’s a treble for Rob and a nice break from the longer stuff for the Pudsey man. But its back to championship stuff this weekend as he and all the other English Championship contenders head for Shelf Moor...
