Weekend racing...
Steven Cale on his way to winning at Wrekin
Some unseasonably warm weather, and good underfoot conditions, brought out fell and hill racers in their hoards this weekend in the UK. Wins for Lloyd Taggart, Rob Jebb, Steven Cale and Pippa Maddams…
Still waiting for a few results to be posted-up, and unfortunately the Scottish Hill Runners site seems to experiencing some problems, so no news on the SHR Championship race at Birnam Hill as yet.
Story of the weekend though perhaps comes from Rob Jebb who apparently rode his bike (25 miles) to the super-steep Causey Pike race, duly won it by over a minute from Chris Steele, and then rode his steed home the 25 miles. Legend.
Pippa Maddams won the women’s race in a storming new record of 38.25, from Emma Clayton. There were 148 starters.
Some images here with full results over at the Keswick AC site, click on club news on the left.
Start of the 2011 Edale Skyline
At the Edale Skyline there was a big field for this 21 mile toughie. The Dark Peak event was once again well supported and organised by one of the best fell clubs in the country, and their strength in depth showed in the number of runners they had in the first 10 or so.
Lloyd Taggart is on a mission this year, and after wins at Tarren Hendre and round one of the English Fell Champs at Long Mynd, he won in around 2.36 after what sounded like a big battle with club-mate Oli Johnson. Mercia’s Pete Vale was third.
Lloyd Taggart winning the 2011 Edale Skyline
Some cracking photos by Gordon Cooper here, and on the DPFR site here.
Down in Shropshire, Mercia new-recruit Steve Cale was dominant at the classic Wrekin Fell Race. He led from early on to register a commanding minute-plus win over Eryri’s Richard Roberts. The ever-improving Cale is become a consistent performer and after a strong run at the Long Mynd race earlier this month, and the first Open runner at Snowdon last year, he must be close to an international vest.
Anna Bartlett had her usual battle with Mel Price in the women’s race, with Bartlett coming out on top by just 17 seconds.
Anna Bartlett
Full results on the Mercia site, with the usual excellent work with the camera courtesy of Al Tye at Fell Running Pictures
There were wins for Calder Valley’s Karl Gray and Helen Fines at the Midgely Moor race. With Gray creating a new record (36.39) in the men’s race – beating a 10 year old record. Fines was just outside the ladie’s record in 43.59.
Still waiting for info on the Blakey Blitz, but there are some images online here
A new race in Llanthony in South Wales (Abergavenny) looks like a nice little addition to the calendar too. With some nice shots by Al Tye here# and results over at the WFRA site
News on the Birnam Race to follow, when available…
Runners at the 2011 Llathony race
Reactions so far
Clive Thornton Mar 28, 07:30 PM
Blakey Blitz results now up, conditions were better than usual underfoot for the toughest of the Esk Valley Winter Series, new course records for Paul Butler of Loftus and Whitby and Shelli Gordon of New Marske Harriers.