British Champs head to North Wales...
Runners ascend Yr Aran in March
For hopefuls in the 2011 British Fell Running Championships, all roads lead to Yr Aran in North Wales this Saturday, as the medium race round 2 of the four race series tackles one of the toughest and most unpredictable mountains in Wales…
Yr Aran is renowned for its unpredictable weather (when the clag comes down it can be a disorientating place) and its network of lines on the higher reaches, and local knowledge or at least a good recce or two will be very helpful as the weather looks a little unsettled for Saturday.
Winner of round one in Northern Ireland, Tom Owens, is in Germany at the 4 Trails race and will therefore miss any chance of winning the title in 2011. However, there will be no shortage of top competition.
2010 British champ Tim Davies will be looking to improve on his 9th place at the Mourne Peaks in April and use his knowledge of the mountain to good use (he won the open event in 2009). Others who are certain to race (from our conversations) are Rob Hope and recent Loughrigg runner-up Andy Davies. As of Friday there were no start lists available.
Men’s standing’s after Mourne Peaks are here.
Pippa Maddams at the Mourne Peaks race
In the women’s champs Pippa Maddams will look to cement her lead in the overall standings after a convincing win at round one. Her form in recent weeks has been phenomenal, culminating with her recent world title winning run at the WLDMRC in Slovenia. It will take a big performance to overhaul the Keswick AC runner on Saturday.
Others in the British picture who will be running are Mourne Peaks runner-up, and WLDMRC bronze medalist Helen Fines, along with round one 3rd placer Sarah Ridgway. Again no start list was available at the time of writing. Standings after round one are here.
Racing gets underway at 1pm.
