UKA Fell Relays: Baton down the hatches...
When it comes to fell running, it’s often a solitary sport. But this weekend it’s going to be all about teamwork as the UK’s best head to Kettlewell in Yorkshire as the Bingley club host the 23rd UKA British Fell and Hill Relay Championships...
There can be no better feeling when wearing your club colours than to ‘bring home the baton’ in an event like this, as I am sure the Shettleston boys will testify following their win in Fife last year. Unfortunately it seems that the Scots raiders will once again be torn between the hills of Wharfedale and flatlands of Sutton Park, Birmingham (6 stage road relays), which could be a bridge too far for the East Glasgow club.
The victorious Shettleston boys
After their romp at the Ian Hodgsons a couple of weeks ago Borrowdale will be many people’s favourites. But as Fell Running Briefs quite rightly points out this course is very different to the high fells of the Lakes and some of the faster squads will be gunning for the boys in purple.
Ones to watch will be Bingley (on home turf and if they can Jebby out, who knows), Pudsey (purely because of their strength in depth and potential team should all be fit – Hope boys, Heneghan, Graham Pearce, Darren Kay), Wharfdale (after their excellent second at Ian Hodgson), Dark Peak (similar to Pudsey, they have a very strong squad potentially, headed up by Lloyd), Ambleside and then Mercia.
Steve Cale descends at Breidden Hills
The boys in yellow could be the main threat to Borrowdale. Steve Cale had a great win at the weekend, and it was clear that others were warming up too (Tim D, Pete Vale). Add in Simon Bailey, Andy Davies and the in-form Paul Jones and the men’s podium could be a very colourful affair come Saturday afternoon!
In the women’s race it will be a tough one to call, as the entry list doesn’t state the entrants. Podium clubs from 2010 HBT, Carnethy and Keswick are all entered, along with Altrincham who could be useful. However, if Bingley can get Victoria and Mary Wilkinson, Emma Clayton and others out, they could well be the force to be reckoned with.
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