Weekend racing...
Matthew Roberts
It was hot, hot, hot on the hills and fells this weekend, with temps reported of 32 degrees on Ben Nevis! The cracking images from racing at Cader Idris, Hutton Roof and the Staveley Trail Race show minimalist attire and red faces galore…
Jebby takes Jura
Our Friday preview wasn’t too far wrong of the Jura Fell Race, as Rob Jebb won his third Isle of Jura Fell Race in sultry conditions. With many complaining of heat exhaustion (understandable in a 3 hour race), the Bingley man took the honours from 2011 winner Es Tressider and Borrowdale’s Ben Bardsley, in a reported 3 hours 19 mins.
The women’s race was won by Jura ‘vet’ Angela Mudge. The mutiple World champ won comfortably, taking her 6th Jura win, incredible. No images or results yet, will post them up as soon as we have them.
Roberts romps to Cader win
In what the Eryri man may rank as one of his best ever wins, Math Roberts defeated Andrea Jones on Saturday in sweltering conditions on one of Wales’ biggest and best know mountain races, Ras y Gader.
Jones and Roberts battle it out at Cader Idris
Roberts maintained his strong recent form to take the win (1.28.43), ahead of Jones (1.29.02) who just held off his fast-finishing brother Filipe (1.29.05). With the race acting as one of the selection races for the International Snowdon Race in July, Roberts can expect to have done enough for a red vest with this performance.
Lauren Jeska on Cader Idris
Fourth placer Dave Taylor of Dark Peak wrote on the MST comment board:
“Great race at Cader Idris on Saturday. Baking heat and a fast road start, trying to stay in the shade as much as possible knowing that once on the mountain there would be no escape from the sun. There was only one place to grab water, just before hitting the climb, after that it was a case of pressing on for the top and hoping that everyone else was feeling the pain too. The descent was tricky, fast grassy trods suddenly ended in boulders although it seemed that the local lads knew some crafty lines.
“The race really has a sting in the tail with the last 2 miles on fast downhill roads back into increasing heat of the town. Then after what seemed like an age you turned the last corner, 10 more metres, applause, a bottle of cold water and shade.”
As with many fell races in Wales this year, Lauren Jeska won by a street in 1.41.14. Anna Bartlett, another who is having a cracking 2012, ran really well for second (1.47.07), ahead of Mercia team-mate Mel Price in third (1.50.54).
Anna Bartlett
As ever the Welsh crowd are spoilt with images by Al Tye and Gwynfor James, great shots in those hot conditions. Results are here.
Roberts hits the Roof
Another quality field assembled for a great Lakeland race on Hutton Roof Crags. Kendal’s Craig Roberts led the way, in conditions described as being ‘like on oven’ by FRA forumites.
Tom Addison leads cousin Mark at Hutton Roof
Roberts won in 49.23, ahead of Addison (49.42) and Howgill’s Carl Bell (50.05). Young fell star Mel Hyder was a great winner of the ladies race, finishing 12th overall in 57.31. Holly Page was second, with Lynn Clough in third. Full results are now online here.
Other weekend news and action will appear when it comes through…
