Steele shines in Lakeland heat
Jo Buckley - women's winner
Glorious sunshine greeted over 3000 competitors and spectators for the Lakeland Trails running and walking festival at Staveley village on Saturday, making this the largest sporting event in the Kendal area…
Event release
The biggest field ever in the nine year history of the Lakeland Trails event at Staveley, with over 1000 competitors of all ages, took part in the various running and walking events throughout the day. Over 90% of the visitors travelled from outside Cumbria, with over 30 from the London club West 4 Harriers, and overseas visitors from USA, Australia, France, Holland, Germany, Belgium and Ireland.
Kookaburra All Stars samba drumming band got everyone pumping at the starts with their awesome samba drumming. Sweltering heat made conditions difficult for running, and the organiser’s even added an extra climb, the infamous Sting in the Tail on top of Reston Scar just over a kilometre from the finish. Cowbells and high fives at the summit helped everyone working hard in the sweltering heat to earn their souvenir “survivor’s” technical T shirts.
In the blue riband 17km Kentmere Trail Race, Chris Steele, from Borrowdale Fell Runners, smashed the course record, finishing in an incredible 69.25 and leading home a host of fellow GB International runners. Second place went to Ambleside AC’s Ben Abdelnoor in 71.01, with James Smith, Leeds City AC in 3rd in 72.11.
In the women’s race, GB International Jo Buckley from Calder Valley Fell Runners, won in another course record of 83.21, with Rebecca Sheffield from Windermere finishing runner up in 86.40 and London’s Emily Loughnan making the podium in 3rd in 88.10
The new KentmereTrail Run 10km was won by local Kendal runner, Will Smith, from Helm Hill Runners in 35.33 and Sarah Ridehalgh, from Accrington Road Runners scooped the first lady’s trophy in 39.55.
Over 100 children under 12 took part in the Fun Trails taking place around the Recreation Ground, with all the finisher’s winning a special medal.
The event was supporting the local Kendal Mountain Rescue charity, along with other regional and national charities. Over £5000 will be generated by the event for various charities, and the event will be providing an economic boost to the area in excess of £250 000. The event was organised by local event management company VO2 Max Events, based in Kendal.
The next event in the 2012 Lakeland Trails series is at Coniston on 1st July, with the Lakeland Trails Marathon and Half Marathon – the most scenic trail marathon and half marathon in the UK. All entries for these events close at midnight on 31st May. See www.lakelandtrails.org for more details.
RESULTS
17km Kentmere Trail Race – MEN
1. Chris Steele, Borrowdale Fell Runners, 69.25 (new record)
2. Ben Abdelnoor, Ambleside AC, 71.01
3. James Smith, Leeds City AC, 72.11
1st V40 : Stewart Gregory, Holme Pierrepont RC, 75.06
1st V50 : Barry Atkinson, York Knavesmire Harriers, 81.25
1st V60 : Tony Hesketh, Horwich RMI Harriers, 95.11
1st V70 : Malcolm Ball, Norfolk Beach RR, 120.10
17km Kentmere Trail Race – WOMEN
1. Jo Buckley, Calder Valley FR, 83.21
2. Rebecca Sheffield, Windermere, 86.40
3. Emily Loughnan, West 4 Harriers, London, 88.10
1st V40 : Rennell Brennan, Glaxo Hoad Hill Harriers, 97.22
1st V50 : Annette Brown, Women’s Running Network, 106.50
1st V60 : Sally Law, Ayr, Scotland, 118.03
1st V70 : Charm Robson, St Bees Triers, 146.46
