Great Lakes entertain English Champs
As has become the norm these days English Fell Running Championships races entertain big fields and the cream of English fell running. Today’s Great Lakes race in Cumbria is no different as all of the 2012 contenders take on a super-tough 21km…
The course description on the Ambleside AC site leaves the reader in no doubt as to how tough this one is:
What a monster! This one definitely takes you for a big day out into the wild western lakes. 13 miles and a Simon Booth course record considerably longer than that of Borrowdale gives you some indication of what lies in store! The route is packed with variety and includes much ground new to fell racing.
After an eyeballs-out ascent of The Band to Bowfell, the route makes a high-level summit-hopping circuit of Upper Eskdale, including the two highest peaks in the Lakes: Scafell Pike and Scafell
Today’s weather forecast of wind and rain, clearing later, should make things even more interesting in a race where choosing lines and navigation are very important.
Morgan Donnelly at Coniston 2011
As you might expect for the first long counter of the season there is a stellar men’s line-up including 2011 champ Lloyd Taggart, current champs leader Morgan Donnelly, Rob Jebb, Carl Bell, Ben Bardsley, Ben Abdelnoor, Tom Adams, Rob Baker Tom Addison, Karl Gray…the list goes on and on.
The women’s field probably has a clear favourite in the form of 2012 championship leader Lauren Jeska. The Tormorden athlete has been in very good form in 2012 and it will take a mighty effort for her to be overturned on this one. Looking to do so will be local-lass Hazel Robinson of Ambleside, Calder Valley’s Helen Fines, Mercia’s Mel Price, Helen Berry (lying second in the current standings), Lindsey Brindle and others.
Racing gets underway at 11am, with the start list here and make sure you follow FellRunninBrief for live updates…
