Weekend Round-Up
A weekend of fine weather for the most part saw some big numbers of fell runners venturing out for some of the year’s best races. 180 plus turned up for the Gravy Pud race, and then there is the Cardington Cracker with its 9 miles and 2,600 feet of “hell”…
…but well worth it for the carrot soup followed by a few pints of Shropshire Lad in the Royal Oak!
Paul Green ripped round the Gravy Pud course to take the win, though his 36:09 clocking was well shy of Gareth Raven’s CR, and hence missed out on the 25 quid course record purse! Dark Peak men Tom Savile and Adam Taylor were second and third over a minute down on Sale Harrier Green.
Altrincham’s Sandra Lewis was first lady in 44:24, with Rachel Nolan second and Lindsey Brindle in third. Full results via the Northern Boys Love Gravy site here with some images by Nick Ham here.
In Wales on Saturday it was The Blorenge race, nicely captured by Al Tye in these shots with results to follow.
Cameron Taylor and Shelli Gordon were winners at the Eskdale Eureka race in Nothumberland on Sunday, results here.
There were a tremendous 192 finishers at the Angus Tait Memorial Hexhamshire Hobble with victory going to Andy Blackett in 1:09:55, 3 minutes up on second place Phil Sanderson, with David Beech in third.
In the ladies race there was a decisive win for Joasia Zakrzewski in 1:17:44 only a couple of minutes down on Angela Mudge’s 15-year old record. Karen Robertson was second with Naomi Powell in third.
Last, but certainly not least, was the Telford AC promoted Cardington Cracker. With a massive 278 finishers, it looked like a great day on the hills of Church Stretton.
Winner on the day was James Baird from Halesowen AC, ahead of Mercia’s Pete Vale and Kenilworth’s Andrew Siggers. Anna Barlett led the ladies home in 23rd overall, ahead of Mercia team mate Mel Price and Shropshire Shuffler Val Swingler in third. Results are now online here and to top things off you can feast your eyes on some great images by Graham Spencer and Al Tye too!
Anna Bartlett at the 2012 Cardington Cracker
