Fines takes control at Blisco
Second-placer at Blisco Finlay Wild, on the climb
This weekend’s Blisco Dash race proved to underline Helen Fines’ favourite status for the 2013 women’s British Fell Running title, with the Calder Valley runner striding out a clear winner in Cumbria at round 3 of this year’s series…
In the men’s race the Championship is still wide open as Simon Bailey raced home ahead of a class men’s field, though with the Blisco race his first appearance in the 2013 Championship the Mercia man cannot figure in the this year’s overall standings, but is now in a good position in the English champs, for which Blisco was a counter and therefore a ‘double header’!
Fines is certainly having a very good season and showed yesterday why this year could well be her year in terms of the British title after finishing runner-up in 2012. With Lauren Jeska a non-starter through injury it was to be Vic Wilkinson and Jasmin Paris who would pose the main threat to Fines on the day.
As it turned out the form-book remained solid, with Fines (45:26) coming home over a minute clear of Wilkinson (46:31) and Paris almost 30 seconds further back in 46:59. All three (plus Judith Jepson in 4th with 47:10) were inside the old course record.
Helen Fines strides out at Blisco
The win makes it two first places and a second for Fines, meaning that only Wilkinson can still possibly challenge for the title after her win at Yetholm and second place at Blisco – and a win at the Peris Horseshoe final round in September would put Wilkinson equal on points with Fines. However, a win for the Calder Valley runner would put things beyond all doubt and give her a maximum 96 points, so it’s all hypothetical at the moment! The win also put Fines firmly in charge in the English fell champs for 2013.
Meanwhile, in the men’s championship Scots mountain man Finlay Wild has nudged ahead of Rob Jebb in the overall standings, after an excellent second place behind Bailey yesterday, with Jebby making up the top 3.
Still, it appears that Bailey was a dominant figure on the steep Blisco slopes, winning in a very good 37:32, over 30 seconds up on Lochaber man Wild (38:10) and Bingley runner Jebb (38:21). Going into the race Borrowdale’s Morgan Donnelly was in the hot seat in the Championship standings, however a 9th place at Blisco meant that Morgan now drops to third in the overall.
The men’s championship is in essence still wide open, with Wild, Jebb, Donnelly and indeed Lloyd Taggart still in the hunt for the 2013 title at Peris. Fascinating stuff!
Full men’s results via the FRA are here, with the women’s Blisco positions here. Images to follow…
