Bogle and Lee seize the day at Donard
Allan Bogle on his way to a big win at Slieve Donard
As they say in sport a win is a win, and though he may not have been at the top of some people’s lists of potential winners at todays’ British Fell Champs Rd 1 race, Allan Bogle brilliantly took his chance on home soil to take a famous victory at Slieve Donard…
Both men’s and women’s races were jam packed with UK fell talent, with many making the trip over for weekend, and some (Rob Jebb and Morgan Donnelly for example) entering on the day.
However, race time arrived with Donard veiled in mist and the writing was perhaps on the wall for those without local knowledge, as reports came back after the race of visibility down to 10ft on the peaks.
Jebby leads the way in the early climbs, and mist!
So, after 10k (more for many) and 850m of ascent it was Northern Ireland orienteer Bogle who came out on top, claiming a great victory ahead of Iain Whiteside and Neil Northrop, as many of the favourites littered the results right down outside the top 100 (form man Tom Addison for instance finishing an incredible 150th!) – with Twitter being littered with rants about nav issues.
Bogle later said:
Still hasn’t sunk in. Have to convince Alison and Mollie to come with me to some of the other races in the championships now
In the women’s race winner Jackie Lee wasnt such a surprise, as the Eryri Harrier has been in strong form this year already and has British champs pedigree over the years. However, the same fate in the mist was dealt to 2013 tied champions Helen Fines and Vic Wilkinson, with the latter finishing a couple of places back on Addison in 152nd! Emma Gould took second, with Claire Green claiming third.
More via this great report from NIMRA, with full results via this link
Top 5 Men
1 Allan Bogle 01:05:25 MO City of Derry AC
2 Iain Whiteside 01:05:35 MO Carnethy HRC
3 Neil Northrop 01:05:57 MO Dark Peak Fell Runners
4 Andrew Fallas 01:06:01 MO Carnethy HRC
5 Simon Bailey 01:06:03 MO Mercia Fell Runners
Top 5 Women
1 Jacqueline Lee 01:24:14 FO Eryri Harriers
2 Emma Gould 01:26:42 FO Mercia Fell Runners
3 Claire Green 01:27:33 FO Pudsey and Bramley
4 Mel Price 01:29:31 FV40Mercia Fell Runners
5 Shileen O’Kane 01:29:42 FV40Lagan Valley AC
Winner...
Reactions so far
Dave Taylor Apr 3, 04:31 PM
Great race highlighting the need to be proficient with a map & compass!