Manx Fell Runners

The Weasdale Horseshoe proved a good test at the weekend for the eight Manx Fell Runners who braved the wind and rain to get there.

Looking forward to the chance to race in the fells again after the recent Foot and Mouth Curfew it almost looked at one stage that we would be caught short following a rather rough and delayed boat crossing and traffic jams on the M6. However, after making use of the mobile changing room (the delightful Ford Transit Van!) we made it to the race with about an hour to spare (even after a momentary wrong turn outside Kendal).

We were greeted with rather unappealing wind and heavy rain, but the lure of the Pete Bland mobile superstore was enough to get us out of the van, signed on and warmed up. The course was 8 miles in total made up of a 1 mile flattish run out with a 6 mile horseshoe around the Weasdale Valley which included a long gradual climb up to Hooksey Summit followed by a short steep descent and short steep climb to the Randygill summit, the rough halfway point. Following this was a long, long descent before the 1 mile return leg to the finish.

The race got underway at 14.30, and after a short sprint through the first field the 300 competitors were squeezed through a gate and on to the outward track.
After dicing for places through the boggy opening section the race settled down in to the first climb, which dragged on for about 2 miles before the fast, sharp descent after Hooksey with a short, steep climb to follow. At the half way point, Simon was the first MFR runner through with Tom close behind. Rich Sille, who pushed hard in the early stages of the race, was next through followed by Dave Collister and Cal. Dave Griffin was hot on their heels, with John Gray and Richie Stevenson working hard on the climb too.

The long descent back to the show field was broken only by a short climb to Green Bell Summit. The wet boggy ground, with hidden ditches turned it into a bit of a thigh burner but the pace was so hectic there was no time to think about it. Simon proved his river dancing qualities and made up a few more places on the descent and with a lung busting sprint up the last field took an excellent 32nd place (and bagging 19 Championship points!). Tom hung on to finish strongly in 51st (just missing out on a Championship point!) Rich Sille was next in, losing some time on the descent, but finishing well on the last climb. Dave Collister, who had an excellent race (being his first since Snaefell) powered in shortly behind in 162nd. Cal Partington, obviously getting back into her stride on the fells also had an excellent race finishing in 172nd, just under a minute behind Dave. Dave Griffin was next after going well on the long descent inishing 207th. John Gray, who was doing his first fell race off the island came in strongly followed closely by MFR chairman Richie Stevenson.

A good race all round from everyone on a very fast runnable course, very different from our home courses but great experience and nice to be racing in the fells with some of the top British Fell Runners. In fact, the winner Simon Bailey broke the course record by over 5 minutes and Manxman Lloyd Taggart, who finished 6th, was also inside the old record, so a fast day all round.

As mystic Steve predicted, the planned 14 mile Langdale recce the following day was parked in favour of some Ambleside shops, due to the inclement weather…not the beer and excess food! Rich Sille did buy the course map though, that’s at least half a recce!!!

Manx Results

6. Lloyd Taggart Dark Peak Fell Runners 00:56:34
32. Simon Skillicorn Manx Fell Runners 01:01:50
51. Tom Cringle Manx Fell Runners 01:04:17
138. Richard Sille Manx Fell Runners 01:11:17
162. David Collister Manx Fell Runners 01:14:31
172. Cal Partington Manx Fell Runners 01:15:30
207. David Griffin Manx Fell Runners 01:19:12
235. John Gray Manx Fell Runners 01:22:31
242. Richie Stevenson Manx Fell Runners 01:23:28

Full results can be found here

As for the ’scally’ who stole the wing mirror off the van, its a good job we didn’t see him… it would have been great to watch him try & run away from Simon!!!

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