Manx Fell Runners

Report by Rob Sellors

The closing stages of Saturday’s penultimate fell race in this season’s league provided an exciting dual between Manx Harrier’s Nigel Armstrong and MFR’s current champion, Simon Skillicorn. In the final mile of the 8.5 mile James Coulson Laxey Fell Race through Glen Roy, Skillicorn and Armstrong battled it out with the latter pulling away from his rival and crossing the line 8 seconds ahead at the finish.

Ian Gale also made light work of the 2,200 feet of ascent course making considerable gains on Tom Cringle in the latter stages and finally taking a well earned third place, almost a minute and a half before Cringle. Peter Bradley made a creditable fifth place, in spite of having to return to the start after the first quarter of a mile into the race, to retrieve his bum-bag which he had left behind. Rob Sellors and Paul Sykes battled it out for sixth place with the former just managing to make gains during the final descent through the flagged sections.

Taking the over 50’s title and 10th place overall, was experienced Manx Harriers runner, Dave Newton in a very impressive time of 1 hour, 35 minutes.

Of the six ladies competing, the title went to Christine O’Shea, the Western Athletics runner achieving 19th place in a very impressive time of 1 hour, 50 minutes, ahead of second place Rachel Holden and third Caroline Caren.

Conditions for the 30 runners in this race, often considered one of the most challenging of all the league races, (17 opting for the early start) were generally good, in spite of a torrential downpour moments before the main start which provided slippery and boggy conditions up the first ascent to John’s Cairn and then onward to the summit of Slieu Lhoist and then to Windy Corner. Various route choices were possible on the descent towards Snaefell mines and then back up to Cronk Y Vaare and on the day choosing good lines was a critical factor in determining final positions.

Special thanks to the hosts at Glen Roy Farm for their warm hospitality and permission to race on their land and also to the marshalls, officials and timekeepers and to those who set out the extensive flagged sections of the route.

Full race results are available here, with photos here for information about the final race of the season at North Barrule on 31st July take a look here

Filed under: James Coulson Laxey