Hillforts and Headaches

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Hillforts & Headaches Fell Race  Sunday 1st January 2017. (partially amended results 04/01/17)

This was to be a testing day for all concerned. My job as race organiser is to provide as safe a race that can reasonably be achieved.  There is always a risk of injury due to the nature of the sport which is why runners sign and agree to the conditions on the entry form.

Registration went well, there were one or two late entries but this can be expected. Myself and a fellow marshal had to leave 30mins before race start time to get to our position with stopwatch on top of Beacon Hill. As usual I had race route maps and notices of kit requirements spread about at registration so everyone should have seen these.

Although conditions were good in the centre of Rothbury, I knew things would be different on Beacon Hill. Continue reading →

Simonside Cairns Fell Race

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“Another good turnout for the 21st Simonside Cairns Fell Race. Apart from a stiff breeze on the tops conditions were pretty good being dry, clear and much better underfoot than in recent years. Jim Mann, Sam Steele and William Robson had a great tussle at the front before Jim eased away in the final run in to finish first. Karen Robertson once again headed the ladies with the ever improving Katherine Davis not too far behind and Liz Barker in third. Karen has dominated this race in recent years and this was her 8th win in 12 years.

Apologies to DFR who should have won the men’s team prize ahead of NSP by one point. NFR won the ladies team prize. Many thanks to Garry and Stuart from Hangar 18 ORR for donation of prizes.

Paul Appleby”  results (amended 14/12/16)

British Fell Relays

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report from John Duff:

British Fell Relays 15th October 2016

The hills - photo: Richard Garland

The hills – photo: Richard Garland

NFR had a great day at the British Fell Relays on Saturday.  The event was held at Luss on the shores of Loch Lomond, just north of Glasgow.  We finished 31st out of 115 teams – our highest finish for a number of years.

The weather was dreich – low cloud at about 1,000 feet with drizzle interspersed with heavy showers.  John Tollitt was our lead-out man on the short first leg.  He put in a fine performance, finishing less than 10 minutes behind the leaders.  Frank Shillitoe & I took over for Leg 2 which followed a horseshoe route over Beinn Dubh.

John and Frank - photo: Richard Garland

John and Frank – photo: Richard Garland

There was a real sting in the tail climb towards the end – 350 metres, most of which seemed to be on all-fours.  Despite Frank’s shoe starting to fall apart, we managed to hold our placing on the long descent, and handed on the baton to Jonny Malley & Scott Gibson for the navigation leg.

Scott and Jonny - photo: Frank Shillitoe

Scott and Jonny – photo: Frank Shillitoe

The teams on the nav leg were away a long time, and started to return very gradually in dribs and drabs.  Reports filtered through of “tough navigation in zero visibility, featureless terrain, endless re-entrants and hummocks etc”.   Just when we were wondering how our lads would fare, they burst into changeover, taking Richard Garland by surprise who duly dashed off on leg 4.  Jonny & Scott had run a storming leg – 16th fastest on the day, lifting our overall standing by a whopping 36 places.  Richard completed the job, holding his own in company with some fast leg 4 runners, to bring us home in 31st place.

Richard Garland finishing- photo: John Duff

Richard Garland finishing- photo: John Duff

At the sharp end, Dark Peak won ahead of Shettleston and Hunters Bog Trotters – who also won the ladies’ race.  Other local clubs taking part were North Shields Poly and DFR.  Full results are on the sportident website, and leg maps etc are on the event website.  Many thanks to the organisers Westerlands, and our team captain Frank.

John Duff

More of Richard Garland’s photos on Facebook

Hodgson Brothers Mountain Relay

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Report from Frank:

Hodgson Brothers Mountain Relay 2016

Dexter and Mark at the Relays - photo: Frank Shillitoe

Dexter and Mark at the Relays – photo: Frank Shillitoe

A cracking day out in the Lakes for team NFR at the Hodgson Brothers Mountain Relay.  70 teams of fell running’s finest congregated in Patterdale in the morning sunshine. Borrowdale were once again favourites for the top spot having won the event for the last 19 years. Continue reading →

Yetholm Border Shepherds Show Race

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“Another enjoyable day at the “Shepherds Show”….numbers on the rise (slowly) for what is a challenging wee race. First home was the evergreen Colin Donnelly a mere 16secs outside the record and showing his experience by keeping his feet dry on the run in to the finish……I can safely predict he won’t be able to do that next year! Kate Kitchin led the ladies home setting a new ladies record of 44:05secs. – Les”

results

Simonside Fell Race

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“Dear all,

Many thanks to those kind enough to marshal today. It certainly made the whole day very much less stressful. Especial thanks to Lawrence and Blue for sweeping the course as tail runner.

We had 108 runners today and full results will be out soon.

Curt Heron UA was first home, with John Butters literally on his shoulder till the last 20 yards, followed closely by Will Robson NSP. The weather was gorgeous as normal.

Karen was first home for the ladies , closely followed by Joanne Amisford from Newcastle Uni in second and Nicola Roper, Heaton was third women home.

Kind regards

Phil“

Lake District Mountain Trial

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report from Mark Clarkson:

Sunday 11th September 2016

Lake District Mountain Trial

This year’s event was held at Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley. This great event is split into three courses – Classic, Medium, Short, each involving collecting a map around 1k after the start and navigating through a linear course. Following last year’s impressive 2nd placed team, this year NFR was somewhat less represented with only myself and Frank Shillitoe competing in the classic. The classic course distance ‘as the crow flies’ was 17 miles, though actual distance covered was a few miles more. Of the 51 starters, the winner was Neil Talbott in an impressive 4hrs 59mins. I rolled in after 6hrs 25mins in 23rd. Unfortunately Mr Shillitoe retired following a ‘misplaced dibber’, though he did continue on to complete most of the route. This is a fantastic event and I would encourage others to give it a try next year.

Results and route mapping link:

http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2016/LDMTA/index.html#classic

Mark Clarkson