– a report by John Tollitt (with John’s photos)
In an attempt to avoid the Eurovision Song Contest and the finale of the most depressing football season ever, I decided to spend the weekend of the 24/25th May on a remote island with severely limited connections with the outside world. The Isle of Jura fitted the bill to a tee, and, as an added bonus, it hosted its annual Fell Race that weekend so a win-win situation! Continue reading
Well-earned T-Shirts! – photo: John D
NFR was well represented at The Old County Tops Fell Race on Saturday 16th May. This 37 mile epic packs in 10,000 feet of climbing, and takes in the highpoints of the old counties of Westmorland (Helvellyn), Cumberland (Scafell Pike) and Lancashire (Coniston Old Man).
It was a cold and breezy day for May, with a strong crosswind making it hard work on the Helvellyn and Coniston ridges. But with high clouds, dry rocks and superb visibility, conditions were otherwise good for fellrunning.
This is a pairs event and I ran with Emma Bain. I was in charge of navigation, while Emma led the way with the climbing and encouragement when I started to flag on some of the ascents. We finished in 9 hours 22 minutes to claim our T-shirt. Charlie Stead & partner were not far ahead; Paul Appleby and John Telfer came in after us. The race was won by Martin Mikkelsen- Barron and Adam Perry. Full results will appear on the Achille Ratti website.
At the finish, tea and soup went down a treat. And when you’ve had your tea, there’s nothing like a beer or two to slake the raging fellrunner’s thirst. The Appleby/Telfer team later reported that The Golden Rule in Ambleside provided the perfect venue for this. I must give it a try myself some time….
This is a fantastic race, and was superbly organised as ever by The Achille Ratti Climbing Club to whom many thanks are due. The event was run for a long time by Arthur Daniels who died early this year. Arthur embodied the spirit of fellrunning and was honoured with a round of applause before the race.
John Duff
“Gary Jones and I ran this on Saturday in testing conditions, horizontal snow and bad visibility from 600m upwards. Great race as usual, bit of everything. Back for more next year!” – Scott Gibson
This news from Paul Appleby:
“Peter Moralee has today successfully completed his latest long distance challenge, 60 tops in 60 miles.
He set off at 12 midnight on Friday from Pooley Bridge to Kirkstone to Grasmere to Styhead to Buttermere and finished on the top of Catbells at 04.30 today (Sunday) making it a staggering 28.5 hrs on his feet. The weather was appalling on the first 2 legs with driving rain and very poor visibility. Things improved from Leg 3 onwards with no rain but some patches of low cloud keeping the navigators on their toes.
Peter was assisted by NFR colleagues and friends, and his now extremely well practiced family support crew.
A celebration was enjoyed by all at The Horse & Farrier in Threlkeld this afternoon.
Peter has achieved this after overcoming a serious knee injury last year. A huge congratulations from everyone involved – an inspiration to us all.
Paul“
Happy runners – photo: Joe Taylor
Here are the results of the inaugural Natural Ability Fell Race, counter in the NFR and NECAA Championships. Well done to David Beech and Emma Holt, first man and woman back.
Tremendous performances from John Butters and Emma Bain and quite a few others …
photo: Andy
Report from John Duff:
Mark Smith climbing Robinson – photo: John D
There was a good turnout from NFR for the Waltz races in the Lake District on Saturday. The weather was first class – with wall to wall sunshine, but a cooling breeze on the summits.
In the classic Anniversary Waltz race, John Butters had a tremendous run to finish third overall. Behind him Mark Clarkson ran well. After that, NFR had a good number of finishers mid-pack, with myself, Mark Smith, Gary Clarkson, Billy Lawrence, James Charlton and Jason Taylor. Andy Russell was our official photographer and [Trevor Wakenshaw was] anchor man. Support en-route came from Rob Salter and Lisa Taylor.
In the longer Teenager with Altitude race, Emma Bain was 18th overall and first lady – notching up her first Lakeland win. Scott Gibson finished 10th overall. Paul Appleby also had a solid run, continuing his recent good form.
Emma Bain striding across Hindscarth – photo: Andy
A hot meal and free beer (really!) at the end rounded off a good day. Many thanks to the organisers Steve & Wynn for these excellent races.
Full results and more details are available at: http://www.anniversarywaltz.co.uk/
John Duff
Jonny Malley and Emma Bain take the honours for first man and woman back at this inaugural race.
“We thank you all for participating and helping to raise almost £300 for the Northumberland Mountain Rescue Team. Feedback up to now has been fantastic so we hope to continue with this race and let it grow into a great event. We hope to see you at further events in Northumberland this year.
Many thanks, Jack and Glen McWilliams”
photo: Andy
A snow storm greets the runners along the tops …
NFR successes: the next generation! This from NFR Ed Watson:
“We are amazed and delighted to let you know that Anna-Marie, our daughter, recently finished second female and 47th overall in this epic endurance event.
There are five stages, with the first three of about 35 km, a monster stage of 92km, and finally a marathon of 42 km. She was second finisher in the long stage and marathon, and second overall.
She blames her success upon her genes and upbringing – she spent many weekends in the Lakes when I was running in fell races.
I think we are the only family that has had three finishers in the Jura Fell Race.“
Report from Andy Russell:
Photo: Andy
Birnam Hill and Deuchary Hill Canter : Andy Russell
Deuchary Hill Canter – photo: Andy
