7 September 2005

Proud achievements

Last weekend Steve Birkinshaw, David Steel and Mike Jeffrey were the second team in the Lake District Mountain Trial behind Borrowdale. A great result!
I hope everyone enjoyed last weekend's late summer weather, particularly those competing in the various races including the CAFOD Grisedale and the Lake District Mountain Trial.
In the Marco Germanetto Memorial Races, Susa, Italy on Sunday 26th June 2005 Alec Duffield of Loftus was second, Alistair Brownlee of Bingley was fourth and Nick Swinburn of Northumberland FR was fifth forming the team to win the gold medal in the boys race. A fantastic achievement.

19 July 2005

If you haven't noticed yet, Nick Swinburn is making a big impression on the national fell running scene, having accumulated excellent points in the English Junior Championships after a late start. It is noted that he has also been selected for a race in Italy. Congratulations to Nick and good luck in the remaining two championship races. You can find more details on the Fell Runners Association website.

18 July 2005

Mike Jeffrey's Bob Graham Round

Mike Jeffrey completed his Bob Graham Round at the weekend in 22 hrs 22 mins. He took the anti clockwise way around and had perfect conditions – sunny but a cool breeze on the tops, no rain and it was very dry underfoot. He was supported by his family, members of NFR and Morpeth AC. He treated us all to bacon butties, fruit salad and champers at a get together the day after. Great weekend was had by all.
- Dave Atkinson

13 July 2005

Wasdale

On a weekend with the hardest race in the NFR championship calendar, we wondered how many NFR members competed at Wasdale on Saturday and how they survived the conditions. It turned out that 6 runners started and 4 finished. Congratulations to David Armstrong, David Atkinson, Karen Robertson and Louise Wilkinson in completing the race. The two who withdrew pulled out early in the race while one third of the field didn't even start, proving that fell runners do have common sense. I suspect that the conditions were unimaginably severe with high risk of heat stroke and dehydration apart from total exhaustion. An epic story to tell, I'm sure, when the participants have recovered. It was not surprising that several runners including David Burn (19th), Kath and John Dallinson, Pam Armstrong, Garry Owens, Paul Appleby, John Christie, Glen McWilliams, Peter Reed and Richard Cavner competed at the weekend in the Northumberland Coastal Run, a scenic race with a variety of running conditions from Beadnell to Alnmouth. David Armstrong was sufficiently recovered to cheer us in.

6 July 2005

Saltwell Harriers Fell Race

Nick Swinburn continued his relentless advance in North East Fell Running with a victory in the Saltwell Harriers fell race on moorland north of Stanhope last night. Karen Robertson was the first woman, Durham Fell Runners won the women's team prize and Saltwell Harriers won the men's team prize in a close competition with DFR. Notable performances included John Humble's first V50 placing and Louise Wilkinson's second place both having run The Chevy Chase and Roy Dawson's run with a new hip. Many of the field of around 60 runners were running this race for the first time while Roy Dawson and Derek Crosdale had competed in all ten races. In view of the weather before the race and afterwards the conditions during the race were very kind with no wind and dry conditions, if not underfoot. The stream control was enjoyed by all, particularly by the triathlete who was able to use his specialist skills. Later on a marshall seemed to be waving frantically as I passed him, possibly directing the runners or more likely being driven wild by midges. Saltwell Harriers excellent organisation of this race is only surpassed by the drink and presentation in the Moorcock afterwards. A fantastic evening.

10 June 2005

Just when you think that completing the Bob Graham Round in 24 hours is the ultimate challenge then the challenge of completing it within one day with a moderately early morning start and still have a chance of getting back in time for last orders is incredible. Steve Birkinshaw and Morgan Donnelly set off on their attempt at 6:00am on 21 May 2005.

Steve Birkinshaw's account.

Morgan Donnelly's account

2 June 2005

We do have a report of this year's Scottish Islands Peak Race from Paul Hainsworth. The quality of the photos is amazing for a disposable camera. I cannot understand why you need a cooling fan on a boat.

Paul Jameson