Gisborough Moors Race
7th April 2002
As all at the race know - WE WERE ROBBED!
Morgan and Charlie Stead, first and second on the day, were
disqualified on the technicality that they failed to go to the
4th (unmanned) checkpoint, even though they went almost within
spitting distance and the route they took was longer, involved
more climbing, worse running surface, dragons and biting insects
etc. etc.. Ben Grant from Harrogate was also disqualified because
he followed our trusty pair rather than the safer policy of only
following Mandale vests. So be warned, Joe Blackett (Mandale),
next year you are history!
And, what's more, the NFR 'A' team of Morgan, Charlie, David
Armstrong and Gary Owens would have easily destroyed the Mandale
first team ON THEIR OWN TRAINING GROUND. That's not easy to do,
especially if they keep putting these technicalities in the race
rules! (Ed - going the right way a technicality?!)
Well done to those fine NFR runners and for everyone who finished.
Another good club turnout. These results are really putting the
Club on the map. Morgan was a whole Roseberry Topping ahead of
me at the dog-leg and far out in the lead. For those further
down the field, the course was as long and as fast running as
ever with warm conditions and dry underfoot. Jane Saul was memorable
for winning a spot prize - well done. In her local Derby against
Paul Jameson, however, she lost by a minute. Keith Cooper beat
Pat in their private competition too, so perhaps it was a man's
race. Personal thanks to Geoff Davis for leading me to believe
I could eventually catch him and to Stewart Gardener for his
deliberate mistake in the forest so I could sneak back in front
after he had left me for dead. If I could have just stuck with
the first lady for a little longer...
Andy
Curtis
Brough Law Fell Race
24th March 2002
This race was organised by NFR member Ray Hayes and was new
to the fell running calendar this year. A good Club turnout was
expected as the race kicked off the 2002 NFR Championship program
and we featured 24 out of the 40 runners. Another 10 were unattached
so perhaps some might be persuaded to join. To increase the climbing
and keep the race within the A category rules, Ray had started
the course by a climb up the bank we would eventually finish
by running down – a nice touch which added to the race
and at least ensured a slower starting pace. From the top of
this hill, we descended rapidly to the road again, then set off
around a 5 mile course, although I haven’t the faintest
idea where we went. All I remember was some good running terrain
(mainly short grassy tracks), a steep descent and climb through
a stream valley about half way and the welcoming top of the last
hill (Brough Law) with a glimpse of its interesting rocky hill
fort through misty eyes. Must go back and have a look some time.
The descent was gradual and on a good grassy track, then fast
and furious down the steep starting bank. The winner was a local
hill runner, well known in the professional circuit; I wonder
if he wants to join NFR. Thanks to Ray and his team for a fine
race, good weather, prizes and company – an excellent start
to the championship.
Brough
Law results
Paul Jameson
Doctor's Gate Hill Race
24th February 2002
The sudden change in weather with the snowfall and freezing
conditions caused all sorts of problems. As organiser of the
event, I arrived at Hamsterley Forest on the Sunday morning to
find that Saturday's melting snow and the below zero temperatures
overnight had left the access road along the valley floor covered
with ice and for safety reasons, the Forestry Commission had
closed it down. This left me with the problem of how do I get
to the race start two miles away. Two cars were dispatched to
try the alternative route of getting to the Grove but subsequently
returned reporting that the other road was just sheet ice and
that there was no way the Grove could be reached.
So what now. Well, after a quick discussion it was decided that
we would have to start the race from where we were and that an
alternative race route needed to be found and quick. Two of us
went out to devise a route while the other four set up race registration
and sorted out runners who had started to arrive.
A quick two and a half mile route was marked out in the forest
and the decision taken that we would make this a two lap race
which would fetch it up to its original race distance. The runners
were assembled, apologies given for the confusion, explanations
given about the race route and then the runners were set off
only a couple of minutes later than the race time. Panic over
or so we thought.
The race had been underway for about ten minutes then the next
thing happened. Groups of runners started to appear from the
trails in the woods. Between ten and fifteen runners had somehow
actually managed to make it down the steep road into the Grove
itself and had been wondering what had happened to the race before
they had set off to find it. Once again the explanations and
apologies were given and fell runners being what they are, graciously
accepted them but not without a bit of good-natured leg pulling.
However, it was decided that because of the confusion, this race
would be treated as a one-off and would not count as part of
the Deadly Durham Fell Race series. The original Doctor's Gate
race would be re-staged in April and hopefully pass without a
hitch.
Anyway back to the race itself. At the end of the first lap
it was a close thing. Barry Stephenson, back home on a weekend
trip from Loughborough University, was leading but only by a
couple of yards from Morgan Donnelly of NFR. This pair was then
closely followed by Barry's teammate, Alasdair Tatham. Barry
kept the lead for most of the way up the long drag of the hill
before Morgan's fell strength started to pay off and he started
to pull away from Barry. Morgan eventually finished fifty seconds
in front of Barry with Alasdair another two and a half minutes
behind.
Doctor's
Gate results
Paul Jameson
Carnethy Hill Race 2002
Well folks
Saturday 16th February saw yet another Carnethy Hill Race. For
those not in the know, Carnethy is one of the best known, and
best loved?! events on the calendar, taking place in the Pentland
Hills just outside of Edinburgh. A short race at approximately
6 miles but quite sharp involving a net ascent/descent of some
2500 ft, and with a most excellent Ceilidh in the evening.
This year's Carnethy saw a superb turnout of 12 by NFR runners
amongst the total entry of 383. Although the day was dry, it
was decidedly breezy and downright cold hanging around at the
start and finish, and I think everyone was happy to get on with
it. After the first major climb, there is normally a chance to
recover as a ridge run ensues. This year the wind was straight
in the face at the top making the recovery feel like a continuation
of the hill. I'm sure times would have suffered as a result.
The middle of the race sees a descent round the back of the hills
before the second and final major climb to the top of Carnethy
Hill itself which is followed by a nasty steep descent through
deep heather to the finish. I'd say that's a bit of a leg wobbler
meself like ... or was it just me?
Anyhow, Dexter was first NFR runner home in a cracking 59:06
and 37th position, closely followed by myself, Gary Owens at
63:22, Geoff Davis in 65:24, Morgan Frances in 69:13, Stewart
Gardener in 69:16, Andy Curtis in a shocking 70:46 (only joking
Andy), Stewart Jones in 72:17, Ray Hayes in 73:58, Jane Saul
in 80:57, Susan Davis in 89:23, and Charlotte Roberts in 91:42.
Rob Jebb of Bingley won in a fantastic 48:00 over a minute ahead
of second, and two mins ahead of third! Angela Mudge of Carnethy
HRC was first lady with a typically stunning 54:20.
Definitely a good show of performances from NFR's "top" athletes,
and worthy of ninth prize in the Men's team competition (...and
no, that wasn't out of nine). In fact NFR's men scalped some
notable clubs, including Hunter's Bog Trotters and the Ochil
Hill Runners, with all teams ahead being very noteworthy clubs
indeed. The women's team finished seventh with some very good
performances. No comments on the total number of teams, girls,
but definitely a big well done.
Post race niceties included the usual tea and biscuits in the
field, and pie and chips back in Penicuik. All in all a very
good day out, well recommended for earmarking in the future,
and a credit to Carnethy Club for their organisation of such
a good event.
Hope to see you all there in 2003.
Carnethy
results for NFR runners
Nigel Scott | 
