chilly runners eager to get going

The fell races starting at Kielder must be the most remote in England.  From the ramparts of Kielder castle it is 45 miles to anywhere bigger than a village, the nearest major road is over ten miles away in any direction and you can fit the whole of the Lake District quite easily into the wilderness that is the Northumberland National Park. Amazingly it is a centre for mountain biking, walking, sailing and more and there is a fine café with excellent bacon butties.  It’s great.

In a nutshell:  Ground a bit claggy underfoot in parts but weather overall very good with bright sunshine at start after slight frost in the night.  The predicted strong winds held off for most of  the race and it stayed warm enough for Gary Jones to round the summit cairn clad only in shorts.  There was drizzle part way through and it fell as horizontal sleet on the top for a short while where Phil was marshalling.  At my station, half-way down it was just cold and wet.  We were sharing the hills with around 100 scouts according to a chap I met when flagging the course and they were using orienteering markers with cute wooden animal shapes attached.  There was also a plethora of other markers in the woods close to, and on, our route including small red flags and yellow and black tape.  We managed to avoid much confusion by moving some of them, so no one was thrown off course. (Although it might have played havoc with some future off-roaders convention of course).  One of the great things about the Grey’s Pike race is that it is only 5 miles and there are maps available yet someone has gone off-route every year of its running (ok so it’s only been on the calendar for three years, but still).  This year, despite the metres of tape, Phil at the top, Will’s initial instructions and my arm-waving  en route, some people still veered off the track with only about half a mile to go.  They soon realised their error, but it all adds to the fun.

The Southern raider from Pudsey and Bramley looked a class act from the start and duly romped home in a much faster time than Joe Blackett’s last year.  Steve Birkinshaw swapped places with Phil Sanderson on the descent but otherwise, apart from a few minor changes in the order, it was the same order of numbers after a mile on the way up as at the finish.  A bit like a Grand Prix.  Except for the mud.  And slower.

Ian Nixon (Pudsey & Bramley) takes the lead

Steve Birkinshaw also breaks last year's winning time to arrive in 2nd place

The times actually were very good; overall it was a really good field.  We had two Teviotdale 17 year olds who showed most of the NFR boys a clean pair of heels, a KIMM elite winner in Steve,  who also broke last years winning time, and some fast times in the front end.  Sadly only two ladies started out of the thirty runners, but it was Mother’s Day and I guess most Northumberland Mums hadn’t picked running up a remote hillside near Kielder as their Sunday treat.  Back at the castle it was tea and cake all round and Easter eggs were distributed along with bottles of wine to the winners.  The marshalls were thawed out, the stuffed squirrels were put back on the shelf and we all set off on the hour long trek back to civilisation.

Dave Hicklenton

Also from Dave, a more poetic report entitled Crow and the Grey Spike

results | photos from Rob Stephens | photos from David Coxon

Saturday 1st March

Gary Jones & I ran the Noon Stone Fell Race on Saturday.  It’s a tough 9 miler from the Top Brink Inn near Todmorden in Lancashire.  There were over 200 runners at this well-organised race which has been an English Championship in previous years.  The hills aren’t high by Lakeland or Cheviot standards (the high point is 420 metres) but the race still packed in 2,300 ft of climbing. 

The race started with a dash along the lane before a stiff climb up to the ridge.  All the height was immediately lost after a brief run along the ridge.  There was another climb to Stoodley Pike (which I had last visited 20 years ago on the Pennine Way) before a descent to Withens Clough Reservoir.  Here the strength of the wind was apparent as it was whipping up white horses on the water.  After a stream crossing, there was a climb on to the moor where the fun really started: 2.5 miles through bog and heather straight into the wind.  There was a bit of a trod, but not much.  Fortunately the clouds were high otherwise this would have been a navigational challenge.  At some stage we passed the Noon Stone, but as it is not marked on the map I was none the wiser as to where it actually was.

After what seemed like an eternity, we reached the westerly point of the race at Warland Reservoir and turned for home.  There was one final descent and climb back up the ridge for good measure, before the last dash down the hill to the finish.   It was too cold to hang around, so tea and drinks in the pub afterwards was very much the order of the day.

Gary had a good run, finishing 14th in 1 hour 19 minutes.  I came 58th in 1 hour 30 mins.  The results are on www.todharriers.co.uk.  John Brown (Salford) won the race and Janet McIver (Dark Peak) was first lady.  This was a cracking race, and one to add to your ‘to do’ list.

John Duff

the impressive jaws of the Gill shrouded in cloud so you'll have to make do with this rock

The weather prospects looked grim as we drove westward to Dufton on the A66: low cloud, gusty winds and a spattering of rain. The low cloud was a concern, not for navigational reasons but because the fabulous run up between the spectacular escarpment jaws of High Cup Gill would likely lose its splendour under cloud cover. I noted too that the forecasted sou'westerlies aligned perfectly with the orientation of the Gill, so, like last year, it was going to be windy up the Nick - and loose running shorts would offer little protection!

It did brighten up a little later though, and the pretty village of Dufton was awash with a cheerful race atmosphere. Race organiser (and ex-NFR) Morgan Donnelly seemed to have plenty of support from the village, together with a good showing from his fast Borrowdale FR clubmates. Around 143 runners (90 last year) signed up for the main race in the bustling village hall, whilst several junior races up the lane added joy to the occasion. I didn't see the junior races but I see that Easter had come early for the Mighty Fin [Robertson], who won himself not one but two chocolate eggs!

Fin's Win

race organiser Morgan Donnelly gives the brief

Runners had come from as far as Scotland and Wales to try this nearly new race. Amongst them, 14 NFRs, half of whom ran the course last year and must clearly enjoy it. I personally had unfinished business: to run the proper course and not, like last year, take the mountain goat's tour high up at the foot of the escarpment (not to be recommended).

some of the faster runners get in position

From the off it's a fast pace on the road, which soon starts to climb, teasing the runners out into a thread. Before long, we're onto the good soft turf and clarts that we've probably all become familiar with over the winter. Good going around by Studgill Tarn brings us contouring around a spur to be suddenly greeted by the first glimpse of High Cup Gill. As suspected, the escarpments are masked by low-lying cloud so a bit of a disapointment, but the immediate fast thrilling grassy descent to the stream-crossing partly makes up for it.

Studgill Tarn

A quick dip in the beck then a stretch of barely defined path, picking a way over tussock, rock and wet bits but also some good turf later on.

picking over tussocks and rocks

Soon enough the climb to the top of the Gill - High Cup Nick - begins. It starts with a small boulder field: slippy and potentially very nasty for ankle and shin (there's a lot more of this sort of delight on last year's 'high road' choice). As expected, runners' progress is halted dramatically and we bunch up for a while. Further ahead, the actual climb to the top is straightforward hands-on-knees but this culminates in hands-on-rocks as the wind has funnelled into a fury by now on the last scramble to the top. The strength of the wind is perfectly illustrated by a small waterfall which u-turns and blows back uphill.

the climb

the waterfall that goes uphill

The highest point and a quick scrabble for a hat, maybe even a jacket: the wind along the top is ferocious, bringing the temperature right down, and we're in dense cloud too. But it's all downhill now - 4 miles of it, mostly on knobbly Pennine Way. It's just as well you can't see the view because the firm rocky path demands maximum concentration at times as the leg speed builds up. Great fun though and eventually we drop out of the cloud to take in the view of Dufton Pike and the surrounding landscape. The route across short grass fields back to the village lends itself to some good full-throttle running if you've got the energy left. Marshals at every turn usher us back to the finish on the village green.

nearly back to Dufton

Retaining his crown from last year, Jim Davies of Borrowdale won the men's race and Lisa Lacon of Holmfirth won the ladies'. Steve Birkinshaw was first NFR in 6th position, closely followed by a tremendous run from newcomer Philip Sanderson (8th position) [his only other fell race was DFR's Black Hill and Beck the other week!]. Karen Robertson was 2nd lady and Geoff Davis had a storming run to come in 34th position. Other tough NFRs braving the conditions in order of finishing (I think): Rob Stephens, Chris Little, Jamie Wilkinson, Katherine Davis, Matt Simms, Bernard Kivlehan, Peter Scott, Susan Davis, Stewart Beaty and Jane Saul. (Sorry if I missed anyone.)

Thanks to the organisers, the village of Dufton and everyone who helped to make this a great race - let's hope for less cloud next year!

results: Word | pdf

Rob Stephens

more photos from Rob & Pat

the gathering

A fantastic sunny Saturday saw 10 NFR’s gather at Beeslack School, Penicuik for the 38th Carnethy 5 Hill Race. Splendid organisation on behalf of Carnethy HRC saw us all promptly bussed out to the start point at Silverburn. The banter made the three quarter of an hour stand that bit more bearable in near freezing conditions. 480 odd souls gathered to race uphill and possibly remember the Scots victory over the English in 1302.

Then the off! A fine charge reminiscent of Braveheart and the first line of attack being cut down by English archers or in this case a Scots peat bog. People of plenty were going face down into the clarts. Then a mad scramble over the dry stone wall, and then left down to the burn and up the very steep other side.

the starter pistol fires


dash for the gap in the wall

“By Jove it’s rather steep” passed through my mind at several points during the first climb to Scald Law or indeed something very similar in Anglo-Saxon. Still the run towards South Black Hill made for a nice respite and down towards East Kip. Again a steep pull up and then a great run over semi-frozen turf towards West Kip, the patchy nature of the iced turf being decidedly skitey at times. The last ten yards climbing West Kip were completed by me, on all fours, ready for the bomb down the other side.

start of the long slog up Scald Law


one peak down, four to go ...

This was a nice run down, indeed in better conditions later in the year could be flown down. Several people succumbed to the very icy conditions, removing portions of skin on the frozen earth. I only managed a minor calf pull, which slowed my already slow pace down significantly.

slippy descent off West Kip

The very fast track to the reservoir stretched the pack before the climb up towards Carnethy itself. This proved another steep drag up the north facing gully to the false summit (thanks for the warning Susan) and then over the top and down through still heather before picking up a decent trod for the final third of the descent.

slip down to The Howe

Carnethy, the last peak


last descent over heather and narrow trod

The final run in from the stile was now rutted like a ploughed field, the criss-cross of so many feet rendering the bog a veritable morass. But runnable all the same, and I managed to pass a couple of people who were avoiding the clarts.

A good result from all the NFR runners, especially Phil Addyman (54th overall and first NFR male) and Susan Davis (39th lady overall and first NFR lady), NFR managed to come 17th  men’s team overall and second English club and tenth ladies team and first English women’s team.

Phil Addyman, Geoff Davis, Rob Stephens, Paul Hainsworth, Neil Gammack, Phil Green, Susan Davis, Mandy Dawson, Louise Billcliffe and Jane Saul all completed the race.

Phil Green

photos from Rob Stephens

results and more on Carnethy website

John braves the chilly wind and whips off his windproof

6 miles / 1000 ft (BM)

A large field meant that the start was delayed by 15 minutes at Clay Bank East.  The day was mild but windy, and it was on the chilly side as Old Cheviot hung about at the start.  The race got underway with a short sharp climb up to the moor ridge.  Turning right at the top, runners were faced with a strong head wind on the escarpment track to checkpoint 1 (which turned out to be an honesty mark in keeping with the other checkpoints).

Top of the steep start up to Carr Ridge

Narrow paths on some sections made it awkward to overtake at times

OC managed to sneak ahead of Rob Stephens on the climb up to Urra Moor, and then hung on for the long gradual pull to Round Hill – the highpoint of the North Yorkshire Moors.  After rounding the trig-point, life became easier as the strong wind was now on the runners’ backs.  But there was no letting up, as Rob was just behind.  So OC pushed on along Carr Ridge, before a muddy slither down through the woods.  After a final slight incline, there was a fast descent down a track to the finish.

The fast return path (John just up ahead)

OC was glad to reach the finish-line and take a breather – his aged bones are not used to these short races.  Rob came in soon after, with Emma Bain (NFR’s lady representative at the race) not far behind. 

Full throttle for Emma Bain as she sprints in to the finish

OC doesn't know who won the race as he didn't stay for the prize-giving, but the results will appear on the NYM website.  Many thanks to Dave Parry who organised this enjoyable race.  OC looks forward to seeing you at the AGM/Annual Dinner/next fell-race (or all three).

Old Cheviot

photos from Rob Stephens - more photos here