photo: T. Sanderson

Whilst the Falstone Falcon was very tempting, a few NFRs instead opted for the Sedbergh Hills race on Sunday. It was a beautiful day and about 150 or so runners, including several of the top players, lined up. Phil Sanderson duly led the NFR charge and was in the top few at the summit of Arant Haw after which I never him saw him again. I would guess he secured at least a top-ten finish as I did occasionally glimpse a few runners ahead in about 10th place and he wasn't in that crowd. Personally I was doing quite well until the bottom of The Calf, about four miles from safety, when I just ran out of steam (energy). I still managed to stagger home in a respectable 2h43, which is actually 3 mins slower than when I last did this race in 2007 in poor weather (when in the club champs). I'm not sure where Paul Appleby finished but he was aiming for sub 3-hours and as he was well clear of my mate Tom Reeves (3h10) I would be pretty sure that he did it. This is a very tough race and I am annoyed with myself for underestimating it, such is the healing effect of time. I will make no such mistake next year.

Will Horsley

results on FRA site