Simonside Cairns Fell Race
12th December 2004
On the drive up to Rothbury the fog was shrouding the valleys
while vague hints of sunlight suggested that the tops were clear.
It was a cold start to the Simonside Cairns fell race but as
we climbed the first hill, brilliant shafts of sunlight were
warming and dazzling. Surely this was a perfect day to be running
in the hills. From the southern edge of the run the rocky outcrops
of the Simonside ridge were in sharp relief against the golden
hues of the dead bracken and from the summit of Simonside some
patches of fog were still lying in the northern valleys looking
towards Cheviot. This was the second time that the route has
come directly from Selby's Cove on to the southern spur of Simonside.
The only regret is missing the festive spirit indicated by the
tinsel decorations shining through the eerie gloom of the short
section through the wood. This year I was running so hard that
I'm not sure if there was a decorated tree on the Simonside ridge.
Tim Wylie of Tynedale was the first to cross the finishing line
with Phil Addyman in second place two minutes behind followed
by Ray Maynard of DFR. Alison Raw of DFR was the first woman,
closely followed by K Davis of North Shields Poly and then Louise
Wilkinson. Garry Owens in seventh place is continuing his strong
comeback on the fells.
Simonside
Cairns results
Paul Jameson
Hexhamshire Hobble
5th December 2004
The Hexhamshire Hobble attracted 97 runners on a fine dry day.
In the final race of the NFR Championship series Morgan Donnelly
finished in first place in a new record time despite the windy
conditions. The first woman was Karen Robertson, followed by
Alison Raw of DFR and then Louise Wilkinson in third place. The
second man was Tynedale's Tim Wylie who was also the first veteran
runner and in third place came Philip Addyman. The women's team
prize was taken by NFR with Karen, Louise and Sally Welsh being
the three counters. In the men's team competition NFR took the
prize with Morgan, Philip and David Armstrong.
Hexhamshire
Hobble results
past results 2003 and 2002
Paul Jameson
Guisborough Three Tops
28th November 2004
The final race in this year's North East Counties Fell Running
Championship from Guisborough Rugby Club had a record turnout
of 116 runners. Have a look at the results of the Three Tops
race. The first man was Charles Stead followed by Philip Addyman,
both of NFR, with Joe Blackett finishing in third place, enough
to win the North East Fell Running Championship, I think. The
first woman home was Heather Monro, a world class orienteer,
followed by Pippa Whitehouse, another top orienteer with Karen
Robertson of NFR in third place to win the Championship. With
Louise Wilkinson and Sally Welsh, the NFR women took the team
prize by one point, a timely triumph as all three have performed
exceptionally well in the North East Fell Running Championships.
The weather was kind to us although the wind was brisk on Roseberry
Topping. The mud was so sticky in places it felt like running
with weights on your feet. The writer returned by the moorland
path and along with only three other runners enjoyed a private
race, even though the route choice meant losing some time. I
will study an orienteering map of the area before choosing a
route for next year.
Guisborough
Three Tops results
Paul Jameson
A Tale of Two Races
1st August 2004
an account of the Kielder Borderer written by John Duff with
occasional asides by Paul Jameson from a different perspective
at the back
Louise breaks record!
The Kielder Borderer: 17 miles of scenic running that shows
off the Border country at its best? or the fell race from hell,
complete with mud and midges, and designed for masochists? 37
runners assembled at Kielder yesterday to find out. The field
was swelled by contingents from NFR, North Yorkshire Moors, and
Saddleworth Runners who had made it a championship race.
Starting at the Castle, there is a quick half mile along the
Old Railway Line before a slippery climb up through the forest
to Greys Pike. The mist was just on the tops, so visibility was
down but a least it was cool. After a run along the ridge to
Three Pikes, a rough descent through the forest leads to a river
crossing and run along the road to Kielder Head. That was the
easy bit. (The road choice was a tip recalled by one of the tailend
party at the wrong time.)
The climb up through the woods to Grey Mares Knowe was a long
one, and with the mist proving slow to clear several runners
went astray here. (No problem with navigation when we arrived
in the sun. My distant memory suggests that this ascent was harder
many years ago when the deer fence and path weren't there. Can
anyone confirm.) I was running in company with David Burn and
Howard from Saddleworth, and we managed to find the elusive escarpment
track, stealing a march on Geoff Davis and Dave Atkinson who
dropped too low. However we promptly lost the track, and a party
led by Louise Wilkinson caught us up.(No problems losing this
track but a problem finding one later.) This led to a mass arrival
at the Knox Knowe checkpoint and the question on everyone's lips
was: where now? (We had advice at the checkpoint about a path
between two fingers of bracken on the far side of the stream
and ominous warnings about the tough going.)
The answer proved to be a rough descent down to the burn before
an indistinct track led through the heather to the impressive
Kielder Stone. (Not many have taken the route downstream and
upstream taken by the intrepid explorers at the back of the field,
having opted out of the direct and seemingly pathless route through
the heather. Advice urgently sought.) From here there was a long
and weary climb up to Peel Fell in by now warm sun, before the
final pull over Deadwater Fell. (This was the easy part after
our exploits and on a path as well! The advice to aim for the
fence posts after Kielder Stane was recalled in the nick of time
soon after we started to head up the stream.) And the least said
about the descent - both stony then marshy - the better. (The
descent was a pleasure especially after the warm welcome by North
of Tyne Search and Rescue on Deadwater. Both parts of that word
had significance for us.)
David Armstrong (3:11:22) running his nth Borderer led NFR home,
finshing second behind Joe Blackett (3:07:24). In the ladies'
race, Louise Wilkinson (3:27:44) proved she is the Tracey Morris
of NFR, knocking one hour off her previous time and breaking
the course record. There were other notable performance from
Chris Little and Paul Hainsworth who finished together arms aloft,
and from Paul Appleby whose times are coming down. Ray Gray and
Mike Sanderson were second V50 and V60 respectively, and last
but not least Paul Jameson swept up the rear of the field just
in time for the prize giving. (Paul was accompanied by Charles
and his friend Ruphina who was running in her first ever fell
race after Charles had suggested they could do it. I think Charles
was a little worried when I suggested it might take as long as
the Allendale Challenge. My competitive instinct – yes
really – got the better of me at the end and I lost out
on the prize for the last runner but on my reckoning gained valuable
championship points.)
The fell race from hell? (A race classified as B, proving that
numbers don't mean everything when grading a race.) You will
have to run it to find out.
Kielder
Borderer Results
John Duff
A member of Saddleworth Runners says “It was good to see
you all last Sunday, we had a fantastic weekend and look forward
to seeing you next year.”
Now read an account on the Saddleworth
Runners website
Saltwell Harriers Fell Race
6th July 2004
A field of 64 fell runners assembled for the 9th running of
the Saltwell Harriers Fell Race on a fine summer evening after
days of heavy rain. Even the midgeys' turned out in force to
see the runners off. The early pace was set by Saltwell's veteran
athlete Fred Smith with a host of Northumberland Fell Runners
in pursuit. The chasing pack led by KIMM winner Steve Birkinshaw,
tried to overcome Fred's lead by what looks to the chasing runner
as a short cut on the run up to the summit of Collier Law. Those
runners will now know that the short cut is not what it seems
as Fred was first to round the summit and headed down the very
rough fell, sodden from days of torrential rain. Despite stumbling
into one of the large pools of water which are conveniently placed,
Fred maintained his lead to the road crossing. These pools and
the rough terrain seemed to take they toll on most of the field
going by the numerous stories at the finish.
After the road crossing the conditions under foot were a lot
drier, but this did not help Phil Addyman gain anything on Fred
who, stretched his lead after the river checkpoint finishing
a minute ahead of Phil, the only under 40 male in the first 16.
Karen Robertson maintained her dominance of the ladies in this
race, her 3rd victory, by finishing in 17th position overall,
ahead of Louise Wilkinson who, despite injuring an ankle battled
on bravely. The race was brought to a close by Roy Dawson running
with only one leg fully operational as his other leg awaits a
new hip. Ray delayed his operation as he did not want to miss
the Saltwell Fell Race, having competed in all of the previous
8 races. I expect to see Roy with his new bionic hip at the starting
line for what will be the 10th anniversary of the Saltwell Harriers
Fell Race next year.
The evening came to a close in the Moorcock pub with the prize
giving, an event in itself. I would just like to add a big thanks
to the landlord of the Moorcock, Gordon Moyes, who has welcomed
the Fell Runners these last 8 years. Gordon informed me that
this was likely to be his last year as landlord due to him taking
retirement. I just hope the new landlord is as hospitable as
Gordon.
Saltwell
Harriers Fell Race Results
Keith Wood
Old County Tops Fell Race
22nd May 2004
"Have a banana! Try the flapjack. More tea?" The
marshals at Cockley Beck Bridge seemed intent on catering for
our every need. We had arrived at the vital checkpoint with
15 minutes to spare and could now take our time. The Old County
Tops Fell Race was in danger of turning into a gargantuan feast.
The race had started 7 hrs 15 mins earlier at The Old Dungeon
Ghyll Hotel in Great Langdale. 76 runners mingled in the cool
of the early morning, nervously chatting about the rigours
of the day ahead. At 8 am on the dot we were off, plodding
down the old road before the first climb over to Grasmere.
The race is run in teams of two. The circular route takes
in the highest peaks in the old counties of Westmorland (Helvellyn),
Cumberland (Scafell Pike), and Lancashire (Coniston Old Man).
This covers 37 miles and approx 11,000 ft of climbing. Speed
most definitely gives way to endurance. The order of the day
was to walk the ups and run the downs.
After crossing over to Grasmere, the race heads up the tourist
path to Grisedale Tarn. I was running in company with three
others, and our two teams soon settled into the pleasant company
of the back-markers. The front runners took a bee-line up the
side of Dollywagon Pike eschewing the path and we followed
suit. This set the tone of the race – take the line of
least resistance.
Helvellyn was soon ticked off in 2 hrs 15 mins. The views
were superb – blue skies and a cooling breeze showed
the Lakeland panorama at its best. However there was little
time to linger, and we were soon making a grassy descent to
Wythburn car park where refreshments – cake and orange
juice – were on hand.
The next section up the Wythburn is remote and a bit of a
slog. It's all uphill and so difficult to run, and the climb
out to Greenup Edge seems to go on for ever. We elected to
go over High Raise; others contoured round it and in retrospect
that was probably the easier (if not quicker) route. We were
now firmly the back-markers and had no-one to follow as those
in front had all disappeared. In bad weather this section could
have been difficult, but luckily the clouds were high. After
a jog off High Raise, a good path leads from Stake Pass to
the Angle Tarn checkpoint.
A well-trodden path leads over Esk Hause to Scafell Pike.
The tourists were there in number – bizarrely one lady
was carrying a guitar case on her back. We reached the second
Old County Top in 6 hours where the marshals were dishing out
jelly-babies. Mickledore is out of bounds for this race, so
we took a direct route off the west side. This was extremely
rough in the upper sections with unpleasant scree and rocks;
we later learned that others had dropped into Little Narrowcove.
However once down, the course through Upper Eskdale and Mosedale
to Cockley Beck Bridge is both a delight and runnable, especially
if you have recce'd it.
Suitably refreshed from the checkpoint, we headed for the last
Top up the back of Grey Friar before traversing under Swirl How.
Here we saw the other teams as they made their back from Coniston,
and realised that we weren't too far behind. The marshals on
top of Coniston Old Man included a fellow Geordie, and we enjoyed
10 minutes in their company watching the climbers on Dow Crag.
The final 6 miles back to Great Langdale are mostly downhill,
but seemed to last an eternity. We mustered a sprint [reality – stumbling
jog] to the finish in 11 hrs 5 mins, and were greeted with
a round of applause. We were last (every time we overtook a
team they dropped out), but didn't mind. It had been a great
day out, and the finishers' T-shirt was the business – many
thanks to the organisers Achille Ratti [a Catholic climbing
club].
NFR was also represented in the race by David Atkinson and
Mike Jeffrey; the former putting in a particularly creditable
performance finishing fifth. This race is a 'must' on your
fell-running CV.
John Duff
Coniston Fell Race
3rd May 2004
Saturday 1 May saw the running of our fourth championship race
of 2004. This time we were in the Lakes for the Coniston Fell
Race and what an excellent turn out of NFR members there was!
Approximately 27 members ran the race and there were some excellent
performances on what was a beautiful morning. I have not seen
the published results yet but in a high class field of around
227 runners Morgan finished 3rd (Ian Holmes and Rob Jebb (both
Bingley) were 1st & 2nd), Steve B was 20th and, after an
excellent run, Mike Jeffrey was 22nd. In the Women's race Karen
was 6th followed by Louise and Emma. I think our women's team
may have done very well. But there were lots of excellent NFR
performances across all the age categories - WELL DONE EVERYBODY!
Geoff Davis
Gisborough Moors Race
4th April 2004
There was a great turnout of 21 NFR members at the Gisborough
Moors fell race. This 12 mile race is held at Guisborough Rugby
Club and there were over 160 runners. After a slippy, stiff climb
up through the Woods, the run heads over the open moors, visiting
the heights of Captain Cook's Monument, Roseberry Topping, and
Highcliff Nab. After the recent rain, the course was very muddy
and wet in places: some of those who forded the burn near Sleddale
went up to their waists. There was also plenty of climbing -
the short sharp hills just seemed to keep coming and coming.
I'm told the sea was visible on the return leg, but by then
I was feeling the effects of the stiff climb back from Roseberry
Topping and so missed that view. The run finished with a final
slither back through the woods and a sprint (if you could muster
it) down the road back to the clubhouse.
NFR did well in the race honours. Charles Stead won the race;
John Metson was 1st V50; Ken Rawlinson 2nd V60; Louise Wilkinson
4th lady; NFR A 1st men's team (Charles Stead, Phil Addyman,
Mike Jeffrey, and David Armstrong); and NFR second ladies' team.
(first ladies' team, I think, with Louise Wilkinson,
Jane Walker and Linda Bray -ed) For some reason the home team
of North York Moors AC didn't count for the team prizes (perhaps
they are not allowed to win their own race?); but don't worry
chaps - you would have won anyway. (North York Moors runners
who were previously members of Mandale are serving a self-imposed "exile" for
a few months until they are eligible to run for their new club.
Good luck to NYM AC. - ed)
Gisborough
Moors Race results
John Duff
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