Arnison Crag Horseshoe - Saturday 25th August 2012

Need to race this in order to stand a chance of completing 8 races in the Club Champs.

Weather not great, wet and very muddy - the descent will be treacherous ! A good Helm turn-out and a cracking race this proves to be.

A quick pre-race recce of the start is useful, especially as I again lead the race at the start ! A good long climb up teh valley, I am running well and enjoy the run along the ridge to the summit. Then the fun starts, I think my downhill running is improving but still get left behind. I finish in 8th place and, more importantly, 1st Helm so maximum Champ points.

Report and results:

PATTERDALE DOG DAY

ARNISON CRAG HORSESHOE - Saturday, 25 August 2012

RACE RESULTS

1. Gavin Bland                            Borrowdale                              M0/40                          25.26
2. Martin Cliffe                             Eryri Harriers                           M0/40                          25.59
3. Darren Block                           U/A                                          M0/40                          26.04
4. Nick Sharp                              U/A                                          M0/40                          26.12
5. Mike McIver                             Black Combe                          M                                 26.52
6. Richard Green                        U/A                                          M                                 26.57
7. Robert Dewhurst                    Ambleside                               M0/40                          26.59
8. David White                            Helm Hill Runners                   M0/40                          27.18
9. Howard Seal                           CFR                                        M                                 27.20
10. James Senior                          Norwich AC                             M                                 28.10
11. John Doyle                              Pennine                                   M0/40                          28.26
12. Michael Howard                      U/A                                          M0/40                          28.34
13. Craig Smith                             Keswick                                  M0/40                          28.35
14. Craig Burrow                           Helm Hill                                  M                                 28.46
15. Kieran Dawes                         U/A                                          Junior & Local             29.44
16. Jonathan Stewart                    Manchester Harriers               Junior                          29.46
17. Richard Unwin                         Keswick                                  M0/50                          30.00
18. Billy Procter                             Helm Hill Runners                   M0/50                          30.08
19. Phil Clayton                             Black Combe                          M0/40                          30.09
20. Ian Silburn                               U/A                                          M0/40                          30.40
21. Daniel Weatherill                     Wallsend Harriers                   M                                 30.42
22. Ben Procter                             Helm Hilll Runners                  M                                 31.24
23. Kath Aubrey                            Helm Hill Runners                   L0/40                           31.28
24. Leon Winder                           Idle AC                                     M                                  31.44
25. Pat McIver                               Black Combe                          M0/40                          32.14
26. Tim Murray                              Helm Hill Runners                   M0/50                          32.39
27. Russell Carmon                      Helm Hill Runners                   M0/40                          33.39
28. Martin White                            Winchester                             M0/40                          33.49
29. Roger Gooding                        Springfield Striders                 M                                 33.55
30. Lyn Thompson                        Keswick                                  L0/50                           33.57
31. David John Carruthers            U/A                                          M                                 34.55
32. Gary Lane                               Conison                                   M0/40                          35.17
33. Ruth Dance                             Ryton Tri                                 L0/40                           35.20
34. Joanne Moore                         Eryri Harriers                           L0/40                           35.22
35. Lindsay Buck                          CFR                                        L0/50                           36.35
36. Lindsay Harrod                        Helm Hill Runners                   L0/40                           37.03
37. Amanda Burrow                      Helm Hill Runners                   L                                  37.15
38. Rober Whitaker                       CFR                                        M0/60                          38.50
39. Martin Langley                        U/A                                          M                                 38.51
40. Val Gill                                     Black Combe                          L0/50                           40.32
41. Zoe Brain                                 Rotherham Harriers                Lady Junior                  42.55

RACE REPORT

The Arnison Crag Horseshoe is held as part of Patterdale Dog Day and takes place in between the sheep dog trials and the hound trailing.  Fortunately, dogs and runners know their place!  It is a beautiful setting amongst wonderful scenery.

Thank you to all the runners who took part in the race.  We hope that you enjoyed your run.  The route is only 3 miles but it punches above its weight/distance .  It manages to combine grassy uphill running and muddy squelchy uphill running, with a bit of flatish track and a lovely undulating run from Trough Head to Arnison Crag.  The descent from Arnison Crag is steep, grassy, slippy and stoney in places – fabulous if you love downhill running.

This year we were blessed with rain!  Which became quite torrential just as the runners finished.  Some of the numbers disintegrated but most runners were smiling and covered in mud.  41 runners set off ... and they all came back. Plus an extra one who hadn’t registered.  That caused some confusion!  And despite the wet and muddy conditions, we did have some records.

First runner back was Gavin Bland from Borrowdale in a time of 25.26.  Just outside the course record but a new male over 40 record.  The first four runners were all over 40 as Gavin was followed home by Martin Cliffe from Eryri Harriers in 25.59, Darren Block in 26.04 and Nick Sharp in 26.12.  First male over 50 was Richard Unwin from Keswick AC in 30.00.  Roger Whitaker from Cumberland Fell Runners was first over 60 in 38.50.

The ladies also did well.  Kath Aubrey from Helm Hill Runners was first lady home in 31.28. She was also first lady over 40 in a new record time.  First lady over 50 was Lyn Thompson from Keswick AC in 33.57.

There was a sprint for the finish to claim the title of first junior.  Local lad, Kieran Dawes from Glenridding, finished just in front of Jonathan Stewart of Manchester Harriers in a time of 29.44.  He set a new local’s record and a new junior record!

Finally a BIG thank you to Catstycam Outdoor Shop in Glenridding for sponsoring the prizes, to Vanessa Schaepers and Marion Parsons for helping with registration and the finish line, to Kate Jackson and Bradley Martin for opening gates and pitching in, to Phil Brown for being our man at the top and making sure that everyone gets to the top of Arnison Crag and to Arnison Crag for being such a fantastic fell.

Hope to see you all next year!

Christine Kenyon