This is an old fell race which goes back to the Victorian era.  It was common in those days for juniors and seniors to run together and with this race, that tradition has continued to the present day.   Being a short up and down fell race, it favours the juniors and so it proved today.  Will Pease, a very promising U13 junior took on all comers and managed to hold one of the Jebb family at bay to take the overall race win.  In the women's race, it was again a junior who took the honours, with Under 13 runner Bethan Buckley leading them all home.  In fact 6 runners out of the top ten finishers were juniors. 

The weather was good for this race, which is why the show was moved from September and it was run in an nice atmosphere with many family members all taking part together.  It also attracted runners from far afield and perhaps some were on holiday in the area. 

Full Results including all junior races.

What a good day out for the club in this tough 13.5 mile race.  Emma Jarvis had a faultless run.  By the time she passed the Shooter’s Arms at the top of the first climb, she had already built up a good lead.  However, she kept her concentration and kept up her pace to finish an easy winner with a lead of over 4 minutes over 2nd woman, April Thorpe. Further down the field, Jackie Collins looked to be struggling and she came home fourth.

In the men’s race, Tom Corrigan set off at a good pace and by the Shooter’s Arms, he had built up a good lead, he was looking comfortable and going well.  By the time he reached the reservoir and the Coldwell Activity Centre, his lead over chasing runner Aidan Holgate of Clayton had closed.  On the touch line, spectators were asking whether he had gone off too quickly.  By the time the leaders reach the last climb up Southfield Lane,  Aidan had taken the lead but he looked to be battling as he approached the top of the climb.  However he managed to keep going and led Tom home by just under 40 seconds.  These two had been in a battle of their own and finished well in front of the chasing pack.

However, the top ten was dominated by Barlickers.   Andy Collins had a sound run and was in 5th place ascending the final climb, but he dug deep and came home 4th.  He was followed  home by David Mirfield in 8th and Stephen Hall in 9th to make it four Barlickers in the top ten.

Further down the field Gary Thompson always looked to be going so easily, yet he had a great run to finish 1st V60 with a lead of 15 minutes over Dave Naughton of Cheshire Hill Runners.

The Barlickers finished as follows:

2 Thomas Corrigan 1:20:51
4 Andrew Collins 1:24:43
8 David Mirfield 1:26:03
9 Stephen Hall 1:27:53
18 Ben Whitehead 1:34:23
25 Andy Berry 1:37:46
26 Hannah Jarvis 1:38:16 Race Winner, 1st F35
31 Gary Thompson 1:42:18 1st V60
43 Jacqueline Collins 1:47:15
48 Andrew Smith    M55 1:48:41
49 Carl Pawson    M45 1:48:45
94 Anthony Brown 2:03:41

Full Results

 It was almost a perfect day for racing.  It was not too hot, it was dry underfoot and the only drawback was a strong head wind on the top.  Being both a British & an English Championship race, it brought all the top runners in the UK together.  The first runner home was Finlay Wild who broke the long standing record for this race set by Colin Donnelly in 1988.  Not only did he break the record for the race, but he cycled over from Oxenholme in the Lake District after catching the train down from Fort William.  What probably spurred him on to this new record time was the fact that he was being hotly pursued by Daniel Haworth of Matlock AC who came home in second place.  It was an inncredible performance from these two athletes.  This was fell racing at its best.  These two were followed by Matthew Elkington of Ambleside AC

What was also remarkable was that the fact that the fourth runner home was an MU23 and is only 18 years old.  It was Finlay Grant of Dark Peak.  This young man has a very bright future in the sport.

In the ladies race, Sarah Willhoit was leading  at the summit cairn, but on the descent, she was passed by race winner Hannah Russell and second place Nicola Jackson.

Behind the first three, Sharon Taylor put in a good performance to finish first FV40and Eve Pannone was first FU23 in 7th place.

Results