Durisdeer Fell Race 2015 & The Rest of the Week’s Action

Durisdeer Fell Race 2015

“We started outside the village church, with a mad dash through the parking field, and over a stream onto the hill – about a mile and a half of it to Black Hill, gaining about 300m which was immediately lost in a knee wrenching descent…”

Durisdeer is a tiny hamlet in the Southern Uplands, about 3 hours up the motorway from home. The annual fell race (9.5m/4000′) usually attracts about 30 runners, but this year 268 competitors gathered for the second British Championship race of the year.

Friday had been the hottest day of the year so far, but luckily the temperature had dropped with a light but cooling breeze. Linda and Pete Lord were up in Scotland for the week, so Wendy, Jean and I travelled up together, arriving to find ourselves parked next to an injured Jon Sharples. Jon was chauffeuring Gwilym Williams, former Clayton newsletter editor, over from Austria – the only Clayton man to race, and the one who was the furthest from home!

We started outside the village church, with a mad dash through the parking field, and over a stream onto the hill – about a mile and a half of it to Black Hill, gaining about 300m which was immediately lost in a knee wrenching descent. After smiling for Pete’s camera before crossing the road, there was a more gradual climb to the third checkpoint, remembering to shout “Happy 70th birthday,” to the organiser’s mother, Jessie. Back across the road, with support from Pete again, then a long climb up to Well Hill, the highest point on the race. One more short climb back up to Black Hill then a fast grassy run down to the finish, just spoilt by the short but steep pull up through the parking field.

There was no need for anyone to go hungry after the race; the village ladies were all set to feed the 5000 – and we were feeding the midges. Despite the midges, we stayed for the presentation where Wendy, Linda and I were all awarded prizes as the first three LV60s. Jean was 22nd lady and 7th LV40, despite still recovering from her record breaking Old County Tops run and a 50m race on the mountains round Lake Annecy a couple of weeks ago. Gwilym found a new friend to run round with – Jean Robson, a former Clayton member now living in Scotland.

The Southern Uplands are lovely grassy rolling hills, well worth a visit. If the Scottish race in the British Champs is in that area next year, let’s hope more runners can see their way to travelling there – not that much further than Keswick or Wasdale.

137 Jean Brown LV40 2.04.08

155 Wendy Dodds 1st LV60. 2.08.47

222 Katy Thompson 2nd LV60 2.27.24

229 Linda Lord 3rd LV60 2.30.17

264 Gwilym Williams M60 2.59.40

268 ran incl. 73 ladies

Thanks to Katie Thompson for the report. Full results can be found Durisdeer Results.

The Rest of the Week’s Action

Worsthorne Trail Race

In an excellent contest between two of Clayton’s best talents, Danny Collinge managed to pip new member Joshua Boyle in this tough 5 mile fell race. This will be the first of many exciting battle’s between the two young Harriers, and I look forward to seeing them contents for the win once again in the future.

Full Senior Results

Jackson Mckay eased to the win comfortably and effortlessly in the junior race. He was followed shortly by Dexta Thompson in second place in a fantastic time, managing under the 20 minute mark. Third Place went to Natasha Olszewska, whilst forth went to Ella Dorrington. All the juniors showed great promise and the determination to succeed was clear to see through-out.

Full Junior Results

High Hall Fell Race 2015

Julie Toman was out sole representative at this mid-week race, finishing the fell race in 36:28. Well done Julie!

2 Towers Fell Race 2015

In a stronger showing for the 2 Towers Fell Race, David Naughton finished as our first senior male in 5th place, whilst Katie Thompson finished first for the ladies.

Weets Fell Race 2015

In this week’s Pendle & Burnley Grand Prix fixture, it was a return to the toughest fell race on the calendar in “Weets”. Overall we had 34 runners compete, and I can now slowly feel my Fell Palladium Trophy slip away as I see so many super efforts each week.

Not least of all in Jordan McDonald, who continues to light up the P&B Grand Prix and is in excellent form right now – long may it continue! Full results below.

The Rings Of Shap 2015

In a race that only psychopaths will enter, runners get to choose how many “rings”, or more appropriately, circles of hell they’d like to travel around. Martin Terry finished third, choosing to race along all three rings! Nick Olszewski, slightly less unhinged decided to tackle two rings, finishing in 6th place overall. A fantastic effort from both men!

South Downs Way 100 – (Results to be found here soon)