Welcome to the Clayton‑le‑Moors Fell Championships 2026! The season’s barely begun, the mud’s fresh, and the drama? Already sky-high. Before tackling Flower Scar, one question loomed: what are last year’s champions up to?
Men’s champion David Bagot — our reigning king of the climbs — has yet to appear at a 2026 start line. It’s unclear whether his absence is a tactical choice, an energy-saving move, or simply a decision to wait for conditions that are less boggy.
Meanwhile, women’s champion Barbara Savage is having absolutely none of that slow‑start nonsense. Barbara came crashing into 2026 with the enthusiasm of someone who genuinely *enjoys* uphill slogs, bagging her first 50 points before most of us had even found our race shoes. She’s set the tone, planted the flag, and basically announced: ‘Catch me if you can.’
So here we are — new year, new battles, same amount of mud (too much). Will David return in dramatic fashion? Can anyone stop Barbara’s early‑season steamroller? And who among us will fall over the most? One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a wonderfully chaotic year.
So, let’s find out about race 1.
Race 1: Flower Scar — The Mud, The Myth, The Misery (and The Fun)
The first round of the 2026 Fell Championships landed us at Flower Scar — a race famed for steep climbs, energy‑sapping bogs, and weather that can best be described as “aggressively northern.” Perfect conditions for kicking off the season, then!
Clayton‑le‑Moors Harriers didn’t just turn up…
They turned up ready to wobble, wheeze, splash, and absolutely give it their all.
Andy Laycock – 3rd Place (AKA: The One Who Clearly Trains)
Andy blasted round in 01:08:50, claiming a brilliant 3rd overall and giving everyone else something to think about. If this is how he’s starting the season, the rest of us might as well hand over the points now.
Harry Ingle – 24th (Possibly Enjoying Himself, Hard to Tell)
Harry stormed home in 01:22:22, landing in 24th place and proving that a bit of grit, determination, and maybe stubbornness can take you far up a hill.
The Orange Tide Rolls In
Then came the wonderful wave of Clayton runners, each battling Flower Scar’s finest bogs, ruts, and “character‑building” gradients:
- Neil Hardiman (M55) – 30th, 01:26:14
- Mick Procter (M60) – 37th, 01:28:22
- Andrew Priory (M55) – 38th, 01:28:36 (close enough to Mick to smell the Deep Heat)
- Ralph Baines (M55) – 47th, 01:32:11
- Paul Hesketh (M60) – 68th, 01:39:10
- Barbara Savage (W60) – 82nd, 01:44:50 (still smiling… probably)
- Mark Nutter (M60) – 90th, 01:47:55, bringing home the team in classic never‑say‑die fashion.
A special shout‑out to anyone who stayed upright the whole way. According to unofficial Clayton tradition, which counts as a bonus point in the imaginary “Style & Survival” category.
A Cracking Start to the Championship
Flower Scar did what Flower Scar always does:
- tested legs
- tested lungs
- and tested whether your shoes really are tied tightly enough
But the Clayton crew absolutely smashed it.
The season has officially begun — and if this first round is anything to go by, 2026 is going to be a belter.
Next up: more hills, more laughs, more mud in places mud should never be.
We’ll see you on the Hill for the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round on the 7th March.
Images courtesy of Woodentops.org.