‘Twas the week before christmas

You lot were definitely stirring in spite of yet more appalling weather in the parks, zoos and on the fells. It’s almost Christmas and the festive spirit is certainly in evidence both in donning fancy dress and giving generously to our Cumbrian Neighbours ( our donations are currently at £685 – you can donate here )

Saturday 19 December

Tour de Helvellyn – Report by Nicholas Olszewski

It all started at 05:30 Saturday morning when I picked up Martin Terry. As we drove towards the Lakes up the M6, the weather deteriorated with every mile with driving rain and horrendous winds. I think then we both knew we were in for a challenging day on the fells.

Devastation on the footpaths of the Lake District following the recent storms. Photo by Aleks Kashefi

Having checked in and gone through a rigorous kit check I finally set off, leaving Martin to go through the kit check as I knew he would catch me up somewhere on route and hopefully we’d finish roughly the same time. Stepping outside it was still slightly dark and raining still. The route to Howtown was relatively easy going underfoot, just the high winds and rain to contend with. The first control point is at Martindale church, with then a small road section towards Boardale and over Boardale House heading towards control 2 at Side Farm. This was when it all started to turn into gill scrambling as the amount of water that was emanating from god knows where was unbelievable; that coupled with the gusty headwind made it a gruelling assent over to Patterdale.

At control 2 we had to be diverted slightly due to the flooding and route being too deep in water, so a slight deviation was taken and I soon found my way heading towards control 3, Swart Beck footbridge, which is on the way up to Sticks Pass on Helvellyn, in the middle of nowhere. As I dibbed in I thanked the marshals for being here in these horrendous conditions. All was going well, it was a slog but I felt fine and as I headed over Sticks Pass and down the other side the rain began to ease off and yes, the sun did come out for a while and control 4, Stannah Beck footpath was duly dibbed.

Nicholas Olszewski heading up Sticks Pass at the Tour de Helvellyn. Photo by Granddayout Photography

The next two controls, 5 and 6 were possibly the worst as we traversed the foot of Helvellyn. The flood damage was clearly visible, massive mud and rock slides had to be negotiated along with some hairy river crossings as all the foot bridges had been destroyed, lying in bits further down the fell side. I’m still amazed that no one was hurt or even washed away at some of these crossings as the ferocity was not to be taken lightly. Raise Beck was possibly the worst for me as I leaped in, throwing all caution to the wind and cracking my shin on an underwater rock. It was the only way I could get across to the other side and make the assent to Grisdale Tarn and back down to Patterdale, then follow the outward route back to Askham Community Centre.

Climbing out of Patterdale over to Boardale the wind began to pick up again, very nearly whipping my legs from beneath me, so strong and very slippy underfoot as I cautiously navigated my way down to lower ground. Arriving back at Askham in a time of 8:15 in 29^th positon, well chuffed with that, and better than last year, although last year was a slightly different route, Martin had a great run, coming 10^th in a time of 7:31, a great day, but both mentally and physically draining.

One more challenge left in the day, driving back down the M6 in this horrendous weather.

Full Results

Sunday 20 December

Rudolf Red Nose 5

Seven club members took part in this 5 mile multi-terrain race around  Blackpool. The event is run on property access roads and around a golf course on purpose built trail and includes section of caravan park perimeter road and short field section. The race HQ is a local fire station located 400 metres away from the course start and finish which are both on a closed car park used during the week for main hospital staff parking and at weekends as overspill for the Blackpool Zoo who do not require it on this date. The race also raises funds for the local Hospice by taking donations for the refreshments provided before and after the race

Report by Richard Lawson

If Wendy (Dodds) had hoped by coming south to avoid the Lakeland floods she failed as several sections of the course were awash at the back of the De Vere. A sea of green and red Santas and Elves made me think it was I who was in fancy dress in my club vest as we set off , observed by  noisy sea-lions, a conspicuous albino wallaby and a threatening pack of wolves. The ubiquitous Julie Toman and Martin Brady braved the course and we had four age group winners in Steve Biscomb M60, Wendy Dodds W65, Val Lawson W70 and Richard Lawson M75. Thanks go to Dave Waywell and his team

Results

The Stoop Fell Race

All competitors receive a free Santa hat that they must run in! There is also a “Festive Fancy Dress” competition with ‘Cadbury Xmas Choc stocking’ for the best 8 costumes. Fourteen club members donned the Santa hat to take part in this 5 mile race with 820ft of climb.

Dave Motley at the Stoop Fell Race. Photo by Scott Leach

Clayton Ladies Alison Dugdale, Jean Brown and Katy Thompson at the Stoop Fell Race. Photo courtesy of Katy Thompson

Results

Junior Stoops (Curly Wurly) Race

Report from Tina Hines Holt

Great morning out at Penistone hill for the stoop quarry runs. Brilliant fancy dress and even got some treats at the chocolate throw out at the end. Briony came 1st under 14s girl, but is still suffering from a sore foot injury from September.

Briony Holt slipping and sliding but still first girl. Photo by Woodentops

Well done everyone who took part. It was a great race to watch, with a few slippery stumbles along the way.

A rather muddy Dexta Thompson and Chris Brown at the Junior Stoop Races. Photo by Woodentops

Under 8s Race

Under 10 / 14 / 16 Race

Parkrun roundup

Some great running in evidence at parkruns this weekend with first place finishes for Richard Stevenson and Christopher Holdsworth. A special mention for Sophie McIntosh who got a PB at the Southwark parkrun on day 19 of her Marcothon. Marcothon is a commitment to run every day in December for at least 5k or 25mins so very well done Sophie (and all our Marcothoners).

Burnley parkrun – A total of 180 runners took part.

James Boult and Andy Quinn at Burnley parkrun. Photo by David Belshaw

Dewsbury parkrun – A total of 83 runners took part.

Heaton parkrun – A total of 354 runners took part.

Pendle parkrun – A total of 79 runners took part

Southwark parkrun – A total of 123 runners took part.

Sophie McIntosh (L) on day 19 of her Marcothon at Southwark parkrun.

Witton parkrun – A total of 96 runners took part.