Fell Running Update - A report by Phil Clayton

The 2nd English Championship Fell Race was run in appalling conditions, cold temperatures and heavy rain, on the 6th of June. Local athletes Phil and Emma Clayton made the long trip to Church Stretton for the 5.75 mile 2500ft ascent/descent race. Being a "short" race the ladies ran separate to the men, this allowed for some very competitive running. A lead group of 4 runners quickly broke away from the pack and made good time over the undulating run out to the first big climb. Emma reached the summit in 3rd position and the ensuing descents and ascents saw the top 4 positions change often. A little ground was lost on the final ascent and Emma eventually finished in 4th position, 2nd U23, however the top 4 runners all finished within 40seconds of each other; Philippa Jackson (Keswick) retaining her position as championship leader. The cool weather and rain allowed for some fast times, with sodden grass underfoot aiding the athletes on their descents.

Emma's time was 54:53 4th out of 69, Phil's time 60:11, 99th/198.

A short break of just two weeks was allowed before the 3rd championship race at Tebay in the Eastern Lakes on the 20th June. Medium distance race 9miles and 3000feet also doubled as a British Championship so increased competition was expected. Excellant weather conditions prevailed and the runners set off from a massed start, once on the open fell, several route choices became apparent and runners were seen to be converging on the first checkpoint at the summit of Rispa Pike from all directions. After this though the paths were more evident to the finish. The route offered some exceptionally steep descents and ascents, and several stream crossings. The final ascent up to Blease Fell was nearly 750ft in half a mile, Phil clocked this at about 13mins.

Emma started well and battled strongly within the top three positions, she fell back to third place on the ascent of Blease and was about 200m down on the 2nd place runner, Fiona Maxwell of Ireland, however the 2.5 descent to the finish allowed Emma to make up the loss, eventually finishing 2nd lady in time of 1:24:29, just 19secs off the course record.

An excellant result for Emma, having now achieved 2 2nd placings and a 4th in the English senior championship, thus retaining an overall position of 2nd lady. To retain this position Emma needs a top three placing in one of the "long" races, however she will not be running at Wasdale which is quite an extreme race at 21miles and 9000ft. The alternative is Langdale 14mile 4000ft in October, however it is not yet known if Emma will run this yet as she is hoping to be in America starting a masters scholorship this August.

The Tebay win has given Emma (unofficially) the U23 English Championship title, and the lead in the U23 British Championship, the final race being at Y Garn in Wales on Aug 1st.

Emma's time at Tebay was 1:24:29, 2nd lady and 72nd overall out of 309 runners, Phil's time 1:32:28, 138/309.

Prior to these two races, Emma was selected for the Yorkshire County Fell Team, the County Championships were held at Hutton Roof Craggs, 7miles 1200ft, over a fast cross country type course with two significant climbs, which made for some fast times. Ladies winner was Olivia Walwyn, Emma was 5th lady and as the Yorkshire Ladies returned 3 runners in the top ten County Gold was theirs.

Emma's time was 56:48, 5th/74 ladies, 69th/345, Phil's time 59:44 90th/345

LATEST UPDATE - 29th June 2009

The Tebay race was also the England selection race for the Snowdon International Mountain Race which takes place on the 18th July. Ladies selection was first lady with the other two places going to commitee, last years winner Katie Ingram asked to be considered. After 4 days of anxious waiting Emma was ecstatic to hear that she had been given a place in the team. This will be Emma's 2nd England team selection, finishing 11th in the World Junior Championships in Turkey in 2007.

The Snowdon race is considered to be one of the toughest in the European race calender, with a 5mile ascent to the summit of Snowdon at 1085m, followed by an extremely fast descent by the same route. Winning ladies times times are ascending approx 55mins, descent approx 25mins (1:20), however the mens record is 62mins..........wow.

Emma is now preparing for Snowdon, getting long climbs in over the next couple of weeks; hopefully travelling to Wales before the race to run the course at near race pace. this visit will also allow for a recce of the British Championship Y Garn course.

 

 

 

 

 

19th July 2009 - Report by Sam Ritson

Today I ventured to Great Hucklow in Derbyshire (between Castleton and Bakewell). This was my first short but steep fell run – 6.5m with 1125ft of climb (most of which was in the first hill!). The route was a mix of heavy grass, muddy paths and head-high fern with quite a few bogs and a few river crossings thrown in. There were three main hills, the first being very long and steep and requiring most of the first mile to be a walk. A couple of the downhills were also tough with real care needed not to simply slide to the bottom. Some downhill practice was possible though - on a long mossy section where I figured a fall would at least receive a soft landing.

The course was really well marked and had plenty of marshals and a couple of runners at the back acting as sweepers (to whom I was uncomfortably close during most of the run!). Although definitely a tough day out (my calves are still ringing) the organisation makes this a good one to simply turn up and have a go.

 

15th August 2009 - Report by Sam Ritson

Another great run off-road.  While Gary Armitage ran the full 26m, I elected the more manageable 13m. The run benefited from the recent dry weather – so no bogs! There were certainly some hills although it seems the shorter route missed the one that took you to the very top of the peak shown in the picture.  Overall, bar one wooded incline early into the run, the hills were certainly runnable with greater difficulty coming from a couple of very steep descents.   My first race going solo, I did get lost a couple of times – which did lose me a number of places but I did try (and am still trying) to not over worry about it (getting lost all being part of the fun apparently!).

 

7th July 2009 - A report by Sam Ritson on the Osmotherley 17, 26 33 Race held on 4th July 2009

After a gentle drive starting at just before 6 a.m., Gary Armitage, Rod Burton, Rowan Turner and I arrived in Osmotherley, near Northallerton. The Osmotherley Phoenix is an off-road run offering three distances – 17, 26 and 33 miles. Gary went for the 26 while Rod ran the 17 with Rowan and I.

The course is set in the hills of Hambleton and climbs 2000 ft over the 17 mile course and with 3500 ft over the 26 mile course. The terrain was firm all the way and featured a mix of woodland, grassy fields, soft tracks and some paved tracks. The route obviously involved a number of hills but having taken the sensible approach of walking the steeper sections were able to retain enough energy to enjoy the incredible views all around us.

These runs have a very different feel to road races - the pace has to be steadier; many people run in pairs or groups; there is no real competitive edge (there probably is nearer the front!) with groups interchanging positions and having a chat as they do so. Some sections, mainly the downhills, can make you feel a little anxious and there are many times when you think you just can’t go another step - only to feel reinvigorated by a change in terrain. And then there’s the weather!

Running on the varied terrain and with the undulations can be the most exhausting and yet most exhilarating of experiences. I think it is fair to say Rowan and I well and truly hooked.

9th May 2009 - Fell Race Report courtesy of Phil Clayton

The long journey to Strathrye in Scotland was made by local athletes Phil and Emma Clayton for the 2nd leg of the British Fell running Championships on the 2nd of May. The Stuc a Chroin Hill Race is classed as an "extreme" long race by fell running standards. The out and back course consisted of 14 miles with 5000 ft a of ascents and descents. Hopefully several long days on training on the hills and maximum carbo loading had prepared the couple for this long race.

The weather conditions were perfect, sun and cloud, some rain, cloud cover was above 2000m, good visibility was expected on the summits.

A 2.5 mile gradual ascent (500 ft) from the start line allowed for some good running before the hard work really began. the climb continued up to 525m before the steep drop into Glen Ample valley. Emma was working well here and maintained 4th female position at the start of the climb up to Beinn Each, a climb of 1500 ft in just over a mile, this was extremely steep, all the runners were walking at this time, having to pull themselves up by hand it was so steep.

From the summit of Beinn Each at 813m (2400 ft) we dropped down slightly to 700m before the last slog up to the summit of Stuc a Chroin at 975m (3000 ft), and that was just halfway, but at least the return journey was mainly downhill!! Phil counted Emma as 8th lady as she descended past him, only 2 minutes to the top she said, if your coming down that is, Phil reached the summit 8 minutes later! Emma achieved the halfway point in 1 hour 40 mins, Phil in 1 hour 48 (first man home was 2:05 hrs). The slightly different return route provided mainly descending running back into Glen Ample, a drop of 2000 ft in 3 miles, unfortunately we had to climb back out the other side to complete the return journey, by now tired legs were showing all around, still with another 3.5 miles yet to run.

Having survived the last climb a steep descent led back onto the undulating forest track for the 2.5 mile sprint back to the finish.

Emma finished in 2:52 (first lady finished in 2:29) a fantastic effort for her first serious attempt at this distance over an extremely tough course. A cautious descent over the extremely rocky mountain sections cost Emma several places, finishing 11th female runner and first U23, 112 overall out of 319 runners. Phil's better descending technique allowed him to gain a few places on the return, eventually finishing in 124th position in a time of 2:56.

Emma's times Out 1:40, Return 72 mins, Total 2:52. Phil Out 1:48, Return 68 mins, Total 2:56.

Shining Cliffs Hill Race Easter Sunday. 4.88 miles, 1060 ft climb/descent.

An excellent 2 lap course set in woodland at Ambergate in Derbyshire. a descending start favoured both Emma and Phil, maintaining respective positions of 4th and 7th on the ascent, however after missing a turn runners 3, 4, 5, and 6 allowed Phil to move up to 4th position. After realising their error the missing runners got back on course but the 2 minute diversion was too big a margin to make up. Phil maintained 4th position until after the turn to repeat the loop, but descended really well to move into 3rd place. Emma rallied well and moved up the places but was unable to catch her Dad, finally finishing in 7th place, 1st lady overall, in a time of 40:07, still managing to knock 3 mins off the record. Phil finished 3rd, 1st V40 in a time of 39:13. This was Phil's first victory over Emma this year, Emma says it doesn't count though    ..............................what do you think?

P.S. Congratulations go to Rachel Robinson for coming 4th U18 Lady at Coiners Fell Race on Bank Holiday Monday. This was only the 2nd race of the Championship so lets hope that Rachel can get into medals position.

Our next race is Blackstone Edge 3.5 mile 1200 ft on Wed 13th May.
Next English Championship (Seniors) Stretton Hills 6th June, (Juniors) Shutlingsloe 25th May

 

 

 

 

12th July 2009 - Reporter Sam Ritson becomes a Smugglers Trod spy for the day

This Sunday saw Gary Armitage, Rowan Turner, Rowan’s friend Emma and I head north to Robin Hood’s Bay to do a recce of the Smugglers Trod off-road race which is to be held on Sat 29 August. I have attached a couple of photos as they really are the best way to describe exactly why it is worth getting up at 5am on a Saturday, driving for 6 hours in total and getting blisters on the end of every toe.

This run was quite different to Osmotherley. While it was undulating, there were only a couple of particularly steep sections (one of which I will come to shortly). The terrain was very different with much less use of established tracks and trails. Some elements were quite tough as we battled through thick bracken (“exfoliating” said Gary), a number of bogs (only one shoe lost this time but some different weather conditions could see a very different outcome!) and thick heavy grass which just sapped your energy.

This will be the one of the first races for Rowan and I that is navigated based on the grid references provided – hence the need for a recce. One element that may have been best not known in advance is the final hill – taking us from a lovely downhill section into the bay itself back (very very) steeply into the main town area. On this occasion, Gary was kind to us and we walked the hill after a well needed drink in the pub. But I think we may need to save a bit for it on the day….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Gold at Snowdon - Report by Phil Clayton

Last Saturday (18th July 2009) saw the 34th Snowdon International Mountain Race.  There were 500 entrants to the race, including the teams from the home countries and teams from France, Italy and Slovenia.

Emma, currently ranked 2nd in the English Fell championships joined teammates Pippa Jackson, English and British Fell Champion 2009 and Katie Ingram, England Mountain running International at Llanberis in Wales for this extreme mountain running event.

The 10 mile race consists of 5 miles to the summit of Snowdon and back, an ascent of 3300ft.

Emma started well and was competing for 5th place at the halfway stage. She was 9th at the summit, however was disappointed with her time of 57:28 mins.  England ladies Katie Ingram and Pippa Jackson were well placed in 1st and 2nd place respectively with times of 48:31 and 52:46, therefore Emma had it all to do on the descent especially as there were 3 Scottish ladies in front of her. 

Some excellent descending skills by Emma proved her worth in the team as she not only passed all three of the Scottish team but also managed to catch and pass the third placed runner who was in fact over 4 mins in front of Emma at the summit.

Katie and Pippa maintained their positions to the end, a superb race by Katie who finished in 1:15:46, nearly 8 mins in front of Pippa 1:23:10. Emma also managed to cut Pippa's 4:28 minute lead to just 2:28 by the finish, giving Emma the 2nd fastest female descent of the day, and within the top 15 fastest female descents of all time.

Emma finished in 1:25:38, ensuring indivdual bronze and England team Gold.

Emma's next race is in just two short weeks time, once again back in Wales for the final British Championship race, on Y Garn on the 1st of August. This race is 3 miles with 1500ft ascent / descent, having previously reccied the course Emma is confident of a good position at this race.  Following this she has the World and Commonwealth Trials at Keswick on the 16th of August.