Windy Gyle Fell Race 22 June 2013 - Round 3 NSP Fell Championship

The first incline of the day - out and beyond Barrowburn Farm.

The Solstice Day as mid summer is marked on the high Cheviots not by men dithering around some rocks in white smocks chanting to the fairies but by a lung filled blast across the grassy hills up on the Border Ridge. A warmish day saw 3 Polyfellas - including the first lady to feature this year in Heather Gould- take to the skyline. At 9 or so miles, the run presents a good challenge just a few weeks before the Chevy Chase.
 It is one of the finest runs in Northumberland.
This year saw the largest entry ever in the race with 74 competitors. Conditions were quite firm underfoot and visibility remained fine. The route is reasonably clear - but that hasn't stopped runners in previous years continuing along the ridge - beyond the turn off which sweeps runners down to the finish along the spur tracked by the ancient drove road of the Street.
 It was steady climb out and passed the county's finest haymeadow at Barrowburn - this year with the blaze of colour dimmed due to the delayed spring. The drop into the Trows valley opens up a couple of options on to the ridge at Russell's Cairn - but no one took the option right at Murder Cleugh onto the road and along by the plantation. The route to the top involves contouring round Little Ward Law -rather than across the top of it. It was here that eventual winner Jonny Malley split from the lead group - taking the hill out of play .

Zig zag on the final desent to the finish as Jonny Malley fends off the red and white shirt of Lee Bennett. The sheep look non committal.

From the cairn I was off the back of a group of 6 - that included Blyth's Ian Baxter and a TBH runner. An awakward stumble in one of the few re entrants on the ridge saw my time slip - leaving me in a no man's land all the way to the finish with Ian's green shirt maintaining about a minute in front. Timing the finish perfectly -  the line was crossed before the first big tropical downpour of the day - weather had been threatening with a sharp temprature rise on the Street.
 The legendary George Adamson was our second finisher - pitching up in the eye of the storm - as the water ran inches deep on the road. It was left to Heather Gould to complete the trio - one storm later and after a sunny intermission. A very mixed day on the fells.
 Jonny Malley of Sheffield Univ Orienteering Club and Dark Peak (another of DJ's addulated fell clubs) who was chased by Lee Bennett of Elswick Harriers to the line. Thanks to Keith Cooper and his team from NFR for the organisation and these shots.
Full results here :http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/raceresults/2013/WGFR_Results_v1.2_25_06_13.pdf

Championship League now stands as follows after round 3 :
1. Barry Young 147 pts; 2.Garry Robson 50 pts; 3= Martin Frost /George Adamson/Dave Johnson * 49 pts ; 4. Chris Rowe/Heather Gould 48 pts; 5. Mal Slater 46 pts; 6. John Baty 0 pts.

Club's most experienced fell runner, George Adamson in his careworn Polyshirt sets his sights on the first climb of the day.