Simonside Cairns Fell Race - 8 December 2013

Garry Robson clears Lordenshaws before the drop back to Rothbury - as he tests the wind direction with his thumb.

A record season's turnout for the Poly in 2013 at the pre Christmas fell race at Simonside as 7 Polyfellers made their way up to Rothbury.This was the place to be to avoid all the Christmas shopping hullaballoo.
The route has had a few changes over the last couple of seasons thanks to ice conditions on the flagstones up at Simonside in previous years and some clean felling of pine at the foot of the crags. It always has been a bit of a liquorice  allsorts arrangement underfoot with tarmac, grass ,  bog , greasy duckboards, forest tracks , heather swathes and then the whinstone paths across Simonside. What decision on footwear ? Mudclaws or trail shoes ?
 This time round  the route up and onto Simonside crags followed a sheep trod alongside a barbed wire fence  just beyond Selby's Cove  instead of the usual trip through the clean fell and then the cliff face steps climb. The route meant a speed reduction for the true climbers as slower runners tarried on the only clear route . The pathway was a touch narrow  until the summit was approached.
Sad to say that some clean felling a couple of years back at the foot of the crags had removed one of  Christmas's cultural highlights as the missing pines left nothing to hang the music speakers and Christmas lights on - so no more jiggering up to Simonside to the sound of Slade.

Homeward Bound is one of Dave Johnson's favourite songs from areonautics expert and crooner John Denver . He's halted at the car park and and can't believe that not one of these drivers will offer him a front seat lift to the finish. The hatchback owners offered him a run back in the boot with a flock of chihuahuas - but DJ(always the traditionalist) insists on a standard saloon as the only  appropriate form of transport to arrive in.

The start of the race sets out on the last chime of the church bells ringing at 11 - and the first sharp ascent onto the hills starts just metres from crossing the Coquet. Heather Lambert (one of our England xc runners) was happy to exchange pleasantries over the first section before drawing back to run the route with Jenny Friend from Heaton Harriers (acting as navigator). Frosty , back , just from another injurt setback looked in a bit of bother as the tarmac gave way to grass for the climb onto historical Lordenshaws - as he started to drift back. Lordenshaws is famous for its historical cup and ring stones - some early artwork , proving as the socio archaeologists would say,that primitive man had finally found some leisure time from the daily grind of finding food  to be creative.A far more productive plan would have been to develop some genetically modified crops to cope with the damp and warm conditions to allow even more time for art - but that's another story.
Conditions were very mucky across the peatlands and the treacherous duckboards were again extremely icy as we wound onto Spylaw - the last settlement before the 5 or 6 mile run back to Rothbury. This time the path through the forest at Coquet Cairn  had been waymarked so there was no chance of losing runners at this point. For the mis navigators , it's a well trod run from here  towards Otterburn until runners nose into gun barrels at just past Hollywell before they realise it's not quite right .

George Adamson reaches Spylaw - last trees before Harwood Forest - and a longish boggy stretch to follow. George at least has kept his knees clean til now.

Simonside was  hard on the feet - as the stride pattern was chewed by the flagstones. My speed dipped. Frosty reckoned he was 90 seconds back at the northern end of Simonside . As we broke downhill , he flew past and sprinted out and on to Lordenshaws opening up a 250 m gap . In doing so , he had majestically swept up several other runners in his crazed descent . A slight gain on him to Lordenshaws summit - before  the path then dipped again and through a sharp 90 degree bend before Whittondean Farm. Decision taken to deviate off piste  and take out the corner and distance - which worked quite well until hitting some knee length heather - but still the gap came down. Not nearly fast enough however as Frosty had another sharp descent to come and with his downhill speed he was going to hit the final run in ahead.

A tough haul for Martin Frost as he veers over to Simonside on the climb out - things got a lot easier for him on his flying finish.It was a freezing day but Martin didn't want his Club vest to be sullied by any other covering.

Garry had a strong run close by the head of the field putting in another fine fell display.He came back in as 2nd V45 - good form in a strong V 45 field and was edged out only by Adam Fletcher in that class. He shot through the line in close order with 4 others in sub 90 minutes. He had a good few of the frontrunners in gun sights for a fair part of the race.Dave Johnson followed  in a few moments later . We then welcomed back our other runners with Ian Holland  and George Adamson - plus of course Heather with her chaperone Jenny Friend.
The day was completed as we all welcomed back Peter Atkinson from his grand county tour. This was not his usual Sunday fare as there were no bus shelters or patisseries en route or polite strollers doffing their cloth caps to him - this was a red in tooth and claw  run. A proper run indeed.

The final run in for Ian Holland as the North Of Tyne Search and Rescue man homes in for the finish with something fluorescent in his hand . Maybe a flare.

Many then settled down in the Newcastle Arms to enjoy soup and the generous prize list.
Kieran Hodgson from Eden Runners was first back in about 82 mins. 10. Garry Robson; 40. Martin Frost; 42. Barry Young; 60. Dave Johnson; 84. Ian Holland; 100. Peter Atkinson; 106. Heather Lambert;115. George Adamson.
The Club's resident bird man, Garry then organised  a short natural history tour of the Coquet valley before we encountered a party that were  distributing  the ashes of a fallen colleague across the waters of the Coquet.
Thanks go to John Duff and Andy Russell for the photos. Thanks to NFR for the event (looking for a new organiser next year)and  for the top quality entertainment.
Full results here :http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/raceresults/2013/Simonside_Cairns_results_2013.pdf

Jenny Friend out the back of Spylaw with heather Lambert maintaining a close watch. I just hope they are heading the right way as the man in amber appears to be heading in the opposite direction. Best to take a sighting from the sun ladies !

It's now a very serious race - head down and calculating how far Frosty can be closed down before the headlong drop to Rothbury.

EMC flat earth specialist, Peter Atkinson completes a slightly more challenging Sunday run than he's used to. Joy turns to  anguish  as he's  informed that he's just missed the church service (he's as regular as the choir back at the coast where his EMC's finish  coincides with the service at Saint Woffle's) . He will now just have to hang around for  another 6 hours for Evensong

Clay Bank West - 20 November 2013

Running for home - as Garry Robson descends the final hill for the track run to the line.

A family 1-2 for the Robsons with Garry crossing the line in  14th   and William a few shirts behind at 30th . A first family 1-2 for the Poly over the fells.
Esk Valley put on the second Clay Bank run of the year - starting over the other side of the road from Clay Bank East. A bright and sunny run down to the North Yorks Moor meant we were set for a cold and icy run on the moors.
An awkward start was on a narrow, muddy  forest trail as 117 runners were stood 7 abreast . There is an initial climb through the woods until you break out at the edge of the moors. By this stage both Garry and Will were in close contact with the head of the field ,weaving along the slightly downward trail edging the moors. The jagged crags confronted us to the south ,so it was just a matter of time before we had to turn and face the hills.
Breaking south the climbing in earnest commenced. It was at this point I spotted an Alnwick Harriers vest up ahead about 250m . My initial reaction was Bruce Crombie must be in some bother - but he didn't look any worse than usual at the start. After some further reflection running through the roll call of Alnwick runners ( all of whom look more or less  the same apart from Danny Richardson and the girls) , it suddenly dawned that it could be nemesis Andy Squire. The race to track down William Robson became an even more urgent one to beat Andy Squire . As the route clipped across the Cleveland Way (on  what they call wainstones - basically rock slabs scrubbed with morning ice as an extra treat) - I began to lose time and places running wide as Andy dipped in and out of view. His progress was pretty legthargic to. Even the threat of a rampant DJ roaming in the gloaming  didn't seem to inspire a risky traverse.
The route reaches a high point at 402 m at the Wainstones Hill - and with another summit left to cross at White Hill. By this stage , yompers were out with their Everest finery and Kendal mintcake adding more hurdles. At White Hill and closing in on the finish , there was a route choice. The standard route path with its yomper creased line looked slow and awkward - the other option down through the heather offered a faster if riskier line . I went for broke on the heather and just hoped there was nothing nasty underfoot. At this point Andy came into view again on the tourist path as he haltingly ground a line down. By the time I hit the forest track for the run in - his advantage was down to about 150m (and unlike his strikes off my shoulder - he was oblivious of my presence).
A flying descent across mud made for a risky run in - but with metres running out , Andy was to make it over with about 20 m to spare. Unpleasantries were duly exchanged - while battle was joined for the next time.
Moments later the day was completed as the grinning Dave Johnson , replete with his lilac daubed vest cheerfully announced another PB and that the Poly were 1 runner short of a full team. It was fish and chips for the Robsons to follow at Whitby as they re energised after another fine showing - Garry still able to offer the experience of age.
The overall winner came from DFR Peter Bray in 31m 30 s. Lee Bennett of Elswick came in 4th , with Alnwick's Bruce Crombie just behind. 14. Garry Robson 35 m 20 ; 30. William Robson 37m 55s; 40. Barry Young 40m 48 s; 50. Dave Johnson 43m 52 s
Full results : http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/results/fell/nehra/Clay%20Bank%20West%2010-Nov-2013.pdf

Thropton Fell Race 21 September 2013 , Round 7 of NSP Championship

Rare sighting - Mick Golightly back on the fells - and leading by example as first home in 21st place in just over 58 mins

The final hurdle in the Poly's first ever fell championship - with only 2 fellers left in contention for the title  with Chris Rowe and Barry Young. Both were committed to the final dog fight over the Simonside Fells.Just to mix things up , Mick Golightly rolled up for his first fell competition and our numbers were also complemented by Mal Slater and George Adamson. A good turnout for this fine and varied race.
Organisation was again in the big hands of Big Phil Green who gave his cheerful pre race intro with a warning that runners had to stick to the forest track on the hillside return. So the 'neck break' route through the thick bracken to cut off the forest track meander was prohibited. A major blow in the challenge against Chris Rowe....an extra 600 metres or so of running.
It was a quickish start - with runners led out by eventual winner Morgan Donnelly   . Mick's trademark hot sole sprint was unusually abandoned but he was still sharpest of the Poly contingent as he headed the peloton to the stream crossing. The Coquet was fairly full this year with knee depth wading across the gravel flats.

George Adamson  safely across the Coquet . George was 4th quickest V60 and home in about 1 hour 25 mins.

On the ascent Mick , Chris and Barry were pretty much together - though Chris had taken up the lead on the road climb from Mick. Chris faltered a bit on the forest climb giving Mick the chance to break past . On the climb up the crags Chris was feeling hot breathe down his collar and he broke just over the summit as for about 70 metres across the plateau - the trophy was in Barry's sweaty hands. Unfortunately it was a brief encounter. Chris's descending skills eclipsed my ascent and he reversed the positions carving out a lead of roughly 150 metres across the heather. The forest descent was quick - as Chris's shirt dipped in and out of view through the spruce. No short cuts and he was able to break cover for the final charge retaining his lead. The long chase in and options to pass became limited. Mick's bulk was again in view as he hurtled back towards the river. By the road bridge Chris knew he had it covered as he gave a final thumbs up  for the run home. Mick took the race honours and then in high spirits made his annual promise to run more fell races next year - as part of his Ironman training. But don't hold your breath - though we may see him again here next year.

Despite a glaring fashion faux pas with sky blue shorts , Chris didn't let that put him off a classic descent and returning as a very fine winner of the first NSP Fell trophy. Chris was back in 23rd place and a shade under 59m

A worthy winner with Chris Rowe and a fine end in glorious weather to the first fell champs.
The industrial fair was again impressive - with Matt Poxon's wife, Sally, collecting first prize for a handknit. Sue Mitchell from NFR took home  a clutch of awards for entries ranging from jam to tomatoes.

One of our irregulars, Mal Slater pursues an Elvet Strider off the lower slopes. Mal was home in about 65 mins.

Finally thanks to Elswick's Lee Bennett  for the photos. Lee had the Elswick sprint section in tow ( a duo of greyhounds clad in Elswick vests ) - fine on the track but  no match for  fellrunning dogs like Trev's brace of Border collies.
Results are here : http://www.thehottrod.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/simonside-fell-race.html
( From Phil Green's blog)
Final Championship positions here :  1. Chris Rowe 198 pts; 2.Barry Young 197 pts; 3. Dave Johnson* 96 pts 4. George Adamson 95 pts 5. Mal Slater 93 pts; 6 = Garry Robson/John Baty/Mick Golightly  50 pts; 7. Martin Frost  49 pts ; 8. Heather Gould 48 pts;

Early stages and already playing catch up on Chris Rowe. A quickish descent and back in 59 m 28 secs - a mere 30 seconds away from victory !

Forestburn Fell Race - Simonside Show ; 11 August 2013

Happy days ! Our team for the race - left to right : Jane Bloomfield, Barry Young ,Gary Robson , Mal Slater , William Robson. The countryman off to the right is carrying a box marked 'Handle with Care ' - which  contains Dave Johnson's shattered confidence after witnessing this formidable Poly presence.

This is a fine show race held in the shadows of the Simonside Hills under the control of NFR's Wil Horsley. For 2013 - the weather was jolly nice to.
The race and show had to be cancelled in 2012 owing to the monsoons that swept through last August. A good dose of rain doesn't put off real Northumbrians or the fell race community- but it did make  it  impossible to organise any parking; while the Cumbrian wrestling would have  become mud wrestling bouts . This year the show had been relocated to a new field just off to the south of the Forest Burn. This meant a re routing of the course - which now went clockwise rather than anti clockwise - and cut off a short section thereby reducing the length to about 4.5 km. .The new start also resulted in a sharp tarmac descent to the Gate pub before cutting right and onto the fields for the fell run proper.

Finally , they're off , as Gary tracks clear of any trouble on the inside

The leaders bolted from the gun - but an early miscalculation on route selection meant they were aiming for the waterfall - and  had to divert back to join the others before hitting the first stream crossing . From there - a longish (but runnable ascent on to the high point of the moors before sweeping down and across the moors). The view of the field from the high point was impressive as Gary was in hot pursuit and seeking  to narrow the gap to Bruce Crombie and a Dark Peak runner . The leaders then swung north back towards the show field.

Fine running from our no 2 - William Robson with a top 10 finish. Note how real fellrunners stick to the grass rather than the track

Straggling further back , it was pure luck to meet up with ex Poly runner (now Morpeth) Claire Bruce. She's more into marathon type stuff these days, where you run along counting lamp posts for 3 hours or so. It was that stage of the race where  wrong route choice decisions could be made, Claire (the quiet fox) wasn't going to make any mistakes as she carefully picked a path which turned out to be a good one . Our group were all soon back on track !  We  hurtled for the line after negotiating the rather depleted Forest Burn and a copse of birch and oak trees.
Fine runs from the  Clan Robson saw Gary get home in 3 rd spot - with William a few places back in 10 th. Mal Slater slotted in back in  15th  . Jane picked up   32nd  . Congratulations to Bruce Crombie for his first outright win - Bruce had also had a 2nd placing in the previous day's Glanton fell race outback of Thrunton Woods.

Jane Bloomfield makes it home in her first fell race - and all in one piece - against the background of a very cheerfully coloured tent (not sure which club has those colours  but it's probably a hippy one) . A good way for Jane to start her career - and all the Poly back home  and dry !

We all celebrated Poly success by slurping down the Morwick Farm Ice Creams http://www.royaldouble.com/from the royal blue kiosk they'd set up. Some rather fine flavoured ices with tropical fruits; a few traditionals  and some nutty ones . Fortunately, ice creams have stayed well clear of those daft, pretentious names afflicting other parts of the food service trade. Naval gazer,  Dave Johnson predictably went for the rum and raisin but there wasn't enough rum in it for him.  More sport was to follow as all bar one of my strikes hit the coconuts  but none of them pitched over . My final shot narrowly missed DJ's bobbing head so that remained intact and we left with nothing to fix on traitors' row on the  spikes outside NSP HQ.

It looks like he didn't stay out of trouble for long as Gary is chased to the line by what looks like the Incredible Hulk - either that or an angry Phil Green who has discarded his NFR shirt

The show was a mixture of livestock ; classic tractors (like footie coaches , red Fergies are best)  and traction engines and farm machinery including  a 60s Triumph GT 6 sports  - probably used for carting hay bales round the farm ; hawk displays with scimitar winged grey peregrines ; a border terrier sprint race ; Cumbrian wrestlers . We stayed until late - so late that DJ's Sunday bowl of sprouts were cold by the time he got home as cold as the ice he'd chomped on . So the day ended truly successfully.
Thanks to Wil ( and I think ) his one helper who set up the race ; Ben Robson was the day's nifty cameraman.
Full results here :http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/raceresults/2013/Forestburn_results_2013.pdf

Now time for Mal Slater to break from cover for the line - with Dave Johnson (in the background)  ashamedly  hiding his head  behind an oak tree . A hijab comes in handy when there are no trees.

Beacon Hill Fell Race - Round 5 NSP Fell Champs - July 11 , 2013

The climb to the first summit and away from Lordenshaws is headed up by Chris Rowe .

Another glorious summer evening - all thanks to those great folks that have bought Chelsea tractors to run round Tesco's car parks and to cause all this global warming . One place that needed a good bit of global warming was the  Simonside Fells- the site for round 5 of our fell champs.
A wonderful drive north in brilliant sunshine ruined only by the irritating presence of Dave Johnson's scruffy puce coloured vest lying on the back seat of the Grey Shark.It was the first day of the Oval Test and by 1750 England were looking to bat  to stumps with Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott. DJ no stranger to the cricket field predicted in the final 40 mins England would score 12 - my bet of 25 looked the smarter as KP swept away 10 in the first over. DJ then proudly announced how in one match he'd held up his end ( a cricketing term with odd connotations)- while at the same time scoring 6 runs in 4 hours ( This may have been down to some spread betting syndicate amongst Malaysian OAPs that DJ had got mixed up in). As the time ticked down and the sun lowered behind the windmills - the England duo managed only 1 more run in 35 mins. It was going to be a difficult evening with DJ on a high from his only correct prediction that month.
Out of pique I refused to study the colour map he'd brought - how could you get lost on a long summer night on these fells? Navigating  in thick fog on an orienteering champs event 3 years earlier where you couldn't see your elbow from any section of the body - hadn't proved a problem.
On arrival we spotted Chris Rowe's big blue campervan - or maybe it's his house - you only ever see him in it (rather like the family of Scoobee Do) . Chris claimed he'd not fully recovered from his Chevy Chase antics a week or so earlier. He then demonstrated a limp across the training area at the prehistoric area of Lordenshaws as we limbered up by kicking at a few stone relics - fortunately members of a rival club . (Fell races provide plenty of space for athletes who like a good warm up - some even warm up by running the route).
It was a strong field for the event with some top fellrunners. The start was organised with loud 'Go' - as we all filed up the hill to the Simonside ridge . From there the route loiped back down to the valley before climbing up again to Simonside summit. I snuck in behind Chris and waited for him to pick the best line through thick heather (that's the main type of plant that thrives on the acidic  fells - and not a dim female). Chris was just about visible behind the huge clouds of flies that blackened the runners' heads for a good part of the way. Plenty of protein there - except for perhaps the sole runner from the Vegan Running Club - who'd have to dig up a root or something.

And a tricky descent home - as Ian Baxter in the distance - seeks to make up ground by attempting flight.

Then the trickiest section - the craggy drop off  the summit. Chris  broke away and then well clear across the flat boggy section before the forest - and had notched up about 100m . This called for desperate actions  to regain position . Rather than following the race line -I took a line straight through some bracken (that's a type of vegetation well suited to boggy areas - rather than a European 5k vet champion) - hoping to carve out a route that would take out a neck of road and close him down again. A few followers from NFR thought this was also a good tactic. That was until the vegetation got over waist height. Another quick sharp route diversion - and it was worse. The second miscalculation of the night.
After what seemed like ages we finally got back to the track - to find a good proportion of the field had filed through.Chris had gone and he wasn't to feel any hot breaths down his collar  for the rest of the run.
 There followed a   soft forest path section crossed by some windblown trees before a severe muddy climb on to a trail ridge - with fine sunlit views along the Upper Coquet  meanders and ox bow lakes and beyond to Holywell. By this time I was tailing Ian Baxter of Blyth - and up just ahead were a couple of Everton minted TBH vests ( Colin Dilks/Alan Wallace - I think).
 Then after a sortie through some fell cleared forest  it was time to get back onto Simonside for my least favourite section of the run - across the huge flagstones dumped on to the path to avoid further soil erosion. Never an easy run as your stride pattern gets messed around with the danger of twisting an ankle. Trail shoes proved a bit better than the mudclaws here. No sign now of Rowe - who was well on his way to full points after his goat like footwork on the crag descent - and probably rustling up a bacon sandwich and a cup of Bovril in the campervan .Bet he wasn't limping now !
The final tumble down to the finish - and failing to make up ground on Wallace and Co - but managing just to hold off Ian Baxter.

Sunglasses parked on his head -as Dave Johnson  the old man of the hills leads the race's youngest runner (James Green ) towards the first summit .

Dave Johnson came in a few of minutes later complaining that he'd had to deal with bumpers ; or bouncers (unlikely to see them here) ; leg breaks and the odd full toss .
The race winner was a GB orienteer - Duncan Archer from Cleveland Orienteering Club and Durham Fellrunners.Duncan had rather sportingly tracked and stopped an errant TBH man - then in the lead - from taking a route that would have left him at the post office at Thropton. There he'd probably have had to dial  999 and hope Kenny would pick up the phone. Despite his unplanned diversion, Dunc still had the strength to then keep up a good lead all the way to the finish. Saltwell Harriers won the team prize. Poly one runner short of  team.
Race Positions : 1. Duncan Archer 51 m 7 s; 20. Chris Rowe 1 h 6m 4 s; 26. Barry Young 1 h 8 m 46 s; 35. Dave Johnson 1h 11 m 49 s. 49 runners set out.
Full results here :http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/raceresults/2013/BeaconHill_2013.pdf
 Position in the NSP Champs now as follows :
 1. Barry Young 196 pts; 2.Chris Rowe 148 pts; 3. Dave Johnson 96 pts 4= Garry Robson/John Baty  50 pts; 5= Martin Frost /George Adamson 49 pts ; 6. Heather Gould 48 pts; 7. Mal Slater 46 pts

The debate continues to  rage over DJ's inclusion in the results with his 'foot in both camps approach'  - especially as now it seems he has joined yet another club - Keswick AC.It's certainly  not cricket - where you can only play for one team . But knowing his track record   DJ probably volunteered to field and bowl for the opposition after having surrendered his end while batting.
A rather fine evening and thanks go to NFR for the easy going and efficient way that they regularly pull these events off. Thanks also to NFR web site for a few of the photos.

Saltwell Harriers FR / Chevy Chase - Update rounds 4 and 5 of Poly Fell Champs

Hell's Path - probably the most inappropirately named section of the Chevy - as Chris Rowe takes an early lead among the Poly section.

Firstly news from Saltwell - the land of the blood and bandages striped team - and the only harrier league club to put on its own fell race.   John Baty finally discontinued his affair with that cheap, shameless, good for nothing   hussey - the Parkrun - and returned to his first love - the clean, virtuous and noble fellrun. In the biggest ever field for the event with 100 runners - John cracked round in 8 th place. So he's finally off the mark - but his dalliance has cost him dearly in the Fell Champs.
Next to the Chevy Chase - where the Poly had double figures entered - of which barely 5 made it to the start line. But a harsh day on the hills in scorching sunshine and no wind, saw numerous withdrawals - including 4 of our number. It could have been worse as Paul Doxford of South Shields Harriers managed to break an ankle on the descent from Hedgehope - with the air ambulance hovering in to evac.
The field was left open for Chris Rowe - who did not have things all his own way despite being solo Polyfeller . Having reached the furthest point possible from the start in Wooler - Chris developed a tight thigh strain. He was forced to reduce speed as he made his way off Hedgehope Hill and limped round to the finish. But it was really only the prospect of 50 points and a sun tan that  kept him moving. So 2 races - and only 2 finishers . A hard won 50 points ! The league has now slightly changed :
 1. Barry Young 147 pts; 2.Chris Rowe 98 pts; 3= Garry Robson/John Baty  50 pts; 4= Martin Frost /George Adamson/Dave Johnson * 49 pts ; 5. Heather Gould 48 pts; 6. Mal Slater 46 pts
Thanks to Alan Robertson for the photos.

Waltzing along is Heather Gould leading a conga that includes Jane Gerono , George Adamson and Judith Parkinson

George is not stranger to the Chevy Chase - but today a series of mishaps halted his progress.

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.