Humbleton Fell Race June 17 , 2015

Assault on Humbleton as Chris Rowe matches Joe Blackett on the first climb.

With the winter solstice approaching and the hope that the sun might re appear after the 21 st , it was time for the mid week dash up to Haydon Bridge for Tynedale's fell race.
 The race has been going for 4 years and seen numbers progressively increase . This year it featured as part of the north east fell running championship and drew in 60 runners . The Chris Rowe 'big red bus' was there and I joined up. We've both done this race a few times but so far it hasn't grabbed the Polyfeller attention as well as it should. The threat of a Robson raid didn't materialise.
The start is  always very relaxed  (usual fellrunning affair in a farmer's field) . A chance to catch up on a few friends such as Joe Blackett of Dark Peak. Joe was mischievously checking out form on any V50 he could find (Joe's a former winner of the Chevy and regular prize winner....and very flattered to be quizzed on current pace ) . Harry Coates from Wallsend had also quietly rolled into town  -sadly  Wallsend's green and gold is quite rare on the fells .  Harry  made a few general enquiries about the route - but as we were mapless we couldn't help much. The usual advice is to follow the man in front if in doubt but that probably wasn't what Harry wanted to hear.  It didn't work either for a rocket propelled Will Horsley who in the second year of the event, found himself clear and then completed the course (5 miles) in an astonishingly unbelievable time of about 19 minutes.... . My memory of the course was none too specific except to say when you get to the top of the hill you get really fine views to the north up towards the Wall and by that point you are more than half way.Not sure Harry had a sight seeing trip in mind.He got some more substantial input from Andrew Higgins of NFR.

The scorer's pen looks a long way down that list as the  kick for home and in sight of the line finally opens up a gap. A very fine surface to finish on. 

 Dexter Armstrong (so no V50 competition there , Joe ) as organiser assumed command with  a few health and safety announcements about barbed wire (helpfully demonstrated by a marshall's  head wound  for a touch of realism .... ) ; sticking to the route which had been carefully way marked by Dexter  (so no short cuts ! ) and a 'go'.
From the off the ascent to the wood is a bit harsh as you aim for the barbed wire armed  fence crossing. One NFR (David Beach ?) runner  set for big things broke well away in the first 400 metres from the pack  who were left  scraping or scrapping  for position before the woods. That was the last I saw of the leaders.

Grass act as Chris cuts a line through the rough pasture on the descent off the summit 

Conditions were good underfoot - as this can be a squelch. Chris Rowe seemed to get into stride quite fast and after breaking cover from the first woods  I saw him for the last time that night. He seemed to have got his footwear right this time for his quick steps and I wasn't going to get past him this year on the ascent.
Usually it's been possible to witness the lead runners filing back down the parallel field from the course summit. No such joy this time - and there was good reason and not totally related to me. It was good to keep company with Neil Cassidy from Tynedale for a while leaving Neil to break a path over the sedge and  myrtle. I managed to stagger past him close to the summit. The descent was flighty with a  slew past among others a few loose females (in the sense they were strung out by this stage...)   and then  seemed to brake on the wood re entry as some regrouping took place before the final short road descent for home . Neil had then pulled level and then clear and the fearsome figure of Alan  'The'  Wallace for NFR also  came into view . Ruth Bentley from Allen Valley added to the mix. A  4 way race developed for the places in the 20s - and much to my surprise and relief  I held a line for the reds against the blacks and purples (Ruth's AVS  a quartered shirt of each colour). Words of sprint coach Alan Watt of ' Relax .....but not that much !!' ringing in the ears.

Wallsend's Harry Coates was a worthy winner on his mainly solitary run - but is tagged in the early climb by Andy Blackett from DFR.

That was the  real highlight of the night or  at least it was for a few minutes as congratulations were exchanged between the 4 of us .  The story then emerged of Harry Coates's run. Harry had  obliterated  the course record held by Will Horsley (his official one in race 3 - not his trial run to establish the route ) by an astonishing but believable 33m 2 s - and  over 3 minutes better than Will's genuine record of 36 mins plus   . Harry had packed quite a punch  once he finally got clear of the woods and coasted past the lead NFR man . His run had even included a couple of short extra deviations which could have punished the times even more.  Quite a remarkable exhibition of free running from the ex Durham Univ man as he scorched his solo path home. Second man home was Tynedale's Ben Rowley  with Andy Blackett of DFR  in third - both very good local fell runners .  Those 2  also  broke Will's previous record .
Ben, a good orienteer as well as fellrunner, had just recently finished second (to Andrew Higgins - no 5 at Humbleton) at our NN Long O event at Breamish valley; a 20 k plus thrash across the Cheviots . He didn't mention it at all  but  this is really a plug anyway for our recent race :http://www.northern-navigators.org.uk/fixtures/140615.html
On the home front Chris was a worthy 10 th (he's getting much closer to the top these days and a regular top 10 finisher) - and I filed in 26 th. Locals Tynedale battered the prizes including first team for male and females  . Neil picked up the V60 win prize before his Saunders MM.
Worth a summer's outing next year and an all round good introduction to fell running - pot pourri of everything ! Also a rather large percentage of females for a fell race up to almost a third - so definitely one for our ladies to try next year .Great support from local landowners to - it is all private land and no public footpaths . Some of the best cakes west of Katie Jones's kitchen for the finishers .Thank you to Marcus Byron and Joe Taylor  for the photos and NFR ( Dexter Armstrong) for this fine race .Oh and the sun also came out just as were about to burn  the wicker man.
Results here http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/raceresults/2015/Humbleton_Fell_Race_Results_2015.pdf

A sunshine finish from Chris Rowe in 10th spot.

Alwinton Fell Race 6 June 2015

A hearty filling in  a Robson  sandwich . Heaton Henchman, Phil Green, Graham Simpson and Lee Bennett of Elswick provide the meat - with Lawrence Johnson of Low Fell tucked in  just behind . It's a trail race at this point.

Ian Richardson last did the Alwinton FR almost 20 years ago as a youngish vet. He's  noticed some  changes on the fells since then.
Due to climate change (caused largely by Ian's attempts to smoke fish in his garden  ) , the weather has got a lot colder. Ian ran in the 90's (decade not age) in the high teens (temperature - not age) in sunglasses and a vest. Today it's much colder in June with 60 mph winds  and 0 degrees at Cushat - snowgoggles and cagoule weather.
Other changes. In the 90s females Ian rarely saw females on the fells  and never heard - when they were seen they were usually bruisers who swigged rum , sported tattoos in indiscrete places , chewed tobacco. Beards were compuslory fell kit for both sexes.
The bruiser is sadly a category of female lacking at the Poly. Instead our  more svelte sylphs  are marking their presence (without the rum , tobacco and beards - and any tattoos are discrete) .
The Poly fell section has been running for over 2 years now . The  plan was to create an exclusively  male club , to achieve and emulate in a sporting sense - what the MCC , Muirfield Golf Club , the Saudi Arabian driving instructors association, the hierarchies of the Roman Catholic church  and the  British trade unions had all  achieved in society with great success .
 The section would be a paradise of peace and tranquility - an escape  from those  female shrieks that  greet the arrival of Lucy Robinson (Ladies Captain) and her thigh booted lieutenants at the relays these days  ; or  the tiresome  female cavorting  in front of  the Club Captain with their handstands and cartwheels as they desperately try to gain attention. A place where we could enjoy (without female censure ) the Club Capt's  physiological themed  jokes , drinking beer  from assorted receptacles such as size 10 wellingtons  and games of blind man's buff with any willing barmaid.
That wise old man , Neil Dick equally was right when he saw  the pluses of an all male tri club (before he mentioned this to his wife) - but as Neil wisely said .' You can't peel a melon with paper.' Quite right.

The ascent towards Bloodybush as Gary and Graham let Lee break down the track across the cottongrass. For July Chevy runners : conditions were good underfoot and the peat hags in the saddles were dry and springy - no signs of mud on legs or shoes.

Dave Johnson (architect of the section )  achieved the purpose by  building  in a glass ceiling - where the ladies could watch but not take part. Of course, threats had been made in earlier years to break through the glass - but that got no closer than a few of them  pressing their wet noses against the screen before writing   down a few waggish remarks in the condensation and retiring to aggravate any other male vet they could find.
 That glass  ceiling held firmly in place til this year , when D.Johnson   created his own  escape hatch from the land of the sky lords  to the land of the track mortals to partake of  their leisurely events of spin bowling the shot ,javelin jousting and the DJ inspired Werther's original and spoon 350 m. The fortress had been weakened - as  the intoxicating combination  of Blue Stratos and boiled sprouts which lingers over DJ - provided a trail to the curious  resulting  in several breaking through to the fells . So we now our leaderboard is characterised by some  distinctly non male names such  as  Rachel Inman , Alison Smith, Tessa Went  and now Katharine Davis.

Chris Oliphant ( centre) is tracked by Ian Richardson out of Alwinton . Fortunately , the photo omits the full glory of Ian's sky blue shorts -  a similar costume faux pas just about disqualified Chris Rowe 2 years ago . 

But Katharine Davis has been there before. She has occasionally  competed in earlier years as a lilac and limy (NFR). However this was to be a debut run for  new Club in the red , white and navy . A decision that cost her 2 bottles of warm beer - as the NFR squad lifted the ladies' team prize..... and led to an inquisition on what prizes existed at the Poly for the 'best' lady.Why did Dave Johnson ever allow that ceiling to be breached ?
There is no such thing at the Poly as a best lady - unless one means the Club Capt's  fragrant wife who maybe should really be called the First Lady. Suggestions were invited amongst the members for a suitable prize - to be presented at the final race of the series . (Dave Johnson will adjudge the suitability as the Blog can reveal that a good wash in the Coquet with some Lily of the Head and Tails bubble bath was not apparently deemed appropriate as the water is too warm in September).
Despite all this turmoil with changeable females and wild weather - one thing remains a constant is that when the Robson powertrain is operating it won't be deflected.

Rovers return - as Gary and Graham Simpson look fresh enough to go again. Gary has his full mountain rig under test for the upcoming St Cuthbert's Way ultra in July - where he'll compete with that other adventurer , Danny Richardson.

The entire family in all weather gear headed north for the gales - including the current top dogs ( Gary and William) . This pair can't rest on their laurels however as there  are a stream of running Robsons  in the pipeline with youngsters Lilly and Henry ( Ben having turned his back on  sport for the arts) . The Robson  duo were joined by Chris Rowe - silent assassin - and 2013 winner. Then 2 NSP stalwarts in Ian and Chris Oliphant ( a hill billy these days - minus the guitar).
Having been blasted by the wind for about 9 miles (with the slowest section being the steep drop off Cushat ) , the shake down began. Gary and  Graham   were left to swap roles at the front - Gary strong on the ascents ; Graham    on the descents). Unluckily  as with most fell races - the race finished with a descent and as the broken trail was struck homebound a wafer thin gap was created - with Gary crossing 5 seconds back in 2nd.
Meantime , back on the trail , the final ascent of the day finally saw Chris put a spanner in the works of a Robson 1/2 as he caught  and then eased  a gap out of Will - which through gritted teeth (and doubtlessly several worried looks over his shoulder) he  took all the way to  the flag in 6th . Will was 2 places back. A great effort and more than enough to secure the team's first prize of the fell year with  beer and a hand crafted stoneware cup for Gary for 2nd and Will as leading U23).
Some minutes down and with the banter coming thick and fast passing the time  , a tactical  battle developed with Phil Green as a feigned  limp  forced the Heaton man into the lead role  as the home run gatekeeper ( all 3 on the run in). But Phil wasn't brought up on a barge . He wasn't going  to be out foxed as the race developed into a final 400 metre sprint for the line (measured in minutes not seconds) - with Phil getting over in 13 th and narrowly easing me out of the chocolate bar prize. Katharine followed minutes later and our team were all home as Ian and Chris cantered in.
The race marked the end of an era for Keith Cooper - the race organiser for 20 years. We were treated to his excellent post race speech - followed by one from Ian Holland, the North of Tyne Search and Rescue team chief organiser  (and ex Poly stalwart) who first set the race up 30 years ago ( competitors : 3 ). There will be some changes for next year - probably to the route which will be less on track and moor on more.  One for the race  calendar and an excellent day out on the middle March.
Full results here :http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/raceresults/2015/Alwinton_2015_NFR_Results_v1.0.pdf
Phil's blog here : http://thehottrod.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/alwinton-fell-race.html
Scott's blog :http://www.elvet-striders.org.uk/#alwintonfellrace.060615

Just William - as the winner of the U23 prize cools his heels beside a small trout stream.

Brough Law - Round 1 NSP Champs 2014 - 9 March 2014

Poker faced   Chris Waite plots his course on his first .fell race for the Poly. A typically steady start from one of our most consistent xc runners of the last 2 years.

Brough Law saw a record turnout in glorious weather of 121 runners - the Poly contributing 6 runners ( with Katharine Davis our first female for 2014).
This is a very fine course which wends across some iron age forts on a plateau to the south side of the Breamish valley. Visibility was excellent - which meant no excuses this year for missing the route. Like a good number of the Northumberland races , a lot of the climb is taken up in the first 10 minutes or so of running.

Beating a track as Ian Holland summits at Brough Law and with a sharp descent to follow on some good to soft ground. Ian collected an early season prize as 3rd in the V60 category.

The Robsons again led the line for the Club - with William Robson leading the way for our group out of the initial climb onto Brough Law itself. It took a descent and another climb onto Ewe Hill before normal service was resumed as Garry Robson worked his way forward . Garry eventually climbed through to 7th spot in a shade over 40 mins with William 29th and first junior back in about 45 mins.
Chris Waite, Mark Small and Katharine Davis had all taken honours on  a successful day's racing on the preceding Saturday at the masters' north eastern xc championships. But a fell race is something of a different order to a 3 lap xc in  Howdon. What counts for a hill at Howdon doesn't rate a contour on Brough Law. However it was mission accomplished for all 3 with Chris just behind William in 32 spot; Katharine 55 (6th fastest female)  and Mark at 81 in 53 mins.

Fast improving Mark Small has had a fine start to 2014 across the full spectrum of races from 5k  to xc . Taking on Brough Law after a xc race on Saturday is certainly one for the brave or the rash.

Ian Holland , with  good deal of local knowledge in these fells was our final runner back - in a shade over 57 min and pocketed the V60 3rd prize.
Ewan Brown from Edinburgh was the winner in 37 m 30 s - with Lee Bennett of Elswick in 3rd spot again leading the charge of the local harrier league clubs. 
A good team turnout for the first race - with Garry celebrating a strong finish and leads the championship from race 1 , just as he did 12 months ago. Can he maintain it ?  the Champs resume at Hedgehope Hill in April.
Thank you to NFR for the event and Alastair Macdonald of Runners Wanderings for these photos - some great scenery on show .

Out of the blocks fast today was William Robson as he's sandwiched between 2 classy fell races in Bruce Crombie of Alnwick and Wil Horsley of NFR at Brough Law summit.

Getting into his stride with the hills of the Cheviots folding away to the horizon, is Garry Robson. Garry steadily worked his way back through the field and was a strong finisher in 7th spot and yet another top 10 race  finish.He's led to the top by Dave Armstrong of NFR.

New Year's Day 2014 - Fell Races

Assortment of colours and characters  for the NYD event at Cap'n Cook's as the runners file steadily towards the summit

For NYD 2014 , Poly forces were split - with Barry Young (with NFR consort Dave Johnson) attending the maritime themed event at Captain Cook's - while the Robson duo sunk their teeth into Hillforts and Headaches up at Rothbury. Captain Cook's is a well supported race run from the birthplace of Captain James Cook at  Great Ayton .
Captain Cook was one of the world's greatest navigators who sailed many a sea with compass and    quadrant mapping out the world's islands and giving his name to a set of islands  in the South Pacific an inlet and a strait .
The Cook monument  bears the following inscription:
 While the art of navigation shall be cultivated among men...... so long will the name of Captain Cook stand out amongst the most celebrated and most admired benefactors of the human race
Or so they thought. Nowadays navigation, according to some  is no longer dependent on the map and compass or the skills of a  Cook .
Depending on the attendant weather and prevailing runners - the Wooler vest apparently provides a good reference point in bad weather , for some at least. While in  good conditions it is left to the benighted  'Garmin' - an electronic global positioning instrument  dependent on the reliability of United States satellites spinning many thousands of miles away in space whose signal is warped by the magnetic field and infra structure .
Garmin never had any islands, bays or inlets  named after him because he didn't find any from his dry lined and double glazed /solar paneled office with the water cooler and crisps. Nor does Garmin have a monument to his credit - if he did it would be some kind of box giving out a bleep (and rather prone to battery failure and weather) rather than a sandstone obelisk !
Nevertheless some pay homage to the god of Garmin.

To the race - and this year we had warmish conditions with lots of mud. The drive down had been eventful given that we arrived far too early with 7 minutes to spare to the start . This caused the inevitable apoplexy and road rage from DJ who had spent New Year's Eve fretting over the travel arrangements . With bad judgment , parking on a busy day could be arrnaged no closer than 5 metres from the start line - generating further pre race worry - as we lined up with the competition with 2 1/2 half minutes to spare.
The field was a mixed bag with a chance to meet up with a few regulars from the southern half of the region such as Steve Small from Middlesbrough & Cleveland Harriers ( our friends form the T & F league and doing rather well these days); Elvets had a big grouping with Mike Bennett and there was a squad from our friends at South Shields Harriers including Mick Jones and Kevin Ayre. Jonny Malley  - a strong fellrunner - had made the Xmas trip north from the Dark Peak and grabbed 3rd spot overall.
A congested start as the 280 runners headed out of town and towards the farms at the lower slopes. On the climb it became quite apparent that the heavy rains were going to make this heavy going. Last year if you could avoid the ice - it was firm and fast. It is a hard slog through the pines and onto the moors with a tough section of travesing exposed roots. The summit provides flat running round the Cook monument as we then head outback through the forest before a sharp scarp off the top. This stretch proved tricky. Having passed Kevin and Mike over the tops - I found my way hindered by a couple of runners in flats screech sliding their way down . Kevin used the chance to flip by and he was away. No hangover excuses and I wasn't about to let him lose - and at the next climb I drew level and eased away from him.
The descent down to the village and the sprint through the muddy holloway saw me extend the lead as I crossed the line at   69th in 41m 24s  . Kevin was in  next 30 seconds or so back . Then Mike Bennett eased in at 77 th , followed by Dave at  about 45 mins . A good start to the year and reversing last year's defeat to Kevin.
 A fine commemoration for Capt Cook. No doubt some await the name Garmin commemorating a race. Maybe for a breeze block alley run round Sacramento, Gateshead or somewhere else that's featureless.
Not to be outdone , the Robsons were flying the flag at the sharp end of the field in the other traditional NYD race at Rothbury: Hillforts and Headaches. This is more of a hill climb blast as once you make the Simonside Ridge the race stops. Nevertheless despite it's shortness - it is virtually ascent all the way. Gary notched up 7th  place in 25 mins with William a few places back in  13th in 27m 29s  .
Thanks respectively go to Esk Valley and NFR for getting up early and organising the events.

Season up and running !

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 !