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.

Humbleton Fell Race - 19 June 2013 , Round 2 Fell Champs



The only control to reach - and some failed - on the high point at Humbleton Fell and guarded by the organiser's mother.There are even signs showing the route home.Some probably ended up in the barn after following the arrow too literally ......

 Round 2 of the Poly Fell Champs presented  transport logistical problems  for the only 2 Polyfellers* who made their way to sleepy Haydon Bridge. One of the party was resplendent in his bright red Poly jacket replete with Marmite staining.But which one ? Did this signal that we  would field 2 runners after all ?
Public transport for the section is usually provided door to door by Trevor Wakenshaw's taxi service - but here we were thrown onto the full mercy of a train celebrating its 150 th birthday . Heavy,clammy  beads of perspiration formed on Dave Johnson's pale brow as he realised the train for HB left only 90 minutes before the scheduled race start ! It doesn't move any faster either even when you buy your ticket 2 hours before it departs.DJ worriedly checked his watch at each halt to see whether or not we could really only make it with 25 minutes to spare.
As the train crawled to its destination and Dave fumbled nervously with his rosary - providence was at hand ! One Poyfeller introduced himself to a car owning member of the public - who in a spirited way offered a lift to the start. The driver was none other than Steve Birkinshaw - a classy fellrunner (last year's winner) from a fell club ( Borrowdale ) adulated by Dave Johnson in the same terms. as HMS The Price of Wales or the England cricket XI under Sir Mike Brearley. It is a seriously elite  Club - and one of several (including the Garrick, RAC and Bullingdon ) from which DJ has been justifiably blackballed.
Steve was in no great hurry (at least not before the race started) to arrive on time.
As Steve set off we played a quick game of Top Trumps Fell Clubs - as my proud reference to the Poly fell section swiftly cancelled out Steve's Borrowdale. It then fell to DJ to enter his card. He mumbled something that sounded like 'Rum Baba' - he was asked to repeat when we got something like 'Poly but blether'. Steve and I were aghast and speechless !! DJ was wearing a red Poly race jacket - what on earth was going on  - what was this Club he was representing !
Nevertheless, DJ sat in the back seat of the car with a self contented ,smug look on his impertinent face. But that was only because for the first and only time in his life he was in front of a Borrowdale vest - as Steve's kit rested in the boot of the car.
The race was run in beautiful weather with fine views across the Tyne Valley from the ridges. It is a new race - first running was last year and was set up by Dexter Armstrong of NFR. Dexter's done great job - it has a mixture of farm track , woodland pathways and open moorland. In fact part of it cuts right across a Northern Navigators' orienteering area ( and we have some of the best areas in the county).
The course is very well taped - or so Dexter thought until NFR's Wil Horsley leading from the start soon got lost when he broke cover from the woods and contrived to cheerfully finish 10 mins ahead of anyone else - having missed the one and only control right on the highest point of the course. There were a few other random runners - some of whom ended up also as DSQ. Dave Johnson should have been DSQ as well for a nav error - but as to be expected there was no advantage gained - and in fact better still, he almost got a sharp jab up the backside from some disgruntled stock.



Steve Birkinshaw nears the turnaround point at thetop of the course. (Sorry there are few photos - and none with us - but we aren't far  out of shot!)

 The only Polyfeller left (utterly astonished at DJ's chutzpah in slighting the fellsection by dressing in Polyjacket to cover his true colours) made his lonesome way across the cotton grass and field bumps before turning and heading for home into blinding sunlight - with only gravity and Dexter's well positioned flags to guide the path after Alan Wallace from TBH had disappeared into the ether.
A first fell run (or any run ) in some time produced a result of 30th   in   46m 39 s   . Dave Johnson rolled in a few minutes later at  49m 10 s - to be greeted by a posse of worried females -  concerned at the stress he had been put under both by a late arrival at the start and some taped sections that DJ felt had been carefully rearranged by a preceding runner - to ensure DJ found himself alone in a field with a group of frisky , young

Angus heifers. Thankfully, he wasn't wearing red - he confided to himself.
The race was narrowly won by David Beech of TBH by a smattering of seconds from Steve Birkinshaw. It remains to be seen whether TBH have done enough to convince Dave Johnson about their fell credentials. What he can't doubt however is TBH hospitality as Alan Wallace took pity on him and chauffeured him back down the valley - leaving the other Polyfeller to be ferried home by Daryll Davidson of TBH - where we played a game of TBH v Poly vets Top Trumps. I had the rather difficult task of deciding whether (on account of his display that day) I could play Dave Johnson against Kenny Macpherson - as a top trump.
Great evening , record turnout, generous prizes and fine weather. Now all Dexter has to do is build a yellow brick road round the course in time for next year to avoid any more strays on his ' newbie' course. But that would make it a road run - requiring no initiative other than figuring out excuses for a below par race time.
Meantime the Poly fell champs have taken on a new dimension with positions after race 2:
1. Barry Young 97 pts; 2. Garry Robson 50 pts; 3. Martin Frost 49 pts; 4. Dave Johnson* 49 pts; 5. Chris Rowe 48 pts; 6. Mal Slater 6 pts; 7. John Baty 0 pts.

Full results.http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/html/raceresults/2013/Humbleton_Fell_Race_Results_2013.pdf
Photos thanks to the NFR web .

(* denotes fifth columnist and subject to DSQ).

Guisborough Fell Race - April 21 st

The prize of first junior to represent the Poly - goes to William Robson  William has been one of the Club's very best junior supporters for our teams.

A busy weekend for races on the fells -was completed with Esk Valley's 14 miler on the tops beyond Guisborough. The race starts with a sharp climb through the woods out of Guisborough - and then winds out on a circular route on the plateau - interrupted with a sharp climb up and down the inverted  sugar cone at Roseberry Topping.Conditions were good to soft for the running.

Congratulations go to William Robson for a top run in the junior race. Esk Valley organise junior races as well as staging the big event - a lot of work for the organisers . Then on to the main race with about 150 runners across a wide range of Clubs- which saw 2 of our runners pacing the hills.Garry Robson fired round in 16th place as our first returnee. Chris Rowe put in a steady trek in 40th  place. The race was won by Elswick Harriers' Lee Bennett -a popular winner (at least with the BLOG) and one of the areas quickest vets. The team award went to the hosts - Esk Valley - but good to note 14 teams were closed out.

Chris Rowe steadies himself on the climb out of Guisborough - Chris steadily worked his way through to 40th overall

Sadly we didn't field a team. This time the team was let down by 2 absentees - one of whom did a fell running lite event (called orienteering); the other succeeded in running for less than 17 minutes on the Sunday- apparently , he said, there was also a gradient achieved by stepping off a kerb 5 times on a circuit. Of course, no self respecting fell runer would boast of performance in a race lasting any less than 35 mins (and certainly wouldn't tell his colleagues he'd done it) - and even then would expect to climb min 300 m and run through a thistle field.There must surely be a Fell Champs sanction for this behaviour ? Still it is worth noting that since this individual has avoided a proper race - his football team has leaked 9 goals from teams wearing red.(just like the Poly) Maybe neither can handle any more than 17 minutes of action ? More to follow on this surely ......but apologies to Garry and Chris.

Make way for Garry Robson - as he charges hillwards through the field.

Full results here :http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/results/fell/nehra/Gisborough%20Moors%2021-Apr-2013.pdf

Junior Results here :  http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/results/fell/nehra/Juniors/Gisborough%20Moors%20Juniors%2021-Apr-2013.pdf

It was a Robson family event as Guisborough as we have Lily Robson to thank for the sharp camerawork.