21 June 2015 – 7 miles / 1,312 ft
P & B Fell Running Championship – Race 6 of 14
Just an hour or so from the P & B spiritual home in Leeds brings you to Settle, for this smashing little race, that has found its way onto the Ian Nixon generated inaugural Club Fell Championship.
Race HQ is the rugby club with plenty of suitable facilites & the added benefit of an overnight biker rally to add some colour & noise to proceedings. It’s then a short trot to the town square for a nicely concise briefing before blasting off up the adjacent steep tarmac trail towards the fells.
After the tarmac, there is a grassy grind up onto the tops then a very confusing sort of figure of eight where you are not entirely sure where you are…….I wasn’t anyway……..followed by a smashingly steep drop off and a gravelly traily mile or so back to the finish below the rugby posts.
Last year’s Xtalons being the shoe of choice for Matthew, Charlie, Graham, & Joe.
Eagerly seeking club points Joe Baxter was first back in second place, just pipped by Mark McGoldrick of Wharfedale for the win. Rachel Pilling also had a great run, finishing second lady to Becky Penty of Knavesmire Harriers. I then miserably let the club down only managing third fastest old git & worse still out of the prizes.
Matthew Seddon ran well in only his 2nd fell race for 19th with Graham Pilling not far behind in 28th, but run of the day goes to Mike Rees, who went round the course firmly clamping his buttocks together due to what could be politely described as an upset tummy. The normal gasp of delight at the finishing line being replaced with a taught grimace & an immediate dash for relief.
Never mind! Despite the guts, I did allow myself to take in more of the scenery than I otherwise would have! It’s a cracking race, has got everything in it you want from a fell race, grinding uphills, technical descents, good track and undulating bits in between, with a myriad of underfoot fauna to help keep the focus.” – Mike
Joe Baxter 2nd 52:26. Charlie McIntosh 9th (3rd V40) 56:20. Matthew Seddon 19th 59:33. Graham Pilling 28th 1:02:13. Rachel Pilling 31st (2nd Lady) 1:02:50. Michael Rees 72nd 1:16:08.