The British Fell Running Championships came down to the wire this weekend in the last race of the season at Newtonmore Highland Games. Calder have been leading the V40 champs and needed a strong finish to to hold on to the gold medal position. Four dedicated CVFR  Vet 40s braved the 650 mile round trip, leaving the Valley Friday night to return Saturday. The race is called Creag Dhubh and is a short fast sprint to the summit and back having to jump several fences and crossing a river. Although only 3.5 miles long, it packs over 1100 foot of ascent!

Team Silver: Adam Osbourne and Skipper Shaun Godsman

Despite impressive runs, Calder were unfortunately pipped to the post, winning 2nd team on the day, which  secured them the silver medal in the British Championships. The team was Adam Osbourne, Mark Taylor, Mark Burton and CVFR men’s club captain, Shaun Godsman. Adam finished a fantastic 2nd v40 which also netted him an overall bronze medal in the individual British Championships. Shaun finished 12th v40, Mark Burton 20th v40 and Mark Taylor 26th v40.

– Calder Valley News Reporter: Eileen McDonach

This past week was a busy one for the CVFR. One of the major events in the yearly calendar is always the Summer Handicap – a race where people’s start time depends on their racing form over the year – and theoretically everyone should be crossing the line at the same moment. This race is designed so that anyone can be a winner, although the ‘bogs of doom’ near the start & the final field of tussocks often put paid to runner’s dreams of glory. This year’s race was won by Martin Howard, who undeterred by the oppressive heat – with a beat of a tenner riding on beating his Dad – crossed the line well before the rest of the field (& not far off the course record) despite being one of the last runners to set off.

Leo Illstone representing the junior club members at the Summer Handicap (credit Mick Fryer)

Elsewhere, four of the red & white-hooped ultra runners spent the last weekend of the month competing at the iconic Lakeland races. In rain of often Biblical proportions, club chairman Bill Johnson & fellow CVFR Johnnie Watson took on the 100-mile course, with our Ladies Captain Carolyn Shimwell accompanied by social secretary, Harley Beecroft. Shimwell reported how pleased they were with their medals & t-shirts – & just to finish given the weather. Both ladies are extremely grateful for the support they received from thee marshalls & those at checkpoints, plus family & friends, especially from twice-Lakeland veteran, Dan Biggs who kept them going into the night finishing after dark, despite the long trek, the deluge of rain & a headtorch technical hitch.

Bill Johnson with his medal (official Montane Lakeland 50 & 100 race photo) having ticked yet another iconic race off the list

Carolyn Shimwell, Harley Beecroft & Dan Biggs at the Lakeland 50-mile race.

In a very different settings, club members were also active internationally this last weekend. The World Rogaining Championship took place in the Catalonia, Spain. Club members Jackie & Phil Scarf competed in the Ultra 24-hour score orienteering event and won the Mixed Supervets class – meaning our club now boasts another two World Champions! Whilst in Italy, Holly Page was competing in the mini Giir de Mont race in Premana in Italy, coming a respectable second, only 38 seconds behind the first placed female runner & well ahead of the rest of a strong field.

Jackie & Phil Scarf with their trophy (photo Mandy Goth)

Amongst other impressive results this week, Charlie Ing took 4^th place at Ambleside Sports fell race on the hottest day of the year – & was most pleased to beat his brother Paul. Stephen Smithies also ran well to finish 16^th overall & second in the MV50 category. In the U14 race, Charlie Pickens raced hard to finish 3^rd with Tom Owens finishing in a very respectable 8^th place. Ollie Pickens also deserves a mention for his 16^th boy in the under 12s race.

– Calder Valley News Reporter: Catherine Jones

Calder Valley ‘Family’ Smash course records at Widdop

New CVFR race organisers Nicky Latham (seniors) and Andy Clarke (juniors) did a splendid job putting together the Widdop Fell Race. The Packhorse Inn proved to be an excellent HQ for the 150 runners as well as donating brilliant, generous prizes. This classic, local, 7 mile race has 1200ft of ascent on high moorland with plenty of tussocks and chest high bracken to contend with. Although flagged it often catches people out.

Calder Valley’s Max Wharton set a new course record in an epic battle to finish 3 seconds ahead of Gary Priestley of Salford Harriers. Keeping it in the family, next back for Calder was Max’s dad Mark, who took 1st MV50.

Max Wharton battling it out at Widdop (Credit: Mick Fryer)

Mark Wharton in the bracken at Widdop (Credit: Mick Fryer)

Women’s winner at Widdop, Annie Roberts of Todmorden Harriers finished just 8 seconds ahead of CV’s Natasha Butterfield who is on fantastic running form.

Dan and Daisy Pope also showed the CV family spirit with both running great races.

Dan and Daisy Pope at Widdop Fell Race (Credit: E McDonach)

Jonny Croston and Darren Earnshaw took the Calder Valley hoops on tour to tackle the tough Holme Moss Fell Race this weekend. 17.7 miles and 1200m of hard climbing. Jonny put in a sterling performance to place 12th overall and 2nd MV40 (3:09h) with Darren Earnshaw finishing 54th place (3.43h).

Jonny Croston at Holme Moss (Credit: Frank Golden Photography)

Darren Earnshaw at Holme Moss (Credit: Robert Jones)

– Calder Valley News Reporter: Eileen McDonach

A long anticipated attempt at the classic lakeland Bob Graham Round was announced on Saturday morning.  Former club captain, Helen Buchan, had set off at midnight from Keswick to run the 42 peaks, 28,000 feet of climbing and 66 miles.  The challenge has to be completed in less than 24 hours and Helen planned to get round in 22 hours and 47 minutes. 

Sunset on Dalehead towards Hindscarf

Helen said “I had a couple of wobbles after losing time on my schedule on leg 3 & when I thought I’d lost more time coming off Robinson (the final hill), but thanks to the 5 best support runners & 1 road supporter I could have asked for I did it!”

Late Saturday evening Helen returned to Keswick completing the round in 23 hours and 43 minutes, the newest member of the Bob Graham Club.

Out of Wasdale on the climb up Yewbarrow

Race to the Stones

Calder Valley ultra Girls, Christina Turner, Kate Pope, Gill Dickson, Gloria Ayuso and Nicki Latham competed in the Race To The Stones last weekend.  It’s a 100km race along the Ridgeway, from Ivanhoe Beacon to Avebury Stone Circle in Wiltshire. Not a fell race but hilly enough with 3,704ft of ascent, the route traverses the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs.  The girls finished in places 115 121, 122,123 and 124 out of 725 finishers in the two day event, running for just over 15 hours with an overnight camp at the halfway point.

Gloria, Christina, Gill and Nicki (Kate hiding) the Calder Valley Ultra Girls

Other notes from the Weekend’s racing.

Adam Osborne was 2^nd in the Addingham Gala Fell Race and Toby Sydes got a personal best time of 34:40 at the Broomhead Chase near Penistone.