The big guns were out in the Lakes last weekend for this year’s Fairfield Horseshoe as the race featured as a counter in the 2013 English Fell Running championship. Calder Valley sent a strong contingent of top runners to compete in a field which read like a whose-who of fell running; with the International talent of Lloyd Taggart, Rob Hope, Victoria Wilkinson, Ian Holmes, Rob Jebb, Carl Bell, and Darren Kay on the start line, the Calder runners knew that they would need to be at their absolute best to have any chance of a result.

Starting from Rydal Hall near Ambleside the 9 mile Lakeland Classic features a fearsome 3000 feet of climbing, across a horseshoe of mountain summits over 2000 feet above sea level. Despite the daunting ascents, Calder Valley’s ladies proved that “there ain’t no mountain high enough” for the girls in red white hoops as they turned on the style to show they are still a force to be reckoned with in national competition. Helen Fines, Jo Waites, and Sally Newman took the ladies team prize with Jo Waites also winning the V40 race, whilst the indominatable Newman finished first in her V50 category.

Well over 400 runners set off up up the side of Nab Scar to reach the first ridge. The going was tough, with wet grass making the steep climb harder. Once onto the ridge the climbs just kept coming as the route contoured around the side of Heron Pike at 2008ft. The freezing wind blasted runners against the side of the fell as the race crossed several peaks towards the highest point in the route, Fairfield at 2864ft. There then followed a series of rocky descents and climbs across Hart Crag, and Dove Crag, before a test of high speed, technical footwork, as competitors then careered, helter-skelter,  down to High Pike at 2152ft and then Low pike at 1667ft, losing height rapidly to finish at Rydal Park

Despite some impressive individual performance’s Calder men weren’t able to take any of the top prizes. Karl Gray’s 5th place and (2nd V40) was the pick of the bunch only 2 minutes behind the eventual winner. In a close finish Rob Hope of Pudsey & Bramley won the men’s race in 1.19.18, just seconds ahead of Morgan Donnelly of Borrowdale (2^nd), and Bingley’s Rob Jebb (3^rd).

For full Calder Valley results click here

Calder Valley’s Jo Buckley was in record breaking form at a sun-drenched Coiner’s Fell Race in Mytholmroyd on Monday. The race (7.5miles/ 1330ft ascent) runs from near Mytholmroyd Community Centre up to Stoodley Pike, then sweeps back round passing the famous Bell House farms of the notorious Coiners baddies of yesteryear, with a steep, contouring final descent back down towards Mytholmroyd.

Jo powered home to set a new course record of 1:00:15 and claim the coveted ladies’ prize, finishing 11th overall. In the process she nabbed the course record of her Calder team-mate, England runner Helen Fines. Backing Jo up to help CVFR win the ladies’ team prize were the indefatigable Jackie Scarfe and Charlotte Whetton who both put in fine runs.

Jo set the early pace and pulled clear of the ladies field across Cock Hill Moor, then demonstrated her climbing virtuosity with a rapid ascent up to Stoodley Pike from London Road. This steep section was added to the route last year and has proved a popular addition, giving Coiners a truer fell race feel, and about 400ft extra climb thrown into the bargain.

In the men’s race, Wharfedale’s Christian Holmes took the honours in 54:38, with the resurgent Ben Frechette being top-placed Calder in a career-best 5th place. Just behind Ben were Rob Dobson and ever-present Rob Paradise in 6th and 11th respectively. Paul Hobbs was highest placed Tod Harrier in 4th.

Big thanks go to Nicky Murphy, Jon Emberton, Graham Lloyd and the rest of the team who staged such a slick event, and to all the helpers at the finish line handing out the water to some very hot and bothered runners.

On Saturday, it was Calder maestro Jo Waites’ turn to lift the silver as she won the ladies race in the popular Cake Race (10 miles/1700ft) out of Diggle in Saddleworth. Jo finished 19th overall posting a strong time of 1:14:37.

In the men’s race, Calder’s Jason Williams was a superb 2nd as he tamed the testing course with a high calibre run with his team mate Andy Fleet taking a superb 3rd place. As the name suggests, the theme of the race is ‘bring a cake’ and there was certainly no shortage of confectionary at the end in Diggle Church. However, most of it was polished off by Calder’s Ben Frechette who, after underestimating the 22 mile trip from Cragg Vale on his push bike, arrived in the nick of time for the race, ran the ten mile route in 1:25:35 and then, on the verge of exhaustion and acute sugar deprivation, darted straight into the tea room and devoured a plate full of Battenburg slices, three chocolate éclairs, two Bakewell tarts and a prize Victoria Sponge. He then had to ride home.

Karl accepting his V40 trophy after his stunning record breaking run – photo courtesy of Dave Woodhead

The Three Peaks Race is one of the most established and possibly the most revered of all fell races, don’t mistake this superb race with a misguided charity event that involves driving around Britain trying to get to the highest points of England, Scotland and Wales in 24 hours.

Starting from Horton-in-Ribblesdale, the route leads out of the village and heads towards the first and lowest peak, Pen-y-ghent, with the summit of 2,262 feet reached just before the four mile mark. Last year’s race winner, Joe Symonds of Kendal, but this year running for the Salomon International Team rather than his Scottish club, Hunters Bog Trotters, was ominously first to the summit in 28.46. Next summiteer, was Joe’s team mate, Tofol Castanyer of Spain in 29.02. The only other runners to reach here in under 30 minutes were Andrew Fallas of Carnethy, Carl Bell of Keswick, Adam Osborne of Leeds and Rob Jebb of Bingley. In ninth position at this point in 30.16, and possibly running slightly more sensibly, was our very own Karl ‘Earl’ Gray or ‘Karlos the Jackal’, as he is known amongst his fellow elitists! Just in front of Karl were Oli Johnson of Dark peak and fell running legend, Ian Holmes of Bingley. In the ladies race, another Spanish Salomon International Team member, Oihana Aranzeta, was leading, by 20 seconds in 34.42 from Claire Gordon of Hunters Bog Trotters. The next three ladies, Jasmin Paris (35.37), Jill Mykura (35.55) and Helen Bonsor (36.29) were all from Carnethy.

With runners being greeted by wind and sleet on Pen-y-ghent, the leaders turned and made the mile or so descent before starting a fast four and half mile section of track, with a little road running, to Ribblehead. This fast running can be the curse of many a runner as they later toil up Whernside and Ingleborough after pushing too hard too soon. At Ribblehead Joe had increased his lead to 78 seconds with Carl and Tofol in joint second place in 1.15.05. Karl was pacing well and was still in ninth place in 1.17.43. Oihana was now in control arriving at Ribblehead in 1.29.21 nearly two minutes clear of Jasmin with Claire over a minute further back just in front of Jill and both nearly a minute clear of Helen.

The three mile stretch of boggy and slightly uphill running from Ribblehead to the base of Whernside is possibly the toughest running of the whole course. Then from the base of Whernside there’s no let up as the climb steepens to the highest summit of the peaks standing at 2,374 feet. With Joe’s strength being his climbing it was no surprise to see his lead extended to almost four minutes as he hit this checkpoint in 1.42.06. Andrew and Rob had moved up to second and third respectively with Rob also showing his climbing prowess, moving up from seventh. With Karl taking a more leisurely climb he fell a little further behind in time, but moved up to eighth in 1.47.53, with Ian starting to fade. Tofol on his Three Peaks debut had also slipped to sixth. Oihana and Jasmin held their pace but were starting to pull clear of Claire and Helen who in turn had left the slowing Jill.

Some say the race starts from the top of Whernside and the descent to Hill Inn is Karl’s forte. His time of 16.05 for this section was by far the quickest of the day and maybe his tactics were paying off? We are now sixteen miles into the race and Joe was now just over four minutes clear, obviously he’s not just a fast climber! Rob Jebb had established second place now and had a 44 second lead over the resurgent Tofol but there were just 14 seconds separating Tofol and Karl, still in eighth, but with five runners now in his sights. By now Jasmin was only 24 seconds behind Oihana (2.2544) but as both ladies were first time Three Peaks racers who would be stronger was hard to call. Helen had moved clear in third in 2.30.14 with Jill 2.33.01closing in on Claire (2.32.01).

Another tough section of slightly uphill running is from Hill Inn to the base of Ingleborough. Then it’s the last climb of the day which is slightly gentler and lower, at 2,370 feet, than the Whernside climb. Again, showing his climbing is supreme, Joe hit the top of Ingleborough in 2.24.46 with a lead of over five minutes from Rob. Andrew now in third had started to close in on Rob moving away from the chasing pack with Carl over a minute behind in fourth. Karl had now moved up to fifth just twelve seconds further back but with over a minute in front of sixth placed Oli. Noticibly, Tofol, after his fast descending had slipped back to eighth, over twelve minutes behind the leader. Oihana, maybe sensing that Jasmin was closing in, accelerated increasing her lead to 50 seconds having reached the summit in 2.57.42. Helen was now in no-mans land nearly five minutes behind Jasmin but over six minutes clear of Claire and seven minutes clear of Jill.

All that remains now is a downhill dash of about four miles over the limestone pavements back to Horton. With first place almost guaranteed to Joe barring any terrible mistake the race was on for the remaining podium positions. With Carl and Karl being the best descenders they managed to overhaul the tiring Rob and Andrew to take second and third, with Carl edging out Karl by just six seconds in 2.59.44. Joe avoided any tragedies and was waiting with tea in hand having finished in 2.54.39 to take his second Three Peaks win and now needs one more to emulate his father Hugh. With the win in her sight, Oihana took a nasty tumble on the limestone allowing Jasmin to win the race in 3.33.04. Oihana managing to hold in to second in 3.36.29. Helen took third in 3.39.07 with Jill in fourth in 3.46.20. Claire struggled from Ingleborough and eventually finished in seventh after being overtaken by the fast finishing Helen Elmore of Dark Peak and Deborah Gowans of Accrington.

Team prizes were won by Dark Peak men and the very dominant Carnethy ladies.

Taking second men’s team with Karl were Alex Whittem, Andy Thorpe and Graeme Brown.

672 runners completed the course.

A lot of CVFR members completed the course for the first time and a big pat on the back to all of them but special praise to Kate Mansell who finished the course in agony after suffering an ITB injury coming off Whernside. Special praise also to Helen Buchan who compromised her own race to accompany Kate over the final stages of the course.

Next year is the 60th anniversary race and Karl is already targeting his maiden Three Peaks victory and there could be no more fitting result than a win for ‘Diamond Geezer’ Gray.

A small group of Calder Valley Fell Runners lined up in a muddy field in the Newlands Valley on Saturday, for the 2013 Anniversary Waltz. This tough Lakeland fell race is held each year to commemorate the anniversary of the husband and wife team who first organised the race on their wedding day 17 years ago. Taking place over 11 miles of Lakeland Fells, the route features 6 individual mountain summits along with 3,600 feet of climb. In a dramatic local tussle a pair of Calder’s top runners found themselves in close contention, as Jo Waites and Sally Newman finished within seconds of each other.

Sally and Jo were joined on the start line by Ben Frechette and club mate Andy Fleet. Conditions couldn’t have been much better with a chilly start gradually warming in the long awaited spring sunshine. The first few miles of the route follow some comparatively flat trails up the valley towards Littletown before the serious business of the first climb up Robinson begins. At this point the path turns at a right angle and heads straight up the hill in a near vertical ascent. Hands are needed as well as legs to make progress up the grassy flanks or Robinson. Running here is impossible, even for the elite.

After finally reaching the ridge the route then turns right and defies all decency to become even steeper. It is so steep in fact that the path has worn away to bare rock and involves a proper bit of mountaineering to clamber up to Robinson’s rocky summit plateau, before runners plunge back down the hill side losing all the altitude they had fought so hard to gain in a flurry of wind-milling arms. The race then heads on the next big climb up to Hindscarth, followed by a more manageable section of downhill running and across the hause towards Dale Head. This is a delightful section of pathway clings to the steep mountainside and affords a bird’s eye view of the Honister slate mine. With no distinct route runners scatter in various directions making use of local knowledge and experience to find the best way down.

Next up is High Spy and the best running section of the event. The path here is level enough to be runnable as it meanders across gorse and moorland towards Maiden Moor and then downhill to Catbells. The thrill of speed then comes to a sudden halt as the race hits the final climb up Catbells. Once over the top it’s a short scramble over bare rock to the summit. From here the finish is in view, albeit almost 1500 feet vertically below. In true fell race style the route ignores all the sensible and safe paths to take the most direct route possible over the side of the mountain and towards that postage stamp field way below.

After their long and arduous battle for club bragging rights, Waites and Newman were locked together until the last few yards of the race, but it was the experience of the veteran, now in her fifties, that prevailed. Sally Newman edged out her youthful rival as the pair waltzed to the finish in 36th (2.00.00) and 37th (2.00.05) positions, to take 2nd and 3rd ladies spots, 11 minutes behind the winning lady Olivia Walwyn of Altrincham, who completed the race in 1 hour.49 minutes.

In the men’s race Carl Bell of Keswick AC was first to cross the finish line in a staggering 1:35, whilst Andy Fleet made an impressive finish in a fantastic 7th place (1.47.39). Ben Frechette turned in a strong run to arrive home in 2,06.47, a creditable result in a field of 269 runners.

It was another busy weekend for Calder Valley Fell Runners with three events taking place, the flagship one being the ‘Silent Valley’ fell race held over in Northern Ireland. A long way to go you may think for a fell race but with it being a British Championship counter, and Northern Ireland being a popular away day haunt of CVFR, a strong red and white contingent made the trip over.

In conditions bordering on atrocious, biting cold, intermittent rain and poor visibility in thick clag contributed to a genuine Irish stew. Chuck in just shy of 5,000ft to ascend in 9.5miles and you can see why many found the going very tough indeed, with some getting lost a waylaid on the way. Not so Karl Gray and Helen Fines who put in truly superb runs; Karl finishing 4th overall in a field dripping with quality and Helen finishing as first lady in 42nd overall; both scooping up precious British Championship points in the process.

Back in Lancashire, a handful of CVFR competed in Rochdale Harrier’s excellent ‘Wardle Skyline’ race, a 7-mile route around some eye-catching scenery between Littleborough and Rochdale. Robert Paradise, a man to never knowingly miss a fell race, was first Calder man home in a solid 19th place, with Sally Newman first CVFR lady home (3rd overall) in 51st.

Paradise was in action again the day after at Bouldsworth Hill Fell race near Wycoller (8.2 miles/ 1394ft). He went one better coming 18th, but ceded best CVFR finish to Tim Black who finished in an impressive 4th place. First CVFR lady home was Sport Billy herself, Barbara Lonsdale in 40th place overall.

Closer to home, Kevin Hoult confirmed his ascent to the upper echelons of the Ultra Distance running ranks with a barnstorming win in the 37-mile Calderdale Hike race. Building on his recent 3rd place in the 33-mile Howarth Hobble, Kevin spearheaded a brilliant one-two for Calder Valley, finishing ahead of teammate Simon Bourne, to lift the massive trophy.