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.
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
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.
Amongst other impressive results this week, Charlie Ing took 4th 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 16th overall & second in the MV50 category. In the U14 race, Charlie Pickens raced hard to finish 3rd with Tom Owens finishing in a very respectable 8th place. Ollie Pickens also deserves a mention for his 16th boy in the under 12s race.
– Calder Valley News Reporter: Catherine Jones