Bogs, Skylines, Tops and Chases

Calder Valley Fell Runners – 23 May 2022

Wednesday evening, 18 May, saw the ever-popular Blackstone Edge fell race take place – a short but very sharp 5.6km event with 366m of ascent. The race starts and finishes from Knowl Farm, Littleborough and, as competitor George Kettlewell says, the course has a bit of everything: ‘steep climbs, full-tilt descents and a big stinky bog which you go through twice’. There was a great turnout from CVFR – the first ‘counter’ in the club’s summer series.

The race was won by Samuel Lungo (MSEN), Pudsey & Bramley AC, in 31:39. The first female was Rowen Pymm (FSEN), Saddleworth Runners, who finished in fine style with a time of 39:35.

Rod Sutcliffe looking great at Blackstone Edge race.

For CVFR, Mark Wharton (M55) was first home in 38.15, followed closely by George Kettlewell (MSEN) in 38:28. Kieran O’Prey (MSEN) had another great run to finish in 39:30, and Stephen Smithies was CVFR’s first M50 home, in 40.01. Jonathan Emberton was our first M60 in 42:10, followed closely by Tim Brooks (M50) 42:28. Alex Deltenne (MSEN) stormed in at 43:19, with James Cooke in hot pursuit on 44:13. Joe Nerini, back from injury, ran a fine 44:41, and Oliver Beaumont continued his impressive results with 46:23. A big hurrah for Dick Spendlove too, our first M75 home in a remarkable 46:38, closely followed by Sophie Baggott, our first female, in 47:39. Graham Lloyd (M60) ran a creditable 48:40, with Michael Wardle (M65) close behind on 49:34. Tony Steward (M65) came home on 50:02; Graeme Woodward (M60) 52:23; Peter Heywood (M50) 52:52; Abbi Fearnley (FSEN) 54:12; Fiona Lynch (F45) 62:48; Rod Sutcliffe (M70) 65:22, and Andy Smith (M50) ran a great 70:50 to bring home the CVFR contingent.

Saturday 21 May saw the Lower Borrowdale 10k and 20k races – the 20k race is part of the FRA English Championships and really challenging race. The valley of Lower Borrowdale is on the edge of the Southern Lake District, not far from Tebay, and the race, unsurprisingly, features 1000m of ascent. Plenty of glorious landscape was to be had for those not too shattered to enjoy it!.

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