Other Race Results - 2005

Simonside Cairns Fell Race 2005

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Karrimor International Mountain Marathon 2005

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FRA Relay Championships 2005 - Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland

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For the first time in DFR's short history, the club sent a team to the British Fell Running Relays. The event itself consisted of 4 legs, of varying distance, with the final 2 legs to be completed in pairs.

Approaching the venue from the south-east via the Forth Road Bridge, we got a good idea of how imposing these little-known hills (compared to their illustrious neighbours in the highlands) actually were. Rearing up dramatically from the lowlands of Clackmannshire, it was instantly apparent that this was going to be one tough event. On arrival, the weather didn't really seem to know what to do with itself, and some ominous clouds threatened to dampen proceedings.

Running for DFR for the first time, I was on the first leg - hoping to provide the team with a platform upon which to build. After managing to hold a decent position over the summit of Craig Leath and descending surprisingly well on the brutally steep slopes down to Alva Glen, I found my legs 'emptying out' on the ascent of The Nebit. With no recovery time before the descent, I struggled badly on the long run down to the change-over, helpless to prevent losing ground and placings, where I handed over to Alison Raw - 63rd overall and 43rd in the open category. A time of 1:04:41 for a 7km course gave a good indication of the severity of the route.

Alison set off on the 6k second leg - by now in bright sunshine - that included a long slog up Silver Glen before the climb reared upwards, returning to the summit of The Nebit. From here the course followed an identical route back to the changeover point. Alison ran a cracking leg - 3rd fastest lady - in a time of 36:07. This moved the team up 4 places to 58th overall and 39th in the open category.

The third leg was a 12k navigational test for Ray Maynard and Tim Makin. Shortly after the start they received the route map complete with check points which they had to visit in order. The leg started with a relentless climb up the face of Craig Leath to the first check point. Some masterful route choices meant they saved ground and avoided unnecessary height loss which culminated in a superb run - gaining a further 6 positions to put the club into 50th position overall and 33rd in the open category. Cumulative time after 3 legs was 3:19:33.

Paul Kelly and Mike Mallen were faced with the task of bringing the team home on the fourth leg. Theirs was a tough 13k route that took in 4 significant tops, including Ben Cleuch, the highest of the Ochil Hills at 721m. Despite the climbs taking their toll on Mike's stomach (vomiting near one of the summits), both he and Paul ran strongly throughout to claw back another 2 positions for 45th overall and 31st in the open category. Cumulative time: 4:54:34.

A pleasing result rounding off what was a very enjoyable day at a well run event. Let's hope we can muster a team for next year's relays - they'll know what they've got to beat!

Andrew Minister 19/10/05.

World Masters Mountain Running Championships 2005 - Keswick

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September 10th 2005 and the Fifth World Masters Mountain Running Championships are in Keswick. The course is a traditional English one - with an up-and-down course. In Europe, the courses for the first four in the series have been uphill only. As usual, the entries are dominated by the host country but there is a record number of over 1100 runners in fifteen age categories and representatives from 20-odd countries. On the Friday, for the opening ceremony by the Moot Hall with a brass band, the weather was lousy; cold, windy, light occasional rain. If it's like this tomorrow, what a disappointment it will be for the organisers and the Europeans. We're used to it, of course!

Saturday morning dawns and the weather is perfect. It seems everywhere around us is having wind and rain but in Keswick and on Skiddaw it couldn't be better for hill running. There are two courses: for the 55-70s, a 9km version goes up on the flanks of Lonscale Fell with a vicious climb up a grassy gully and for the 'youngsters', an 11km route up to the summit of Lonscale Fell. Both give sensational views over Derwentwater and the panoramic background of big Lakeland mountains. And the weather is clear enough to see them.

There are 13 entries from DFR, which is the biggest entry from any club in the north-east. Ray is running but Ken has a calf injury and has to be a reluctant spectator. Gerry and Stuart have a right ding-dong, with Gerry 1:25 ahead at the top and Stuart a bare 5 seconds adrift at the finish. Alex comes in second in the MV70, 4 minutes behind a wonderful Italian athlete, Bruno Baggia, who also won the gold last year. Alison is sixth in a very competitive category. Denise, Karen Tim, Robert, Michael, David, Jonathon and Wilfred all turn in notable performances to keep the DFR vest a proud emblem. Providing 1% of the total entry is a superb effort.

Hopefully, everyone enjoyed the day as much as your scribe. There is nothing quite like a big international race atmosphere, with loads of vocal support and excitement. Certainly, I can tell you that Bruno Baggia is a quiet, shy and modest man despite his amazing athletic talent. I've concluded there are runners who have talent, runners who train hard, but the ones who succeed are those with talent who train hard. If you are up against one of those, salute them. The presentations are replete with national anthems, flags, medals, bouquets of flowers and podiums. However, at a celebration of mountain running like this, an hour of ceremony provides a fitting conclusion. Some people decry the nationalism and country flags and all that razz-a-ma-tazz, while others argue it provides an added shine to all the friendly rivalry.

As a footnote, the next day there was an open race over the long course. This time your correspondent managed to finish within 5 seconds of the gold medal winner of the day before. Maybe he was only cruising?

Alex Menarry 15/09/05

Lyke Wake Race 2005

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"We had a good turnout for the race on Saturday and absolutely vital support from Harry, Martyn Lowrie, and Tim’s brother Jeremy. The runners were: super-runner Tim Makin 7:44; myself (8:19, 4 minutes faster than last year!); Neil and Donna Douthwaite 8:44 & 10:44 respectively (although they finished together); Martin Harbisher (withdrew at 32miles); Glynn Frith, Pete Williamson and Andy Brown all withdrew between 28 and 30 miles."

Gerry Hehir 12/07/05

Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon 2005

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This race will probably best be remembered for Ken Maynard's winning run in the individual Klets class - the toughest class in the event! This was undoubtedly a hell of a result - well done Ken.

DFR members Mark Bevan and Patrick Bonnet were also competing and I've yet to hear how they got on. Mark had a result just being there at all as his policeman partner had had to pull out due to the Gleneagles summit (although I haven't managed to locate that one on the event map).

Gisborough Moors 2005

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Clay Bank West Fell Race 2005

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Carnethy 5-Hills Fell Race 2005

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This race marked Grainne's return to racing after a 9-month absence due to an ankle injury. 'Horself' and Gerry were the only DFR competitors although Alex Menarry in Carnethy guise was marshalling at the event. You can read what Alex had to say here.

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