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Whernside fell race
October 1, 2010We only had one runner from Lostock at this race, Allan Jones or is it Alan Jowrs?
| 113 | Alan Jowrs | MV60 | Lostock AC | 02:32:03 |
Good Shepherd Classic fell race – 11th Sept
September 12, 2010Well wot can i say, it was a beast. Got back off holiday Tuesday, ran with the Club Wed night then straight into this baby. Did this last year and managed to limp home with terrible cramp in 2 hr 45 mins but vowed to come back and try it again. This race is around Todmorden, Stoodley Pike area anyone who has done Noonstone or Shepherds Skyline will know the terrain, at 14 miles it is very hard.
This year i was armed with Hopeys secret anti-cramp tips and a good years extra running in my legs oh and a diet of 18 days of San Miguel. Only 48 runners this year possibly due to the fact the race was brought forward a week from the 18th of Sept and perhaps because the Yorkshire off-road 1/2 & full marathon was on the Sunday 12th Sept. Anyway a hot start up thru Spring Wood to reach the open moor and a 1st climb to Stoodley Pike where the heavens opened then down to Withins Clough ressy, we ran clockwise round and ascended to the Cloven Stone and then followed the pipe / footpath to London Rd where we ascended to Stoodley Pike again. Up to now i had been running with Tussockface from the FRA forums but once at the top (approx. 8 miles into the race) i felt ok and pulled away to catch the runner in front. We descended via Spa Wood then after crossing the rd we ascended Robin Hood rocks and on the top followed a very unrunnable single trail which stopped any thoughts of a sub-2 hr 30 finish. With my calf twitching i inched towards the finish in 2 hr 36 33rd / 48 runners.
Oh yes it was hard but i would do it again.
Grisedale Horseshoe
September 12, 2010
The was the last of the three Lostock lakeland classics and what a classic race this is. Not the usual crowds of people like a lot of the other Lakeland races, this 10mile (well just short of 12miles) 5,000 feet of climbing is a tough race!
With Mark Shuttleworth being on holiday (and already won the Lostock Lakes classic trophy) three of us (Pete Noble, Mark Checkley and myself (Adrian)) turned up to have a trot round in the sunshine. I turned up registered, and had a quick chat with John and Ian Smith who were doing the time keeping and Leo (it’s an Achillie Ratti organised race), before getting myself changed and at the start line.
The three of us from Lostock hung around the back of the pack for the start, as this is a race that wasn’t going to be ran quickly! We set off on a nice gentle run out of Glenridding and then we hit the climb onto Birkhouse Moor which is a killer climb (just short of 2,000 ft of climbing in 1 mile), this is a long slog and I could see Mark and Pete weren’t too far from me and I was struggling. We soon hit the nice run along the tops passed Red Tarn where I managed to pick off a few people who’d passed me on the climb.
We soon hit the climb onto Catstye Cam, then had a short run off before the climb up Swirral Edge onto Helvellyn. Once on Helvellyn I started to feel strong and started to pick up the pace and overtake a few more runner. We by passed Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike, a sharp decent to Grisedale Tarn (pictured above).
Sarah (my wife) was waiting at Grisedale Tarn with drinks, a quick slurp before the climb to St Sundays Crag, I was now starting to feel strong, but wanted to keep some in reserve for the sting in the tail! Once on St Sundays Crag we dropped off into Grisedale Valley (a 2,000ft dropped over 1 mile), before the nice 1.5mile of flattish running before the sting in the tail (a climb of just short of 1,000ft over a quarter of a mile), this is real hands on knees and cramping muscles stuff, lucky for me the person I’d chased of St Sundays Crag, knew an easier way up, which allowed me to pick up a few places, before the final run in from just below Birkhouse Moor to Glenridding where Leo, John and Ian Smith were waiting.
| 97 | ADRIAN HOPE | 03:13:25 |
| 118 | PETER NOBLE | 03:37:56 |
| 121 | MARK CHECKLEY | 04:12:56 |
Chairmans handicap fell race Wed 25 Aug 2010
September 1, 2010
| NAME | H/cap Time | Actual Time |
| Ray Duffy | 50 | 44.56 |
| Adrian Hope | 48 | 47.32 |
| Mark Checkley | 49 | 48.11 |
| Clive Worthington | 48 | 49.03 |
| Geoff Sale | 53 | 49.07 |
| Colin Holdcroft | 57 | 58.20 |
| Mike Ernill | 54 | 66.56 ** |
| Brian Halton | 54 | 66.56 ** |
| Susan Caldwell | 74 | 70.04 |
| Chris Smith | 74 | 70.04 |
| Gill Caldwell | 74 | 70.04 |
** Went wrong way around the route.
We all met up at the top Barn to collect nos. and start this years Fell handicap race, it was a superb evening and after all the usual good banter I got the race off and then spent the next hour spraying myself with midge repellent, after a short period I spotted a runner coming into the finish area, thinking that someone had run a very fast race I was fumbling around to get watch and clipboard together when I realised it was Carol Boardman, she had being around the course on her own to gain confidence in her ability to cover this distance, whilst she was out she spotted two members going the wrong way, of course I could have guessed at one of them being Mike who seems to have an aversion to going the right way. Then the contenders started to run in, their times noted and photo taken, after which it was down to the Club for supper and the presentation, the winner was Ray Duffy who had a very good run. Everyone managed “seconds” due to amount of pasties and lack of members, quite few people were away on hols or sight seeing around the Pyrenees (or is that cycling?)
Thanks to all who took part and Mark for keeping me company.
John.
Hendersons End plus others film
August 30, 2010Hendersons End plus other fell races
This video is a compilation of footage taken over a period of one year or so. Within its content we see footage from Ben Nevis, Belmont Winter Hill, Hendersons End, Winter Hill, Rivington Pike, Kentmere Horseshoe, Borrowdale, Langdale Horseshoe, Rydal Round and a recci of Grisedale Horseshoe. Filmed by Mark Birbeck.
Anyone who’s never ran on the fells and this doesn’t inspire you, then nothing will.
Hendersons End – cheque presentation
August 30, 2010
Lostock AC inaugurated the Henderson’s End Fell Race in 2007 specifically to raise money for BMRT and Bolton Scout Groups; it takes place annually on the first Thursday night in June over the Winter Hill moors. There is increasing support for the event, which is becoming a favourite challenge for fell racers and attracts some top names in the sport. The race is kindly sponsored by Walsh Sports http://www.walshsports.co.uk
The race is marshalled by the Bolton Scout Groups; the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team attend to provide safety cover.
As a result of this support Lostock AC donated cheques of £120 to both groups, which helps them continue their wonderful work.
The photo (reproduced by kind permission of BMRT) shows John Smith ( Chair-Lostock AC ) presenting cheques to Ken Oaks ( Chair-BMRT ) and Arran English (Scouts) before a recent training session.
The next major club event is the “Lostock 6” a six mile road race in its twenty-ninth year held on Sun. 27th Feb. 2011, and always attracts 300 plus runners.
Lostock 6 27th February 2011
August 26, 2010Just a quick note to say that the entry form for the 2011 Lostock 6 will be released soon.
The date will be the 27th February 2011 at 11am
Thanks
Lostock camping weekend 2010
August 23, 2010
The closer to the lakes I got the heavier the rain poured. As I headed into Keswick (with my wipers now on max) there was an endless sky of cloud, torrential rain and lightening! “This could be a wash out” I thought. I pressed on through Keswick and over to Lorton. The campsite is located to the rear of the Weatsheaf pub which is superbly situated between some beautiful scenery. A toilet, shower block plus a few chickens is all that’s to hand but this fits nicely into the no nonsense Cumbrian way. I found a spot, braved the rain and threw up my tent.
Soon the Boltonian’s arrived and we all took refuge under the Lostock gazebo. While Adrian & Mark C hit the tops for there fix of the Cumbrian fells, Mark & Darren slapped up an impressive beef pie, mash, veggies & beer gravy (all that scout training clearly paid off)…hell this was extremely civilised (I thought we’d be roughing it)!
Soon the rain stopped and a beautiful evening sky was upon us. After a few beers & some grub at the Wheatsheaf everyone turned in for the night, put on there Heat Holders (plug)! And climbed inside there sleeping bags (apart from the posh gits in the luxury motor homes, who probably bathed, watched DVD’s and naturally floated off into a deep sleep on there comfy beds)! Meanwhile the rest of us lay there listening to a chorus of snoring and flatulence!
The next day the coach picked us up at 10 and took us over to Braithwaite. We started the walk in beaming sunshine & great views over Keswick. With Geoff & Adrian leading, the rest of the Lostock clan plodded on behind up to Grisdale Pike. We soon reached the summit and had our first sandwich stop. Most took a minute to wrap up and take some shelter from the wind (a few unfortunates sat in somebody’s ashes…including me).
After a few sarnies & some banter we took in the views and set off along to Hope Gill head and then down to Coledale Hause where we stopped for our second lot of sarnies. Jason’s dog Jack demonstrated his anal breathing technique while diving for rocks and John entertained all with his unsuccessful toilet locating skills (That poor lady quietly eating her lunch)!
After refuelling we dropped down Gasgate Gill and admired the “V” shaped river valley (see I was listening Geoff). Once off the mountain the beaming sun soon gave us all a thirst as we arrived at the Kirkstile Inn. We all chilled in the beer garden and downed the superb home brewed ales. After a few hours the lucky ones got a lift back to the site. The not so lucky ones set off on the 2 mile walk back to camp (watering most of the hedgerows along the way).
Once back at the site our onsite chiefs lit the barbeque and got the cook on! (Mark what was all the water flicking about)??? We all gathered under the gazebo and enjoyed burger after burger after sausage after burger after……….. burger. Hell we even had fish chicken & super hot curry too. Once at bursting point the cakes came out and more beers to wash everything down with.
When the lights went out most headed down to the pub for a night cap before retiring for a well deserved sleep. I’d like to carry on but I did a disappearing trick around 7:15 (I believe there were more sausages & burgers to get through for breakfast though)?
Awards go to: the highest peak climbed by a sausage dog (which is now a slug), My incorrect sleeping position, Johns toilet locating on Coledale Hause, Marks luxury meal for 4 on Friday & a seriously cracking weekend camping!!!
Big thanks to John and everyone that had a hand at organising, cooking, navigating etc etc…it truly paid off!
Cheers
Craig.
(Oh…don’t forget to let me know your thoughts on the Heat Holders)!
Chairmans Fell Race – Wed 25th August
August 19, 2010Wednesday 25th August is the Chairmans Fell race. This a handicapped race on a similar route to the Hendersons End fell race route, J Smith sorts the handicapping times out (no science here just a bit of bribery required). Meet at 6:45pm at the Top Barn ready for the First runners to be set-off at 7pm. With John Smiths unique handicapping system everyone has a chance to win - that is unless you’ve won it before in which case forget any chance of coming remotely close to winning.
Note: there will be no training run from the leisure centre on Wednesday 25th August.
Golf Ball Fell Race – Wednesday 18th August
August 19, 2010Mark C, Pete Noble and myself ran the Golf Ball fell race from the Glory Pub in Crawshawbooth on the A682 Burnley Road (from Rawtenstall to Burnley), this is the 4th race in a 4 race midweek series organised by Rossendale harriers the other races being Waughs Well, Whittle Pike & Pilgrims Cross (last weeks race). The race is advertised as 5.5 miles with a mere 800 ft of ascent, sounds easy.
From the start there is an uphill section for 1/2 mile then you come to a stile and with 182 runners – a long queue, approx. 40 people in the Q before me with Mark C approx. 10 behind me, Pete somewhere behind Mark C, this Q effectively holds everyone up behind and gave me probably 30 seconds lead over Mark & Pete once we had negotiated the stile. There is then a short but steep ascent to the top of the moor which from the OS map looks like Great Hameldon Hill?. Once the main climb was out of the way the route is a mixture of good undulating trails and boggy bits, all runnable. It is fair to say Mark C and myself weren’t feeling 100% both with sniffly colds which meant we couldn’t push it as hard we would normally do, in my case i found runners were passing me and i had no go in me to stay with them. We reached the ‘Golf Ball’ which according to the OS map is a Radar Weather station on Hameldon Hill and then a long steep tarmac descent that shook every bone in my body then a sharp right thru the fields which were 6 inches of gloopy mud / cow poo, smashing, and to top that there was no washing in the local fisheries water.
1st back for Lostock was Mark S 96th / 182 runners in 51:37
2nd Mark C 106th in 52:47
3rd Pete Noble 112th in 53:31.
Also running last night was Albert 25th in 42:58.
A good turn out in the pub for a smelly cow poo / sweaty fell runner prize giving for this race and the race series.
Adios Mark S