The Three Peaks 2013

It was snowing whilst the runners were on Penyghent, but after that it was just cold and breezy.
Joe Symonds tried to run away from the field, but his Salomon teammate Tofol and Carl Bell went with him. He'd certainly dropped them by Ingleborough as he was a clear five minutes ahead. But I don't think it was a lonely run for Joe as the supporting crowds were shouting encouragement to him, recognising him from winning last year and as the son of Hugh Symonds of Kendal Athletic Club, who won in 1984, 1985 and 1987. Joe improved on last year's time by about a minute (when he ran 2:55:58.)

The FRB team were giving out free Jelly Babies on a first come, first served basis and we took the following photographs before the last rise up Ingleborough.

Joe Symonds on Ingleborough

Top 25

1st Joe Symonds Salomon International Team M 02:54:39 

2nd Carl Bell Keswick AC M 02:59:44
3rd Karl Gray Calder Valley Fell Runners MV40 02:59:50 

4th Robert Jebb Bingley Harriers & AC M 03:01:46 

5th Andrew Fallas Carnethy Hill RC M 03:03:15
6th Oli Johnson Dark Peak Fell Runners Club M 03:06:40
7th Adam Osborne Leeds City AC M 03:07:51
8th Pete Vale Mercia Fell RC MV40 03:08:30  

9th Tofol Castanyer Salomon International Team MV40 03:10:35 

10th Tom Brunt Dark Peak Fell Runners Club MV40 03:13:04

11th Ian Holmes Bingley Harriers & AC MV40 03:13:50
12th Kenny Richmond Shettleston Harriers MV40 03:14:13
13th Simon Harding Macclesfield Harriers & AC M 03:16:14
14th Richard Pattinson Pudsey & Bramley AC MV40 03:18:39 

15th Spencer Riley Wharfedale Harriers M 03:18:47
16th Nicholas Charlesworth Wharfedale Harriers MV40 03:19:14
17th John Hunt Dark Peak Fell Runners Club MV40 03:19:33
18th Chris Birchall Leeds City AC M 03:21:18
19th Will Boothman Dark Peak Fell Runners Club M 03:23:57  

20th Richard Mellon Bowland Fell Runners MV40 03:24:13

21st Sam Watson Wharfedale Harriers M 03:24:45
22nd Nicholas Barber Pennine Fell Runners MU25 03:25:41

23rd Alex Whittem Calder Valley Fell Runners M 03:26:38  

24th James Mountain Skipton AC MU25 03:27:04                         

25th Jayson Cavill Pickering RC M 03:27:36

Rob Jebb - had stormed to 2nd place by Ingleborough - finished 4th due to cramp attack

Andy Fallas - was attacked by the KCarls and finished 5th

Carl....

and Karl

Oli

Adam Osborne - winner of the newcomer's prize

Tofol from Spain - whose new favourite sweets are Jelly Babies!

Pete Vale

Ladies Top Ten

1.Jasmin Paris - Carnethy Hill RC F 03:33:04
2. Oihana Kortazar Aranzeta - Salomon International Team F 03:36:29
3. Helen Bonsor - Carnethy Hill RC F 03:39:07
4. Jill Mykura Carnethy Hill RC F 03:46:20
5. Helen Elmore Dark Peak Fell Runners Club FV40 03:51:30
6. Deborah Gowans Accrington Road Runners FV40 03:52:00
7. Claire Gordon Hunters Bog Trotters F 03:52:03
8. Hannah Rhodes-Patterson Unattached FU25 03:53:09
9. Helen Berry Holmfirth Harriers AC F 03:53:41

10. Jean Brown Clayton-le-Moors Harriers FV40 03:55:04

Full results link

Black Combe - 2 March 2013

A great start to the new season

It feels like Spring is just around the corner, a few lambs in the fields, daffodils opening up and parking in the field at Silecroft for the Black Combe fell race.

The good weather attracted some excellent talent in both the men's and the ladies' races, with good running conditions likely, the feeling amongst the runners was that this race was going to be enjoyable, it was great to be back together again with a good season of fell running ahead.

Results

Link to results on Black Combe Runners website

A clear win for West Cumbria's favourite fireman Ricky Lightfoot.

Helen Fines won the ladies race (despite forgetting to use her dibber!), with Lizzie Adams second and Anna Lupton third. Helen's watch said she ran in about 1:23. I'm sure we can take Helen's word for it that she didn't just stroll the 100 metres from check point 2 to check point 6, sit down and read her book in the mist, waiting for Lizzie and Anna to arrive and then race them down the fell!

Nic goes down a treat

A new downhill record for race to the finish from the last checkpoint on Black Combe (about 600 metres over more or less 2 km) was set by a speedy young Pennine Fell Runner and 11th man on the day Nic Barber. He descended in about 8 minutes (Nic will confirm with us shortly). Nic's not only good at downhill running, he's pretty good at downing a pint too and can do it in 4.1 seconds. Why not challenge him next time you see him in a pub.

Post Race Ramblings

"Ricky's on fire at the moment, a win at High Cup Nick last Saturday, a win at a Maryport 10 mile road race in 52 minutes on Sunday and 31 miles on the fell on Monday" - Saul Sornforth

"He was just too flaming fast for us" - Bob Rebb

"He was blazing the trail and all we could do was follow" - Dim Javies

It's great to be back reporting on races again, here's to a good season to us all. Happy Running 2013.

A burger van at Black Combe yesterday (100% beef)