Fells and Bells

Entries are now open for our wedding day fell race up the Beacon. Details including a route map and how to enter are here

Jack Bloor fell race

It was the Jack Bloor fell race on Tuesday night. Conditions were about perfect for running again (apart from the wretched midges) and Stef was nearly five minutes faster than last year! I had Martyn just behind me for most of the race and a woman from Ilkley just head showing us some very nice lines across the moor including an alternative descent to the very wet rushy area. Results are here and some photos from Paul Wood here It was good to see Yiannis over for the evening (and a recce earlier in the day) and Phil Jones back on the hill after his appendix operation 

Stirton fell race

It was a great evening for the Stirton race; sunny but with a nice cooling breeze. As planned, I helped Brett by marshaling the junior races before running the main event. It was good to see Robert, one of the FRA forum moderators, over here from France with his family, and his son winning the under-8s race too!

I can't make my mind up whether the new course is quicker or slower than the old but my gut feeling is it's a bit quicker. This was the sixth race I've done since my BG and I think I'm getting my legs turning over a bit faster again as I beat one or two runners who've been finishing ahead of me recently

After the race we went over to the New Inn in Cononley, affectionally known as the 'Front Room' by Brett and his friends. The Taylor's Golden Best was on very good form. Results for the race should be up here soon  

Oldfield Gala fell race recce

We had a run round the Oldfield Gala fell race route last night from the Grouse ably led by Charlie and his dogs. I'm glad I'm not around for the race as it looks very fast with the exception of one short but rough climb, really all very runnable. There was a good turn-out in spite of an utter cloud-burst not long before we set off and we were treated to a mountain of free chips to go with our Landlord after returning to the pub. Another good KCAC Wednesday evening run out and my fifth helping of chips since Saturday evening in Langdale

Stoodley Pike fell race

It was back to Calderdale again last night; this time for my first attempt at the Stoodley Pike fell race, organised by Todmorden Harriers. The course is a horribly-runnable 3miles with around 750feet of climb. The start was a bit congested and I think I should have started nearer the front but I enjoyed it, especially the extremely rare occurrence of me actually overtaking a few runners on the main downhill section

As usual beer was taken afterwards (excellent Timothy Taylor Landlord), along with a chip buttie with a liberal dosing of tomato ketchup. Results are here and some photo here

Cragg Vale fell race

I can't believe I haven't done this gem of a race before. A wonderful setting, a fast and furious course with a bit of everything (a steep climb, a moorland traverse with obligatory Calderdale views over to Stoodley Pike , a boggy section and a flying descent), registration / presentation in a church with cheap home-made sandwiches and cakes, plus a bar!

The bar was provided by Little Valley Brewery and I had a tasty pint of their hoppy beer whilst looking at the results which were available printed out before the prize presentation. It was great to see some good friends enjoying themselves too including Raj from Wharfedale, Jackie the organiser and Steve who organised the Heptonstall fell race and who is currently putting the final touches to another new venture, the Heptonstall Festival race

Beamsley Beacon fell race

This is definitely one of my favourite events of the year and last night lived up to expectations. I had a decent run with a time more or less half way between my best and worst for the race and it was lovely seeing loads of friends out for the evening

The start and finish is at the Swan, the best drinkers' pub in the village and re-hydration after running went well too with three pints of very well kept Ilkley Brewery's Mary Jane being consumed (I'm keeping quiet about the can of warm John Smith's Smooth Flow I drank when I got home!)

Thanks to David Hird and Kevin Rogan from Wharfedale Harriers and everyone else involved in marshaling, clearing nettles from the infamous ginnel etc. Results here More photos from Andy Holden on flickr here

Sutton Pinnacles fell race

I went over to run the Sutton Pinnacles fell race yesterday afternoon. It was only the second running of the event, which is organised by Bedlamites film-star Camille from my club

Steve Brock was delighted with his first ever win in an FRA-registered race and I enjoyed myself and wasn't last, albeit not far off! Results are here

It's one of my favourite events on Wednesday, the Beamsley Beacon fell race and after yesterday's showing its about time now I got training again after a very relaxed month or so since doing my Bob Graham

Austwick Amble fell race

Me and Stef went over to Austwick on Bank Holiday Monday to run the Austwick Amble fell race. This is a great circular route of around 8miles and 1200ft climb with a good amount of very runnable ground and a fast downhill finish on a track and latterly a country lane

I was really pleased to finish in just over 72minutes and my legs felt surprisingly good after my BG little more than two weeks ago. Stef enjoyed herself running round at the back. I think it did us both good to get out after the events of the weekend and I'd recommended the race to anyone who loves the Dales and especially classic limestone country. Results here

Jack Bloor

I went over to Ilkley Moor last night to watch the Jack Bloor race. It was a cracking night for a run out and it was good to catch up with several friends including Geoff, who had an excellent run at his first ever short fell race; Morgan, the secretary of the Bob Graham Club and various club-mates and friends from the FRA forums. Paul from our club, said I was looking fit, 'BG fit' which I took to be a good sign!

Graham Pearce held off Tom Adams to win and I think Laura Martin was first women. The results should be here soon

Lothersdale

I nipped over to Lothersdale last night for the fell race I'd put my kit on and took a pair of Walshes in the car but decided against running and helped man the road crossing instead

Lothersdale is a splendid village on the Pennine Way and it was great watching the runners come by twice (the course is an out and back) with Russ and Charlie Marshall (the organiser of the Yorkshireman Off-road Marathon). Lapwings were overhead with curlew, skylark, house martin and swallows, and we all commented on how green the fields are at present

Well done to Jack Smith from Wharfedale on his win. Results should be out soon here

Liver Hill fell race

Spring has now officially sprung! Last night I went over to Rawtenstall in Lancashire for the Liver Hill fell race organised by Rossendale Harriers This is seriously fast and furious; an all-runnable 5mile / 800ft, held every year on the first Tuesday after the clocks are put forward. For me it marks the transition from winter to spring running and last night I ran in vest and shorts, which felt just right

This is the third time I've done the race and it's a good sharpener when the vast majority of your training involves slogging up mountains and jogging the flats before running back down. The long moorland section is more like a cross-country race than a typical Pennine fell race and this year the going was fast with just the 11 stiles to hold the runners back

I was talking to an old friend last week and he suggested I try to include some quality running each week into my training. Last night was certainly quality running because after finishing I could hardly stand and I dropped my Cadbury's Creme Egg because I was shaking that much (entry is free and all finishers get chocolate at the end!). The results aren't out yet but should be posted here soon

Haworth Hobble / Wuthering Hike

It’s the Haworth Hobble on Saturday and it will be the first one I’ve missed since I moved up to Yorkshire six and a half years ago. It’s one of my favourite events and for that matter, days of the year. Even though its 32miles there is a surprising amount of tracks and paths, making for lots of decent running. The weather has been good the years I have done it too

I’m flying home tonight but hope if I feel okay when I get home via Paris, I might go over to Howarth to help race organiser and friend Brett, even if it’s only washing up or making tea in the kitchen. The Hobble is good Bob Graham training and many runners do it on the way to a successful round. I’m gutted not to be running but it’d be nice if I can take part in some way on the day

Good luck to all running or walking or involved with the organisation or marshaling. I hope to see you on Saturday afternoon