Hawkswick Dash Fell Race Results
Sunday 11 June 2017
Race Report
It was all to play for at this year’s Hawkswick Dash fell race. Many of the familiar faces were either absent or had competed in fell or track races the previous day.So, on a blustery Yorkshire summer Sunday an impressive 81 senior and 108 juniors toed the start line to enjoy this short, sharp, lung inverter of a race. The race starts with a dash from the start field and across the bridge before a seemingly endless drag up a track to the fell base. Then it is a sharp right turn to a steep, hand over fist, lung-busting climb to Hawkswick Moor. Runners must then negotiate a couple of wall climbs and an undulating skyline run across tussocky heather before another sharp right turn to the steep descent and dash back across the bridge to the finish funnel.
Eventual race winner, Ben Mounsey (Calder Valley) started as he meant to go on as he posed in his “Usain Bolt sprint start impression” while waiting for the starters gun. It seemed to work as by the time the race reached the bridge, he had a clear lead and never looked back as he romped home in first place. 2nd and 3rd men were Skyrac’s Joe Woodley and Ilkley Harriers’ Jack Cummings.
In the ladies race, it was a familiar face who won. Wharfedale Harriers’ Kirsty Hall stormed her way to a very clear win, finishing in the top 20 overall. 2nd and 3rd ladies were Pudsey and Bramley’s Rachel Pilling with Wharfedale’s Pippa Barrett hot on her heels.
The U17 race follows the same route as the senior race and was won by Keighley and Craven’s Eric Beaumont from Settle Harriers’ Thomas Marshall 2nd, and Ambleside’s Ben Edmondson 3rd. The girls’ race was won in style by Bingley Harriers’ Emily Field from Rossendale’s Lauryn Gregg 2nd and Wharfedale’s Emily Jones 3rd. all 3 had competed the previous day.
The U14 boys’ race includes the lung-busting climb before turning and returning via the outward route. It was a real nail-biter as all 3 podium finishers had run the previous day. Race winner was Rossendale’s Joel Taylor ahead of Wharfedale duo Sam Smith 2nd and Alexander Thompson 3rd.
Girls race winner, Wharfedale’s Alice Jones had run the previous day, making this win all the more impressive, taking it from Ilkley’s Bernadette Raven 2nd and Keighley’s Lilli Carr, 3rd. The U12 race turns at the fell base and was won this year by Blackburn Harriers’ Dexta Thompson from Calder Valley’s James Duffy 2nd and Wrexham’s Ted Bolton 3rd. All 3 had competed the previous day. BOFRA newcomer and superb runner, Charlotte Rawstron of Otley won the girls race from Rossendale’s Evie Taylor 2nd. 3rd girl was Helm Hill’s Elise Tallon, who is also a relative new-comer to the BOFRA races.
The U9 race turns part way up the track and was won by Ambleside’s Tom Ashworth who is on fine form this season. 2nd and 3rd boys were Settle’s Jack Sanderson and Keighley’s Charley Catchpole . The girls’ race was won by Keighley team mate Millie Timbers who is on fine form this season, from Settle’s Lucy Bagot 2nd and Barlick’s Chloe Boothman 3rd.