Kettlewell Fell Race Results
Sunday 17 June 2007
Race Report
Conditions for Sundays fell race at Kettlewell were better than expected, considering the amount of rain we'd had the previous week. All races except for the U/9's started outside the Bluebell Inn, with a short dash before you hit the river crossing, which was pretty fast flowing. A guard of honour formed by some senior runners made sure the U/12's and U/14's got across safely.
Once across the river, the courses take the riverside path up to the fell gate. From here the runners negotiate some sharp climbs up the hillside to their various turnaround points. Coming back is fast and furious with some scary descents on sections of grass, limestone and scree, then back through the river and a short dash to the line.
The Senior event saw a quality field of 69 runners line up. Ian Holmes has had a fair amount of wins here, so it came as no surprise when he led the seniors home by a wide margin with Lee Athersmith and Mark Horrocks taking 2nd and 3rd. To get the over 40's prize you would have had to.beat the winner. First over 45 was Pete Wilkin in 8th place and Jack Holt took 1st over 50.
In the Ladies race, Helen Glover won by a wide margin, with Lynn Whittaker, Tracey Uren and Naomi Biddle taking the next 3 places.
The Under 17's race saw 23 runners line up and Alex Till turned the heat on with a convincing win over a class field. James Mountain followed 42 seconds adrift with last years U/14 champ Tom Sessford closely following in 3rd. The next 2 places were filled by Jack Thompson and Jonny Bradshaw. Emma Thompson was the 1st girl home with Amy Fretwell 2nd and Lois Grinstead 3rd.
The Under 14's race was a closely run thing with Rory Addison winning with Ryan Croasdale 8 seconds behind in 2nd. Mark Scott and Jacob Uren took the next placings. Melanie Hyder had a fantastic race coming 6th overall and 1st girl home. Emma Spencer ran a credible 2nd with Rosie Helliwell in 3rd place.
The Under 12's had a convincing winner in Sam Stockdale with the next four places only separated by 5 seconds; Oliver Whyte, Ben Johnstone, James Hall and Marcus Preedy giving it their best. In the girls' race, Lorna Jo Nunwick put in another fine performance to win, with Charlotte Cox and Nicole Narey 2nd and 3rd placings.
21 runners ran the Under 9's which was the only race not run through the river, much to the disappointment of some of the runners. Oliver Spencer won this by a close margin- 2 seconds to be precise, from Thomas Kerr. Ellamae Gibson put in another fine run in 3rd place overall and 1st girl. Joel Wynne was 4th then Jacob Croasdale 5th. 2nd girl and 6th overall was Eleanor Solomon and 3rd girl was Lucy Horrocks.
The day went really well, thanks to all our helpers and supporters. We have a lot of people who are hands on and if you think you can help us in any way please come forward; you might find you enjoy it.
Barry Scholes