Kettlewell Fell Race Results
Sunday 4 June 2017
Race Report
This year’s BOFRA Kettelwell race started well as the sunshine and showers forecast only 24 hours earlier became sunshine all round, making for a great day at the races.As in 2016, all races began and finished in the cricket field below the fell. So, spectators were able to clearly view the 88 senior and 151 junior runners as they weaved their way over the varied terrain of this short, sharp race. Soon after leaving the cricket field, all courses take a sharp right turn, over gnarly loose rocks, to enter the field at the fell base. Runners now race along a flat track before the steep grassy incline to “the chimney” and the first false summit. Once through the chimney the course flattens off before the 2nd of three climbs. Once over the 3rd false summit racers are allowed the luxury of a relatively flat though tussocky skyline trot, at the edge of Middlesmoor Pasture, before the sharp, varied and technical descent. The descent starts with a small cliff edge before competitors negotiate the scree at Gate Cote Scar. What follows are rocks and steep grass banking, to test all skill levels before the flat run back along the track, sharp left turn over the gnarly loose rocks, and mad dash across the cricket field to the finish. The junior races follow the same outward route as far as the chimney summit, then turning at various points to return via the same route as the senior race. Only the very youngest of runners in the U9 race are denied the climb through the chimney and chance to launch themselves from the cliff edge!
The senior race got off to a good start as Jack Cummings (Ilkley Harriers) led out, trailing the rest in his wake. However, by the time the skyline was reached, it had all changed as Jack Smith (Wharfedale Harriers) was now in the lead with Ted Mason (Wharfedale), who had come 2nd the previous day at Pen-y-Ghent, close behind him. Once they had rounded the turn cairn it all changed again as experience allowed Ted to steal the lead form Jack who headed off in the wrong direction. Capitalising on his advantage, Ted then ran for his life to keep Jack behind him all the way to the finish, glancing back periodically to make sure he wasn’t gaining on him. Ted gained a clear win in 11.47 mins from Jack Smith (11.58) 2nd, and Barlick Fell Runners’ Nick Treitl (12.13) 3rd. Following on from her clear win in the ladies race at Coniston Gullies the previous week, Pudsey and Bramley’s Rachel Pilling ran a furious race to claim victory at Kettlewell in 15.34 mins from Wharfedale duo Pippa Barrett (16.27) 2nd and Jean Powell (16.30) 3rd.
The U17 race follows the same course as the seniors and was no less of an ever changing scene as Settle Harriers’ Sebastian Segger-Staveley and Wharfedale’s Logan Hargreaves-Madhas led the field to the chimney. The real change in fortunes occurred on the descent as Settle’s Thomas Marshall launched himself down the cliff and scree to take the lead, winning in 12.42 mins, from Sebastian (12.48) 2nd and Ambleside’s Ben Edmondson (13.16) 3rd. Clayton le Moors’ Briony Holt gained a clear win in the girls race (14.56) from Rossendale Harriers’ Lauryn Gregg (16.11) 2nd and Wharfedale’s Emily Jones (16.25) 3rd.
The U14 race was led out by Wharfedale team mates Alexander Thompson and Sam Smith with Rossendale’s Joel Taylor and Helm Hill’s Henry Hunter on their shoulder. As the race progressed along their skyline, the 4 of them tussled for first place with Joel in the lead as they rounded their turn point. However, it was the cliff edge and scree that changed fortunes as Alexander launched himself in dramatic style from the cliff, skidded down the grass and bounced over the scree to gain the lead from Joel. Meanwhile Sam took a slightly different route down but maintained his position to the end. Alexander won (9.04) from Joel (9.08), 2nd and Sam (9.19) 3rd.
The girls’ race was led out and won in fine style by Wharfedale’s Alice Jones who skated elegantly down the scree and sprinted in to the finish (9.53). 2nd and 3rd girls were Ilkley Harriers’ Bernadette Raven (10.29) and Keighley and Craven’s Beth Roberts (10.58).
Calder Valley’s William hall and Helm Hill’s Evan Allan led out the U12 race with Leven Valley’s Olesia Winder in hot pursuit as they tackled the initial climb. William led to the finish, winning in 6.41 with Blackburn Harriers’ Dexta Thompson on his shoulder for 2nd place (16.42) and Barlick’s Jacob Reeday 3rd (6.45).
Having led the girls out, Olesia Winder romped home in 1st place (7.37) ahead of Helm Hill’s Sarah Smith (7.52) 2nd and Otley’s Charlotte Rawstron (7.56) 3rd.
The U9 race started dramatically as some runners took a tumble as they left the cricket field. Undeterred, they picked themselves up and continued to the finish. Keighley’s Ewen Wilkinson was race winner (5.20) just ahead of Settle’s Jack Sanderson (5.21) 2nd and Trawden’s Callum Singleton (5.46). Keighley and Craven’s Millie Timbers won the girls’ race (5.58) coming 4th overall! 2nd and 3rd girls were Settle’s Lucy Bagot (6.30) and Wharfedale’s Isabella Wright (6.46).