Wasdale Show Fell Race Results
Saturday 8 October 2016
Race Report
The summer season of fell running ends on a high note at the Wasdale Show Fell Race. It is a lung inverting, thigh straining, up and down race to the top of Kirk Fell, taking only the hardiest of runners up 2330 feet above the start line! At around one and a quarter miles to the top, it is also one of the steepest and longest continual ascents of the season, described by Wainwright as “a relentless and unremitting treadmill, a turf clutching crawl, not a walk.” Once runners have crawled to the summit, over turf and boulder scree, they meet the patiently waiting Mountain Rescue volunteer before turning round and descending the way they came. The descent is generally much faster than the ascent and includes some exhilarating scree riding for the brave. For the not so brave, it is a nail biting trial by boulder until the grass is once again met. However, the only real risk is that of getting lost on the top as perception can make the unwary take the wrong return path. This year the risk was zero as the sky was clear, the sun shone and Wast Water was clearly visible below.65 hardy seniors and 48 juniors toed the start line and made the mad dash to the broad stile over the wall, to commence their varying ascents of Kirk Fell. In a repeat of last year, Wharfedale Harriers’ Ted Mason won the senior race in style, completing the course in 39:50 minutes. He gained a relatively early lead and never looked back. His descent through the scree was particularly spectacular as he seemed to bound over it, almost floating. 2nd man back over the wall and home was Helm Hill’s Ben Kent (40.26) with Borrowdale’s Antony Meanwell in 3rd place (41.04). First lady was Borrowdale team mate Jane Meeks (48.53) who was also 1st LV50 and came in an impressive 18th place overall. 2nd and 3rd ladies were Calder valley’s Kate Apps (50.59), followed by Northern Fells’ Rose Singleton (52.36). The U17 race climbs to the base of the scree and was won by Keighley and Craven’s Joe Hudson (23.20). 2nd and 3rd boys were Helm Hill’s Jacob Aubrey (24.45), and Keighley’s Jack Walton (24.55). The first and only girl in the race was Rossendale Harriers’ Corinna Howorth (44.02).
The U14 race climbs to and round a convenient large protruding rock in the fell side and was won by Joe’s brother, Louis Hudson (7.17). 2nd and 3rd boys were Settle Harriers’ Thomas Marshall (7.39) and Wharfedale’s Sam Smith (8.00). The girls’ race was won by Helm Hill’s Lottie Beardwood (9.29), ahead of Wharfedale’s Charlotte Barrett (10.08) and Lottie’s sister Ella Beardwood (10.25).
The U12 race climbs a short way up the hill before turning off for a loop and then returning over the wall to the finish line. The race was won by Ilkley Harriers’ Lewis Carr (4.18), with 2nd and 3rd places taken by Hoad Hill Harriers’ Scott Fisher (4.25) and Ambleside’s Jack Dixon (4.36). The girls’ race was won by Keighley ’s Beth Roberts (4.48), hotly pursued by Broughton Runners’ Emily Swarbrick (4.51), who had already run in a cross country race that morning, and Keighley’s Emma Peel (4.56).