Cautley Horseshoe

It was a local race but not just for local people, with Cautley hosting the final championship race of the year. Although the women had already won the title, to go with the British, there were still individual honours to be decided and Kelli Roberts capped off a great year securing the title with her 2nd place on the day. Once again the team showed great strength in depth with Sharon coming in third and then Jo Rycroft, Bianca Dyer, and Janie Oates packing well. Bianca and Marie we think have 3rd places in the v40 and v50. Rob Jebb came in 3rd in what was a very tight finish, winning the v40 and we think 3rd in the open category.  Mark Addison was next back for Helm with Mike Ainsworth, Paul Aitken, and Adam Perry making up the team. Results here, and final championship standings to follow.

Meanwhile Sams Dixon and Gibbs represented the club in the 3 shires race with Sam Dixon coming in an impressive 12th.

Long stuff abroad with stunning scenery

Whilst we're enjoying the return to drizzle and clagged in fells, quite a few Helmies seem to be still enjoying summer racing with fantastic views ofstunning scenery on the continent, drinking great coffee and cold, strong lager. Some superb performances at some very, very long iconic races: Jim Mann takes an impressive 14th place at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc traversing through France, Italy and Switzerland (171 kilometres (106 mi) 10,040 metres (32,940 ft!) ascent) in 23hrs, Carrie Gibson completed the 'tougher than UTMB' Ultra Trail Monte Rosa, an equally bonkers 170km /11,000m in 56hrs, whilst Paul Turner and Emma Jennings individually completed the Traces des Ducs de Savoie, a mere 123km/7000m ascent around the Savoie and Aosta regions in 26hrs ish. Hopefully we'll find out more about the joy of running for 24+hours in the next newsletter.

Ben Nevis

It's the largest climb in Britain and the final race in the British Championships. Always over subscribed, Helm did well to get so many onto the startline in Fort William, with many camping overnight. Friday's beautiful evening light disappeared to reveal a classic Scottish 'drich' Saturday.  Clag was down to about 1500ft leaving 3000ft climb in 15m visibility, so there was little point in stopping to admire the view. Once again Rob Jebb was first back for Helm skilfully navigating the screes and treacherous stepped and flagged path, which claimed a number of runners and kept mountain rescue busy. Josh J being one of them having been well placed on the climb. Mike Ainsworth was next back for Helm with Adam P, Paul Aitken, and Nigel Wood making the counters. Again the ladies confirmed their status as British open champions, with Kelli, Hannah and Sharon 3rd , 5th and 7th. Great runs also from Bianca Dyer and Marie R, contributing to the v40 british champions team and also individual bronze in the v40 and v50. Provisional calculations for individual results are as follows......TBC
1st V40 - Rob Jebb 3rd open male - Rob Jebb 2nd U23 - Joshua Jardine, 3rd V40 female - Bianca Dyer 2nd, U23 female - Hannah Russell, 3rd v50 female Marie Robson. Full Results.

Turner Landscape - penultimate English Championship race, Sedbergh Hills, Rockman swim run, Kentmere....

A hot and humid day for the competitors at this beautiful 10 mile race. Helm had good representation in all categories and with one race to go several teams remain in medal contention. A good day for the men's and women's open, the ladies have already secured the title, but won this as well, once again Kelli R leading us home with Sharon and Hannah. The men are now in second place, Rob Jebb continuing his fine recent form 1st back for Helm, with Mark Addison, Josh J, Adam P and Ben P, making up the team. The mens v40 have also edged up into 2nd place with Tim Cowin, Paul Reilly and Nigel Wood backing up Rob. Results. So many great performances this month with Josh Jardine and Sharon winning at Kentmere and Rydal round, A Helm 1,2,3 with Robb, Adam P and Mike Ainsworth at Sedbergh Hills plus the ladies  team prize with Sharon 1st, and of course the incredible Jenny Rice and Cat Slater winning Rockman swim run in Norway. 

Great Westmorland Trail Race, Sat 8 Sept - this penultimate 2018 club Junior Championship race in the hamlet of Crosby Garrett featured 25% Helm Hill juniors on the start lines as our youngsters battled towards final championship placings this year. Well done to all of them!  

Following Grasmere sports (see further details below), the Helm Hill Junior Championship table has been updated. There is close competition particularly amongst our younger juniors. See the races page for the link to the current junior club championship table, or click HERE. The last two races in the club championship for juniors are Great Westmorland Trail race at Crosby Garrett (September), and Arnside Knott in November.Ambleside sports, Farleton Knott and Arncliffe Gala BOFRA all saw a strong turnout of Helm Hill juniors, with tight competition particularly amongst our U14 boys. Grasmere sports, which was a Helm Hill junior championship race, saw great performances from Helm runners in the U9s boys and girls - 1st place for Cooper and for Isla- and the U12s. See results on www.grasmeresports.com

BOFRA...the series continues... Quite a number of our Junior runners have been attending the 2018 BOFRA races. Robert Askew is currently in second in the U17s, Henry Hunter and Alex Tallon 2nd and 4th respectively in U14s, Elise Tallon 7th in U12 girls. Well done to them all for the tenacity to keep racing regularly.