British Mountain Running Trial - Skiddaw

Well done Chris Richards on winning the uphill trial and being selected for the British junior men's team and he will be joined by Imogen Burrow for the junior women...

Weets - English Championship rnd 2

A day of mixed weather greeted the respective competitors to the men's and women's races down in Barnoldswick. First up the women ran in scorching sunshine and then the men in a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning.  Overall we had a some strong team performances, firstly Sharon Taylor (5th) Hannah Russell (8th) and Bianca Dyer (24th) led the ladies to 2nd team and 1st u23 for Hannah. The ladies v40 also did well with Bianca, Kath Aubrey and Ali Richards counting.  In the men all the teams faired well and we now lie 2nd in the team championship. Tom A led us home in 11th, with Mark A in 14th and packing well in support were Adam Perry (32) Tim Cowin (43) and Ben Procter (44). Tim, Rick and Keiran counted for the v40s and after a flyer from John Cooper the v50 have also moved up the table to 4th supported by Rick and Shaun Addison. Men's results. Women's results. Team standings. Let's get everyone to Tebay...

Hutton Roof and Jura

Whilst many were off either to Jura or Weets, a good local showing for Helm at Hutton roof fair. First home for Helm was Kirk Wadsworth in 7th and good runs from Craig Burrow and Paul McFarlane ensured 2nd mens team, and not to be outdone the women also were 2nd team thanks to Keeley Smith, Tessa Hagendoorn and Jenny Wroe. Awaiting results from Jura, but rumour has it we were well represented by Mick Hoffe 1st v60, and Lucy Spain, Catherine Niblock and Carrie Gibson.

A Big Catchup

So much has happened in the past couple of weeks it is a bit of a challenge to keep up with the performances of so many in the club. Back in mid-April saw Adam Perry organise the first Howgill fell race - a gruelling tour of the popular training ground. Many from the club came out to marshall and also complete in an event that was won in some style by Rob Jebb. Adam had also shown he was coming into some form by coming 2nd in the Teenage with Altitude race, and little did we know that he was also planning another attempt at the Lakes 24hr record this weekend. Adam was targeting 78 peaks to be completed in 24hrs, and after the 90miles just missed out. This was a remarkable attempt, especially considering the weather conditions, and left those both supporting him and watching the 'tracker' in the small hours lost for words. One day....

Meanwhile another runner displaying fine form is Chris Richards who won Saturday's Whernside uphill race taking some notable scalps on the way, and building on a fine 2nd at Rivington pike a fortnight ago, although his best prize was a goblet for winning Moel Wnion the week before.

The 2nd British championship at Stuc a Chroin saw a strong Helm contingent, and the men came away with the team prize with Josh Jardine in 7th Tom Addison 8th Adam Perry 17th and Mike Ainsworth 19th. Hannah Russell took first u23 and Billy first v60. Also on a distance theme we had Andrew Horrobin coming home 4th in the 53 mile Highland Fling, with Catherine Slater and Emma Dent also completing this 'Ultra'.

The Three Peaks Race also took place with the Helm ladies coming away with the team prize through Sharon Taylor (5th), Fiona Marley-Patterson, and the improving Rowan Ranner.

KWL Arant Haw race was won by Tim Cowin and Hannah Russell and brought the series to a close. Josh Jardine won the men's league and Hannah R the ladies, Ali Richards was fv40 winner with Bianca Dyer a close 2nd. Imogen B was 2nd under 23 and Helm also had Sam Mason and Jacob Aubrey in 2nd and 3rd u21.

Ken Shuttleworth

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Ken Shuttleworth died peacefully at home this morning. Ken was Life President and one of the founder members of the club, organising the Winter League for many years. It was his time as a milk tanker driver and delivery driver for Builders Supply that gave him an intimate knowledge of some of the more obscure parts of the county, asking farmers and landowners on his rounds if they wouldn't mind holding a fell race on their land. I will always be grateful to Ken for making the club so welcoming as I might not have discovered fell running without him, and certainly wouldn't have met and married Jennifer. He was always quietly proud of the club he'd helped to create, and always kept up with the club's results even after his active involvement. The club's focus on juniors wouldn't have been the same without his influence and we all owe him a great deal of thanks. His funeral is pencilled in for a week on Monday (the 15th of May) at the Parish Church at 10:30, which I'll confirm next week.

Alistair Dunn

Slieve Donard - British Championship Rnd 1

News in from Ireland; Tom Addison wins the first race of the British championship and another stunning run from Josh Jardine in 3rd, and the evergreen Billy Procter takes 1st v60. More to follow but here are the results and some pictures on the BARF Facebook page.

Italy, Kirkby and Longsleddale The weekend of 24 and 25 June has been a busy one, with Imogen Burrow representing England in Italy! ...some pictures HERE ... others running for Helm at Kirkby gala on Saturday (RESULTS) and then juniors stretching themselves to run to the top of Kentmere Pike and back on Sunday. It was another memorable junior fell excursion, finishing with ice-creams, bagels, drinks and river swimming (picture by Tim Murray). 

Helm Hill BOFRA race, Sun 18 June. Well done everyone who took part! (Results are HERE) 

Juniors and navigation A group of enthusiastic Juniors took to Loughrigg fell on Tuesday night to practise using maps and compasses. It's a skill that needs practise, and these youngsters are on their way with it...well done all.   

FRA Junior Championship 2017 The last race was held on Saturday 10 June at Cowpe; lots of photos on the FRA Juniors Facebook group page. Throughout the whole championship series this year, competition has been tough and Helm juniors have put in really strong performances. The final championship results are on the FRA Felljunior website now.

BOFRA update ... The Helm Hill race is coming up soon. It's on a Sunday afternoon; 18 June. Details are HERE and you will find results from Killington sports and Kettlewell races here too. 

Updated Helm Junior Championships  With 6 races remaining, (one tbc, details to follow) even if you have only one race under your belt, you can still contest the championship.  The next race is at Langdale Gala on 2nd July 2017, hope to see you there.  Results can be found on the races page. 

A busy Bank holiday weekend ... Had you been on the Howgills on Friday night, you would have found Helm Hill juniors enjoying themselves! Photos below taken on Arant Haw and Calf. Photo above taken at Coniston Gullies on Sunday - Results are HERE. Inbetween the Howgills and the Gullies, Saturday's Hutton roof races included several Helm Hill juniors. We are everywhere!

Helm Hill race night, Wed 17 May - a fab, friendly session on the glorious but always taxing setting of the Helm. Results are on the Races tab. More photos in the gallery. U17 Juniors mixed it with the Seniors.

Whernside Uphill Junior Championship Many thanks to the juniors, and their parents, who travelled to this race. Thanks to your participation we had representation in every age race plus we achieved high enough (eligible) placings in various age categories with three girls and three boys to win again the title of Junior FRA Uphill Champions. Well done to all who took part for your efforts in training, which pay off when tackling a race like this! Full results are on Wharfedale Harriers website. 

Helm Junior Championship 2017 - Results - Please find a link to the club championship results so far, taking into account the first four races.

Sedbergh Sun 7 May was the first BOFRA race of the season. It's great to see juniors continuing their racing even 'though the Winter League has finished for this year ... BOFRA races are a great way to continue competing once the Winter League is over. Sedbergh race results are on the BOFRA website. 

Sunday 30 April saw the culmination of a lot of sweat, speed, mud, rain, pain, stress and triumph as 2017 KWL participants collected their T-shirts, medals, chocolates and trophies. Special congratulations to those Helm juniors who made the top three placings in their categories; Clara Samson joint first U13 girls, Sarah Smith third U13 girls,      Ollie Sanders third U15 boys, Amy Slattery second U17 girls, Robert Askew first U17 boys. Also congratulations to Alicia Crawford,winner of the Junior Endeavour award.

Todd Cragg, Loughrigg, Anni Wa It was a busy week for Helm juniors, competing on Wednesday night in the Todd Cragg and Loughrigg races - RESULTS HERE - and the FRA championship Anni Wa races on Saturday. This photo, taken on Saturday, is courtesy of Dave Woodhead and there are many more on the Woodentops website. It is impressive at races to see our juniors putting in so much effort. Thank you to all the Seniors who watch and cheer as well. Both these races were Helm Hill junior club championship races... Remember; only 7 races need to be completed from the championship leaflet for a junior to gain their 2017 championship memento. 

Helm Hill club championship 2017; see the Races tab on this website and scroll down to Junior Championship or Club Championship for the link to this year's club championship leaflet.

Junior Wednesday night training will recommence on the Helm on Wed 26 Apr and be followed on Sun 30 Apr by the Arant Haw non-points race and KWL presentation in the People's Hall, Sedbergh.

KWL Elterwater, Sun 9 Apr was the last points race in the series this year, when  the last remaining battles were finally decided.