KWL 2017 off to a flyer

After all the organisation over the winter months, not even the most optimistic of us would have foreseen the popularity of the first two races; with both Scout Scar and Giggleswick attracting over 200 senior runners. Garry Greenhow, Sam Watson, and Charlie Lowther took the first 3 places on the scar with Kieran H coming 4th (1st v40) and 1st Helm. Hannah R led us home for the ladies with Catherine Slater coming in 2nd in her 1st race for Helm, with Ali Richards 1st v40. Results.

Giggleswick race saw Alistair Russell (Kendal) hold off Adam Perry for Helm and Mark McGoldrick (Wharfedale) edge ahead of Kieran H again 1st v40. The ladies saw Bingley's Victoria Wilkinson come in 1st with Imogen Burrow for Helm 2nd lady and 1st u23. A fine run from Bianca Dyer took the LV40 for Helm. Results.

Great pictures by Andy Holden of Stuart Allen and Ali Richards.

Tour of Helvellyn and Helvellyn 10k

Well done to the Helm runners in both these events Andy Horrobin came a superb 2nd overall and 1st v40 in this endurance event with Stuart Allan, Emma Jennings, Emma Dent and Sharon Hutchinson also competing. Results.

Also Sharon Taylor kept up the pace in the 10k race around Thirlmere coming in 1st followed by Jonny Marchant, Gill Ramsey and Lyndsay Harrod.

Fancy Dress run

The rain held off this year and Allsorts assembled at the Rifleman's for the run that startles walkers out on Cunswick scar.  The winners this year were Paul and Sarah Senior's Smurfs who just shaded it (in blue) from Jonny's wee willy Winkie and Paul and Jenny's where's Wallys. Thanks to Ali and Rick for organising especially the 'refreshments' at Cunswick hall to aid the return ascent of Gamblesmire lane. Photos and videos on Twitter. Pic by Duncan Richards.

 

 

Burley Moor Fell race and Harriers v Cyclists

Well done to Oliver Waters who was 6th in the Burley Moor fell race (results) and also to Sharon Taylor, 3rd lady (she was running) in Bingley harriers' runners v cyclists race. Results.

Dunnerdale

This annual favourite for Helm was particularly well supported this year and the weather cleared for this gem of a race. Adam Perry was first home for Helm in 3rd and led Mike Ainsworth, Keiran Hodgson (1st v40) and Josh Jardine home to take the team prize. We were also 1st ladies team with Hannah Russell (1st), Lucy Spain and Catherine Niblock.  We also took a host of other prizes including both v40 teams and Billy Procter 1st v60, and Ben Kent 1st u20. Results.

The FRA 'do' - the celebration of a great season

Many Helm runners made the trip down to Skipton this year for the annual close of season celebration (for some reason no one sent in pictures of the men). As a final reminder for the excellent performances over the season we were:-

FRA English individual

Individual GOLD- English U20 Hannah Russell, Individual BRONZE- English U16 Imogen Burrow. Individual BRONZE- English Henry Hunter U12 Individual BRONZE- English Chris Richards U18 

FRA British individual

Individual SILVER British Senior Woman - Sharon Taylor
Individual SILVER - British U23 Alex Hinchcliffe 

FRA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS  

ENGLISH
Team GOLD- English Junior Uphill

Team SILVER English Women's V40's Team

Team BRONZE- English Men's V40

Team BRONZE- English Senior Woman

BRITISH
Team GOLD - British Men's V40 Team

Team SILVER British Women's Open Team

Team SILVER British Women's V40's Team

BRITISH HILL & FELL RELAYS

Team GOLD - British Women’s V40 Team

Team SILVER British Men's V40's Team

Team BRONZE- British Women’s open Team

 

Hodgson Brothers and British Relays 2016

After much headscratching and last minute phone calls the relays were upon us. This has to have been our best season ever if you are counting podium places or number of teams entered.  Of the four in the Hodgson Brothers relay the ladies came in an excellent 2nd place winning through with toe to toe battles with Keswick and Ambleside. Hannah and Sharon bringing the baton home with the fastest leg 4 after stirling work by the rest of the team.  Despite not the best of starts the mens v40 fought back to claim 3rd and all Helm teams were led home by the mens open team coming in 6th. Results. A fortnight later we were up to the banks of Loch Lomond for the British Relays with an amazing 7 teams entered.  After several false dawns in this competition, everything fell into place for the leading Helm teams, the mens open came 4th and were 2nd English team after Dark Peak, the ladies claimed a fantastic 3rd, the mens v40 came 2nd. Finally the ladies v40, with credit going to nav leg runners Jayne and Marie managing to stick at it and bag the controls in challenging conditions, overall to come in 1st! Results.

Langdale Horseshoe

A good turnout for this classic race sandwiched between the relays. This was the final English championship counter with Helm hoping to secure several medal positions. Results are here and the championship table when updated will appear here.

Cumbria Way Ultra

Well done Andy Horrobin, 1st solo runner in the 73 mile ULTRA race from Ulverston to Carlisle - a stunning effort. RESULTS.

Merrick

A determined contingent of 18 Helm runners made the trip to Merrick in Glen Trool to contest the Scottish leg of the British championship decider. An extension to the Merrick hill race saw the runners tackle an unforgiving four miles of terrain after the steady run to the summit. Sharon Taylor (pictured in the earlier race a Donard Commedagh) secured second place in the British champs with a super third.  We eagerly await the results to hopefully confirm medals for the men's and ladies' v40 teams and the ladies' open team....watch this space.

Congratulations Ben Proctor KOM

With his spectacular 3rd place at Scarfell on Saturday Ben secured the King of the Mountains title for his efforts at Snowdon, Ben Nevis. At Scarfell he was clearly pushed to clinch this title by Lee who returned to form for fifth and a great debut in Helm colours for Sam Greene in 18th.

Billy's 60th Birthday - race/challenge

Club President Billy celebrated his 60th birthday on Saturday with a race around his bespoke 'Carnethy' training course on the Howgills, Ben and Lee had devised a few twists for the day, we were paired up by (mostly) matching the stronger runners with those with potential. The partners would then run in opposite directions around the course, meeting on the slopes of Arant Haw exchanging an egg and then each run the way they had come hopefully arriving back at the start without any accidents. It was a fab morning. Results are here and some pictures in the Gallery.

Catch Up

With the season coming to a climax the penultimate English championship counter took place at Pendle 3 peaks race. A large turnout for the club saw us picking up 6 prizes with the in form Sharon Taylor winning the race and Mark Addison claiming a fantastic 4th. The English and British champs are finely poised and Helm has the potential to secure medals in the final races at Langdale and Merrick. Results and Tables.

Congratulations Micheal Greaves on your Bob Graham

Steel Fell

A fair amount of dampness in the air led to slippery conditions for the steep up and down of Steel Fell.  This low key but well attended race saw Mark Addison triumph, with several Helm runners having good runs at the front of the field - particularly Ben P, Kieran H, Tim Cowin and Shane Ohly. Particular well done to Jo who was 3rd lady. Click on the picture to see more from Grand Day Out photography.

Borrowdale

The next English Championship race arrived in the form of the classic Borrowdale. Despite the holiday season Helm were well represented in the various categories with Sharon Taylor coming home in 4th, supported well by Lucy Spain in 6th place and Catherine Niblock in 21st - a great team effort.  Kieran came in first Helm for the men in 22nd with Paul A 35th, Nigel W 36th  and Alex Hinchcliffe 94th completing the men's team. Results here and click on the picture for great photos by Norman Berry. Sharon had had a good week, by winning the Rydal round and guide's race at Ambleside sports where Kath Lawson was an impressive 3rd. Results. Both races saw a good team turnout with Hannah Russell coming in 3rd on the 'longer' race.

Lakeland 100 and 50

Well done to Fiona Marley Paterson who was an amazing 2nd lady in the Lakeland 100 and also to Andrew Horrobin who was 6th man in the Lakeland 50. You can get your head around the times and distances here.

Bob Graham Weekend, OTILLO and more...

There cannot be many clubs that can support 3 Bob Graham attempts in one weekend, and by all accounts it was a fantastic day for so many people out on the fells on the legendary 42 peak route. Lee Procter (20:58) Fiona Marley Paterson (22:45) completed individual rounds, while the ladies set a new Vet 40s Billy Bland Challenge record (19:43). Congratulations to them.  Meanwhile Jenny Rice paired with Claire Wilson to come third in the OTILLO 37km swimrun duathlon in the Isles of Scilly with 8km of swimming! (results and info here). This means they have qualified for the world championship event.  In addition Mark Addison along with Rob Jebb won the team race at Lakeside Gummer's How and Tim Cowin was 4th at the Settle Hills race, and results will follow for the BOFRA Helm race. Finally if all that wasn't enough miles a select group took on the Great Lakes run, with Lucy Spain picking up second place and Mark Harris leading home the Helm men. RESULTS

The long and the short of it

So many races over such varied distances have been happening the past couple of weekends and the club has continued to compete at all distances.  Last weekend saw the men take the team prize in the gruelling 17 mile Duddon valley fell race with Adam P (2nd) Paul A, Nigel W and Kieran H all in the top ten and being closed down by the ever improving Peter German.  Lucy Spain took a fab 3rd place for the ladies.  Click on the pic for photos from granddayoutphotography.  The following day Kath Lawson recorded another second in the classic BOFRA 1 mile Kettlewell crags, here giving a lesson in how to descend over scree.  On Wednesday night 8 Helm runners ventured up to the beautiful Blencathra fell race with Jenny Rice winning the ladies and Alex Hinchcliffe coming 5th. Finally for this week new members James Barron and Elizabeth Adams have been representing the club at the Ingleton Scenery race (results) and Grizedale Gallop

Old County Tops

Helm had an impressive 4 pairs in the 37mile Old county tops fell race, with Garry B and Craig B managing the v80 prize, well done also to Lee P and Andy T, Andrew Cox and Fiona Marley Patterson, and Marie Robson and Carrie Gibson (results)

Up the Nab

Was this the longest 4mile race ever? Those of us watching the ladies race began to thinks so as after 30mins there was still no sign of the lead runners. On the map it seems so straight forward, a gradual climb, a few ups and downs and a return - a bit like the Helm really. It was an interesting course for the 15 Helm runners who made the trip and Sharon T, Hannah R, and Catherine N led the ladies home. With Tom A, Adam P, Kieran H, Nigel W and Ben P counting for the men.  Results are here so you can calculate the team placings and click on the pic for some good photos from Shaun Priestley.

The Three Peaks fell race

A large Helm turnout for this most challenging of races, culminated with Sharon T taking 5th prize and Kieran, Nigel and Craig taking 1st v40 team prize and the ladies 2nd team with Sharon T, Carrie G, Marie R. Adam P led the men home. Results here a nice mention for the v40s here and click on the picture for more from Racing Snakes.

London Marathon

Well done to Rowan Ranner who completed the Marathon in a speedy 3.39, exclaiming 'wall, what wall?' as she upped the pace over the last mile.

Congratulations

A big well done to two members completing recent endurance events. Firstly to Elena Procter on her arrival and excellent choice of parents (Mum and Dad also doing well), and also of course to Carrie Gibson on her amazing completion of the Marathon de Sables.

 

 

Donard Commedagh - British championship rd 1

15 Helm runners made their way across the water to Newcastle NI, and were rewarded with a stunning route and weather in this opening championship counter. Two years ago Slieve Donard produced some comical navigational adventures, but this year the first hill in the horseshoe was clear for all to see and its challenge was soley the gradient.  Most of us made a weekend of it and fun was had by all.  Sharon T had a storming run to come 2nd, and overall the women's team also held that position, and the FV40s were  also 2nd.  The men's open team were 6th lead home by Nigel W, with the v40s 1st and v50s 6th and Alex Hinchcliffe, back from injury, a very creditable 5th u23. Click on the pic for more photos from NIrunning and more here on the Nimra site. RESULTS

Carrie's Marathon de Sables

As you may know Carrie Gibson is competing in this year's Marathon de Sables, the 251km six day ultra-marathon in the Moroccan Desert

Follow Carrie's progress and send her motivating emails through these links...her race number is 960.

http://www.marathondessables.com/en/

http://www.linkeepers.com/en-live-marathondessables/

Go Carrie!

Rivington Pike and a bit of a catchup

A few races have been and gone over the past fortnight with several great performances needing a mention.  On an otherwise quiet weekend young gun Chris Richards mixed it with the elite to come home 5th in a top quality field at Rivington Pike. Keiran has returned from his travels to win the Cartmel 10k and follow it with a 3rd at Muncaster Luck, where Ben P came 2nd and Sharon T winning for the ladies in the 3rd club championship counter.  Meanwhile Tim Cowin came 4th at Causey pike and Mel Hyder 3rd at the Hawswater half marathon.  There have also been numerous team prizes and category winners - apologies if I have missed anyone.

Ben's, Lee's and Kieran's Wednesday night training group 

On Wednesday 30th March (to celebrate the start of the summer) we will be running around the Kentmere Horseshoe race route.  Meet outside Wheelbase, Staveley at 5:45pm so we can car share down the valley.  Please be on time and bring a head torch + all the usual gear.  We will be aiming to do this at a good pace but as ever we will not leave anyone behind. Possible beer and chips in the pub after for those who can stay! Cheers Ben.

Good News for all Winter League Runners

The fantastic Elterwater Race on Sunday 3rd April is confirmed as ON!

Black Combe

Saturday finally came and over 30 Helm runners made it to the start line in what proved to be typical weather for this race - thick mist. The recces proved helpful but compass skills were essential in navigating the best line (or any line) around the occasionally featureless course.  Many had tales to tell but overall Helm had a great start to the championship, with Tom leading us home in 5th for the men and Hannah R in 7th for the ladies. Perhaps run of the day was Ben who came in 20th.  The men's team are 4th (Tom 4th. Adam 13th, Ben 20th and Paul A 37th and Mark A 47th) and the ladies a fantastic 2nd (Hannah 7th, Jenny R, Catherine N and Lucy S). (StopPress: Mens V50 team joint 2nd). So we are more than in the mix - keep training…An entertaining Strava flyby and the provisional Results

 

Carnethy 5 - Return of the Claymore

Two minibuses full of Helm runners ventured over the border on a mission to retain the sword won last year and as we approached Edinburgh, the heavy snow and whiteout conditions promised an extra dimension to the challenge. Those Helm runners new to the race will have left none the wiser as to the route and views of this spectacular course, other than that it was hard, with the visibility down to meters for the duration.  In the end, despite fine running by all, the men were squeezed out into 2nd by the elite of Shettleston Harriers. Tom A was 3rd after a close finish and Mark and Adam ran well for 13th and 17th - Paul pipped Ben for the 4th counter.   Our fantastic ladies team also secured 2nd, with Hannah leading the way to a superb 4th and 1st LU23 ably supported by Catherine N and Carrie G (pushed all the way by Caroline H).  There are too many great performances to list at the moment but I will update when the prize list arrives. However, in the meantime you can work it out by studying the results here, and relive the day in comfort through these amazing photos by Matthew Curry.  Special thanks to Carnethy RC for organising and their marshalls' commitment. We get a nice mention in their report here.

Grand Day Out

A good turnout by Helm runners at this 10mile trail event in aid of Cumbria flood relief. Click on the image for more photos from James Kirby and results here. Well done to Ben P, Bruce Duncan and Lee P, battling it out at the front end, and Jenny R and Catherine N running well for the ladies.

YHA - King of the Castle - Senior Club Championship - race 1

A huge thank you and well done to the 20 seniors that attended the 1st club champs race today at YHA King of the Castle. 1st Helm male home was Adam Perry (3rd place) closely followed by Ben.P, Nigel.W (1st V40).  Jenny Rice was 1st Helm lady (3rd place) followed by Kath.A (1st V50) and Caroline.H. A fantastic race to start the championship and great support from all 20 club members (sorry I can't name you all!).  Next club champs race is Cautley winter league - with this kind of support it should be a superb championship year.  Male & female run of the day announced on Wednesday (bottle of Borrowdale Ale for both winners)

 

KWL Scout Scar

The familiar delights of Scout Scar were in evidence on Sunday's winter league opener.  Tom won the men's race and Howgill's Heidi Dent the first woman followed by Sharon T and Hannah R. Full results.

Nine Standards fell race

Despite its challenging reputation 8 helm runners made the start line in Kirkby Stephen on New Year's Day.  Keen to get in the prizes, as presumably the cellars had run dry, the ladies duly took the team prize; well done Catherine N, Kath A, and Carrie G.  David W led the men home at the front of an embryonic v40 team, with David Spence and James Baron. RESULTS 

Seniors' News 2015