Juniors' News (2016)

Whitestones KWL Sun 29 Jan ... number three in the series! U13 Helm Hill juniors can meet by the flag for a warm up at 11.45am.

Giggleswick KWL Sun 22 Jan - Well done Juniors of all ages ... another great big turn out from age 8 years through to the U23 category. 

In 2015 it was Stuart, Tess, Tara and Evan who were together, as a family, awarded club colours. In 2016 Paul, Marcia (who unfortunately missed the photo opportunity), Fin and Islay were the family who received their colours together. Well done guys. Full details of club colours 2016 and previous years' colours are on the Honours tab of the Races page.

7 and 8 Jan  - A busy weekend for some juniors, who tackled both the Cumbria Cross Country championships on Saturday then Scout Scar on Sunday. Sunday saw a really big turn out of juniors - thank you and well done. 

Runners old enough to be selected to run for England should see THIS LINK ASAP so you can get the relevant dates in your diaries/your parent's diaries.

 

Wansfell race, 27 Dec Open to 14 years and upwards (one race - everybody starts together), this race saw a brilliant turn out of Helm runners of all ages. Well done to the juniors who mixed so well with the seniors. Take a look at the RESULTS and more pictures in the GALLERY.

Stuck inside over Christmas? - Try our Helm Christmas colouring sheet

Sat 3 Dec - well done to the Juniors who worked so well today on understanding map issues,
 and many thanks to Ali for leading the session.

England 2017 selection process and race dates for Mountain Running now published HERE . Events are a few months away yet, so don't rule these out because you think you aren't good enough...instead, have a chat to your coach.

Results HERE for the third race in the Mid-Lancs cross-country series, featuring the Kendal-Helm composite team.

Arnside Knott Always a lovely end of year event, there was a good number of Helm Hill juniors up for this race on Sunday 20 Nov. Results are HERE. There are two junior race starts; U8s and U10s together, followed by U12s, U14s and U16s together - the start of which is pictured here;

 Robert Askew took a steady lead out of the start field, and built on it in order to come home first in the U16s race. There were a couple of mishaps, such as running the wrong course and another Helm junior carrying one shoe rather than wearing it for the final part of the race, but those things are much less important than the fact of being there and doing the race. Well done to all juniors who got out to Arnside, including those who are moving into senior territory and, aged 16 or older, can take on the senior 10K race there.

Juniors Sports meeting Twenty juniors came together on Friday 11 Nov for an evening of strength and conditioning - plus a session on nutrition (both theory and practical!).  

Buttermere Shepherds Meet 

13 juniors travelled to Buttermere to take part in the final race of the Helm Junior Championship, and with some categories still up for grabs, competition was high.  Final results can be found here. A special mention for Vaughan Samson, the only junior to have completed all 13 races, well done! Thank you to all the juniors that have taken part this year, we'll see you at the presentation night, details to follow.

BOFRA (British Open Fell Runners Association) championship results!  Sat 8 Oct Wasdale saw places consolidated for the BOFRA series this year. Helm has three juniors in top positions; congratulations to Katherine Lawson 2nd Senior Female overall, Henry Hunter 1st U12 boy overall and Jacob Aubrey 2nd U17 boy overall -pictured below at the start of the Helm BOFRA race. 

Cross country season is upon us... you may wish to take part in any of the Cumbria Athletics series of cross country races. If so, see the 20167 Cumbria xc poster in the documents panel at the bottom of this page. Well done to those who raced at Cockermouth in the first race of the series. Keep up to date with news about the series via Cumbria Athletics facebook page - beware that dates in this series have been known to alter!  The first Mid-Lancs cross country race has already taken place too, featuring the Kendal-Helm Hill composite team; results are HERE.  However, don't forget to make room in your calendar for the LAST RACE OF THE HELM JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 - 22 October at Buttermere Shepherd's Meet.

Sat 24 and Sun 25 Sept ... a busy weekend for our junior runners - Orton Fell Race on Saturday was the club's penultimate Junior Championship race. Sunday featured the English Schools Fell Running Championship, an annual event for secondary school students in which a lot of our juniors ran for their schools. The routes on Winder were tough and steep; both uphill and downhill. A big well done to ALL the juniors who got out there and took part. Results are on www.esfrc.org

Also coming up...the first of the Cumbria cross-country series of races- here is the link on the Cumbria Athletics page to the dates; the first race is at Cockermouth school on Sat 8 Oct. The first Mid-Lancs cross country race will be on Sat 1 Oct...see www.midlancs.org.uk .

Junior Home International

Spot the Helm runners in the victorious England Home International team at Skiddaw. Brilliant runs from Hannah Russell (4th), Imogen Burrow (5th) and Chris Richards (7th).  More photos from the Woodentops site here and HERE is the full report and results.

Juniors Howgill outing 

On Sunday a group of 14 Helm Hill youngsters, two Helm Hill coaches and six fantastic parents enjoyed ascending Winder, and then going up into the mist to look at the pile of stones on the top of Arant Haw. From Arant Haw summit it was all downhill ... to get to the chips!

Loweswater Show Sun 4 Sept  

Several juniors lined up for the U11s and also the U16s race at Loweswater show. Look carefully above and you will see three of our juniors in this picture are holding brown envelopes ... well done to Ollie and Erin on their third places, and to Robert for his first place.

ENGLAND SELECTION... CONGRATULATIONS to Imogen, Hannah and Chris on their selection for the England team at the Junior Mountain Running Championships on 17 Sept, to the summit of Skiddaw Little Man. Team details are HERE

MID LANCS Cross Country 2016/17 winter series If you would like to register your junior for the Kendal AC-Helm joint team, please contact Dave Roelants by THIS (ie the Bank Holiday) weekend. See the notice about it in the Forum. Further race info on www.midlancs.org.uk 

Salt Ayre 5K Sat 30 July (a junior Helm Hill championship race for 11 year olds and older); results HERE ; well done to Micheal Dugdale - first Helm vest home. Keep racing during the holidays and remember to fill in your COLOURS sheet so you can claim your half colours / full colours this year.

Fairfield Although the fell excursion on Sun 10 July had been initially planned to top out on Great Rigg, in fact juniors were successfully encouraged to also summit Fairfield, under the guidance of our club Chairman/junior coach Tim. Starting in the valley near the A591, level 4 and level 3 juniors successfully made the climb to the pinnacle of the horseshoe and then yummed up the fantastic long descent. Well done to all the juniors who took part! 

Sedbergh Sports 9 July - Although the schedule for the junior fell races was a moveable affair here, many Helm Hill juniors managed to get to their start lines just in time for this 9th race in the Helm Hill junior 2016 championship ... any junior who completes 7 championship races will be awarded a junior championship special edition buff (not available for sale, only for the championship). 

FRA update The FRA junior championship concluded last weekend; as a club, Helm juniors finished overall 4th position! Well done and a big thank you to juniors and parents for your hard work and attendance at the championship races. In the individual categories, we have the following juniors achieving a top 3 placing; Imogen Burrow 3rd place U16Girls, Henry Hunter 3rd place U12Boys, Chris Richards 3rd place U18Boys. Full results of the championship are HERE

Bampton Sports - Helm Junior Championship 2016

 The next round of the Helm Junior Championships is taking place this Sunday at Bampton Sports.  This is a traditional country sports afternoon with races in the showfield as well as a senior and junior fell race.  On the FRA website it states that the junior fell race is for 10-15 year olds.  I have emailed the organiser and he has suggested that younger children might be able to take part.  I'm not 100% confident that this is the case so if your child is younger than 10 it would be a risk to consider travelling to the event if you were only going for the fell race. I am going to keep it in the championship but I may add in another race for the younger age category or I may reduce the amount of races that the U9's need to do from 7 to 6, what this space - From the Junior Championship Organiser.

FRA championship 2016Stretton 3 July is the last in the series. Don't travel there unless you have pre-entered! See FRA Juniors Facebook page for all the latest news on the championships. Remember to order your T-shirt if you've completed 4 races this series, and your hoody for 6 races.

Clougha Pike 18 June and Helm Hill BOFRA 19 June gave another opportunity for Helm Hill juniors to turn out in force and race brilliantly. 

More photos from the Helm BOFRA race in the GALLERY.

Church Stretton 2 July is the last FRA junior 2016 championship race - pre enter;  . See the FRA website HERE for Helm's current club position overall in the championships.

Turner Uphill Sat Jun 11 - Helm Hill Juniors have claimed the team prize once more. Results HERE ...

... and more photos here. A big well done to ALL juniors who braved this steep and rocky challenge, claiming points for their own individual club championship position as well as contributing to the final team result. Every runner is important for creating the final team result. 

Helm Junior Championships 2016 Updated results available here

Killington sports Thurs 2 June  Results on the BOFRA websiteA great and full evening out involving egg throwing, mountain bike racing, potato racing, sack racing, half mile and mile racing, 100yds sprints, pillow fighting and, in the dark at 11.00pm, two Helm lads part of a finalist tug of war team. Oh, and some fell racing too. There were plenty of Helm prize winners in so many of these events. Well done all! 

Please also take a look at this topic in the forum regarding CRY.

Malham FRA Championship race Sat 14 May Well done to all those Helm runners who turned out for the third 2016 junior championship race. 

HELM HILL RACE NIGHT - Wed 11 May Photos below and in the gallery. Results are HERE (left, lower panel on KWL/Race page)


Hawkswick FRA junior championship races Sat 7 May
... not as many Helm runners at this as the last championship race, but effort was by no means lacking! Results are here and photos can be found on Woodentops.org.uk   This race is swiftly followed by the next in the championship series - Malham on Sat 14 May.

Well done Level 3 juniors for completing a lovely fell run Sun 24 April from White Moss, along Loughrigg Terrace, and up Silver How the steep way, then down to Grasmere for refreshments and the 555 bus. 

Arant Haw and the KWL 2016 presentation -  KWL 2016 Junior Endeavour trophy; well done Becky Dyer for your persistence and grit. 

There were some unusual fell running outfits on the Howgills when

the Juniors raced this Sunday... 

 

Todd Cragg Sat 16 Apr, first FRA Junior Championship race of 2016 This was a really superb day of racing, with a strong turn out of Helm Hill juniors. The course was steep and tough, and a debut race for Megan Harris in the U8 girls. There were many very strong runs by our juniors and special mentions go to Chris Richards who won his race, Simon Rigby who came second in his and Clara Samson who also won her race with a fantastic sprint from the bridge to the finish line to overtake the leading 2 boys and come in first overall. Full results on Ambleside AC website. Results for the FRA championship tables are here on the FRA website...it is early days yet but Helm is currently in third place on the club table. Great photos from Woodentops on the FRA Juniors Facebook page. Below - U12s on the start line.

A few forthcoming items... 1) See HERE for details of the 2016 FRA Junior Championship. 2) See HERE for details of this year's BOFRA races. 3) 21 May trial race info HERE for juniors born in 1999 and 2000 who wish to try for selection for the England team in the World Mountain Running Association Youth Cup competition.

Helm Hill Junior Championship series ... see HERE for info ... This year there will be a prize for every junior who completes 7 races from the list. Get out your diaries/calendars/phones/tablets and start planning! 

Sun 3 April - Elterwater KWL ... the final junior races of the 2016 series, with some really great, fast racing including a battle all the way to the end between 2 Helm boys for first place in the U12s race (see picture in the gallery, 2016 album). Below; Annabelle Taylor second Helm girl in the U14s to Lottie Beardwood.

Sun 20 Mar - KWL race on the Helm It was a warm and sunny day to be back on the Helm and there was once again a great turn out of Helm Hill juniors, and some close battles for the final finish positions ... 

 Joe Clayton and Clara Samson.

ENGLISH SCHOOLS AA NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, 19 March Helm juniors were in action again today at Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire representing their county.  Clara Samson and Elodie Malcolm helped the Year 5 girls to 3rd in the team category.  Henry Hunter, Evan Allan and Islay Aitken all ran well in the Year 6 races.  Cumbria Year 6 boys had 3 runners in the top 10 but unfortunately team results were not available for prize giving. Ollie Sanders and Mia Heath both had good runs in the Year 7 race.  Congratulations to you all. Results here

 

BOFRA and FRA 2016 See the BOFRA website for the recently published 2016 calendar of races. Remember to join BOFRA if you wish to take part in the BOFRA championship this year, then use the same race number at each race (you still need to register at each race 'though). The FRA 2016 championship races list is on the FRA website.

Sat 12 and Sun 13 March saw Helm Hill Juniors racing at County level in Birmingham (well done Josh, Imogen, Jacob who all finished their races in fine form) 

 whilst others gave it their all at the KWL Cautley race on Sunday; here are Henry and Ollie storming to first and second place U12s. 

Helm Junior Championship 2016  With two races down and 11 to go it's early days and all to play for.  Have a look and see how you're doing here.   Next championship race is Todd Cragg, Sat 16 April; details here

KWL  at Sedbergh school ...perhaps these U12s are cheering because, unlike the Seniors, the water (mud!) jump is not in their course??! More pictures in the gallery 

FRA 2016 championship. The first race is Todd Crag, Sat 16 April, which is also a Helm Hill Junior Championship race! See document in the documents panel for the full list of FRA championship races this year, also available on the FRA website, under Events (and choose Juniors from the Events menu). 

International opportunities 2016. All juniors aged 14 years plus should see the England Athletics website HERE for info on International running opportunities and the FRA training camps; 13 March for 14 - 16 year olds, 8 - 10 April and 12 - 14 August for 16 - 19 year olds. Selection race for The International Youth Cup (to be held in Czech Republic) is on 21 May. Selection races for the Junior Home International are 27 August and 11 June. U23 International options listed here too.

Sunday 21 Feb - The Kendal Winter League continues ... as does the wind and rain. Well done all juniors at Cunswick Scar. 

Coaches and assistants First Aid course, Sat 6 Feb. Ten Helm Hill Junior coaches / assistants passed a First Aid course with St John Ambulance. Below;Tim gives First Aid to Choking Charlie... 

Junior Conference On Fri 5 Feb, Helm Hill joined forces with Kendal Athletics and Kendal Swimming Club for a Junior Conference which included Strength and Conditioning, excellent presentations from Lauren Munro-Bennett and nutritionist Heather Ohly, plus some mental preparation help. 

Birkrigg KWL, 31 Jan Matthew Wright heading for the finish, with the mud that was typical of this race! Well done Matthew and all other Juniors for negotiating the new start/finish route out of the quarry and running so well. More photos in the Gallery.

Next KWL race for Juniors is Cunswick Scar, 21 Feb.

Whitestones KWL, 24 Jan - first race of the Junior 2016 Helm Hill championship series, 4th in the KWL series this year. A steep and exciting course, tackled by a good turn out of Helm Hill juniors. 

Sat 16 Jan ... 4th race in the Mid-lancs 2015/16 cross country series. Well done to the Kendal-Helm composite team U13 boys, which included Josh Roelants, and to Imogen Burrow for her second place in the U17 women's race. Results here. Next Mid-lancs race is in Cleveleys; 13 Feb.

 Giggleswick KWL race, Sun 17 Jan  Well done to all Helm Hill juniors who tackled the mud, snow and water on Giggleswick School's cross country/low fell course, many of you now having raced three weekends in a row. More pictures in the gallery. 

 

Firbank, second race in the 2016 Kendal Winter League series saw another great turn-out of Helm juniors.
 This year, for the juniors, the weather stayed dry and was even sunny at times! More pictures in the gallery.

U17 boys team, comprised of Jacob Aubrey, Martin Askew, Michael Dugdale (all pictured below), picked up the team prize on Sat 9 Jan at the Cumbria Athletics Association County xc championships, Crooklands. 

Well done to all other Helm runners at Crooklands today too - the races were fast and muddy ... Henry Hunter in the U13s, Katie Thurlow and Amy Slattery in U15s, Imogen Burrow in U17s.

Multi-club Junior conference 5 Feb 2016 ... this joint conference with Kendal swimming club and Kendal Athletics club is just for members of these three clubs who are of the right age. See the forum - click HERE - for info. Heather Ohly (Twitter@heatherohly), on what and when to eat, Lauren Munro-Bennett (Twitter@LaurenMB95), who was a Helm Hill junior, and Lisa Norton level 2 endurance coach are amongst the presenters. Please book your place quickly.

Helm Junior Championships 2016 Details for the Helm Junior Championship 2016 can be found here and on the races page of the site.  This year you have 13 races to choose from over the course of the year and you need to complete 7 to be in with a chance.  Races range from our own Winter League to FRA with some different ones thrown in too.  The first race is Whitestone Winter League on Sunday 24th January 2016 at 12.00.  See you there.

Kendal Winter League started on Scout Scar on Sun 3 Jan 16...here is the blur of the U12s start - the very first race of the whole series; 

Remember to keep your race number - same number needed for all future KWL 2016 events. Inbetween the KWL, you may like to have a go at the County Cross-Country Championships on Sat 9 Jan, Crooklands. Pre-entry is cheaper than entry on the day. See here for entry form.

Cumbria Cross Country series see "Recces, Routes and Races" section on the Forum for info about the rearranged dates for this, after the Carlisle and Keswick events had to be cancelled. 

Minimum age 14 years...has allowed Helm Hill juniors to venture into Senior race territory recently. A trio of Helm Hill juniors achieved top 10 placings in CFR's 20 Dec 5K Christmas pudding trail run; results. Sunday 27 Dec saw Helm Hill juniors in the sharp up and down Wansfell Pike race (results due soon on Ambleside AC website).            

 

Juniors' News 2015