Aggie’s Staircase Fell Race Thursday, 22^nd June Start 7:15pm 4.1miles/1150’ (Darwen)

MARTIN’S RACE RATINGS:

Do it again: Yes

Scenery: 10

Atmosphere: 10

Organisation: 10 - Julian Donnelly – What a star! Really approachable guy. I’ve met some terrible organisers – races delayed by an hour; I’ve been ripped off; I’ve met organisers so rude, I’ve felt like punching them. Julian charges £3.50 and gives you a top quality T-shirt, free results on the night and spot prizes. Nothing is too much trouble. No wonder runners are defecting to Fell Running! The FRA has recruited 1,100 new members in the last calendar year. Partly due to Richard Askwith’s book, but credit must be given to guys like Julian.

Value: 10 - (Stuart Forsyth won a box of Freddo Dairy Milk Bars!!!)

Beginner Friendly: 10 - if our Fell Championship gets off the ground next year, this race is a must.

I met Stuart Forsyth (LSARR) and Richard Davies in the Fairfield. It took us only half an hour to get there.

The race includes three climbs of Darwen Moor. The route quickly joins the main track up to Darwen Tower, and then descends through the small quarry towards the top of Bold Venture Park. It then climbs steeply up a rough path known as Jacob’s Ladder, heads across the moor and then down to the foot of Aggie’s Staircase. This is the shortest, but steepest of the three climbs, and from the top you will return (20 yards short) to the Tower and descend the way you 1^st came up.

There was slight drizzle during the race. I ran with a T-shirt under my vest, (didn’t have to carry a bum bag). Ran straight away into the mist, (the route is flagged and there’s always someone in front). I soon had to resort to a brisk walk, but I didn’t loose any positions as everyone was in the same boat. There were some great tracks and I made a bit of ground on the level bits, but then promptly lost it on the downhills. Keith Gresty was watching and shouted encouragement. I’ve done the race twice before, so I knew what to expect. Once we hit the Tower for the second time, I knew there were no more ups and we were homeward bound. I overtook the forth lady, (Nicola Raby of Chorley), but got overtaken by Brian Kennedy of Newburgh Nomads who was getting a bit too close for comfort, (I was scared of getting legged up). He apologised at the finish. (He was going that fast; he couldn’t stop himself!)

1^st Darren Kay (Horwich) 28:26 –

1^st Lady (36^th overall) Carmen Anthony (Horwich) 34:24

Other locals:

9^th Dave Parkington (Preston) 1^st M40 30:50

25^th Will Garner (Preston) 32:42

33^rd Richard Davies 34:02

35^th Ali Welsh 34:14 (Bowland and NF)

45^th Steve Bamber (Preston) 35:17

49^th Ashley Nixon (Preston) 35:50

53^rd Tony Coldliy (NF) 36:36

67^th Martin Bates 38:07

70^th Stewart Forsyth (LSARR) 38:56

83^rd Willie Richmond (LSARR) 40:45

86^th Dave Wood (NF) 40:51

92^nd George James (B and F) 41:09

105^th George Arnold (Preston) 46:19

111 finished (last runner: 50:22)

In 2003 Malc Sherwood (NF) ran 46:30 and Helen Jolly (NF) did 58:32.

Full Results Table

We changed and retired for a couple of pints of ‘Bomber’ in the White Lion. Japan was beating Brazil 1-0 when we left!

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 23^rd June 2006

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Website/Magazine Editor