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Loughrigg Fell Race Wednesday 4th April 2007 (4 miles/1000 feet) |
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The race is an out and back course and
starts in
The
course follows the large track up to the final fell gate, (the same route a few
of us walked up after Coniston 14).
It is then flagged to the summit where it returns by the same route. It’s not
compulsory to follow the flags. The only stipulation is that you have to touch
the trig point.
Scenery: 10 an absolutely gorgeous night
Atmosphere: 10
Organisation: 10
Value: 10 £3 only to enter and numerous
spot prizes awarded for all kinds of reasons (randomly shouted numbers, father
and son, youngest, oldest, furthest travelled, 1st fell race etc)
Beginner Friendly: 10 – perfect underfoot – last runner:
49:36
Do it again: Yes
Loughrigg holds many, many fond memories
for me. I’ve probably walked on it and run it 100 times. My family have had a
caravan close by since I was a child until 4/5 years ago. I keep meaning to
scatter my dog’s ashes there, but they’re still on top of my fridge at the
moment. I have raced it before with my old, (and now retired runner), friend Rod Hardacre (
Richard Davies and Derek Buckley were going to go, but in the end only Alex and I went up. We got there, (from the
We warmed up together and had a short
recce. I knew the route well and overtook quite a few on the initial climb,
which is perhaps the worst bit. Once on the actual fell itself, I overtook a
couple more, but then half a dozen in front started walking and I’m afraid I
also took the easy option. I changed position with a Kendal runner quite a few times and reached the summit in 21:35 (two
and a half minutes behind Alex).
I was determined not to lose too many places going down. I
was wearing my forearm guard and watching my footing really carefully. I think eight
passed me and I finished in 35:49.
Had a run in with Kate Beatty (CFR)
virtually all the way down and only edged in front on the tarmac. I really
enjoyed it and was fairly pleased to finish about half way, (and only one lady
in front!). I had a sprint finish in the park with an LOC runner and we are both credited with the same time.
Our times are posted onto sticky labels and,
when a sheet is full, transferred onto a nearby tree. I love the simplicity of
fell races! We helped ourselves to drinks and cake and marvelled at the views
over to the Fairfield Horseshoe.
1st
Nick Sharp (Ambleside) 16:20 to summit, Total time 27:00 (Course record)
21st
Alex 18:58/30:55
36th
(1st Lady) Veronique
69th Me
21:35/35:49
136 finishers (89
last year)
Full results: http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/results/race07/loughrigg.txt
Written by: Martin
Bates
Submitted: 6th
April 2007
Edited by: Brenda J
Earnshaw WRR Editor