Black Combe Runners

Published at 11:10, Thursday, 08 December 2011

A BUSY year for the local Cumbrian running club Black Combe Runners on the fells came to an end the weekend before last when the club organised the Kirkby-in-Furness fell race over a 6.5 mile course (1,600ft ascent) on Kirkby Moor taking in six checkpoints.

Weather conditions were not ideal as a lot of rain, which fell overnight, would prove a testing course for the runners to race on but 81 runners toed the line for the 11am start outside the village hall.

A lung busting road climb gave way to open fell as competitors had to visit checkpoints including Grey Crags, Shooting House Hill and Bank House Moor.

The last half-mile was a fast, mostly road, downhill to the finish, and it was this that witnessed 20-year-old Tom Addison of Oxenholme based club Helm Hill Runners, win in a brilliant time of 48:46, around two minutes faster than last year, and he could threaten the course record in 2012.

His brother Mark took third, arriving 90 seconds later. Jos Addison (Helm Hill) finished ninth (56:50) which also meant they won the men’s team prize as well. Ben Abdelnoor (Ambleside AC) split the brothers by taking second, 16 seconds behind Tom.

The ladies race was a one horse affair as comeback queen Sharon Taylor (Bingley Harriers) won convincingly in 60:22, well ahead of Ambleside ACs Hazel Robinson, who still finished a very worthy second lady in 63:38.

There was a good turnout by BCR with 2011 club fell champion Jamie Baron the first BCR to finish, just under the hour by 26 seconds, ahead of last year’s club champion Peter Tayler who finished in 63:05.

Mike Jewell arrived 75 seconds later while Patrick McIver romped home in 65:51, William Ross got 66:58, Jackie Casey was exactly a minute behind but claimed first LV50 prize.

New member Chris Grieve clocked 69:11, James Goffe got 72:27, William’s wife Sue recorded 72:53, race organiser Dave Parminter 74:25, and new member Mike Hartley showed great club spirit, finishing in 1:24.29.

Last Sunday, in cold, but dry windy conditions several BCRs took to the streets of Ulverston to take part in the Hoad Hill Harriers’ Xmas pudding 10km road race.

Their results were as follows: Mike McIver 37:49, James Goffe 43:50, Mike Jewell 45:24, Robert McKeever 51:32 and 2011 road champion Karl Fursey 53:17.

Club members are reminded the first of the club’s winter training league races, weather permitting, is the Po House 5.7 miler on New Year’s Day at 10.30am from Beckside Farm, A595 Whicham Valley.

Non BCR members are welcome to turn up and take part in all winter training league races, details of which are on the website. It’s free entry.

The AGM is set for Tuesday, January 31, at Kepplewray, Broughton-in-Furness.

Advance notice that next year’s 8.2 mile 3280ft ascent Black Combe Fell Race, which the club hosts, takes place on Saturday, March 3, at 12noon.

More details are available on the website: www.bcrunners.org.uk

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk