Aston International Winter Hill League 2019

The 2019 Winter Hill League, sponsored by Aston International, kicks off on Saturday 19th October at St John’s with a 5km route within the confines of Witches Hill. The route will be challenging but fun with nothing too steep or technical - ideal for newcomers to the discipline. The race forms part of 3 in the series with runners having to complete each race to qualify. Open to all runners aged 12 or above. Subsequent rounds will be held on 9th November and 7th December. Details of those will be announced in due course.

Registration will be from 12:15 until 13:15 at the St Johns Football Club clubhouse (as used for the New Years Day fell race) with racing underway at 13:30 from the clearing off Patrick Road (here). Race entry fee is £5 for seniors, juniors free. We will again be taking contactless card payments (inc. Apple Pay & Google Pay) so don’t worry about dashing off to find a cash machine before the race!

Hops-based sports drinks will be will be available for purchase afterwards in the nearby Tynwald Inn, which also serves food all day.

Please use the pre entry option below to register. It is easier for us if you pre-enter even if you may not race. Any junior runners must complete a consent form signed by a parent or guardian if they have not already competed in an MFR organised event this year (in which case they will be already covered until the end of the year). A list will be available at registration detailing runners who already have a valid consent form.

A few reminders before the race:

  • Entry details will be carried over for each race so if you pre-enter for round 1, or enter on the day, your details will be carried forward to the subsequent two rounds.

  • A new race number will be issued for each race. Please do not recycle your old number - this does not go down well with the timekeepers or results compiler!

  • No safety kit is required for these races but if the weather is particularly poor please dress to the conditions.

  • Routes are fully marked but we recommend arriving early in order to have a look around the course.

ENTRY ON DAY - PRE ENTRY CLOSED

English Schools Fell Running Champs 2019 Report

16 junior athletes returned from a successful trip to Giggleswick in North Yorkshire last weekend, representing Isle of Man Schools in the English Schools Fell Running Championships. This event has seen rapid growth since it’s inception in 2008 with many previous winners going onto to claim national vests, such is the standard of competition.

Thankfully the heavy rain had passed in the early hours and conditions for racing were good, albeit very muddy in places! Racing commenced with the year 7’s and Nathan Hubbard and Lucy Ormsby (both of St Ninian’s High School) made very promising debuts to take 25th and 17th positions respectively.

The year 7 race is the only to be held as a single year group so the remaining races saw athletes compete against older (or younger) opposition. The year 8/9 was our biggest squad with a strong looking contingent of 5 in the boys race, making them eligible for the team competition also. Multiple local championship victor Gethin Owen was best placed in a fine 17th position but he was very well supported with newcomer Cian Howard having a brilliant debut run to finish 28th, ahead of Samuel Perry who took the final team counter position in 36th. Lucas Stennett and Charlie Teare were also making their first appearances at these championships and both put in sterling performances to finish 39th and 47th. After a corrected result the boys team were promoted to a brilliant 4th in the team standings, just 1 point off the podium! With most of the lads running at the bottom end of their age group, they have great potential to reach the podium next year.

The girls year 8/9 squad comprised Macy Hillier and Madison McMullan so were unable to qualify for the team competition but both put in great runs with Macy recording our highest individual finish in 7th and Madison finishing an excellent 34th.

The year 8/9 boys team claimed 4th overall team with the girls recording some excellent individual results

In the year 10/11 race, the Northern AC pair of Ella Crowe and Catherine Perry both had outstanding runs to finish well up the field in 13th and 14th respectively. The boys managed to field a team in the race with versatile Manx Harrier Ryan Corrin recording a very impressive run to finish 29th overall. He was supported by Jake Richmond not far behind in 32nd with Nathan Cannell 48th. Nathan suffered an ankle injury early on in the race but stuck to the task commendably to ensure his team qualified and take a very respectable 5th team position.

The final race was the year 12/13 which saw Lorna Spiers take her bow after representing the Isle of Man with some superb performances over the years. Lorna had never finished outside the top 10 going into her final race and was able to maintain this excellent record in finishing 9th.

Ieuan Owen has progressed markedly during the last couple of seasons and he was another who recorded a stand out individual performance in taking 13th place.

After 3 years at Giggleswick School the event will relocate to different venue next year and there is every chance the squad will better their individual and team placings. Thanks to Mark Spiers for organising and Tonya Corrin for her support over the weekend. The athletes were a real credit to the Isle of Man, parents and their respective clubs - here’s hoping to an even more successful 2020!

Full results can be found at https://esfrc.org/index.php/results/4-results

Photos (credit to Dave & Eileen Woodhead for the above) can be found via the woodentops.org.uk Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/WoodentopsFR

English Schools Fell Running Championships 2019

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Isle of Man Schools will once again send a strong representation to North Yorkshire this weekend as 16 junior athletes head out to Giggleswick School for the 2019 English Schools Championships. This is the largest group ever selected for the event which attracts the best junior fell runners from across England and the Isle of Man.

Good luck to all runners, particularly those competing for the first time. The full squad is as follows:

Year 7 Girls
Lucy Ormsby

Year 7 Boys
Nathan Hubbard

Year 8/9 Girls
Macy Hillier
Madison McMullan

Year 8/9 Boys
Cian Howard
Gethin Owen
Samuel Perry
Lucas Stennett
Charlie Teare

Year 10/11 Girls
Ella Crowe
Catherine Perry

Year 10/11 Boys
Nathan Cannell
Ryan Corrin
Jake Richmond

Year 12/13 Girls
Lorna Spiers

Year 12/13 Boys
Ieuan Owen

Narradale Fell Race 2019

The final counter in the 2019 Callin Wild Fell Running League takes place on Saturday 14th September at 1.30pm with registration from 12:30pm at Sulby Claddaghs. Race information HERE. If recceing the route, please stick to areas of public ramblage and avoid private land (to which access is only granted on race day).

This 20km race is open to any runner aged 18 or over & full safety kit will be required.

Marshals are still required - please get in touch with Richie via Facebook if you are able to help.

PRE ENTRY HERE

Manx Wilderness Challenge Results (2019)

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The inaugural Manx Wilderness Challenge seemed to be very well received on Saturday with 29 pairs navigating their own routes over a vast area surrounding Sulby Reservoir.

Nick Colburn and Lloyd Taggart opted for a challenging route but timed it almost impeccably to arrive just a few seconds over the allotted 4hr time. Their impressive points haul of 455 was over a hundred clear of their nearest rivals Jackie Taggart and Eleanor Gawne. Gary Christian and Dominic Murphy surprised a few with a very well executed navigational strategy to finish 3rd pair.

The rain held off for most of the afternoon but most pairs had to endure at least one short sharp shower.

Thanks to all the marshals, timekeepers, finish area hospitality (Steve!) and landowners for access. A big pat on the back for Chris Kirk who worked tirelessly in setting this event up - top job Chris!

Results (thanks to Chris) can be viewed HERE

Manx Wilderness Challenge 2019

Fell runners? navigation? who will I have to follow?!

Fell runners? navigation? who will I have to follow?!

The next event in the MFR calendar is the inaugural Manx Wilderness Challenge which takes place on Saturday 31st August in a yet to be disclosed area at 1pm. Registration from 12 noon until 12:45pm at Sulby Reservoir car park.

This is a team event with runners competing in pairs, of which at least one member should have basic navigational skills. To qualify for league points, your team must score 50% of the winning total. Pairs must be aged 18 or above, or if running with a parent/guardian over 21 then a minimum age of 14 applies.

Please review the notes for entrants HERE before entering. You can also view the risk assessment if you wish.

Full safety kit (waterproof full body cover with taped seams, hat, gloves, map, compass and whistle) is required for this event along with the following additional items:

  • Small first aid kit capable of treating minor cuts

  • Mobile phone with sufficient charge to last the duration of the race. Devices must not be used as a navigation aid - GPS navigation is forbidden and any runners using such will be disqualified! It is permitted to record your route using a GPS device (i.e. Garmin watch)

Online pre entries are now being accepted - ONLINE PRE ENTRY HERE

Name changes will be permitted on the day in case of injury/illness, or you can get in touch via our contact form to inform us of any changes..