Ard Whallan Short Course - Report

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The Ard Whallan short course race, introduced back in 2020 is arguably the most challenging of the short courses. It features two big climbs totalling over 320m which is very nearly half of the long course despite being over 8km shorter. Despite a lack of recent rain the ground was very boggy and along with the high heather toward the summit of the Creg, it provides a real test, particularly for the junior runners.

Interestingly, in the four times this race has been run, there have been four different winners of this race. Last years winner, Samuel Perry, was absent this time as he was competing at the North of England Cross Country Championships. The 30 strong field was still packed with quality, particularly from the junior contingent. Charlie Teare, Cian Howard and Lucas Stennett all had solid chances of a win which made for some great racing.

It was Cian Howard who ultimately came out on top though. He gradually pulled away from Lucas and Charlie over the 5km route, ultimately winning by a good margin of 47 seconds from Lucas Stennett. Cian, well know for his performances on two wheels, has had an unfortunate couple of years with illness and injury so to come and win this race on very little mileage shows great ability and determination. Lucas hasn’t had a great few weeks with illness and injury either recently so it was still a great effort from the Northern AC runner. Charlie Teare, third, continues to improve and is getting closer and closer to the front of the field. Harry Stennnett rounded off the top 4 with a trademark solid run.

Dominic Dunwell deserves special credit for completing his race in 5th despite clearly suffering with a back issue in the latter stages of the race. One place back was clubmate and the improving George Salter who has become a regular competitor on the fells over the last year or two. Madison McMullan, another regular face at these races and the Lancashire County fell runner notched up another win, this time from Manx Harrier, Abi Clayton. In between these was newcomer Daniel Minay who had a stand out run in what I believe was only his second fell race.

Further down the field there were good runs for May-Saa Smith, no doubt inspired by her fathers efforts in the Spine Race, and Drew Alstead - the latter having been virtually ever present at these races for a couple of years. Good to see a comeback from Kirsty Arnold too after a lengthy lay off.

The post race spread of cakes was particularly impressive and the use of the Ard Whallan facilities for registration and catering is always appreciated, particularly if the weather is particularly inclement. It is always great to see everyone mucking in with teas, coffees, cleaning and tidying up - there were just a few cakes left at the end which will find good homes!

It was good to reminisce with some runners and parents after the race about a training run around the Christmas period in 2021 where the top three from Saturday’s race were all present, along with some experienced senior runners, including multiple local champion and former English Champion, Lloyd Taggart. Conditions were quite mild as we set off from Ballaugh Glen with the plan being to take in the summit of Slieau Freoghane before returning via Slieau Dhoo in a shortened version of the Slooby Dhoo race. On the approach to Slieau Freoghane summit though we were met with horizontal hail to create very wet, windy and freezing conditions and the route was sensibly diverted back down to the relative calm of the Hidden Valley and Glen Dhoo. The lads may not have quite enjoyed that day but it would certainly would have gave them some invaluable experience and make them appreciate how conditions on the tops can be drastically worse than at sea level, and understand the importance of safety gear and why it is required. Undeterred, they have all returned for further runs to learn a bit of fell-craft and all continue to regularly compete (and excel) on the fells to this day.

RESULTS

All smiles after the short course race but it was a different story two years ago!

shortly befofe the descent and brutal climb of slieau freoghane where conditions were wild! ayrton, far right, has since graduated from the junior ranks and put in a fine debut performance in the long course.

Ard Whallan Fell Race 2023

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Entries for the upcoming Ard Whallan fell race (and all other league races) are now open.

https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=11141

Senior (full or short course) and junior races can be entered. For convenience, you can also enter any of the remaining Callin Wild 2023 Fell League races at the same time through this link. All senior races are £6, junior entries are free. Please familiarise yourselves with the kit requirements (via link above)

RACE INFO & MAP HERE

MFR Fell Running League Qualification Rules

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League qualification rules have been updated for the 2023 season. Please familiarise yourself with the changes at https://manxfellrunners.org/rules

One important change to note is that qualification requires that you are a first claim member of a local England Athletics affiliated club, or a second claim member of Manx Fell Runners prior to the Laxey Fell Race (18th March 2023). Any unattached runners after this date will not be allocated league points and will be ineligible for the league.

St John's Fell Race 2023 - 01/01/2023

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The first local athletics event of 2023 will be the David Cretney sponsored St John`s Fell Race on New Year`s Day. The popular annual blast to the summit of Slieau Whalian and back will be raising money for charity as it has done for many years. All entry fees will be donated to the MS Society to tie in with Orran`s epic challenge in January.

The short 5km course will start and finish at the Peel St John`s Cricket club at 13.30 with registration next door at the St John`s football club from 12.15 until 13.15. The race will also be a round of the 2023 Callin Wild sponsored Manx Fell Running League plus the IOM Junior Fell league. The organisers invite competitors to wear fancy dress but please keep within reason. We do not want runners to carry anything during the race. Much more info shortly. The link to enter here:-

Https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=10928

WHL Round 3 - Ard Whallan, Saturday 10th December

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Here are a few reminders for everyone who is having a run in the third and final round of the 2022 Aston International sponsored Winter Hill League this coming Saturday. The race is based at the Ardwhallan Ourdoor Pursuit Centre in West Baldwin and this is where the start and finish will be. Registration will be in the lecture room from 12.15 until 13.15. You will be given a new race number when you register. Everyone who has competed in the opening two rounds will automatically be rolled over to the Colden race. You can still pre enter if you fancy a one off run. Due to the registration and finish officials being extra busy in this final round it is extremely doubtful they will be able to take any entries on the day. The advice is to pre enter to make sure. You can do this until 18.00 Friday.

https://manxfellrunners.org/whl-1-2022-pre-entry

We will have helpers there early to ensure we can squeeze as many cars as possible in to the centre. However we may be struggling as there is limited space. Please, if possible car share. There is also more parking available at the Colden park opposite the reservoir and a few spaces alongside the reservoir wall. Wherever you park please do so with care. The roads may well be a tad icy heading to Baldwin so please drive carefully.

The race will head off at 13.30 with all categories starting together. Safety gear is not required but as the forecast is for really cold weather  we would advise the wearing of clothing appropriate to the conditions.

After the race there will be refreshments in the lecture room followed by a presentation of awards for the 2022 Junior League that has been supported by Michael Tait followed by the WHL awards. Please be patient as it will take time to compile both the race results and final league table for allocation of prizes.


INTERIM LEAGUE TABLE (AFTER TWO ROUNDS)