James Coulson Laxey Fell Race 2023

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The 2023 James Coulson Laxey Fell race takes place at 13:30 on Saturday 18th March. Registration at Glen Roy Farm from 12:30. Full safety kit is required for this medium category race whilst short course runners must carry a waterproof jacket with attached hood, waterproof bottoms, whistle and a hat and gloves. The short course will be fully marked.

The longer course has been adjusted to avoid tram line crossings - updated map HERE. Please also review the updated route description.

Due to the recent wet weather, parking in the field at Glen Roy is likely to cause problems for many vehicles. Whilst many heed our request to car share where possible, on this occasion we ask in addition to arrange to park, if possible, in Axnfell or Conrhenny (possibly busy on a Saturday mind) car parks, regroup and then arrive with a car full to reduce the number of vehicles. If in a 4 x4 even better. There should be no problem getting into the field….but getting out may be different. Please help if you can.

SAM JONES MAKES IT TWO FROM TWO AT ARDWHALLAN

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It was Sam Jones who took the victory at Ardwhallan in a race that saw a bumper field of 160 competitors confront either the short or long course in conditions that were ideal for racing in late January.

Jones didn’t have it all his own way, with Orran Smith, fresh from his Spine Race efforts a mere nine days prior, pushing Jones all the way with the latter finishing just 8 seconds ahead, a photo finish in fell running terms.

The race begins with a slog up to the summit of Colden, starting with rising farming fields that should not be underestimated. The thin fog that lined the hill tops had glimmers of sky blue tones just above poking through like the shimmering morning light cracking the bedroom blinds, but its stubbornness stayed true.

First to appear at the top was the eventual winner, Jones, closely followed by Matt Christian. Both would provide self-proclamation that their descending is imperfect, so their lead from the initial climb was most-likely tactical to gap the talented descenders behind. In the women’s race it was Alice Louisa Forster who was leading at the first checkpoint, but it was tight and just behind was Nikki Arthur.

The following descent off Colden into the valley can lead to varying route choices, before the runners head up and across to Greeba, and then returning to the valley via Sileau Ruy.

At this point in the race it was Orran who had the lead, but just like the clag, Jones was refusing to disappear and followed in pursuit out of the valley. Elsewhere in the race, Matt Christian was in third followed by Jack Freeman in fourth, both having a gap to fifth and sixth Harry Weatherill and Oliver Chambers.

As the leaders headed through Creg Gate for the final descent down the fields to the finish line it was neck and neck. Sam Jones was able to push the final moments to take the win from Orran in a time of 1hr 7mins 30secs. The latter of course, must’ve felt his Spine legs, but take nothing away from Jones who takes his second win of the season while overcoming a serial winner in this very race. Making up the top five in the men’s race was Matt Christian, Jack Freeman & Harry Weatherill. Shoutout to Ayrton Withington who made the step up to his first senior race taking a fine twelfth position in a strong field of runners.

In the women’s race, Nikki Arthur took the win from round one winner Alice Forster with Rebecca Harding taking third. First home is the vet-40 class was the returning Rebecca Reynolds who just edged out Western AC’s in form Helen Taylor. Jan Gledhill  had a close race with Maggie Watkins in the vet 50’s before winning by a margin of just 20 seconds. Newcomer Lynda Quayle was first in the vet 60 class whilst Moira Hall was one place behind and first of the vet 70’s


The short race is a fine introduction to the fell scene, especially the Ardwhallan short course that hosts all the trials and tribulations that you’d expect and in recent years these races have been showcasing remarkable youth talent, and this race was no different with Cian Howard taking the win, with Lucas Stennett and Charlie Teare in hot pursuit in second and third. 

Michael Tait said it best post race when he said “The Manx Fell Runners are a family” and there was no better evidence to back that statement up than post race where volunteers and runners alike gathered to chat about the race while scoffing fresh bakes.


(Ruari Poole/Nigel Maddocks)

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.