Congratulations to the 100+ runners who tackled the new North Barrule race on Wednesday evening. The weather cleared up nicely as the evening approached. Thanks to all the marshals and to Manx Utilities and Philip Christian for access. Philip also provided parking, without which we would have struggled!
That cat wasn’t going nowhere!
Full results are now up from Sunday’s event. Thanks to sponsors Erin Bike Hut, Knockaloe Beg Farm for hosting (and that cat!) and the myriad of helpers and marshals. Any anomalies just get in touch via Facebook or comment.
FULL RESULTS
Entries for the upcoming 25km Bradda Fell Race on Sunday 28th May are open at https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=11225. This is a category AL race and as such full safety kit will be required (FRA rules)
Registration is from 08:45 until 09:45 at Bradda Glen Cafe.
Note that there will be a 2hr cut-off at the Round Table on the outward leg. It is appreciated this has not been widely advertised and as such will be enforced on a discretionary basis.
RACE INFO
ENTRIES
RESULTS
The 2023 Junior Fell Running Championships returns to Knockaloe Beg Farm (directions) on SUNDAY 21st May with registration from 12-1pm. Runners must register between these times regardless of when they expect their race to start - no late entries will be accepted.
Further information and entry link at www.manxfellrunners.org/junior-fell-running-championships-2023-sponsored-by-erin-bike-hut
CURRENT ENTRY LIST
Thank you very much for the very generous donation from the Manx Fell Runners in relation to Orran's absolutely incredible fundraising effort in running the Montane Spine race. Running 268 miles is an astonishing feat on endurance and unbeatable mental, even more so in the appalling conditions for the year's race.
The MS Society is a registered charity and we are entirely dependent on general donations from companies, associations and individuals, as well as from fundraising events such as Orran's.
There are just under 200 people in the Isle of Man who have MS and the funds raised enable the Society to provide a number of vital services to MS patients and to their families. This includes:
the funding of an MS Welfare Officer to provide care, support and guidance to MS patients
The funding of specially adapted exercise classes, such as chair based classes, yoga, Pilates and aquatherapy classes
The funding of grants to MS patients for essential home modifications, such as ramps, wet rooms etc, and for specialist mobility equipment, such as scooters and off-road walkers etc
The funding of social events such as monthly coffee mornings and quarterly lunches
The funding of various MS related events, such as “newly diagnosed” seminars and educational awareness events.
Thanks again for the donation. It is hugely appreciated. I hope that you and all your members have a busy and successful running season.
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.
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)
