Lostock AC’s annual Chair’s Fell Running Event once again proved what a fantastic club night it is, encouraging members to step outside their usual running environment and experience the challenge and enjoyment of fell running.
The five-mile event, with an elevation gain of 8ooft, attracted 32 runners, with some chasing a quick time while others took a more leisurely approach, enjoying the route and catching up with fellow club members along the way.
The weather looked decidedly uncertain beforehand, with sporadic rain and strong winds threatening to make things interesting. Thankfully, by 7pm the dark clouds had cleared, patches of blue sky appeared and conditions were ideal for running. Everyone even managed to stay dry throughout the race, with only a short shower arriving while everyone waited for the results.
The event saw a mixture of experienced fell runners and members who were less familiar with off-road running, with many tackling the route in small groups.
The first runner back was experienced fell runner Rob Sharkey who finished in an epic 43:03. He was closely followed by Paul Edwards, who is usually more comfortable of the roads, who finished on an impressive 46:12. Lostockers then started to arrive in quick succession Tony Marlow (48:19) was next followed by John Harrison (49:52), Greg Kilshaw (51:30), Andy Kirks (51:32), Callum Ward (51:57), organiser Mark Shuttleworth (52:10) and Dave Parry (52:45).
Nikki Hamerton was the first female back in an awesome 52:55, followed by Brian Halton (53:12), Andy Laycock (55:20), second female Sally McCoy (56:24), Chris Taylor (58:44) and third female Mary White (59:35).
We then arrive at the more leisurely runners, Gareth Pratt (1:00:24), Ian Johnson (1:02:09), Tony Maxwell (1:03:43), Ian Burns (1:07:57), Lee Burns (1:07:57), David Wilcock (1:08:34), Paul Lacey (1:08:50), George Iveson (1:11:55), Bev Atherton-McKenna (1:12:15), Dougie Ainsworth (1:12:15), Jenna Wood (1:13:27), Rachel Stevens (1:13:27), Emma Chadwick (1:16:20), Sheila Garewal (1:16:20), Rachel Walker (1:16:20), Terri Aldred (1:17:30) and Matt Withers (1:17:30 – tail runner). Many of the runners had never run on the trails before and enjoyed the views and different terrain.
At the finish, Mark Smith announced the prize winners and handed out a selection of spot prizes before everyone gathered for a team photograph.
There was also a lovely surprise from Chair Rachel Stevens, who presented special badges to members completing their first fell run, as well as badges for the seasoned fell runners. A brilliant way to celebrate both those discovering fell running for the first time and those who have already embraced it.
A huge thank you goes to all the volunteers who helped make the evening such a success, including organisers Mark Smith and Mark Shuttleworth and marshals David Wilkes, Christine Smith, Kath Johnson, Gill Caldwell, Mark Checkley, Alan Jones and Daniel Wood.
