Our Fell Running contingent were blessed with some of the North Yorkshire Moors finest scenary and cake on Sunday.
The 7 mile race started just outside Levisham, dropping down the valley side to then run down the valley parallel to the steam railway. Shortly after the Levisham staion there is a long climb upto Dunders Pond, a quick bit of level running is quickly followed by a nice blast downhill, only to rise again into the woods for a high traverse of the steep sided valley. Another descent and then a final climb of a hill covered with heavy and sticky mud to the finish.
Chris Roberts ran well in the very muddy conditions to finish in second place, running neck and neck with the eventual winner for much of the race and just losing ground towards the end.
Barry Atkinson was fourth , just 2 seconds behind 3rd, but good enough for first M50.
Simon Collins finished in 8 th place with Neil Stabbs rounding out our victorious Mens team in 9th.
Despite having our first four runners home within the top 9 we were left to sweat on whether we had won the team prize, as East Hull Harriers tied with us on points, they finished 1st, 3rd , 5th and 14th.
Victory was awarded to us as our 4th counter finished higher than theirs.
Nik Vogan matched Chris’ result as she was the second Lady to finish, Janet Cordingley was the second F50.
David Leese had a good run placing 14th as did Andrew Johnson who was 28th (2nd M55).
The prizes of bottles of wine were awarded at the Village Hall, where there was also a tremendous selection of delicicous home baking for the ravenous runners to devour.
Next race in series is the 9 mile Eskdale Eureka (near Castleton ) on December 14th. Dont miss out !
Photos from Esk Valley gallery , taken by Lorraine Laycock
