Duddon – The long & the short of it

Report by Paul Hobbs

A break in poor weather conditions on Saturday welcomed Harriers’ runners to the beautiful Duddon Valley in the Lake District. This year, Duddon valley fell race hosted one of the long distance counters in this year’s English Fell Running Championships.

A race with a touch of everything, from paths, forest tracks, road crossings, steep and long climbs leading to craggy summits, Duddon is rightfully a Lakes classic. At the approximate half way point, The Three Shires Stone, runners often feel they’re on the home stretch. Far from it. It’s a long run back from the Wrynose Pass with a unwelcome sting in the tail up Caw just shy of the finish.

Chris Goddard was first Harrier home in a very respectable 3h 39mins. First Lady Harrier was V55 runner, Jane Leonard followed closely by Kath Brierley.

Richard Butterwick made a rare appearance off road and in the Lake District, with a very creditable 4 hours 30 minutes. Both Butterwick and David Leslie were the grateful recipients of two of the day’s spot prizes; a new pair of fell shoes.

Other Harriers results:

Paul Hobbs – 3h 50 mins
Dave Collins – 3h 57 mins
Dave Garner – 4h 18 mins
Richard Butterwick – 4h 30 mins
Kath Brierley – 4h 44 mins
Claire Harris – 5h 21 mins
Fiona Armer – 5h 24 mins

While the Long Duddon Race takes place, its younger sibling, the Short Duddon gives runner the chance to gain a taste of selected sections of the main route. At 10 miles and 3000 feet of climb, it is, in its own right a challenging medium fell race. Martin Roberts, Mandy Goth and Sue Roberts all got round in under 2h 45mins.

Paul BranniganDuddon – The long & the short of it