Ennerdale Horseshoe Fell race. English Champs 2021, race 1. 12/06/21
Saturday saw the first serious return to fell racing since the pandemic started with the running of Ennerdale as the first counter in this years English Championship. And what a one to start with! At nearly 23 miles and 7,500 ft of climbing it’s not for the faint hearted. It has everything a Lakes Classic should have with steep climbs, rocky scree descents, a few little route choices if you know them or are brave enough to follow the people in front and even a bit of good grassy ridge running if you’ve anything left in the legs towards the end. The weather gods graced the event with glorious clear skies and a light breeze but also a bearable temperature that didn’t have everyone regretting how little water they were carrying within the first hour. The race had over 300 starters with separate women’s & men’s races being set off 15 minutes apart.
The men’s race was won by Billy Cartwright from Matlock in a very fast time of 3hr 32min with the first women home Nichola Jackson of Keswick in 4hr 14min
In the women’s race Annie Hassell was the lone Tod Harriers runner and put in a great run to finish in 4hr 57min for 7th place.
In the men’s race there were 9 Toddies, first home being Dom Leckie in 4hr 37min
Must also do a big shout out to Colin Dulson & his team for a fantastically well organised race with a great outdoor setting at start/finish in the grounds of the Ennerdale Scout Hut, not to mention the life saving pizza on offer at the end.
Dom Leckie 79th 4hr 37min
Annie Hassell 7th 4hr 57min
Jon Wright 122nd 5hr 03min
Bob Halstead 156th 5hr 26min
Darren Tweed 161st 5hr 27min
Daz Graham 180th 5hr 39min
Duncan Richie 197th 5hr 52min
James Riley 211th 6hr 11min
Stuart Wolstenholme 223rd 6hr 22min
Dan Taylor 232nd 6hr 39min