Todmorden Harriers proudly hosted the first English Fell Racing Championship counter of 2024 with Flower Scar on Saturday 16th March. A wet week (year!) ensured the mud was thick and the bogs were deep. But the Fell Running Gods switched the rain off for the morning of the race and out came the sun to make the occasion very enjoyable for the runners, organisers, marshals, and spectators.
380 runners representing clubs from around the UK started the 13.5Km, 650 metre climb route, many of the top places being taken by Lakes & Peak District clubs, those with higher hills than Todmorden!
Despite the tough under foot conditions both the ladies and men’s course records were broken. First lady Eva Pannone was over 10 minutes quicker at 1:08:10, in fact all top 10 ladies beat the previous record time of 1:18:50. The top 7 men beat the previous record of 1:02:37 with Tim Lamont winning in a time of 1:00:41.
Top 3 ladies and men:
1st Eva Pannone – Ambleside AC
2nd Nichola Jackson – Keswick AC
3rd Caroline Lambert – Keswick AC
1st Tim Lamont – Helm Hill Runners
2nd Tom Wood – Oxford University CCC
3rd Finlay Grant – Dark Peak Runners
Photos by Jackie Scarf
Black Combe Runners took the ladies team prize, and Keswick AC for the men.
Performance on the day from the 14 Toddies taking part was led by Doni Clarke finishing 7th with a fantastic time of 1:02:08, also claiming first M40. Other age category winners were 1st and 2nd F55, Deborah Gowans and Mel Blackhurst.
Full results can be found here Results – Flower Scar Fell Race – 16 Mar 2024 (sportident.co.uk)
by Mark Tempest
Featured image photo by Lucy Burnett