Buttermere Horseshoe Fell Race, 23 June
Report by Lucy Hobbs
One of the toughest Lakeland races in the fell running calendar, The Darren Holloway Buttermere Horseshoe was a British and English championship race this year. Situated in the peaceful West Lakes, starting and finishing in Loweswater, the race is an epic 22 miles and with a brutal 8,500 feet of climb. Thankfully the race this year took place in perfect running conditions and with fine visibility. Keswick Carl Bell smashed his own record with an incredible time of 3 hrs 45 minutes.
There was a strong Todmorden Harriers turnout. First Toddie back Andy Worster had a great run finishing in 24th (4 hrs 24). Jon Wright also put in a strong performance, finishing in 50th position (4 hrs 40). Graeme Brown (5 hrs 04), Duane Dixon (5 hrs 31), Ben Crowther (5 hrs 34) helped Jon make up the Male Veteran team, holding onto their current Bronze position in the British Championships.
Annie Roberts continued in her fine form to finish in 66th overall (4 hrs 50) and 4th lady, an amazing performance considering that Annie has only just starting to tackle the Lakeland classics. Other plucky course finishers were Steve Pullan (6 hrs 01), Melanie Blackhurst (6 hrs 09), Pauline May (6 hrs 28), Lucy Hobbs (6 hrs 39), Kate Mansell (6 hrs 39) and Robin Tuddenham (6 hrs 59). Melanie, Lucy and Kate also managed to hold onto their Women’s Veteran Bronze position in the British Championships leader board.