News

What’s On – February 2018

Saturday 3rd February – Social Afternoon – There has been a change to the arrangement for the afternoon / night out for all members and friends that Mick McDonald is organising. Due to quite a few change of plans we are now just going to meet in Wetherspoons from 2.00pm onwards and staying in Consett for ease.  We hope to see you there.

Saturday 10th February 2018 – Thornley XC – We are hosting this event this year so need to provide some volunteers, a free bus will be provided to get volunteers to the event.  If you are available could you please contact Dave Anderson davidandgilliananderson@hotmail.co.uk – if you also wish to run arrangements can be made for you to be relieved of your volunteer position to run your race.  Please help support out Club at the event.

The 2018 Blaydon Race OPENS on Feb 12th/13th –  “Entries for the 2018 race will open on Mon Feb 12th at 1900 for affiliated runners and on Tue Feb 13th at 1900 for all runners.” Last year the queue opened about 20 minutes before entry began at 1900 and last year it was important to join the queue before 1900. If you do not already have a resultsbase profile, create a profile at resultsbase NOW. If you already have a profile, login to check to see it has the correct information. As resultsbase was used for entries into the Northumberland Coastal Run and the Brass Monkey, you may have already done this. “When you enter, you will need to indicate a T-shirt size and you will need to give your affiliation number if you are an affiliated runner.” Entries for the 2016 Blaydon Race opened for affiliated runners on Feb 3rd and the allocation of about 1800 places were taken in about 2 hours – entries for everyone opened on Feb 4th and about 2400 places were taken in about an hour. Although runbritain has a start time of 1500hrs, the organisers say “it is unknown but it will be announced prior to entries opening, hopefully by Feb 6th”. Here’s a link to more details about the race.

Saturday 17th February 2018 – Hetton Road Relays – You still have time to put your name down for this team event.  For those that may not have participated in this event before each leg is 2.2 miles (which equates to 2 laps) on tarmac paths of Hetton Lyons Country Park.  This is a very friendly and well supported event, it is also open to all abilities, so please give it a go if you are available.  The first race commences at 12 noon and the second race is at 1.15pm.  If you wish to enter please contact Stewy Bell nufcstewy@hotmail.com before Friday 2nd February 2018.

Sunday 18th February 2018 – Bounders Social Anniversary Run – We will be in our 31st year of the Club this year and to celebrate we will be holding a run around the Derwent Reservoir, the route is approximately 9 miles, with an option to join in at a couple of points en-route for those not wanting to run the whole distance, which also enables our Juniors to join in, with the option to have a catch up afterwards.  Further  information will follow with regard to this event so please pencil it into your diaries.

News

Your Club Needs You ….

We have been asked to provide Marshalls for the next NEHL XC event taking place on Saturday 10th February 2018 at Thornley.  We need approximately 20 marshalls to manage the course, a free bus will be provided to transport you to and from the venue.

Measures can be put in place to allow people to marshall but be freed up to run their race.

http://www.harrierleague.com/index.php

Thank you in advance for your support.

Dave Anderson / Stewy Bell

News

Viking Chase 4 Peaks Fell Race – 21/09/14

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Report submitted by Lisa Taylor

The Race Viking Chase 4 Peaks Fell Race
Overall Score (out of a possible 35) 24
 
PB Potential 0
Atmosphere 5
Organisation 5
Scenery 5
Value for Money 5
Beginner Friendliness 2
Club Support & Social 2
 
In Short Beautiful views but you have to earn them J
In Full VK This is the last race in the Esk Valley Fell Club summer series and a fundraiser for Cleveland Mountain Rescue. I’ve done a few of the series before but have never had the chance to run this one. It’s always a joy to be out on the North York Moors, so I was looking forward to it.

Leaving the Black & Gold in the wardrobe, Jason & I were playing in the away colours of Northumberland Fell Runners for this one.

We drove up the steep road up Carlton Bank to the start at Lordstones Café. Getting out of the car, it was freezing – a shocking contrast to the temperature when we left the house. Registration and a kit check & we were ready for the off.

It didn’t take long to reflect on the title of the race and realise that anything with 4 peaks in the title wouldn’t be flat. In true fell running tradition, it was straight into an uphill which was steep but runnable. Not much time to get your breath back & into a difficult downhill down the steep flags on the Cleveland Way. These are the worst kind of terrain for me to descend & as I resembled Bambi tip toeing down them, a fair few people sped past me.

Then it was back round past the start line & back into the second of the 2 peaks which was a bit more of a walk than a run. Determined to find a better line down the next descent and avoid the flags, I took a fell trod to the side of the path, following a few wiry fell runners who looked like they knew where they were going (they didn’t). Stuck in a tangle of bracken & ferns, I realised we’d all gone a bit wide of the line and we’d lost a fair bit of time & places trying to get untangled & back on track.

The 3rd peak took us up onto the moor where the sidewind nearly blew me off my feet. Another downhill, then a quick sprint through a field of cows who had thankfully moved a little bit to the side & it was onto the final climb up to the Wainstones.

A final tricky descent down (again poorly executed) & then it was only 2 miles to the finish line. I was under the impression this was a flat run to the finish but it was still a bit undulating and my energy was now running low.

Pushing my legs on through the little uphill of the finishing field, I finally reached the finish line relieved and reminded of just how hard fell races can be. A bag of Haribo & cup of water in the tent & I felt a bit better although I vowed never to do a fell race again. Once I got home I reviewed my calendar to find the next one’s in 2 weeks. Better get those fell shoes clean then. ;-)

With 1800 ft of ascent over 8 miles and some tricky descents this race maybe isn’t the best choice for newbie fell runners although it is well marked & marshalled. Details of all the Esk Valley races can be found here: http://www.eskvalleyfellclub.org/

 

News

Lowther Trail Run – Sunday 10th August, 2014

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Report by Mike Gill

The Race Lowther Trail Run
Overall Score 24
Please score the following categories out of 5  
PB Potential 2 – Steady away from the show ground and then the climbing starts and  some lumpy bits to follow so limited PB potential
Atmosphere 4 – Despite the very wet conditions it had a good feel
Organisation 4 – Good initial instructions and signage into a dedicated parking area at the show ground, route well taped and a couple of water stops/dibber points
Scenery 5 – Very scenic with good views of Ulswater from one of the tops
Value for Money 5 – Your £10 entry fee also got you into Lowther show after for free
Beginner Friendliness 3 – Billed as a Trail Run but more like a Fell Race so not for the faint hearted, friendly supportive group of runners
Club Support & Social 1 – Only Bounder out on the day (would recommend more do it next year)
Tell us more…  
In Short Hills, rough stuff, river to plodge through & lovely views

 

The Bounders have taken part in the Lowther Trail Run which has been part of the Lowther Show for many years. Initially discovered by Gordon Hindson it quickly gained a place in our running year. Lowther Show (just outside Penrith) is a large show initially held over 3 days Fri, Sat & Sun and the run used to take place on the Friday. The route then was about 60% on lanes and the rest off road. After 2 years where the weather washed the show out completely it ceased to be put on. Thankfully it is now back stronger than ever.   A 2 day event now over Sat & Sun with the run being held on the Sunday.

My day started with a dreek prognoses for the weather due to the tail end of hurricane Bertha heading towards the UK. Sure enough it was wet and stayed wet for the whole day but the forecasted high winds didn’t appear and the temperature at 13/14 was ok with no wind to chill you. The initial instructions were clear and precise and guided us into the Lowther estate and to a reserved car parking right next to a large marque which was race HQ and also looked out onto the carriage driving arena where we had a grandstand view of the magnificent horses and carriages going through their paces.

We had got there with over an hour to spare so registration was quick, number put on, a dibber fastened to your wrist for the 2 checkpoints later to be encountered. The rain continued pouring down as the runners gathered. A fit looking lot I must say with a good lot of females running. They all had the lean mean look if you know what I mean.

Given the wet conditions we were asked at the briefing to carry a waterproof and not to depend on others if in trouble. A simple whistle and we were off from in front of Lowther Castle.

L1

The first bit was a downhill clatter over the meadow in Lowther Parkland, a sharp turn at the bottom before tracking the river, crossing a bridge and then the huffing and puffing started as we pulled up through Askham Village and onwards up the fell to Heughscar Hill. (Fab view of Ullswater below) We then changed to a southerly direction as we descended to the Cockpit. By then I realised that today wasn’t going to be a fast run for me, my legs were very heavy from the previous days hard hilly cycling sportive at The Hell of Hexham. So I mentally readjusted and decided that today was going to be for enjoyment only. Felt good after that decision.

The run was billed as a Trail Run but in truth it was more a Fell Run with only about 2 of the 13 miles being on road. We had a stream to plodge through, the girl running next to me asked ‘is this the river crossing?’ fraid not I replied. That came a little later as we had to wade through the River Lowther which was about knee deep (with a safety line rigged up for the nervous) That was good, wet feet matched the wet rest of us!! Shortly after that we got our comeuppance when we had to haul ourselves up Knipe Scar. Yes I walked up it….didn’t see the racing snakes at the head of the field but I comforted myself by agreeing that they too couldn’t have ran up that could they?

At that point most the graft was done and after some undulations over grassy bits we started a long descent back into the Lowther estate. I had half a mile of climbing through some woods and out I popped by the Castle itself and trotted over the line feeling rather smug with myself as it was all over. Still chucking it down but not cold.

This run is one to bring the family over to as Lowther Show has loads going on and would keep everyone from children to grownups well occupied all day. Your £10 race entry gets runners into the show free and you can purchase discounted tickets for extra people when you enter the race (sorry run)

Despite the rain Ann and myself had a great day out and I even picked up the Gadgy prize, a nicely engraved crystal tankard courtesy of sponsors Isuzu.

L2As the race organiser said at the end he was very pleased to see an increased number running (about 80) and to spread the word for next year. Word spread Bounders put the Lowther Trail Run in your mind for next year.

Mike