Writing the 2017 annual report for the AGM I found Denise’s brilliant write up from earlier in the year. So apologies to Denise for not getting this out sooner and if Denise ever now says she is not a fell runner don’t believe her! Becky Weight – Ladies Fell Manager
Anniversary Waltz AM 18.5km 1100m, Sat 22nd April 2017
Denise Wright was our sole senior lady in the field of 444 runners in this Lake District fell race :
53 Gibbons Andy Bingley M 1:58:12
257 Wright Denise Bingley WV40 2:31:06
426 Barrett Neil Bingley MV50 3:19:29
Also great to see our younger ladies Eliza and Vikki (U19) and Ruby (U15) in the junior races :-
12 Eliza Findlay Bingley Harriers U19G 00:41:19 (6)
13 Victoria Merrick Bingley Harriers U19G 00:42:41 (7)
36 Ruby Firth Bingley Harriers U15G 00:40:23 (10)
A great write up from Denise Wright :
I had fancied this race [Anniversary Waltz] for a while and, when I found out that they were also holding the FRA junior champs races, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. With the click of a few buttons, Izzy and I were entered in our respective races. There was nagging doubt at the back of my mind that, a with only a week between this and the 3 Peaks, this might not be my best idea but by then I was entered in both events.
The day of the race was glorious. Blue skies, with a slight breeze. It was meant to be! Newlands Valley was absolutely buzzing with hundreds of competitors for the many events. It was great watching the some of the juniors races, especially Izzy in the U9’s but, before I knew where I was it was 11:30 and time for the race start. It was manic at the start but soon calmed down once we reached Little Town. Simon had mentioned that the pack split on the climb up Robinson but wasn’t sure on the best line. Oh the indecision of which way – then I saw Jo Buckley up ahead of me so followed her! Who knows which way is best – it was blinking steep and a long slog!!
Once on top it’s fab running. Hindscarf looked a long way but was a surprisingly good run. From there to Dale Head wasn’t too bad – the views were amazing. From the top of Dale Head indecision set in again but this time with dithering…..did I go the route of Borrowdale or follow the tourist path. There were runners all over the shop. I suddenly saw Alison Weston somewhere in the midst of it all so tried to follow her but she soon dropped me. Is she a mountain goat in disguise? Anyway, I got down somehow but it wasn’t my finest moment!
The climb back up to High Spy was tough going but the run from there to Catbells was great with those amazing views to keep me going. Now, Andy Gibbons had given me a tip about a better line off Catbells. Given my woeful descending I was happy to try it. I think it worked! At least I didn’t have to scramble down the rocky crag. From there it was a fast run to the finish. An absolutely fab race in an amazing part of the Lakes.
Three Peaks Fell Race AL 37.4km 1608m Sat 29 April 2017
Victoria Wilkinson’s stunning ladies win in a new record time will be covered separately in the Spring magazine. Vic, Lesley Watson and Ruth Thackray were third ladies team – especially well done as Lesley came home with substantial blisters and Ruth wasn’t 100% (that may be an understatement!). The gents brought home some team prizes too – Rob & Andy Jebb and Paul Tiffany won V40 team and Ian Holmes, Ian Ferguson and Dave Stephenson won V50 team.
| Pos. | No. | Name | Category | Time |
| 9 | 65 | Rob Jebb | MV40 | Horton Sat 3:03:02 |
| 13 | 804 | Victoria Wilkinson | W | Horton Sat 3:09:19 |
| 26 | 62 | Ian Holmes | MV50 | Horton Sat 3:17:18 |
| 42 | 64 | Andrew Jebb | MV40 | Horton Sat 3:27:20 |
| 183 | 73 | Paul Tiffany | MV40 | Horton Sat 4:01:34 |
| 186 | 69 | Martin Peace | MV40 | Horton Sat 4:02:13 |
| 215 | 59 | Ian Ferguson | MV50 | Horton Sat 4:05:22 |
| 226 | 72 | Dave Stephenson | MV50 | Horton Sat 4:06:51 |
| 227 | 61 | Carl Hitchens | MV50 | Horton Sat 4:06:59 |
| 306 | 71 | Peter Stephens | M | Horton Sat 4:17:11 |
| 325 | 57 | Oliver Cheyne | M | Horton Sat 4:20:37 |
| 380 | 58 | William Duggan | MV40 | Horton Sat 4:28:29 |
| 421 | 803 | Lesley Watson | WV40 | Horton Sat 4:34:00 |
| 473 | 802 | Ruth Thackray | WV40 | Horton Sat 4:42:20 |
| 480 | 70 | Mike Scott | MV40 | Horton Sat 4:43:46 |
| 556 | 805 | Denise Wright | WV40 | Horton Sat 4:53:37 |
| 558 | 74 | Greg Trusselle | M | Horton Sat 4:54:25 |
| 585 | 60 | Stephen Fry | MV50 | Horton Sat 4:59:14 |
| 615 | 56 | Jason Beckett | MV40 | Horton Sat 5:05:33 |
| 68 | Gary Muir | MV50 | Hill Inn Sat 3:42:05 |
A fantastic double (run and write up) by Denise Wright :
There’s something about the 3 Peaks that lures me in. Maybe it was Steve Fry’s rallying call on Facebook?! It is an incredible event and the support from spectators and other competitors is immense. This was my 4th time and, after my race the previous weekend, my aim was to get round in 5 hours.
The weather was perfect – a good sign. I had done a couple of recces so felt reasonably confident that I would get within the cut offs and I had Simon and Jasper as my support crew.
The sight of all the runners charging down the street at the start of the race is incredible. It feels great to be part of it Felt good up Pen-y-Ghent and Simon was there cheering me on along with lots of other enthusiastic supporters and marshals.
I quite enjoyed the run over to Ribblehead, the sunshine helped. Although my feet were starting to burn a bit. For once I was actually looking to the bog on Whernside, I needed to cool my feet.
Loved the Ribblehead checkpoint – lots of Bingley marshals with great support. Their encouragement gave me a real boost.
Whernside is just a really, really hard slog. Don’t let anyone tell you different!! Brett is just before the summit saying I’m doing great – he’s very kind. I feel like a slug. From the top I took it steady – felt like cramp could set in and I so didn’t want that. Coming down the steep descent I could see Becky at the gate – I sped up …. She needed to see me running downhill!! Only she didn’t! I took her by surprise
I felt a bit like a horse trotting down the slabs but I was soon down the track and on my way to Hill Inn. So Hill Inn checkpoint….immense, I was back among Bingley – thanks guys, you’re all great and gave me the kick I needed for Ingleborough.
Again, another long, hard slog but at least I was pointing in the right direction now – I was on my way home! I remember asking Mandy Clarke to shoot me at the top of Ingleborough. My feet were starting to hurt now and I wasn’t looking forward to the descent back to Horton but it passed in a blur and before I knew it, I could see the finish and hear the tannoy calling out runners names as they entered the finish The end was near!
I finished in 4:53. I was made up. Who knows whether the Anniversary Waltz had impacted my performance but from my perspective I took part in two fantastic events, in great weather and enjoyed them both.
Denise looking determined – maybe on her way up Whernside, 3 Peaks 2017. Photo by Woodentops.
Thanks to Denise for the brilliant write ups . Becky Weight, Ladies Fell Manager.