The Langdale Horseshoe was the final race of the English Fell Championship series (6 races, 2 each Long, Medium & Short – best four to count including one of each length). A number of Bingley runners needed good results to secure their final championship places. Before the day Vic Wilkinson was second lady, competing with Nichola Jackson (Preston), Lou Roberts (Ambleside) and Sharon Taylor (Helm Hill), and she had missed the other Long, Borrowdale, as she was on GB team duty. Ian Holmes looked like he had the V50 top spot in the bag but was tusselling with Karl Gray (Calder) for the V45 one too. Becky Weight was in top V55 spot but could still be overtaken by last year’s winner Wendy Dodds (now a V65!). All needed good clear runs on the day to beat close competition. Lesley Watson and Denise Wright were there for the Bingley Ladies team, and Tom Gomersal, Dave Stephenson and Andy Jebb were amongst the 388 on the start line near the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel with various partners, children, campervans, and other family in support. Lesley hadn’t managed a recce but, with a race entry in her pocket and a race series to finish, it was too tempting not to run. It was a bright, sunny, still day with Langdale in its full early Autumn glory. Perfect weather for running, although pretty wet underfoot in places from a mixed weather summer and rain in the previous week. The photos can tell more of the story :
Langdale Horseshoe Fell Race 2016 – Looking down on the event field. Photo by C Ferguson
Becky, Vic, Ian & Andy ready to go. Photo by Barbara Carney
Tom, Dave, Lesley & Becky waiting to start. Photo by Barbara Carney
‘And they’re off’. The start of the Langdale Horseshoe 2016. Photo by C Ferguson.
Becky approaching the check point at Esk Haus Shelter well into that ‘good clear run’. Photo by Grand Day Out Photography
A happy Denise coming away from the Esk Haus Shelter checkpoint, on her way to securing 4th place for Bingley in the ladies V40 team result for the race. Photo by Grand Day Out Photography. Denise & Lesley linked up for the latter part of the run.
Ian and Vic on a winning line near the top of Pike O‘Blisco. Tom on an alternative approach. Photos by C Ferguson.
The event results were :
Ian Holmes 8th in 2.10.03. 1st Vet male (all vet categories!). Sam Tosh of Rossendale won in 1.59.51.
Vic Wilkinson 44th in 2.22.50. 1st Female in a new record time, the previous record held by Helen Diamantides 2.23.25 having stood for over 20 years.
Tom Gomersal 60th, 2.30.48. Dave Stephenson, 205th, 3.05.42. Becky Weight, 258th , 3.17.35. 1st FV55. Lesley Watson, 329th, 3.45.11. Denise Wright, 330th, 3.45.12. Andy Jebb had to retire having got to Esk Haus (at least) the furthest check point from the start!
Bingley Ladies were 5th Open team (Vic, Becky and Lesley) and 4th V40 team (Becky, Lesley & Denise)
The final English Fell Championship results (after Langdale – final race in the series) were :
Vic Wilkinson, 1st Female Open category
Ian Holmes 1st V50 (clear winner) but also equal 1st V45 with Karl Gray (Calder), 2nd V40 to Rob Hope (Pudsey & Bramley), and 11th in the Open category.
Becky Weight 1st FV55, 5th FV50, 9th FV45
9th Ladies Open team (Vic, Lesley, Denise, Becky & Mandy Clarke)
4th Ladies V40 team (Lesley, Denise, Becky & Mandy Clarke)
Rob Jebb, Andy Jebb, and Andy Brown also did some of the championship races and feature in the EFC results.
