October | 2015 | fellrunnerdavid's Blog

I refuse to believe in a risk free society where the thrill of living is traded for the safety of existence. If in normal conditions it is skill, which counts, Then in such extreme situations, it is the spirit, which saves.” Walter Bonetti

During the 2014 season I set myself the target to win the NECAA Fell Running Champs, However the dreaded injury in my calf reoccurred. This ensured I missed some key races and I couldn’t compete at the sharp end. The championships are competed over 7 races covering the Northumberland, Durham and North Yorkshire fell running calendars and the best 4 results are counted. This years races are:

Brough Law Fell Race (Northumberland) 8km / 400ft
Natural Ability Fell Race (Northumberland) 9.9km / 350ft
Humbleton Fell Race Race (Northumberland) 8.5km / 240ft
Cronkley Fell Race (Durham) 16.9km / 535ft
Bellingham Fell Race (Northumberland) 6.4km / 183ft
Guisbrough Three Tops (North Yorks) 13km / 655ft
Guisbrough Moors (North Yorks) 20km / 850ft

Brough Law Fell Race – Ingram Valley (1st Place)

This year the first race kicked off at Brough Law situated in Northumberland, Ingram Valley, this was one of my first ever fell races when i started running on the fells a few years ago. I’ve had mixed results over the years but this year I wanted to start the season off with a win. The race had a huge turn out and organised by Will Horsley (NECAA Fell Champ 2014) and fellow NFR runner John Butters. Some top runners competing for the 2015 title were all present, Phil Sanderson (Who has won the title a number of years in the past), Andy Blackett (DFR / Hanger 18), Lee Bennett (Elswick), and a new name to the scene in Graham Simpson (Alnwick), Some other names were also missing so i sensed a big opportunity.

Conditions were poor when I had my usual pre-race run of the route, Very strong winds ensured no fast times would be set and it would be down to just getting a win in if possible. I really enjoy this course as it fits my style with good quality fast descents, and it was on the last mile section of the 8km route where I pulled away for the lead group of 5 and ensured the win. I had learned lessons from the season gone where I tended to lead races until i was beat at the end due to poor pace judgement, this would NOT happen this year.

1st place…

Natural Ability Fell Race – Allenheads (1st Place)

So far so good and being very happy with a winning start ensured I was excited for this next one, As i was in between clubs and coaches at the moment, I went to a local club where NFR regular Phil Green was captain. Heaton Harriers provided a very easy going environment with some top runners like Jamie Barbour and Lucas Longman with many more. The next race was the Natural Ability sponsored event set in Allenheads, Northumberland. The regular faces were all present and Andy was keen to get a win, John Butters was also racing in this one and another rising star Jonny Malley (Dark Peak) who had beaten me a number of times the previous season.

It was a fast start and I struggled to keep with Phil Sanderson and Andy who were putting in a very tough and fast first mile… This soon settled down and turned into a race between me and Andy, which was a sign of things to come for the rest of the season. As with Brough Law I ensured my pacing was timed to perfection and put a big effort in the last mile to ensure the win. It was 2 races down and 2 wins which could mean a possible white wash of the first 4 races.

NA Fell Race Trophy with a wriggly Ethan…

Humbleton Fell Race – Hayden Bridge (4th Place)

Training was going really well at Heaton with some good sessions on areas of Newcastle that suited my fell running, If anyone is looking for a relaxed friendly club then I can highly recommend the set up at Heaton. The next race gave me another valuable lesson which was not to get carried away and become over confident. Humbleton Fell race in the hills next to Hayden Bridge was my first ever fell race win back in 2013 were I set a new course record and beat the great Steve Birkenshaw (Had to get that in). Going into this very confident I made some claims I would set a new record. Ohhhhh how I was to get a shock…

The race went off well and feeling strong I went against the tactics used in previous races and decided to take the race on from the start and set the pace. I was soon in a world of hurt and Harry Coates (Wallsend) went flying past me, setting a blistering pace I just couldn’t hang with. Soon Andy was past me and Ben Rowley (Tynedale). I was struggling and trying my best to hang on, the pace Harry set was just too much for me and I was taking my time to recover. What felt like a plod for the next few miles became very frustrating and looking back I had probably mentally lost it. Now in 4th place I had just lost interest, but then 5th place was on me and the old competitive spirit came back… Putting in a burst on the last descent. It was then i saw Andy coming into view, 3rd place… “Oh why did i plod and not just grind it out”. He finished just ahead with me closing on him every metre. A very poor day’s racing with the lessons of “Pacing” and “Never stop working hard no matter what” firmly tucked away in my fell running head, My plan to win the first 4 races had took a stumble but this is like most fell races i suppose, “Where there is a down… A up is just around the corner” so it was time for head down and a** up and go training again. Heaton Harriers provided the perfect environment to push myself, and i was soon back in good shape.

Fell Running…

Cronkley Fell Race – Durham, Teesdale (2nd Place)

The event is a new one on me, and organised by Andy, DFR and supported by Hanger 18, It looked a toughie set over 16.9km and an out and back course. All the usual faces were present, with Harry also showing up which had me very worried. He set a new course record at Humbleton smashing my old record by a staggering number of minutes, so I had to come up with a plan of attack “do I go for it and hope he has an off day” or “do I play it tactical and settle in behind him”. We set off with me and Harry going out together, but it wasn’t long before the pace was making me hurt. We had managed to get quite a bit of lead from 3rd place so I was confident the 2nd place position was mine, and as I started to head back from the turn around point I could see it was a big gap from me and Harry to the rest of the field. The valuable points were much needed after Humbleton. A great route and mix of tough fell running and fun ascents and descents has put this race in my top 3 for the region. Harry again smashed the long standing course record and had now got me seriously thinking if I could ever beat him.

All alone in 2nd place…

It was back to hard training and I managed to get a few more fell races under my belt to ensure my race form was good. I managed a 1st place at the Roman Wall Show Fell Race and a 3rd place at the Saltburn Harriers Fell Race. I was now sitting at the top of the championship table but had some serious competition from Andy (DFR) and Harry (Wallsend).

Lead 3 of Me (Northumberland), Andy (Durham) and Ben (Tynedale)

Champs Standings After 4 Races…

Bellingham Fell Race – Northumberland (1st Place)

This race for me was the toughest, with pretty much the whole route across open fell… I really do struggle when its tough running and don’t enjoy knee deep tussocks and very small tracks. Me and Andy went out hard and it wasnt long until we formed a lead group of 3. Andy Green (Tynedale) always runs well on this course and was soon up the front with us. We met the Pennine Way which is at the furthest point and all 3 of us went wrong, We were all lost… which wasn’t too bad as at least the fastest runners were all together. It wasn’t long before the chase pack caught us and we formed a group of about 6. It was now I just had to hang in on the last descent before we hit the finish 1000m and a open field. It was the lead three in a very tight group coming off the fells and onto the finishing track and field. I was in 3rd place but kicked and I was soon out front with a healthy lead. Feeling like my like my lungs would pop I kept going hard as I knew a win here would pretty much guarantee me the title… Over the line and I managed to pull away from 2nd and 3rd.

Me, Andy (Durham), and James Osborn (Durham) Leading the way…

I was fairly sure that no one could catch me now… With one race left to go on the 1st November it’s still unofficial but my calculations, I am the 2015 champion. In the meantime I competed in a fairly extreme race called the Lakes Sky Ultra but that’s another story and blog post… But here’s a picture to wet your appetite…

This season’s results wouldn’t have been possible without support from my sponsors at the Ultra-Runner.com Store http://ultra-runner.com/ and Ultra Runner Trail Team https://www.facebook.com/ultrarunnertrailteam?fref=ts Tony Holland as always has been on hand to provide advice and kit… On all races the kit supplied by X-Bionic UK https://www.x-bionic.co.uk/ has been second to none and ensure the niggles from last year didn’t reoccur this year. Lastly if it wasn’t for my family being as understanding as they are and allowing me to have adventures in the mountains none of it would be possible.