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1. RECENT RACES In the UK, the weather often plays a big part in determining how the day goes and what the outcome of races is. The Fellsman was no exception - last year competitors were dealing with stifling heat, this year they were dealing with hailstones and hypothermia. Stephen Watts took an early overall lead into Dent but hit stomach problems and was overhauled by Andy Rankin and Jez Bragg. By the time they were into the boggy morass of Fleet Moss Jez had pulled into the lead and seemed to cope better with the decidedly hostile conditions. He gradually extended the lead and finished in 10 hours and 50 minutes - a brilliant first time performance. Andy, despite mild hypothermia, dug in to hold 2nd place and Steve did great to come home 3rd. The ladies race was very hard fought with Sarah Rowell home first followed fairly closely by Nicky Spinks and Rachael Lawrance. See the photos HERE A week later and the weather was a little kinder with showers and a cold breeze for the Marborough Downs Challenge. Despite heavy underfoot conditions, leading times were super-fast and a new record was set by Allen Smalls and Matt Giles. Followers of the 2007 series will have noted that the joint finish is a speciality of Allen's!! Following them in were Andy Davies and Andy Rankin (fresh from 62 miles the weekend before!). First MV50 was local, Tim Laney chased hard by Ken Fancett. In the Ladies race there was a tremendous tussle between Susan Sleath and Lisa Barry 2. SERIES Overall leader in the series at the half-way point is Andy Rankin with a clear lead of 200 points. Look a little further down the table though and you can spot Jez Bragg with several perfect 1000 point scores to his name and just needing a medium race counter. Its ironic since a couple of years ago Jez scored 3 * 1000 points at the medium category but had no long score to count. Look out for him at Osmotherley or (more likely) High Peak 40. Jez could be the first person to score a perfect 4000 points for the series - although there is the extra 100 bonus points for anyone completing the 100 mile course at Lakeland 100 so....still to play for!! See the Leader Board HERE In the ladies the current leader is Julie Gardner, followed by Mandy Calvert and Hannah Moore-Barton but its early days yet and looks like there will be stiff competition for the team prize amongst the Peak Bog Faries, Kryptonettes, Team Run Like a Girl and Team Vasque. Right now the mens team looks like a duel between Team Krypton and Team Vasque. In M60, Dick Scroop is a newcomer to the Vasque series but is highly placed, currently well ahead of former V60 winner Adrian Dixon. |
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3. APRIL SPOT PRIZES VASQUE SHOES - Shaun Denham Please email us HERE to claim your prize, stating your name, address you want the prize sent to and a contact telphone number. If you do not claim your prize it will be put towards the spot prizes at the end of season party. See HERE for previous winners - no-one has claimed from March yet??? |
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4. SLAMMING Six races down and we can see that there are 5 people who have a full house so far. We are following Nick Ham and Paul Dickens Slams HERE. If anyone else wants to write about their experiences please create a blog HERE and then email us the link HERE |
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5. ULTRA NEWS Last weekend, Steve Birkinshaw made a valiant attempt on the Lake District 24 hour record of 77 tops. Despite rubbish weather he held back losses against the schedule over the first 2 sections and continued on over the Langdales and all the way to Wasdale. This central fells section, however, really needs dry conditions to move at the pace required and, after 16 hours of hard running, Steve accepted the inevitable and retired. We hope he has another go later this year or next - this is the first serious attempt since the current record was set in 1997. |
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6. Polaris Challenge - 13/14 June - Peak District The Summer event is a family one with free camping for all at the event centre, a childrens play area, plenty to do for none riders in the Peak District. There is a Bar and a Band on the Saturday night with event shop and food stall open all weekend. Come and see... |
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Whatever your dream this year, make sure you enjoy the run..................... Cheers Karen, Mark and Si (The Runfurther Team) To un-subscribe from this newsletter, please login to your account on Runfurther (right hand side of the screen) and uncheck the box asking for a newsletter.
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Sponsors Please remember that the series owes its existence to our sponsors. Without the support of Vasque, Thorlo, Clif, Lakes Runner and OMM there would be no series, no prizes and no awards. We personally rate what they do and their kit very highly and ask that you consider them when you need new socks, shoes, gear, packs and yummies. |
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