Racing is back

Finally, we have returned to the fells in competitive mode. Well done to Sharon Taylor for 2nd at the Burnsall half trail marathon, with Rob Jebb 4th and Greg Munsch 29th. We also saw the start of the Kong series at Clough Head with a great run by Hannah Russell to come in 3rd and leading the ladies to the team prize with Rebecca Wilson and Vicky Atkinson. Ross Bibby first back for Helm men closely followed by Will Laye and Rory Addison. Results. And what is traditionally seen as the season opener Loughrigg took place on Wednesday night, and in what has become a small tradition with the juniors showing the seniors the way. Well done Dylan Cater a fine run to be first back for Helm, and Hannah Keenan first back for the ladies in her first race.

Return to Training

After what seems like an age, we can return to training as of the 31st March. Initially we are planning a similar format to last time and there will be further details shortly, in the meantime see here

Memberships

Memberships will be due from the 1st April and as in previous years we will have an 'early bird' offer for 1 month. We would also like to encourage members to sign up for the direct debit which means you will never miss the discount rate and it also makes the life of our long suffering membership secretary easier. Apart from all the obvious benefits, bear in mind it is important to join for the purposes of insurance at races training etc.....

Amazing long distance challenge reprise...

Great account here of Shane's amazing BG (just prior to lockdown)....

(NOT) THE KENDAL WINTER LEAGUE 

Each week from now until the end of March(ish!) we plan to hold a different club challenge...it’s what you’ve been waiting for it’s... 

(NOT) THE KENDAL WINTER LEAGUE but it is exciting - Further detail here

And now Challenge 3 is here...

Result to be posted in the results pane left.

Wansfell uphill time trial

It made a pleasant change to pin a number on for a race - in what seemed to most like an age. The course was simple straight up Wansfell - along the identical route we normally associate with the post-Christmas blast, but this time with no descent. Duncan Richards had organised the event as a precursor to next year's Ambleside Mountain Cup that like everything else fell foul of Covid this year, and as a result the field was 'stacked' with elite runners eager to race. Helm had a number on the staggered 'start line', and Chris Richards cruised up to second behind Keswick's Jacob Adkin, Rob Jebb was 1st v40 and 3rd overall, Phiiiip Rutter, new to Helm, was an impressive 8th. Sharon Taylor was 1st back for Helm and was 1st v40. Results

The amazing lockdown challenges continue

Apologies for the delay in posting about these; firstly three weeks back Alex Staniforth completed the National Three Peaks – climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, and running the entire distance between them. This 452 mile journey took 9 days 12 hours 51 mins, and the Alex's incredible effort raised over £10,000 for the Mind over Mountains charity. More info on this can be found on his blog. 

There next up we had Howard Dracup, at a loose end due to race cancellations, decided to have a go at the Steve Parr round - The Steve Parr Round is 61 Lakeland Summits, about 116 miles, about 42,550 feet of ascent! Howard set a new record of 42hours 37minutes and 15 seconds! A record which had stood since 1984.

The same weekend Chloe Lumsden successfully completed her much anticipated Bob Graham round in a swift 21:59. A great day out in spectacular conditions. 

FKT....

Well done Kelli Roberts who achieved the fastest known time over the scary Cullin Ridge on Skye...read the account here. Kelli has not been alone in taking on some big challenges in recent weeks. First up was Sarah Gerrish who also achieved the FKT for the 50 mile Bay Limestone round, a spectacular route that seems destined to become popular over the coming years. Meanwhile well done to Joe Kenny scampered around the Bob Graham in speedy sub 18hrs, and this was followed by another Bay Limestone round, also in the blistering heat by Cat Slater and Jenny Race, with Cat making the distance to Arnside.

And finally racing has commenced again - of a sort, with the Lowther Trail race, Robert Mortimer was first back for Helm in 57th, followed by Dave White, Kath Aubrey, Vicky Atkinson and May Crawford. Well done all.

Captains' challenge round two is here, can Sharon exact revenge after round 1?

We're back racing! Well virtually

Over 30 of us signed up to race, where you pick your own route of a minimum of 4mls and 500ft of climb, run it between the first 3 days of the month and submit evidence of your exploits, such as a strata or garmin trace, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Organised by David Griffin the results of the first race are in with Pete Harrison setting a blistering 22.40, and Sharon Taylor 28.35. The race will be repeated next month and points awarded if you beat your time over your course. If you still wish to give it a go - or missed out as you didn't get the distance/height you can still enter July's event. Anyone over 14 from the club can have a go - Cyrus Cropper leading after the first race. Details here The Crunch (Virtual race).

Results

HelmHill Spring 2020 Lockdown Newsletter! 

It's Up - see latest news for link

Silverdale Circuit

Reports just coming in that David Griffin won the 17ml Silverdale Circuit and he was also 1st v60!

Carnethy 5 - Claymore retained

What a race.  It is difficult to explain the appeal of this event at times, after all it's a long drive for a short race and the weather is usually grim. However as an early season measure, the coolest prize in fell running, and the now long tradition the club has of making the trip, means the day never disappoints. 2020 was no different with storm Dennis gathering strength throughout the day, the knowledge that it would probably go ahead (after all 2016 was a blizzard), all adding to the apprehension and excitement. After the initial climb to Scald Law we were in the full blast of the storm making our way to the turn at West Kip and at times it seemed faster progress could be made on all fours. The ladies of course were defending their title and with an amazing run Hannah came home first, Sharon second and Kelli fourth. The men managed second team with Rob 8th Mike A 10th, Adam P, and Josh J. Rob was 2nd v40, Sharon 1st v40 and Bianca 3rd v40. Results. Thanks to CarnethyHRC and their marshals whose ability to stand upright is remarkable.

KWL update and Stybarrow Dodd

4 races into this year's Kendal Winter League and the opening races have been dominated by Lancaster and Morecambe's Matthew Knowles and Ambleside's Chloe Rylance - latest standings are here. Stybarrow Dodd race saw a close battle between Hannah Russell and Sharon Taylor over a shortened course due to the weather, with Hannah using her descending skills to take the honours. Results. Photos from granddayoutphotography here.

Helm race night, 14 July Juniors - and older juniors took part in the Senior race - all gave it their best during the club's race night on the Helm this year. 

Club Colours Challenge 2021 This year we once again adapted our Clubs Colours Challenge, which has traditionally comprised of 12 races for half colours and 24 races for full colours, to include a range of challenges. As well as challenges such as Trolley Dash (visit at least four supermarkets with trolleys in one run), there are some non-running challenges, one of which was to design the club colours badge for 2021. It was difficult for judges Billy and Paul to decide on the winners as the effort put into the designs had resulted in some great ideas, but in the end they narrowed it down to 1st, 2nd and joint 3rd places. Specially-designed hoodies were awarded, generously donated by Coniston Corporate, to these four juniors. 

Helm Juniors and BOFRA; several juniors have taken up the challenge of the BOFRA races this year. Thank you to BOFRA for getting these underway in the face of Covid restrictions this year. Our juniors have run at Coniston Gullies, Kettlewell, Hawkswick and Kirkby Gala - results are on the BOFRA website This picture was taken by Dave Woodhead at Hawkswick. 

FRA Inter-Counties race. Well done to Dylan, placed third overall in the U17s, and part of the winning Cumbrian team.  

Latest Junior challenges are here!

Stairway to the Mushroom and Club colours challenges 2021 Let the challenge begin.....

C2C

Well done Megan Harris who completed the coast to coast cycle route 140 miles in 4 days for Cancer Research UK - an amazing achievement - more here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alison-richards9

Pete Bland poster challenge, July 2020. Thank you Pete Bland's for the Lockdown Artwork challenge, resulting in four Helm Hill juniors having their posters displayed in your window and being presented with a goody bag! The overall winner spent the rest of the evening in the garden with a brand new compass! 

Coming Soon - The Captains' Challenge(s)

Starting on the 15th of July a series of fun competitive challenges more details to follow. Should you have an 'even' number birthdate you're teamSharon and 'odd' birthdate teamMichael....Round 1 details here

Northern Schools Inter-Counties cross country championship, 8 Feb. Just in time before Storm Ciara, many Cumbrian youngsters ran in this event, which was hosted this year by Cumbria and held at Lowther Castle. Youngsters had made it through to this round from their previous District rounds, and now competed against other Northern County runners. The results are available on Cumbria Athletics facebook page … Cumbria won overall. We are proud of all our Helm Hill juniors who reached this level, as well as those who took part in the District rounds and didn't make the Counties round this time. Later this year, some Helm Hill runners will go on to represent Cumbria in the Nationals.