Claire keeping strong pace in the ladies race – photo c/o Woodentops
English Champs Race 1 – Short – 4.5 Miles / 1499ft
Another cloud and mist covered race, but not quite the navigational test of the previous weekend in Ireland. With Ireland still in some folks’ legs and heads it was time to take on the first of the English Champs races. Unsurprisingly it was a very busy one and the races were split. The chaps including Rob, Danny, Matt, Darren, Ian, Niall, Alex and Pete set off at 2pm after the ladies Claire, Rachel and Caroline hit the hill at 12:30.
Claire bounded her way to the top showing off her climbing strength, then despite having lost a few places on the way down still finished comfortably in the top 20. Rachel and Caroline were steady away, with Caroline chasing Matt’s Mrs right to the line.
The Gents set off like a mass swarm up the hill. A great team effort with Rob Hope taking 2nd, the five team counters in the top 35 (2nd team after Calder Valley) and a good battle between Niall and Alex.
After the lottery results of Donard things seemed to be more in the expected order at Pendle. The battle lines have been drawn and training plans tweeked to be ready for Coniston on the 3rd May.
Men: Rob Hope 2nd 33.05. Darren Kay 19th 35.48. Matt Lockyer 30th 36.31. Danny Hope 33rd 36.54. Ian Nixon 34th 37.01. Alex Jones 102nd 41.11. Niall Bourke 125th 42.08. Pete Hill 209th 50.50.
Ladies : Claire Green 16th 43.57. Rachel Pilling 36th 46.11. Caroline Harding 97th 54.45.