Mercia Fell Runners Club

The latest results from the 2011 Summer series are now posted on the webpages, please click on the link below, next race in the series is The Batch Bach on Wednesday 2nd June, dont forget about The Gogbatch Gallop too, Wed 8th June Junior Race. for 8yrs+, and Senior Relays
Summer Series Full Results
Summer Series Category Results

Simon Bailey's good form continued on Saturday when he won the English Championships race at Mearley Clough, completing the 3.5 mile / 1,200' course in 27:45. Mel Price was a superb third in the ladies race which must put her in a good position on the overall standings after a good run at the LMV. This was Mel's third race in seven days, and she'd set records at both of the previous races, making her achievement all the more impressive.

Results from tonights race are now available 
Click Here for Full results
Click Here for Catagory Results
Click Here for Alistair Tye Photographs
Click Here for Brian Smith Photostream

Please see results for the Bluebell Run received from Phil on the results page.  Simon White was only 10 seconds outside the record, but the stand out performance was Mel Price who finished 4th overall and took four and a half minutes(!) off the female course record. Everyone went the right way this year except John Sproson who might have momentarily felt the call of the Ragleth too strongly (apparently his dog went astray!!!). Hopefully there will be pictures in this week's South Shropshire Journal.

This is May's "away" Mercia results page. Winning athletes this month already include Tim Davies (twice), Steve Cale, Paul Jones (twice), Andy Davies and Simon Bailey. I have race reports from the Red Kite Challenge and Ras y Diafol at Nant yr Arian and from the Llanfihangel Loop and Cressbrook Crawl so far.
 
Please keep the results and race reports coming - send them to me at jim.tinnion@me.com
 
Nant yr Arian Trail Races, 30th April and 1st May

BRING YOUR FAMILIES - TELL YOUR FRIENDS - PLEASE SUPPORT THE JUNIORS EVENTS!!!
 
I've just had confirmation from Dawsy that he'll be putting on junior races at the Caradoc Classic this coming Wednesday, 11 May. U18 and U16 (i.e. born between 2/1/1993 and 1/1/1997) can run in the main race at 19:30. Junior races will start at 19:35.
 

Entries are now arriving for the Wistanstow Challenge Walk (open to runners) due to take place on Sep 10th; 26, 18, and 12 mile routes, light breakfast available at the start, food at two main checkpoints (Clun and Bishop's Castle) a meal at the finish and transport for retirees. Forms available at www.wistanstowwalk.blogspot.com

World record stands at 4hrs 01mins by one Andy Davies, ladies record is 5hrs 21mins by Sharron Richardson, last finisher last year in at 11hrs 15mins.

Queries to Phil Clarke 01694 781405

The Cumbrian Traverse is a south to north, high-level traverse of 21 Lakeland peaks involving some 35 miles and 12000 feet of ascent.  Devised by Sue and Dick Courchee, it was first completed in 2005.  It starts at Broughton Mills in Dunnerdale and finishes at the Moot Hall, Keswick, although it may be completed in either direction.
 

This is just a brief update of Mercia runners' results and some short race reports from "away" fixtures around the country. We are celebrating victories for Simon Bailey, Mel Price and Susan Howarth over the last month and a half; the most recent races covered are the Three Peaks, Teenager with Altitude, Two Oceans Ultramarathon, Half Manx MM and Pendle Fell Race.
 

It was a fine night to start off the 2011 Summer Series, we will not want to complain if we have another 5 nights with weather like it was tonight, the race had a great turnout too, 115 runners completed the rush to the summit and back, no doubt boosted by the welcome inclusion of juniors for the first time in many years, well done to Simon and Jackie for that.