Race 5 of 60@60: Kirkby Moor

We had a brilliant clear sunny day for this one after a long spell of rain so although the ground was wet in places, we couldn't have hoped for better conditions. I got round a bit quicker than the last time I ran the race in 2019 - 3 minutes quicker in fact - and I managed to beat a certain club rival for the first time in several years, which was pleasing. I won't mention any names but our esteemed Chairman might know who I'm talking about.

This isn't a race for me to acheive a good finish position as it attracts a good field of runners from the best local fell running clubs. Not only that, it's too much of a running race, with not much in the way of steep, sketchy downhills. Outside the top half for the first time in this series then but I shan't complain. Great day out, from a pefect venue, but was it worth missing Bolton's 7-0 thrashing of Exeter City? The ironic thing is that if I'd known I was going to run that well, I could have run the race and made it to the game anyway. Still, something my Dad always used to say to me was that if there was a choice between doing sport or watching sport, you should always choose doing. So I did.

Leading a small group up to the
cairn at the second checkpoint

Heading towards the final descent

Results: 43rd/78  V60: 3rd/12  Time: 1:12:53

Distance: 10.5km  Climb: 490m

Race 4 of 60@60: David Staff Memorial Fell Race

Back to Darwen for the race that I've done the most, this being my 12th go at the David Staff. The conditions were truly awful, with a strong wind and heavy rain, so the always tricky descents had become even more treacherous. 

This race deserves it's AS rating on the best of days but this year more than ever. The winning time was more than 5 minutes outside the record so my 2 minutes down on 9 years ago when the present route was inaugurated seems fair enough. It was brilliant to see so many old friends out on the hill, goretexed up to the eyeballs, marshalling and shouting encouragement to all and sundry. I love running in the the wild conditions so the day was perfect for me. 13th overall isn't too shabby but there's always somebody doing better so ended up with second Vet 60 again. Never mind - it was nice to finish in the thick of it for once. 

David Staff's first and last race as a senior Dasher was in the Clitheroe 10k on 27th December 1994. He collapsed and died by the road side after 5 miles from a condition called Hyperthropic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy. Darwen Dashers host this race to raise funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young, the charity that David's father Granville actively supports. 

Making off with my prize

I thought I'd take a picture
across to Darwen Tower as I
was heading to the motorway.

Results: 13th/84 V60: 2nd/19  Time: 39:16 

Distance: 6km Climb: 305m

Race 3 of 60@60: Dunnerdale

Back to this local favourite for my third outing of the 60 and it was a real family day out with Luke, Katie and Kath all taking part. We finished in the order we had expected in better conditions than anybody has a right to expect in November in the Lakes. It was a shorts and vests day despite being only 7 degrees down in the valley. Top half again and under the hour for the 11th time in this race so that's fine, although significantly slower than 10 years ago on this occasion.

Looking grimly determined near the finish

Kath looking altogether more relaxed

Broughton Mills Reading Room for registration

Results: 145/296  V60: 9th/38  Time: 58:55

Distance 10km  Climb: 550m

Race 2 of 60@60: Cop Hill

Straight into a double header weekend with a new race to me over at Meltham near Huddersfield. This was never going to be a good one, being entirely runable and with the only technical terrain being in the form of sticky Yorkshire mud. Straight after the race yesterday it was bound to be tough. Well beaten by a number of other V60's but a second top half finish of the weekend so I'll take that.

Runable to the top

A view from The Cop

Results: 83rd/188 V60: 10th/ 25  Time: 57:15

Distance:10km, Climb:274m

Race 1 of 60@60: Shepherds' Skyline

Here we go again then. 50@50 went OK so why not 60@60? How hard can it be? Race one the same as race one ten years ago and I managed to knock 6 seconds off so quite happy with that. I won a bottle of beer for being 2nd vet 60 and well inside the top half so that'll do! I even managed to beat Howgill rival Pat McIver into the bargain before ducking out of the FRA Annual General Meeting after the race. Best to avoid AGM's - there's always the danger of getting elected as something.

Kath's got the camera on "Arty Mode" again

Arty starty

Results: 51st/142  V60: 2nd/23  Time:1:01:44

Distance: 10km, Climb:350m