Julian's (50)60 at (50)60: 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.