Holme Moss Fell Race Sunday 14th July 2013

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After a scorching week, when even putting out the flags in preparation for the race was hard work and with Wasdale the day before, I was somewhat apprehensive about how many entrants we would get for my first Holme Moss as organiser. In the event 74 runners actually started and while this was about 25 down on the average for the race it was a reasonable number given the tremendous heat. As well as the usual water stations at Holme Moss (twice), Crowden and Ashley’s welcome bottle at Laddow, extra water had been lugged up by the marshals to Laddow, Bareholm, Black Hill and Cartworth Peat Pits and the streams were running clear for a cool down! By Holme Moss on the way out Karl Gray, Calder Valley, Richard Pattinson, Pudsey and Bramley and Ian Mills U/A  had pulled clear by a couple of minutes from Stephen Watts, Macclesfield and the order at the front remained unchanged to the finish. Karl had pulled clear of Richard and Ian by nearly 3 minutes by Bareholme but by Laddow Rocks they had closed to just a few seconds. Thereafter the gap increased and had stretched to 8 minutes on the return to Holme Moss and nearly 11 minutes at the finish with Karl finishing in 2:33:19 a new course record ( 2^nd year on new course).

With far fewer Holmfirth entries than usual, obviously not used to the hot weather (What’s that hot orange thing in the sky?). up until Bareholm Craig Boggan was first Harrier in 8^th place but then a navigation error on this unmarked section caused him to miss out the checkpoint at Laddow Rocks (need to do the recce next year!) and so although finishing well up the field in 3:24:19 his result had to be discounted. This left M55 John (Everest) Ewart as our leading runner and he duly came home in a very creditable 11^th place and 1^st M55 in 3:20:24. Next home was Keelan Serjeant, M in 21^st place in 3:39:44 followed by 25^th Daniel Shaw, M, 3:43:42; 32^nd Phil Hobbs, M45, 3:54:25; 40^th, Maz Khoueiry, M40, 4:01:40 and 44^th John Robinson, M, 4:12:44. Unusually we had no female competitors from Holmfirth the winner’s trophy going this year to Kate Archer, 28^th, of Ilkley who finished nearly 12 minutes ahead of the 2^nd lady.

Given the extreme heat we did well to have only five retirements and all the remaining competitors reached Holme Moss on the return journey before the cut off time. At the prize giving an extra prize was awarded to Darren Fishwick of Chorley who finished 19^th in 3:34:50 after also running Wasdale the day before! Many thanks to all 40 marshals and helpers, Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team for providing safety cover, Cartworth Moor Cricket Club for use of their facilities, Yorkshire Water, United Utilities, Baikie Hodge, Natural England, John Bland at Crowden House Farm, Mr Booth at Hazlehead Farm for access and Brooklands Nursery our main sponsor.

The raffle for Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team raised £110 so thanks also to all those individuals and businesses that gave the prizes for this vital local organisation.

Here are some photos.

Norman Berrys Colection

Dave Woodheads Colection

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